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Where have the cones gone? Last week the ICC came out to install speed counters' to measure the average speed traffic is doing past our school. These will be in place for two-three weeks and to obtain a 'true' measure we are keeping the cones off the road. After this measuring period the yellow flashing lights that currently come on before and after school will be replaced with a new flashing speed limit sign of 70kmph and the 'speed counter' lines will be taken away. These new speed limit signs will only operate before and after school for approximately half an hour but will give us an enforceable speed limit of 70kmph past our school. This means that if someone doesn't slow down while the temporary speed signs are flashing the police can issue them with a speeding ticket! After a certain period the ICC will again install the 'speed counters' to measure the average speed with the new signage to determine the difference the speed limit change has made. Many thanks again to the determined effort of Tania Horton and Lisa Tielkes to make this happen.

Our recent parent survey I conducted during the mid year interview process has given us a very positive reflection from

you our parents and given us a range of comments to consider as we move forward. Here are some of the key highlights:

98% strongly agree / agree that school is a safe, caring and happy environment for your child.99% strongly agree / agree that we are proactive in providing the best possible teaching and learning programmes, classroom environment, and opportunities for success for our children.97% strongly agree / agree that they are well informed on the activities of school life through our newsletter, website, facebook wall, classroom blogs and school family assemblies.91% strongly agree / agree that the written report highlighted the achievement expectation, your child's learning progress and their next learning goals clearly.92% strongly agree / agree that the 3 way conference gave a great opportunity to discuss and clarify your child's progress and next learning goals. The top aspects of the conference were the chance to celebrate success and raise concerns and to set new individual learning goals that were appropriate for your child.

The most popular options for future parent workshops were around homework discussion and our use of e-learning tools (iPads, blog setup / comment / cybersafety). All comments made around homework have been collated and the staff will be discussing this issue and updating the procedure that will outline our schools expectations across our different learning levels. Once completed this will be shared with you.

It is great to be able to share this with you. It is important to celebrate and acknowledge the strengths of our local school. We have a passionate staff and a strong supportive community who are united in wanting the best for our children. We are continually working hard with you to ensure that what we do in all aspects of school life is of a high standard.

Congratulations also to our school council who recently sent a cheque off to Ronald McDonald house for $276 from the end of term disco held in Term 2.

RegardsTim LovelockPrincipal

Myross Bush SchoolNewsletterFind out more at www.myrossbush.school.nz

New speed limit on the way!

Kia tu Pakari From strong foundations we grow and stand tall together

Friends of the School:

Famous People Disco:Friday 17th August 6 - 8 pm, Myross Bush hall. Prizes for best costumes, and spot prizes for dancing. $2 entry, ice cream tub and fizz $1, popcorn 50c, and glow bracelets 5 for $1.

URGENT: Parent help is required at the disco to help it run smoothly. We need at least two adults outside in the foyer to keep the kids safe from the carpark. Also approx. another 7 adults to help with the canteen and selling glow bracelets. If you are able to help with this, please phone or email Andrea Burnett 2304402 or aandaburnett@xtra.co.nz. Please note - this disco is for Myross Bush Primary School present pupils only. Andrea Burnett

Scholastic Book Fair: A reminder that the Book Fair is open for all the community to view starting Wednesday 15th - Friday 17th 8.30am-9.30am & 2.30pm-3.30pm & Friday night 6.15pm-7.45pm (while the disco is on). We have a huge range of books to choose from. A percentage of all sales will go back to the school for new books for the library and classrooms. If your able to help on Friday night putting the orders together that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Sheena Smith

Our student council, made up of voted representatives from all of our 8 classrooms, met in Matai for a meeting. Led by Ben Wylie, their chairman, they discussed the ideas their class had for the end of term fun day and also other ideas to make our school even better! They have some great ideas they will propose to the staff of the school and they’ll report back as soon as they hear.

DAVID WHITE BUILDINGExperienced Qualified Builder of:• New Homes• Residential Extensions and Renovations• Farm Sheds etc...• Phone 0274351490 or A/H 2304984

School News:Health: Be on the lookout for itchy heads which can be a sign of nits. Eggs and moving things are usually found around the hairline in particular.

Facebook: Don’t forget to check out what’s happening at school on our Facebook page.

Ski Trip: This will be held on Thursday 6th September and is now open to Year 1 & 2 children who must be accompanied by a parent. Contact the office if you would like a registration form or to know further details. Due to cancellations we have spaces available.

Sports Notices:Flippa ball: Year 1-3(learners pool) and Year 4-6 (main pool). Flippa ball is restarting next month. For those players that were in a team in term one, a confirmation notice will come home today, please return this to the school by Friday 24th August. For

those pupils interested in playing this term please email Bex on bexmurdochnz@gmail.com. Please note that the flippa ball season is term one and term four in each year. New players will only be able to join a team this term, if previous players have pulled out. Thanks Bex

Sports Results:Mini Ball: Year 4-6A notice went home yesterday for the registration of interested players.

HockeyMB Missiles v WoodlandsWon 2-1 POD Angus BurnettMB Movers v WaihopaiLost 6-0 POD Ben McCorkindaleMB Matrix v MakarewaDraw 1-1 POD Aidan McAra

Well Done: Ben Wylie who has been selected for the Town U38 rugby team. Well done Ben.

Week 5 Term 3MANUKA Some of us in Manuka have been learning how to skip count in 2's, 5's and 10's and are getting pretty good at noticing the patterns. The next step will be to start at any random number between 1-100 and continue the pattern from there ie; 17, 27, 37 etc. We have been clever enough to make suggestions to Mrs Forde on what workshops we want to cover with her to meet our goals in writing. The teaching table fills up fast when the word goes out about a workshop such as using capital letters in the right places. What a bunch of enthusiastic children! Certificates: Makayla for speeding up her reading and Charlotte for being so caring and helpful to others.

KOWHAI We have done some great writing about living things in the last few weeks. Come in and read our display about animals that come from eggs. Keep an eye out for Q-Bear- he's bringing home the book 'Bug Hunt', written by the Kowhai kids, to share with our families. It has been exciting to find out more about the story of 'The Lorax' this week, and it was great to see some of our class have a go at auditioning for acting, singing and dancing parts. Don't forget to see Mrs P if you are able to help with our Bar-ba-loot costumes (little bear like creatures) for our class dance!Certificates: Abigail Bragg, Kaedin De Garnham

RIMU have been learning how to add a photo and a comment onto the class blog so click on it to read them. The children are also practising their basic facts on the blog site too. If you cannot find the posts with the basic facts games on them just click on older posts. We continue to practise our dance moves and are now beginning to talk about the 5 elements of dance, which are Body Awareness, Space, Relationships, Time and Energy.

RATA This week the children have been auditioning for parts in the production. It is lovely to see such enthusiasm. At the moment we are learning about how the aspects of a living things habitat are linked and that the decisions we make have an impact on its survival. Our production is based on the Lorax and this links in so well with this. Also weare learning about the elements of dance and this will help us to developour class dance, for the production.

MIRO am super impressed with the oral language presentations. Our focus has been on asking questions to deepen our understanding of what is being said. Kapai Miro. We are very proud of our class speech finalists Adam and Joel who placed 3rd and 4th in their year levels in our senior school speech competition. Fantastic.Production is coming up very fast and we have been brainstorming costume ideas as we are to be glorious suns. Always an exciting time:) If you have any creative ideas to share or are interested in helping out. I would love to hear from you.Have a great weekCertificates: Grace Lovelock, Joel Fleck, Harriet Stevens and Adam Stevens

TOTARA Thank you for all the great feedback from the Kapahaka Group and our performance at the Civic / Assembly last week, we all really enjoyed the whole experience.In Team Totara, we are starting to design and create our costumes for the production. We are the fish in the Lorax! If anybody has any ideas for some "fishy music" for our dance, please let us know as we are starting to gather ideas and discuss concepts!Certificates: Rose Ellenden for having great eye contact and a clear voice when speaking to an audience.

KAURI • I cannot wait for the disco, my outfit is planned and ready to roll. Aleisha• I've been learning how important it is to look after the environment and make a difference, even if it's a small one like using less plastic bags, so less of them are made, which causes carbon emissions. Campbell• I've auditioned for the dancing in the school production, and we are learning one of the cool songs for it in class called Let it grow. It sounds awesome. Jaimee

MATAI This week we've been investigating how 'external influences' can have an impact on our environment. Our groups of 4 are preparing some news shows about different environmental issues affecting our world. You'll be able to see them online next week.There is also a wiggly line moving across one of our walls. It uses contrast as an effect, both with lines and colour and black and white. Make sure you pop into our class and see how it's growing!

Assembly Duty: Kauri from

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August September October

13 - 17th

• Book Fair

6th Thurs

Ski Trip - Due to cancellations, spaces are available.

17th Friday

• Y5/6 netball Trip to Stewart Island

• Kauri & Matai Geocaching Trip to Thompsons Bush

• School Disco at Myross Bush Hall

• Book Fair open while disco is on

10th Mon

Board of Trustees Meeting

28th Tuesday

Friends of the School Meeting - All welcome.7.30pm Venue to be decided and will be advised

20th Thursday

Jacqui van Dam Portraits, details later

December

3rd - 6th Year 6 Camp

28th Friday

End of Term

Don’t forget... • To call in to the Book Fair this Friday evening when your children are at the Disco at Myross Bush Hall.

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