Kia ora Waitetuna whanau,
Waitetuna Way this week goes to - Watch this space ...to be given out on Monday to the Juniors
Diwali today - celebrating cultural diversity continues to be a priority for us and we had a wonderful day today enjoying special Indian treats, trying something new including doing Indian crafts and dressing up for the special occasion. Our two new students, Sunitha and Anita who joined us from India at the beginning of the term have really enjoyed helping us learn about Diwali and making this a special ‘celebration of light’ in the Hindu calendar an essential part of our school. Junior room sculpture trip - I heard so many descriptive accounts of the sculpture trip from the students in the junior room. Thanks Robyn for making this happen for the students.
Brain development - I often get asked about children’s development. The staff and I have watched with fascination our own children growing from toddlers right through to teenagers. At times, it seems like adolescents don't think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions. Adolescents differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions. There is a biological explanation for this difference. Studies have shown that brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood. This brain stage can start as early as 9 years old. Scientists have identified a specific region of the brain called the amygdala that is responsible for immediate reactions including fear and aggressive behaviour. This region develops early. However, the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, develops later. This part of the brain is still changing and maturing well into adulthood. It is true an adolescent’s brain does close down for renovations. More has been learned about the brain in the last 10 years than in the previous 50 years. Brain scans now allow doctors to see what actually is happening in the brain. When you ask your child why they did something and they don’t know, as frustrating as that is, the pre-teen/teenage brain may truly not know. Nathan Mikare-Wallis has been doing the rounds sharing brain development with teachers and parents for a number of years now and one of his recommendations is reading articles by the Brainwave Trust - (www.brainwave.org.nz)
Beach safety - Today all the classes had an in class session which supported our learning around beach/surf safety. This will help us in readiness for our trip next Tuesday. A notice went home at the beginning of the week for our day at Wainui reserve with the Surf lifeguards. Can these please be returned on Monday.
Our ASB Financial Literacy was unfortunately postponed until the end of the term. It is an important part of the curriculum. The programme emphasises the importance of saving for items and not using a credit card.
The countdown continues with only 1 week until the Waitetuna trail run. This will be held on the 21st November - we need help please. Thanks for the offers so far but more are needed.
Working bee - TOMORROW from 9.30am - we are going to spend the morning at school doing some much needed jobs that will also save the school a lot of money. This may include removing the old bus shed and other wood we don’t need, and making a larger sandpit in front of the junior room. If you can lend a hand for a couple of hours the board, staff and students would be greatly appreciative.
Pool keys will go on sale very soon. Richard has been busy getting the pool ready for swimming. A pool key is available for immediate family to use from Dec through to the close of summer season in April - including the school holidays, after school and weekends. With increasing costs associated with the pool upkeep the Board agreed that an increase of $10 was needed. Pool keys will be $80 this season(5 months swimming) and this includes a $10 refund on return of your key.
Reminders:
Surf lifesaving day - Raglan - whole school - Tues 17 November
Cricket festival - Fri 20 November
School photos - Fri 20 November
Wind farm trail run - Sat 21 November
Dog safety talk - Mon 23 November
School athletics - Tues 24 November
Logging truck visiting - 9.15am - Thurs 26 November
School disco - Thurs 26 November
Netball exchange with Te Uku - re-match from last term - 27 November
Inter-school athletics day - Mon 30 November
Matua X in - Enviro education - 7, 8, 9th December
End of Year prize-giving - 5.30pm - Monday 14th December
Last day - 16 December - finish at 2pm
Assemblies:
13 November (Week 5)
27 November (Week 7)
4th December (Week 8)
Kia Ora, Amanda Nasilasila
Together we are growing the seeds of success Na tō manaaki, na tōku manaaki, ka puāwai mai nga kākano