24 February

Dear Parents

As I write this I am watching the footage of the Christchurch earthquake and the devastation caused. There are probably very few people who do not have family or close friends affected and I hope all are safe.

I know you will all join with me in keeping all these people in our thoughts and prayers.
One of the things that has come out of this is the speed at which the rescue teams started on their exacting task of searching for missing people. We can only hope for more success in this task.

Earthquake Procedures
In response to questions from parents and children, the school’s earthquake procedures are outlined below. As you can imagine, these will be covered in the days to come:

1. Drop, take cover under a desk or table until shaking stops
2. Keep away from shelves & large furniture items
3. Keep away from windows, power poles & lines
4. Keep away from buildings if outside when earthquake starts
5. Stay indoors until shaking stops, then move to designated area
6. Stay in school grounds until collected by a teacher

In the event of any serious event, children would be kept safe in the school grounds until parents could collect them.


Red & Black Mufti Day Tomorrow – Gold Coin Donation Please
We plan to hold a Red & Black (Canterbury Colours) Day tomorrow, with proceeds going to the Earthquake Fund. We ask all children to dress in Red & Black and bring a gold coin. Thank you.


Welcome to Danye Takitimu who joined the children in Room 1 on Tuesday.

Assembly
There will be no assembly tomorrow, this will take place same at the time on Monday.

House Colour Day – Wednesday 3rd March pm – weather permitting
The children are to come to school dressed in their house colours, and will be participating in a variety of activities for the afternoon. Postponement date will be the next fine day.
Parents are welcome to join us for the afternoon.

School Reporting Info Night
There will be a meeting in the library on Monday 7th March at 7.00 p.m. to explain our school reporting systems.

Teachers Only Day
There will be a teachers only day on Friday 1st April.

3 Way Interviews
These will be held on Monday 11th April 1.15 – 7.00 pm and Tuesday 12th April 3.15 – 5.30 pm.

Swimming
A big thanks to all the parents who were able to assist during our school swimming.
Your help has been much appreciated.

OSCAR Childcare
OSCAR childcare is now available in the Parish Hall, Monday to Friday 2.45 – 5.45 pm. Casual enrolments are also accepted. For more information, phone 218-9520.

School Sports Teams
Thanks to all the parents who have been able to help with school sports teams. Some of you may be shoulder tapped to help with some of the teacher’s teams, as I have asked staff to attend professional development courses after school on some of the sports days.
Your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

Lost Pinafore with the name ‘Ward’ on the label.
If you know anything about this pinafore, please see Christine.

Library
The library is starting to look exciting. We need two people to help on Monday, from 11.00 - 12.30 to help process new books. If you are able to help, please ring the office and leave a message on the answer phone and turn up on Monday at 11.00.
Many thanks ~ Mrs Buxton

Year 6 Camp – Fundraising
Any families interested in fundraising for your child’s individual camp costs can contact:
Trish 215-8292 or Nicki 214-0112. This fundraiser would be parent child focused, completely separate from any school-based fundraiser.
Expression of interest ASAP please, so we can get underway and meet your individual target.

Saturday Vigil 7pm Patrice Brookland - Altar Server
Sunday Mass 10.30am Cameron Roulston – Altar Server
Bronte` Adams – Altar Server
Cecelia Russell – Children’s Liturgy

Hot Topics with Ian Grant – Thursday 17th March 7 – 9.15pm
This will be held at the Invercargill Christian Centre, 165 Leet Street. Tickets available from the Christian Centre Office $15 single, $25 double. Enquiries to linda@christiancentre.org.nz

Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council are changing the way it collects rubbish and recycling. From 2 May - Southland District urban residents, recycling collected every fortnight (in 240 litre bin) and rubbish every fortnight (in 240 litre bin).
From 4 July Invercargill City and Bluff residents, rubbish collected every week (in 140 litre bin) and recycling fortnightly (in 240 litre bin).
WasteNet Southland and Environment Southland are going around Southland District schools with a "Twin Bin Roadshow" on 21,22,29 March and Invercargill schools on 16,17,18 May to teach the kids about how to use the new service.
All Southland region schools will receive a Teacher Resource Pack with lesson plans, activities and details on the new service. And it will be downloadable along with our other resources from www.wastenet.org.nz

Badminton Southland – Wednesdays 4 – 5pm at the Badminton Hall, Surrey Park. Commences 23 March till the end of Term 3. Qualified coaches take all sessions. No cost. Anyone interested can contact Sue 2179460.








Room 5 Class Happenings

Wow it is hard to believe that four weeks of the school term is over. With swimming now finished it will great to get our class routines in place and have some structure. Below are some photos of some activities that the children have been doing so far. Please check out our class blog www.room5shsinv.blogspot.com
Thanks to the parents who have given me their email address to be part of our email tree. If you still need to do this, either email me at vwilliams@shsinv.school.nz or write a note.
Next week we are starting our Keeping Ourselves Safe programme, so there will be sent home activities for you and your child to do together.

NAME BUGS FUN AT SWIMMING




SELF PORTRAITES MATHS ACTIVITIES