IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC

DEAR PARENTS

Tēnā koutou katoa

It was fabulous this morning to see so many of our children, and some parents, arrive dressed in pink. Pink Shirt Day has been marked in all of our Kāhui Ako Schools today in some way or another. Our children are generally very well behaved and I am very proud of the way they display our care value of Aroha which encompasses kindness and relates directly to ensuring that bullying does not take place in our school. Naturally when we bring together over 650 children on a daily basis there are going to be some instances of children not being kind, misunderstandings and physical or verbal acts that could be described as bullying. Thankfully they are not common at our school but this is a terrific opportunity for us to focus on the importance of not allowing these behaviours to creep into our kura. It is important that we as teachers know when children are unhappy or are experiencing conflict with other children. It is important that we know early on so that we can take action before incidents escalate, so please do not hesitate to “speak up” and let us know of any problems so we can work together to ensure we solve problems early.

So join us in teaching the children that they should:

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora. Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

School this week has been a joy, the children are enthusiastic and there is so much going on around the school. It is wonderful to be back and back at Level 1 so that parents can once again be in the school grounds. I thank you all for accepting the protocols around drop off and pick up in such a positive manner. It really does make a difference to our school day and has had a positive influence on many children.

TEACHER ONLY DAYS

I would like to remind you of the two teacher only days we are holding this term on Tuesday October the 27th and Monday November the 30th. We have had very little time to be involved in quality PLD this year and have been unable to utilize the Teacher Only Days that the government provided for us in the last pay award, so we really welcome and value the opportunity to use these days to further develop our staffs skills and knowledge. I thank you for making alternative arrangements for your children’s care on those days.

CAMPS

I am really pleased that we have been able to reschedule our year 4  and year 6 camps for this term and thank you all for your patience as we have had to change our organisation in mid stream. Camps are expensive exercises but in my view invaluable as a learning experience for all children. We have noticed that payment of camp fees have been a little slow and I am acutely aware of the problems being faced by some families with regard to changes in work circumstances and that this may be affecting peoples ability to fund camp for this year. I am very keen to see that every child who wants to go to camp, can, so please contact me if we can help in this area.

CLASS PLACEMENT

As we head towards the end of the year planning is well underway for 2021. It is the time for parents to contact us with requests regarding placement for next year. These requests should be based around our ability to meet any specific needs your child may have whether they be learning, health or well-being issues. While we are aware of many of our children’s needs there may be something you consider important that we may not be aware of. I would like to emphasise this is not an opportunity to choose your child’s teacher or classroom, or to ensure children stay with their friends, but to inform us of important issues that we should consider when placing your child. Do not just rely on a discussion with our teachers please put your thoughts in writing so they are not overlooked. Please send these requests direct to me via my email address.

NZ Dance Company

I am thrilled that we will be welcoming the NZ Dance company to perform at our school next Friday. They will be performing their dance Matariki for Tamariki, there is a voluntary gold coin donation to help with the funding of this exciting opportunity and following the performance our year 4 children will be involved in workshops being held by the dance company.

I thank you all for your continued support of all we do here at Torbay School. We have an immensely busy term ahead of us and are looking forward to finishing the year in a very positive way.

My email address is [email protected]

Ngā mihi nui
Gary O’Brien
Principal


ACCOMPLISHMENTS  

KA PAI to the following students who have shared their fantastic learning with us this week: Baxter M Rm 14  Awesome work!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following tamariki who received certificates from their class teachers: Paora & Yoko Rm 2, Tara & Mila Rm 4, Bede & Riley Rm 5, Leo & Mason Rm 6, Gwynnie & Claire Rm 7, Jagger & Brooke Rm 9, Daniel & Hannah Rm 10, Zion & Jamie Rm 11, Lea & Ella Rm 11a, Luca & Chenggou Rm 12, Eva & Louis Rm 14, Scarlett & Lucca Rm 15, Harley & Rhianna Rm 16, Tayla & Nathan S Rm 18, Kayla & Cole Rm 19, Jamie & Connor Rm 20, Xulia & Xavier Rm 21, Bianca K & Archie Rm 22, Skyla & Agnes Rm 24, Elliot & Alex Rm 25 Well done everyone!! 

RICC REWARDS, for displaying our C.A.R.E Values – Alex Rm 1, Mahera Rm 3, Violet Rm 4, Martin Rm 5, Sawyer & Sienna Rm 7, Nathan Rm 8, Zeke Rm 10, Hannah Rm 11, Kezia Rm 14, Olivia, Mason & Mika Rm 16, Deon, John & Cruz Rm 18, Anya Rm 19, Taya U & Lola, Rm 20, Nikola Rm 22, Sienna & Bianca B Rm 23, Tatiana & Mason Rm 25 Ka pai! 

SCHOOL NOTICES

MEETINGS – The next B.O.T Meeting will be held on  Wednesday 28th October @ 7pm in the Staffroom. The next New Parent Meeting will be held on Monday 16th November @ 9.30am in the staffroom.

TERM 4 TEACHER ONLY DAYS – Tuesday 27th October 2020 & Monday 30th November. School will be closed for learners on both of these days. Fun Club will be open. Please contact Sandie or Thelma on 021 399 626 to book in.

RIPPA RUGBY TOURNAMENT – THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2020 If you wish to come along and support your tamariki and the other Torbay Teams and/or if you are helping us on the day please note the change of venue which will now be held at: KAIPATIKI PARK (GLENFIELD RUGBY CLUB)  we hope to see as many of you there as possible!

TORBAY SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS 2020 – All parents and caregivers should have received an email or letter calling for nominations for the election of two parent representatives on the Torbay School Board.  If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the nomination form sent with the election information and return it to the school office by Sunday 1st November.  In the event of more than two nominations, a voting election will be held. Voting papers will be issued by Friday, 6th November. Voting closes 4pm Friday 4th December and results announced Thursday 10th December.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or require more information. Ray Nixon – Returning Officer [email protected]

END OF TERM MUFTI DAY –  On Friday 25th Sept our school held a mufti day to raise money for CanTeen, an organization that helps 13-24-year-olds dealing with cancer to get back to living their lives. Thank you to all of those who supported the end of term mufti day. We raised $731.00 to support this very worthy cause.

PTA DISCO – HALLOWEEN/MONSTER MASH THEME –  Friday 30th October in school hall.  Juniors (Y1-3) 6-7pm Seniors (Y4-6) 7.15 – 8.30pm. Tickets $5 or $10 per family.  Pre order Pizza via online shop for $1.50 per slice, gluten free or dairy free $2 per slice, gluten & dairy free $2.50 per slice. You can also pre order sweets online for $2 a bag or bring along cash on the night. Tickets for the Parent’s room can be brought via the online shop or $5 cash on the night.

Y6 WATERWISE – Starts Friday 30th October (weather permitting). If you can help at all (no experience necessary) or if you have any questions please contact Melissa Craig at [email protected]

WHEELS DAY Y’s 1-5 STARTS FRIDAY 30th October – Bring along your scooters, skateboards, roller skates or roller blades (Sorry, NO BIKES). You can bring your wheels but will only be allowed to ride if you are wearing a helmet and shoes. Please make sure your child’s wheels are named. Your wheels can only be ridden in the allocated spot during lunchtime. They can’t be ridden at morning tea or before school. Come along and join the fun.

PLEASE NOTE: Wheels Day will be held every Friday for Years 1-5 after lunch eating. Only on Waterwise Fridays

PARENT HELP NEEDED – Can you help? Do you have some time to spare and would like to help the school?  We would love a few parents to help with prepping library books and putting away resources.  If you are available for a couple of hours please let us know at the school office. Thanks!

SCHOLASTIC LUCKY BOOK ORDERS – ISSUE 7 – Lucky Book Club Order forms have gone home with your child/ren.  For any parents wanting to order books the closing date for orders is Friday, 30th October 3pm. Thank you for your support, with every order our school benefits.  

SCHOOL POOL KEYS – These will go on sale to our school community from 8.30am Tuesday 17th, November 2020 $100.00 hire plus $20 refundable key bond (Total $120) NOTE: These will not be able to be purchased through the online shop
(Sorry, no waiting list for keys and no keys will be issued until the pool contract is completed.)

CHESS IS BACK AT TORBAY SCHOOL FOR TERM 4 –  CLASS DETAILS: Sessions will be held on Monday’s from 3.10 pm to 4.10 pm in the Multimedia Room starting Mon 12 October 2020. The last session will be held on 7 December 2020. The fee is $110 for the term.
REGISTRATION: If your child would like to be part of this for TERM 4 please visit our website: www.chesspower.co.nz/register
It is easy to register. Just choose your school and fill out the online form. Payments can be made by credit card.

MARRZIPAN DRAMA CLASS AT TORBAY SCHOOL TERM 4 – Marrzipan have gained a huge reputation in New Zealand for the development of shy children, especially those with anxiety, autism and selective mutism. Saying that, this is a class for the super crazy and dramatic types too, as we focus on positive leadership and social skills. Our classes focus on inner and outer self-confidence, and are super fun and exciting for children. Parents are kept up to date with weekly emails about what’s been covered in class and why, as well as what you can work on at home. We have two awesome showcases at the end of every term too, so you can see your child’s development first hand.

In the event we return to a Level 3 lockdown – no need to fear! Our classes will continue online via Zoom until we can return to school! 

Classes will be running on Wednesday’s after school in the Library at Torbay School. Spaces for our Trial Class on Wednesday the 21st of October are limited, so please get in touch via our website to secure your child’s space, or call our superstar Office Team to give you the lowdown on why your child simply MUST give it a go. Head to www.marrzipandrama.co.nz and click REGISTER HERE or call 027 367 3334. See you there!

  • DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
  • COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you).
  • HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.

If there is no shelter nearby, or you are outside, DROP down on your hands and knees and COVER your head and neck with your arms and hands, and HOLD on. If you are unable to drop, brace yourself in a chair or wheelchair (lock your wheels) and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
TYPES OF EMERGENCIES
Floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, and landslides can be
frightening because they strike at any time and often without warning. Here is a link  http://www.whatstheplanstan.govt.nz/ to explore the types of emergencies and learn better ways to prepare.

GENERAL REMINDERS

SCHOOL ABSENCES – It is important to contact the school office if your child is going to be absent from school.

You can do this by one of the following:

TORBAY SCHOOL UNIFORM – Below are Torbay’s School Uniform items – please ensure that students are following these requirements. 

  • School bucket hats (Black or Blue) are compulsory Terms 1 and 4.
  • Students are permitted to wear any tidy plain black leggings, skirts, skorts, trousers or shorts – NO denim jeans/skirts/shorts.
  • Plain sensible shoes (such as sneakers or sandals) that the student can put on/take off themselves preferably black or white in colour – No boots, crocs or jandals/thongs.
  • Socks are to be plain black, blue or white socks – NO long socks.
  • Students can wear plain black, blue or white short sleeve thermals or singlets under their school polo in winter months.
  • All uniform items are to be clearly named. Student’s name can be embroidered under the logo (or on the back of hats) in black, yellow or white cotton on school uniform. Contact the school office for further clarification.
LOST PROPERTY – Is in the corridor next to Room 1, now that we are in Level 1 if you are missing items please check this area. Please ensure ALL items are named. Lost hats are kept in the office.
HEALTH ROOM REMINDERS:  Please do not send any children to school who are unwell. 

If your child is sick please stay home and follow the guidelines for the illness and stay home for the recommended time frame set by the Ministry of Health.

  • VOMITING/DIARRHOEA: Any children who have had vomiting or diarrhoea must not return to school until 24 hours after the last episode.
  • HIGH TEMPERATURES: For more information about fevers  Click here
  • HEAD LICE: Check your children for head lice as this is an ongoing problem. Children with eggs or lice will be sent home for treatment.

SCHOOL LUNCHROOM – is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s.

PTA


Stay up to date with all our fundraising events by following our Facebook page: “Friends Of Torbay School”
COMMUNITY NOTICES 
Whether you’re a parent with young children or teenagers, or just trying to deal with the unprecedented uncertainty of the times we all find ourselves living in, we could all probably do with some pointers on how to manage our wellbeing. In this entertaining evening, Nigel will explore how Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives, young and old, and share some strategies for managing and coping with stress and anxiety. This is an evening that will be appropriate for all ages.
  • Date: Tuesday 10th November
  • Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
  • Location: Westlake Boys High School, Forrest Hill, Auckland
  • Early bird tickets are on sale now: $25 + fees, a saving of 10% off the standard ticket price
  • More information can be found here: www.kenziesgift.com
Please do feel free to contact me for further information and I look forward to hearing from you.
*If we need to reschedule due to COVID-19 alert levels, the event will be moved to Monday, 1st February 2021.


Position of Music Director – Auckland Children & Youth Chorus, Community Choirs for young people 5yrs to 18yrs plus, Based in Central & West Auckland, Contact Rhondda 027 2248900 or email to [email protected] for further information.

ADVERTORIALS

Disclaimer: The following advertisements are placed as a community service – publication does not imply Torbay School endorsement.