Thursday, October 31, 2013

“Where I am from” Poetry

The following poem is a compilation of excerpts from Lesley’s Extraordinary Eight’s  KiMeana poems 
Note: LE8s for short, a group of students Lesley is doing some work with.... and.... a self-styled name.

Thanks to Thushar, Madi, Jasmine, Ryan H, Caitlin, Emma L and Karina for the great work they did on their poems

I am from....We are from

I am a true Wellingtonian used to the wet and wild; the angry weather tearing at my face
I am from sleek and stylish technology lifestyles
I am from bush walks, finding the patch of sun, staring up at the trees as tall as the sky tower
I am from blossoms as red as blood, hanging on bright green leaves
I am from exploring and adventuring; more places to discover
I am from a lamp set ablaze each day, accompanied by the “ting-ting-ting” of a bronze bell and the family murmuring prayers – a calming duo
I am from hours of formulas and geometry; my head filled and packed – a nuclear space
I am from birthday parties with cakes as sweet as summer strawberries, black and red shiny guitars and awesome music
I am from tall grass and flax, bending in the slow drifty breeze. From tennis, vortexes and quoits that fly through the air like the wind
I am from leprechauns hiding in potato fields and massive pots of gold
I am from the salty water splashing over my face on the fast and furious jetski

We are from technology, angry weather, bushwalks, murmured prayers, hours of geometry, birthday parties, tall grasses and flaxes, leprechauns, salty water, tennis and vortexes

We are from hundreds and thousands.... everyone of us unique


PACK the BUS - COLLECTING FROM AMESBURY SCHOOL ON 26th NOVEMBER!

We are supporting "Pack the Bus" again this year for the Wellington City Mission and supported by The Breeze.  

The bus will be visiting us on 26th November and we hope we can do our bit to pack it full of goodies for those families less fortunate than us.




Christmas items:
Small Christmas Cakes
Jelly
Christmas Mince Pies (6 packs)
Christmas Puddings
Tinned Fruit
Christmas Crackers
Confectionery (lollies, candy canes, chocolates)
Tinned Meat


Toys: (new toys only please - and unwrapped)
Lego
Art equipment
Educational books
Beach/picnic/water toys
Puzzles
Outdoor sports gear
Board games

Extras:
Toiletries (for mums and dads)
Hair products

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Churton Park Girls' Night Out - Fri Nov 8th

Churton Park Girls' Night Out: PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR THIS INAUGURAL CHARITY EVENT - 8 November. 6pm onwards. This event was first mooted by Amesbury School and has been put together by a committee of Churton Park women with Natasha Murrihy as the event organiser - completing requirements for her Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management. Tickets ($15.00 including wine/juice and nibbles) are being sold at Amesbury School, the Churton Park Community Centre and Churton Park School. Here at Amesbury School we are happy to add your ticket purchases to your account. The event consists of entertainment - Jessie Hillel will be singing, a women's expo (see the amazing things our Churton Park women are doing and begin your Christmas shopping early), refreshments, seminars and demonstrations - including an Indian cooking demonstration and a Japanese cultural demonstration, spot prizes, photo booth and a charity auction. Get a group of friends together and have a Girls' Night Out. Email Gail to secure your tickets. And thanks for your support of this event.

All funds raised will go to Kiwi Community Assistance and Women's Refuge. Check out the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ChurtonParkGirlsNightOut
and the blog  http://churtonparkgirlsnightout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/celebrating-women-in-our-community.html)

Look forward to seeing you there.

Term 4 Community Evening, 13 Nov, 5.45pm

Term 4 Community Evening, Wednesday, 13 November, 5.45pm. Please plan to attend this evening as we will be consulting with the school community (YOU) in a range of areas to assist us as we plan for next year. There will be many opportunities to provide your thoughts on a range of topics and curriculum areas.

As well as a family activity, there will be a puppet show for the children, light refreshments and a range of consultation activities for parents. More about this shortly. In the meantime, please do plan to attend.

Summer Day Out - Parents needed

Summer Day Out: PARENTS NEEDED - MEN AND WOMEN. We are looking for parents who are willing to help with the organisation of this annual event which is primarily an opportunity to build community and secondly to raise funds for the development of our school grounds (which will then be enjoyed by the whole community). If you are willing to help with the organisation of this important community event, please contact Lesley as soon as possible. We are hoping to see some new faces involved, along with some of those who have previously been involved in Amesbury events. The more people involved, the less work for everyone.

We are already beginning to plan this community event which will take place 23 February 2014. Last year the Summer Day out was organised in a few short weeks. This time we are hoping to get much of the organisation done prior to the end of this year, so that we have a slightly more leisurely lead up to the event. The event is very early in the school year to make the most of February weather.

The purpose of this event is to primarily to provide an opportunity to bring our community together. This year we are planning to have more entertainment, more activities and more food.

Please contact Lesley (principal@amesbury.school.nz) in the next few days if you are willing and able to be involved. YOUR SCHOOL NEEDS YOU!

Wattie's Cans Film Festival - Wednesday 13th November 2013

On November 13th, Kiwis around the country can visit their local participating movie theatres and swap a can for a movie ticket.  Wattie's matches  each donated can with one of their own cans and all go to The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.

See the following link for information on participating cinemas;

http://www.watties.co.nz/What-s-New/Wattie-s-20th-Annual-Cans-Film-Festival

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

High Five Celebrations- Week 2

Congratulations to the following students who are our Week 2 'High Fivers'
For Connecting and including as peer tutors    
 


Siddheseh Kalyanasundaram







Thurshar Venugopal Anup


                                

 
Ethane Dunne
Arman Choudhry 

Luke Walmsley
Max Waters  




Karina O'Connor
For Sustainability
Echelon Topp
Kate Yu
          







Freeman Yu
Cruz Hodson
            Rosa Chambers

 
        



 For Excellence

Gregory Kathiravetpillai
Camden Gilchrist







Mathhew Zhu
Olivia Bourne




 For Creating and enquiring


Avin Chen

New Students

 
A big welcome to Niamh and Toby. They started in Koru Hub last week.
Niamh Ashley    Raiko (Toby's 'Buddy)    Toby Short

Head Lice are a jumping

We have had reports of head
lice in school. Please be vigilant and keep checking your children's hair.
Many thanks.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

PLEASE USE THE SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN CROSSING

It has been noted that some parents, with students, are not crossing the road at our pedestrian crossing. Please ensure you do this. A car had to brake today for people crossing directly in front of the school rather than walking to our controlled crossing. Many thanks.

Scholastic Book Club

Book ordering forms will be out this week. Please return the form and payment to the box in the library by the 7th of Nov.
Please remember that cheques or Visa payment are the only method of payment.

Year 5/6 KIDSMOVIECLUB -“Looking at the art of story-telling through film” “We honour reading, why not honour watching with the same passion” – Beeban Kidron film director and producer and cofounder of FILMCLUB


On Fridays after school a group of Year 5 and 6 students meet to watch a movie. They spend time discussing the movie. Students then write reviews of the movie in their own time at home or at school. This activity was open to Year 5 and 6 students only and places were soon filled.

On Friday, 18th October they watched their 
first film.
Rated: UNIVERSAL - Suitable for all
The movie watched was the UK movie ALL STARS which is a kids-against -the-world type of movie.

Students met today with Lesley, to discuss the movie and to think about how to write a film review. We look forward to them sharing their reviews.

KIDSMOVIECLUB is be held this term on the following Fridays:
  • 8 November
  • 15 November
  • 22 November
  • 29 November
In general sessions follow this format:
2.30pm  - begin watching movie
3.30pm  - refreshments
3.45pm - watch rest of movie
4.30pm - discuss movie
Throughout the next week - write movie review.


High Five Celebrations

The inaugural 'High Five Celebration' was held this week. This hui celebrates our students who are thinking and acting in ways that make our 'high fives' come alive.

Excellence
            Connecting and including
                          Authenticity
   Creating and enquiring
                                    Sustainability

The students receiving the awards this week were:
                                                                        

                                                                          
Kellan van Koughnet - Authenticity 
Kellan is always and consistently the best he can be.  He is always noticed doing the right thing.
 
 


Aidan & Michelle Watson - Connecting and including -
Lesley loves watching Aidan and Michelle leave Kelly Club in the afternoons because they are so clearly pleased to see each other. You laugh,  talk and joke and show real delight in each other’s company as you walk to the car. Arohanui.





Arthur Truman - Excellence
Arthur is trying hard in his reading. As a result, he is really flying and making great progress. Congratulations to his reading teacher, too. He loves reading with her.





Samuel Harlen - Connecting and including
Samuel, you work really hard to ensure all the milk monitor jobs are being covered. You constantly do more than your fair share of jobs to ensure everything is sorted for everyone. You also checked with Andrea to see if any  help was needed  for the disco, again trying to ensure that everything runs smoothly for people.  Ka pai!


Caitlin - Excellence
In the International Competitions and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) testing, Caitlin achieved a High Distinction in English,  Distinction in Science and Credit in Mathematics. Fantastic achievement. Arohanui, Caitlin

 

Kali van Koughnet & Anaiya Bhola - Connecting and including
These two participated in a Twitter chat this week with 20 - 25 other classes from around NZ. They won “tweet of the week” -- Ka Pai!





Anish Hota - Excellence
In the International Competitions and Assessment for Schools testing (ICAS), Anish achieved a High Distinction in Computer Skills, a Distinction in Mathematics and a credit in Science. Outstanding achievement. Arohanui, Anish.








Welcome Jayden

Amesbury welcomes Jayden Dickison to school. Jayden is in Koru Hub. He has been especially well looked after by his buddy Siddhesh. Siddhesh thinks he has passed on all he knows about about Amesbury School to Jayden.

Culture Disco Reminder - Friday 1st November

Hello Parents,

This is just a reminder that the culture disco is on the 1st of November. 
Remember to wear something to show your heritage! Tickets will be sold until the Friday 25th of October in the library from 8:30 to 9:00 am. Tickets are $2 each. 
The Harakeke Hub disco will be from 6:15 to 7:30 pm, and the Koru Hub disco will be from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. You can buy snacks, treats and glow sticks at the disco, so bring some extra money. 
There will be also be some prizes handed out for best dancer, funkiest costume and more!

Regards,
The Disco Committee.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Amesbury School Athletics

Today I felt so proud to be an Amesbury School teacher, as I watched all of our students participating to the best of their abilities in all of their events. I saw students running as fast as they could to beat the person next to them. I saw students trying out high jump for the first time. I saw students throwing quoits and discuses with all their might and jumping as far as they could in the long jump. I also saw students encouraging each other and showing a lot of sportsmanship. Thank you Amesbury School students. You made the day fantastic.

However, a day like this could not have run so smoothly without the shining sun and the people who helped at all of the event, and the supporters on the sideline. A big thank you goes out to all of the people who were there supporting us at athletics today - the teachers and parents. You worked hard and did a great job. I would also like to say a big thank you to John Murrihy for helping us organise the athletics day. His expertise and organisation helped make it a successful day.

Newtown Park was a fantastic venue for our athletics day, especially with the track having been relaid last year. Thank you to the Wellington Council for the use of the track and to Athletics Wellington for the use of all their equipment. A special thanks to Geoff Henry from Athletics Wellington for helping us set up and pack away, and also for being our starter all day.




Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Summary of information from BOT meeting 25 September 2013

RECAPITATION
Still under consideration by the Ministry.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATA
A full presentation and consideration of mid year student achievement data – reading, writing, maths – was considered by the Board.
PROPERTY:
The Ministry has agreed to tidy up the Romaine Road entrance with fencing, bollards etc. It will be a temporary tidy up because the Ministry is still in discussions with the WCC regarding the development of a turning area at the bottom of Romaine Road.
A student group is working with the landscape architect on the proposed development of the grounds.
The Board also wished to thank members of the community where were vigilant in maintaining surveillance over the school grounds.
FINANCE
Finances are tracking slightly better than expected against the budget. Income is on target, but expenditure is less than budgeted.
The Board approved in principle the purchase of storage cabinets for  the PE shed. Prices for having the cabinets made have not yet been received. These will be emailed to Board members when received.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The reviewed health and safety policy was adopted.  The Board were satisfied with emergency procedures in place, with particular reference to earthquake procedures.
The revised attendance policy was reviewed.
The Board noted that Review of Annual Plan, Self Review and Charter Development were all tracking.
ICT
The Board approved the purchase of 15 more Chrome Books and the contract for the  development of software for the recording and reporting of student assessment data.
INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
A Wellington group is currently working to get an interdenominational christian  school up and running. They are looking to purchase land in Glenside. Lesley and John Bunting have attended the meetings and are keen to ensure that the new school has a vision for 21st century learning.
NEXT MEETING:
23 November 2013.

Enrolling at Newlands Intermediate School

ASB Home Loan Offer

Acquiring the latest technology for your school could be easier than you think. It’s as simple as networking with your local community and connecting new home buyers to our latest school banking initiative.
Right now for every new ASB home loan over $150,000 taken out by a parent, staff or member of your school community, before 31 December 2013, we'll donate a Sony Xperia Tablet Z or $500 cash to your school. This is a limited time offer instead of the usual $250 donation voucher, so don’t miss out! 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Learning Celebration - Term 3


On the last Thursday in Term 3 we gathered for our learning celebration. This was a chance for students to share some of the learning that has been happening across the school through the term.

Congratulations to the two students who were our Amesbury Awesomeness Award winners for Term 3. They were: Chelsea and Freeman. Chelsea was presented with the award for Harakeke Hub because she shows great initiative and is becoming a highly focused, self-directed learner.



Freeman Yu received Koru Hub's Awesomeness Award for demonstrating excellence and putting his best effort into many things. Well done Freeman. 

                            
We congratulated Matt Nel for his great achievement in being chosen to play for the Colts in Cricket as a year 5 student when the grade is year 7/8. Amazing talent!

Kali was presented with a scholarship to attend a drama school for the term. Her selection was assisted by the Onslow College drama teacher who said that she is really motivated to develop herself as an actor.

Melanie and Joshua A did a fantastic job of being MCs for the event....and didn't they look smart! Loved the tie, Joshua.

All in all it was a great assembly. Congratulations everyone!

PS. The school band (Seven Days Ahead) was amazing!
                                                                                                   
 






Welcome to Our New Students

Amesbury School welcomes Riley, Caitlyn, Shruthi and Emma. 

Emma started at Amesbury at the end of last term and Riley, Caitlyn and Shruthi started on Monday this term.

Kiwiana Day - Living Joyfully with Diversity

On Tuesday 15th Oct from 9 - 11 am we celebrated Kiwiana Fun at school. All the students were involved in a range of fun events aimed at celebrating aspects of Kiwiana (iconic aspects of life in New Zealand). TipTop ice cream in cones, pineapple lumps and barbecued sausages were offered to students who wanted them. 



 











Gumboots, shiny towny ones to muddy rural boots, were on display as well as jandals, (flip flops to you from across the Tassie). There were kiwi books to read and to listen to. Kiwi films to view. Dog and Wal appeared in Koru hub along with a giant kiwi. His command of English was real good.

 


The rugby was fierce, the sack races mighty fun. Full credit to the sheilas and blokes competing in the 'throw the kiwi egg in the gumboots and pin the beak on the kiwi. On a strange twist to an old tail..ooops...tale, some students were seen reattaching tails to lambs in what I heard explained as "redocking". Yes indeed, we Kiwi, with our can do attitude and number 8 wire, once again are world leaders, punching above our weight.


All this 'Kiwiana Fun' was the start of our term theme 'Living Joyfully with Diversity'. We are exploring Kiwiana - common items or icons of Kiwi culture. We will be exploring what life in New Zealand means for us as individuals; looking at our own family and history, and how this translates to life for us in New Zealand.

During the rest of the term we will be exploring different cultures, different celebrations and other ways of being in the world.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Four Year Old Programme

Kia ora Whanau

Our four year old programme continues this term.  

Wednesdays at 11:30am-12:30pm in Koru Hub. 

It will run every Wednesday starting from this week.  The last session for the year will be on Wednesday 4 December.

See you there!

Angela

Friday, October 11, 2013

Community Notices - October 2013




Johnsonville Cricket Club is still taking registrations for the 2013-14 season.
The club has teams from Year 0-1 (age 4 to 5) through to Year 8 for both boys and girls.  Fees are $55 for Year 0/1, Girls and Year 8, $75 for other grades and $130 for a family.
The season starts Saturday 2 November, breaks for Christmas Saturday 21 December, restarts in the New Year on Saturday 25 January 2014 and ends 31 March 2014.
Please contact Liza Anderson (021 999 499) or Bill Taylor (021 625 148) with any questions or see the website www.jcc.org.nz.

Law for Lunch: Caring for the Carers:the new Family Carers Policy and what it means for families caring for disabled relatives
Nicola Drayton-Glesti, Community Lawyer, Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley
Wed 23 Oct 12-1pm All welcome. Free. Newlands Community Centre
For more info go to http://www.wcl.govt.nz/lawforlunch/
Please register with Raph or Fei on 4773724 or newlandscc@wcc.govt.nz

A fun day out for the whole family with food, entertainment & free bouncy castles
The 2nd Annual Gully Gutbuster will take place on Sunday 3rd November from 9am - 1pm.
The Gully Gutbuster is designed for the whole family and caters for all fitness levels. Participants will enjoy a 5k or 10 Fun Run/Walk through the beautiful Seton Nossiter Park, the surrounding streets of Newlands and Paparangi and finish back on the Paparangi School grounds in Beazley Ave, Paparangi. The Kids Challenge will take place on the school grounds at 11am. The approx 1km Challenge will offer a few fun obstacles along the way. Children will receive a medal for their efforts at the end of the race. And we can't forget the Under 5's! Following the kids challenge there will be a short distance 'Dash' for anyone under 5 - gold coin entry on the day. Rain, hail or shine the Gully Gutbuster will go ahead.

Meet author Stacy Gregg
New Zealand children's author Stacy Gregg, author of the Pony Club Secrets books will be at The Children's Bookshop, Kilbirnie Plaza on Thursday November 14th from 4pm to 4,30pm
Stacy will be promtong her new book, The Princess and the Foal, but readers are welcome to bring along any copies of her books they already own for signing, and to ask questions

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOBBIE?   LEARN THE PIANO!
To find out more call Laurel on 021 242 8221 or email laurelkimtse@gmail.com


Lion Heart Education -"Build Your Resilient Life" - STRESS E.D. provides
children and young people with tools to develop their emotional
self-regulation skills, learn at their optimal capacity and and perform at
their peak.  Whilst practicing the tools student's are able to feel and see
their progress using technological platforms that are both fun and enhance
learning.  For more information please visit 
www.lionhearteducation.com or
phone Lynnette Chadwick on 022 044 9976.

SPOTLIGHT ON SEAVIEW - Industry Open Day Sunday 10th November 10am – 4pm
This is a free educational event for the whole family.  If you are interested in recycling, manufacturing, marine or design  to name a few then check out the businesses that are doing free public tours on the day.
There is also a colouring in competition for children under the age of 10years with prizes, plus a prize pack worth over $2,500 to be won on the day.
For more details of what is on and to find the colouring competition visit www.seaviewbusiness.co.nz/spotlight .

The Kung Fu School - Shaolin Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan
Adults and children, do you want an opportunity to learn and practice traditional Shaolin martial arts and Chi Gung training in an enjoyable atmosphere where you will get fit, make new friends and learn self defence techniques? Try us out, first class is free!
When: Wednesdays – Children 5:30 to 6:30 – Adults 6:30 to 8PM
Where: West park School, Broderick Road, Johnsonville
Contact: Marc 027 436 3905. Email: Johnsonville@shaolinkungfu.co.nz. Website: www.shaolinkungfu.co.nz