Newsletter Term 3 Week 3

NEWSLETTER

TERM 3 WEEK 3 2024

Kia ora koutou

I have been thinking about today’s newsletter alot. When really poor data hits the media that tells a story of failing tamariki and teachers – this is cause for sleepless nights. I knew this wasn’t “our” data but it is our education system.

What we need to consider is this:

IF all 5 year olds lined up on the start line together and arrived at that start line with the same ‘equipment’ in their backpack then you COULD assume that 80% of them might reach the Year 8 finish line at a similar time. But you would also then assume that throughout that time their life experiences were also similar.

What arrives in a 5 year olds ‘backpack of readiness for school’ is a mixture of things and for many it is a complex mixture. I know I am simplifying the issue but what I have always advocated for as an educationalist and leader of learning is that we take children from where they are at and keep them moving forward. It is also to relate to our tamariki as individuals, light a fire and a passion for lifelong learning and never settle for a one size fits all approach.  

Our children are more than the sum of a test or the result of an exam. Reading, writing and maths are important skills, but so are self-managing, critical thinking, practical decision making, competition, experimentation, body movement, empathy, the arts…..I could list 100 more attributes that parents have spoken to me about over the years. There is so much we do in school to engage your child in their learning journey and we put as much effort into that as we do into the planning and teaching of reading, writing and maths.

We welcome diagnostic tests as one of the tools that help teachers understand how an individual child is progressing in comparison to other children of the same age. This knowledge can then be used to tailor an education programme to meet that student’s needs but not as a way of comparing them so that they see themselves as either successes or failures of the system.  

I will publish our mid-year data in our next newsletter, but at this point in the year, a conservative figure for our Year 8’s achieving at maths is over 70%. The media figure for Year 8 achievement in maths was 22%.

I hope many of you have been able to get along to our Aspiration Conversations (either yesterday or tomorrow) – it is so important to remember that we are in this learning journey together and your children really relish the opportunity to share their goals and aspirations with you and ‘show off’ their learning. You are a major part of their motivation to learn and the success that comes from this. We sincerely thank you for your support.

Finally – as I mentioned in the last newsletter – this is a busy term for ‘transport support’ and we really appreciate all offers of transport – we simply couldn’t get as involved in events as with do without your help.

Ngā manaakitanga, Kim Gordon, Tumuaki.  

Rangitikei Tough Kids – Friday 9 August

• A few reminders for those who are attending the Tough Kids event THIS Friday.
• We will be leaving school at 9:15 am, so please make sure your child is on time. We will be back by 3 pm for bus students. 
• Parents supporting with transport, please meet on the courts. 
• Parents taking their child, if you are not at school for roll call we will assume you will be meeting us at the venue. On arrival, look for the school gazebo and Mrs Hurley as she will be there ticking off students for their registration.
• Students are to arrive at school in their sports and cultural tops and black bottoms.
• Appropriate footwear for the course and afterward –  shoes are recommended.
• Please pack – a big lunch, full water bottle, hat, towel, and school uniform to get changed into afterward.
• Some students have pre-ordered lunch and/or a t-shirt, these will be handed out at the event.
• Food and Drinks for sale – cash only.
• See below for the order of events.

Rangitīkei Tough Kid Schedule – All times are subject to change

10:00am – Schools arrive at McIntyre Reserve.

10:15am – Welcome & Participant Briefing.

10:20am – Participant Warm up.

10:20am – Volunteer Briefing.

10.35am – Year 3 Boys Race.

10.50am – Year 3 Girls Race.

11.05am – Year 4 Boys Race.

11.20am – Year 4 Girls Race.

11.35am – Year 5 Boys Race.

11.50am – Year 5 Girls Race.

12.05pm – Year 6 Boys Race

12.20pm – Year 6 Girls Race.

12.35pm – Year 7 Boys Race.

12.50pm – Year 7 Girls Race.

1.05pm – Year 8 Boys Race.

1.20pm – Year 8 Girls Race.

1.35pm – Whānau Fun Run (Strictly parents, teachers welcome).

1.50pm – Prizegiving.

2pm approx. – Event is finished.

Note

• Participants will be marshalled 10 minutes before their race is scheduled to start. The marshalling area will be near the start line, which is near where schools will be set up.
• The volunteer briefing will take place at the same time as the participant warm up is happening. The briefing will be at the Sport Whanganui tent. The warmup will take place in the school’s area.
• Any adult wanting to participate in the ‘Whānau fun Run’ must sign a waiver beforehand. This can be done at any time during the day at the Sport Whanganui tent.

 Aspiration Conversation Continue Thursday 8th August.

SCHOOL WILL CLOSE AT 1PM  

Please make arrangements to collect your child/ren.

Bus students will be supervised.

School lunch will be provided and can be taken home at 1pm. 

TUARONGO TRIP TO CAPITAL E 

Tuesday 13th August

REMINDER 

We will be departing school at 7am by bus. We will leave Wellington at 3.15pm and will arrive back to school at approximately 5.45pm. Due to the unpredictability of traffic, we will give an update via the school app and on our facebook page to let you know our expected arrival time back at school.  

Students must wear tidy school uniform and have: 

• Their Bulls School polar fleece
• Black raincoat
• Suitable walking shoes
• A backpack with a big packed lunch and water bottles.

Whaea Leigh’s class trip to Palmerston North to Kind Hearts

SUBSCRIBE TO APP GROUPS 

Di has refreshed this and named each group with 2024 so you know it’s relevant and up to date. You will all need to join the groups specific to your tamariki.

This has important notices for either the whole school or specific groups eg: Bus Students, Sports, Cultural, Hubs, etc that you can join according to what your child’s involved in.

Many notices or reminders go out via the APP so it is an important tool for parents to be aware of what is due eg: permission slips and dates for events offsite, transport required etc. This is also an efficient way to provide absence notices.

In many cases, parental permission may be given via the app as well.

UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

Our uniform and the way we wear it is connected to our PRIDE values. Taking PRIDE in our kura and our appearance as well as acknowledging the necessity to be sunsafe sits behind our decision to introduce a Bulls School Bucket Hat as a part of our regulation uniform. This has been an expectation since the beginning of 2023. Hats are available online or in-store for $20 and they come in 2 different sizes. Once you have yours PLEASE clearly name/label it. Matching 175 potae to 175 heads is much simpler when they are clearly named.