Thursday 20th September 2018

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whānau,

Our hardworking Fundraisers at Blockhouse Bay (FAB) group are busy preparing everything for the 2018 Carnival which is now only 9 weeks away. To keep the costs of the event down as low as possible, families are asked to bring certain items on mufti days and the details of this are explained in this newsletter. Please support the FAB team by ensuring that your child is able to bring what is needed.

Children have now got just a few more days to bring their sponsorship money and qualify for the prizes. There are spot prizes for all children who bring money and also special rewards for those who bring the most. To qualify for the prizes, all money needs to be at school by 3.15pm on Wednesday 26th September (next week).

When the Performing Arts Centre was built over 10 years ago, a commitment was made to support other local schools and organisations by having them use this wonderful facility. Over the next week, Titirangi Primary will be practicing and performing in our hall and later next term, St Dominic’s Primary will do their show there as well. Other groups such as Bay Lynn Youth Band and piano lessons take place each week and during the holidays, Kids For Drama will be performing “That’s Life” in the PAC. Kids for Drama shows are always great to watch and community members are encouraged to make use of Mr Google to get tickets. See you there!

Have a great week everyone. Neil Robinson Principal

STAFFING UPDATE We are always a bit sad when staff members leave us but on the other hand, are always very pleased for them when they achieve great things. Two of our talented teaching staff have been promoted to roles at another local school and will take up these positions at the beginning of 2019. Room 6 teacher Whaea Jas has accepted a senior teacher’s role in the Maori bilingual unit at Rosebank Primary and Mr Richard Bennett has been appointed to a Deputy Principal’s position at the same school. Both teachers have contributed significantly to the success of Blockhouse Bay School over the years but are to be congratulated to have achieved these promotions.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPION GYMNASTICS Last Thursday Blockhouse Bay competed in the Champion of Champions Competition at Tri Star. This included a high level of qualified gymnasts from a wide Auckland Area. There was some very impressive competition and Blockhouse Bay represented themselves with pride.

Abraham Li achieved 4th Place Overall for the Year 6 Boys. Jayde Reis Williams achieved 11th Place Overall for the Year 5 Girls.

Congratulations to all of the gymnasts that competed and a special thank you to Lou Bryant and Nicki Brown who coached and prepared the team over the last two terms.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS TERM THREE – 2018

Mon 24th Sept -Kauri Assembly 2.00pm Tues 25th Sept -Kōwhai Assembly 2.30pm Fri 28th Sept -Term Three Ends - 3.00pm finish

MEETING FOR PARENTS OF YEAR 5 CHILDREN – SCHOOL CAMP 2019 We would like to meet with all parents of our current year 5 children on Wednesday 24th October at 7.00pm. The meeting will last for around an hour and will introduce parents to what happens during these wonderful learning experiences. Parents will be given the opportunity to ask questions during and after the meeting if they prefer. Please make a note of this date if you have a child in Year 5 this year.

LOOKING FORWARD TO TERM FOUR More details about next term will be out next week but here are some of the highlights that will be important to parents:

TEACHER ONLY DAY – Friday 16th November

On a Friday in November each year, we have a teacher only day to help our preparations for the following year’s teaching and learning. Teachers come back to school in January anyway, but this helps us to get a head start on these plans. Please note that this year’s teacher only day will be held on Friday 16th November. The school stays open for an additional day in December to make up for this lost learning time.

BLOCKHOUSE BAY SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY This important and popular event is scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 11th December. Parents of year 6 children in particular are asked to make a note of this date.

Year 5 and Year 6 -Flippa Ball - Term 4

Does your child love the water and ball skills? They may be interested in Flippa Ball - a junior version of water polo. We hope to put forward a team/teams next term. We did this in Term 1 with great results. Details will be sent out next term, but it will take place every Sunday in the Epsom League (responsibility of carer to transport child there/back). If you think you and your child might be interested please email Tracey Waller at traceyw@blockhousebay.school.nz. Further details to sent home in a letter next term.

Fundraisers at Blockhouse Bay (FAB) News Friday 28th September - MUFTI day and sausage sizzle- WE NEED HELPERS FOR THE SAUSAGE SIZZLE - stay after drop off and help us organise the sausages for delivery at 10:30am. Email fab@blockhousebay.school.nz if you can help. Bring $2 for a sausage and your item listed below for MUFTI. Please send an item instead of a gold coin for MUFTI as these items are needed for our Carnival event. MUFTI collection items: Year 0-2 bring a bottle/jar/tin of food/body wash/shampoo/etc... Year 3-4 bring a large chocolate block Year 5-6 bring a large bottle of fizzy soft drink If parents can help collect items from classes after drop off, and deliver them to the sports shed, it will be much appreciated. School holidays - start making jolly jars for the next MUFTI day! Lookout for the flyer with more information at the end of term. Sunday 28th October 2-4pm - WHITE ELEPHANT DROP OFF Have a clear out over the holidays and drop off all your unwanted but good condition books, toys, games, homeware to the school pool on this date. NO ELECTRICAL ITEMS OR CLOTHES THIS YEAR THANKS. PHOTOLIFE These were taken earlier this week. Children will receive a shoot key code early next term to bring home so that you can order the photos online.

Changes to the Blockhouse Bay Primary School Uniform

Why are we making some changes?

Early this year we published the survey results regarding what people felt about the school uniform. Overall, people like the concept of having uniforms but there were concerns around cost, fading and

quality, accessibility for purchasing, the darkness of the uniform and the style of the long pants. Some people also felt there were too many options available and reducing this would improve the overall presentation of our uniform. We have attempted to address these issues as much as possible. The Board of Trustees have reviewed the feedback and have made the following decisions about the uniform. These changes will be phased in from Term 4 2018. The decisions are:

Uniform Changes

Cost: We have researched other supply options and have been able to negotiate some of our uniform items at reduced prices. The new prices will take effect from Thursday 13th September. See back page

New polo: A new lighter coloured polo will be introduced to replace the current navy polo. This will be available from late November 2018 onwards. All previously purchased navy school uniform shirts with the new logo will be able to be worn until the end of 2024.

New style pants and shorts: A new style of shorts and long pants will replace the current style as we use up current stock. These are less expensive and the pants are a better fit than our current style.

Black Leggings, Tights and Tops Only: Children are allowed to wear items underneath the uniform for greater warmth. From the beginning of 2019, only black tights, leggings or long sleeve tops will be able to be worn under the school uniform. Socks are to be plain black or white, with no stripes. Hair-ties are to be black or white.

Other Uniform Items: The girls white blouse will be phased out as low purchase numbers means it is no longer viable. The hat, skort and polar fleece jacket will remain the same.

Phasing out ‘Old Logo’ Uniform: As you are aware children are allowed to wear previously purchased ‘old logo’ uniforms until the end of 2019.

Online Purchase of uniform: The last day uniform can be purchased at school is Friday 21st September – 8.30am-8.50am. From the first day of Term 4, 2018, Monday 15th October the Blockhouse Bay Primary School uniform will only be available from the following website: www.argyleonline.co.nz and will no longer be able to be purchased from the school office. Uniform will not be able to be purchased between the 22nd September and the 15th October. This will assist in further reducing the cost for parents. The only exception is school hats which will be available to purchase at the school office as well as on the website. Office staff will assist parents who cannot order items online.

Questions and Concerns: If you have any questions or concerns please contact Elizabeth Crisp, Associate Principal. Email: elizabethc@blockhousebay.school.nz

UNIFORM PRICES

AS OF

13th SEPTEMBER 2018

Free Positive Parenting Programme for Chinese parents The Parenting Research Group at the University of Auckland investigates the effectiveness of the Triple P Parenting Program for Chinese immigrant parents. We are looking for parents of a child between 5-9 years who want to enhance their child’s development and have some concerns about their child’s behaviour. Triple P is based on 30 years of international research and has been shown to be effective with many different families. Parents will attend five 2-hour group sessions and three 20-minute telephone consultations. The programme will be facilitated by a trained Triple P practitioner. The programme is completely free of charge and includes helpful materials for you to keep If you are interested in participating in the parenting programme, or would like further information, please contact Yun Wei on 022 038 5687 or 09 623 8899 ext.83042, WeChat ywei034 or email ywei034@aucklanduni.ac.nz. There will be a short phone interview to check eligibility for the study.

免费正面管教课程

奥克兰大学家庭管教研究小组正在开展一个关于小组正面管教课程对中国移民家长的有效性的

研究。我们想要邀请孩子年龄在 5-9岁，想要帮助孩子更好的成长并且对孩子的行为有一些担

忧的中国家长来参加我们的研究。正面管教课程有着 30年全球研究基础，并且已被证明对不

同的家庭都十分有效。

家长需要参加五节小组课每节 2小时和三个 20分钟的电话咨询。将会有一名获得认证的正面

管教培训师指导家长学习该课程。

该课程和课程中所提供的资料都是完全免费的！

如果您有兴趣参加本次正面管教课程，或者您想要更多的了解该课程，请和魏鋆联系：电话 022 038 5687 或者

09 23 8899 转 83042，微信 ywei034，或邮箱 ywei034@aucklanduni.ac.nz. 我们会对您进行一个简短的电

话采访来确定您是否适合参加我们的课程。

Approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 03/04/2017 for three years. Reference

Number 018916.

HOLIDAY PROGRAMME IDEAS .

KNOWLEDGE-A-THON

Thank you to all the families who have supported the Knowledge-a-thon. Could we please have all money collected and brought to school by Wednesday 26th September.

CARE 4 KIDZ SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

An Enrolment Form is available from our Supervisor, daily between 2:45 and 6:00 in the Technology Room.

Sorry, no enrolments are accepted after Friday 20 September.

For further information please ring Els on 027 3628494"