Murchison Area School

3rd March 2017

Kia ora, Moghrey Mie, It has been a glorious week of weather, long may it continue. When I took this position I was promised perfect weather and no sandflies. What a trusting person I am! As always a busy week here at school. One of the highlights being yesterdays Peer Mediation Training, delivered to us by the Peace Foundation and Tracy Scott. This was an exciting programme that we are going to be utilising throughout the school this year and ties in very well with our upcoming Restorative Practise training and next week’s Life Education training. Ask your chil-dren which animal they are or think they are and what this means? They could be the turtle, the owl, the fox, the shark or the teddy bear. Yesterday I was interviewed at length by “Seven Sharp”. This was filmed around 3pm with all the associated traffic and buses. At present they say this interview and an interview with Jude from Rivers Café will be shown on Monday evening but is yet to be confirmed. By “chance” as NZTA got wind of this interview, trucks were in town repainting lines, adding school onto the road and promising me that on Monday they will be back to paint additional yellow lines and erect permanent 40 kph signs at the entrances to Murchison. These are “advisable” signs which means not enforceable by the police but are a starting point. The flashing 40kph school signs have now been promised to be here and erected by 1st May but still have to go through a consulta-tion period. I hope you can imagine my frustration on this matter and I have conveyed this to NZTA and they say it is because they misplaced an internal email! On the positive side, many thanks to Murchison Community Council and Fonterra for their donations which has allowed us to purchase 100 ‘Hi Viz’ vests for our students. These should be with us next week. Swimming sports is approaching fast. These are being held on 16th March. More details are to come next week and I encourage you to come down, watch and support your children and the school. Three Way Conferences take place a week later on the 24th March. Again more details to follow but there are no school clas-ses running that day. On Saturday (tomorrow) our new kindergarten here in Murchison has an Open Day. This opens at 10am and I hope to see you there. More information is further in this newsletter. I feel it is important that we as a school support and connect well with both the kindergarten and Murchison Playcentre to build links for both and support the transition from early childhood to school. Finally does anyone want a piano? We have a lovely piano here at school but nowhere to use it and no-one to play it. If anyone wishes to have this piano (for free) to use and enhance your days please contact me at school. I hope you all have a lovely weekend Nga Mihi, Slaynt as shee Andy Ashworth Principal

Term 1 School Wide Value — Respect

61 Waller Street

Murchison 7007 Phone 03 5239 072

enquiries@murchison.school.nz

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Three Way Conferences

Friday 24th March 2017 These will take place during the school day up until approximately 5.30pm. School will be closed for regular classes and an appointment will be allocated to you by the school office. Last year we had a 100% attendance and participation in this event and it was extremely positive for all concerned. More details will follow but please bookmark this date. Thanks Andy Ashworth

DATES TO REMEMBER Life Education—8th March to 10th March High and Low ropes course Years 11-13—9th March, 8am – 3pm NZ Playhouse Performance 1—14th March, 9am – 10am NZ Playhouse Performance 2—14th March, 10:30am – 11:30am Swimming Sports—16th March, 9am – 3pm Volleyball Tournament for TOSI tournament team—17th March, 8am – 5pm Agriculture Get Together Day in Nelson—21st March West Coast Swimming Champs—22nd March Parent Conference Day—24th March, 8:30am – 5.30pm—NO CLASSES. TOSI Tournament—27th March – 31st March Athletics Sports—7th April, 10.00am—3pm Buller District Athletic Sports—10th April Teacher Only Day—School Closed—10th April Year 11 PE Outdoor Ed Trip—12th to 13th April

2017 School Terms

Term 1 - 02 February 2017 to 13 April 2017 Term 2 - 02 May 2017 to 07 July 2017 Term 3 - 24 July 2017 to 29 September 2017 Term 4 - 16 October 2017 to 14 December 2017

Addition to School Uniform We now have the option for Year 7 to 13 girls to wear uniform trousers. These are custom made to fit, for approximately $60.00. We have a sample pair to view — Please see Miss Stewart if you wish to make an order to view the sample pair.

PEER MEDIATORS

This week we had a visit from Tracy Scott who came to teach our Yrs 3-13 students about conflict resolution, and also to work with a smaller group of students who have been selected to train as Peer Mediators in our school. The 'Cool Schools' Peer Mediators Programme is about problem solv-ing by youth, with youth, and it aims to help students recognise conflict for what it is and to provide different strategies for finding solutions to conflict situations. The 'mediation' part of the programme is run by the trained student mediators who are available to other students if they need help to sort through a problem. The mediators are trained in how to run a mediation session, the rules of a session, and when to seek adult help. The key messages were that conflict doesn't have to be a negative event - if handled correctly it can be an opportunity for learning and development. Another key idea is that there are different ways to respond to a conflict depending on the situation. Sometimes a conflict requires that we walk away, sometimes it requires that we take a firm stand, sometimes it requires that we work to find a compro-mise. This was all presented in a format that made it very easy for the students to relate to, whatev-er their age. It was an excellent session and we are excited to see how our new Peer Mediators go using their new skills and providing another support service for our students. In the photos we see some of our Yr 5-8 students working together to identify the different strategies we can use when dealing with conflict.

Nga mihi nui

BULLER SWIMMING SPORTS REPORT

On Friday 24th February, thirteen students headed over the Westport to compete in the Primary Buller Swimming Sports. We left bright and early, and with little traffic, we got to the pool in time to get changed, find our seats and to work out who was swimming when. All the students did a fantastic job, battling hard against their own nerves and against the other schools competing. After a long, hard day at the pool, and some awesome drop in visits from friends and family, it was time to head home. But not without some ice creams for the ride. (Thanks Renae and Maria). A huge thank you to the parents that made the trip over with us, helping with transport; Renae Swan, Maria Johnson and Jo Bain. And a huge thank you to those family members that stopped in to cheer on their wee ones. It's great to see their faces light up with pride and determination to show you what they can do! Congratulations to those swimmers who competed; Lexi Firth, Jess Bain, Amelia Swan, Morgan Duigan, Sharni Stuart-Forbes, Joe Stuart, Blake Johnson, Taylor Hawley, Harmonie Whitnall, Jacob Pointon, Luke Whitnall, Hemi Wilson and Mela Williamson. And an extra congratulations to those swimmers who have been selected for the Buller Representa-tive team, to compete in Hokitika on 22nd March: Lexi Firth, Jessica Bain, Amelia Swan, Jacob

Pointon, Blake John-son, Luke Whitnall and Me-

la William- son. Watch this space!

WANTED Plastic Milk Containers……. Some of the students are making a raft and need lots and lots of plastic milk containers. Please bring as many as you can (washed and with the caps on) to school. A good way to recycle used containers.

Did you know?

We need water, not sugary drinks for hydration. Water is the best drink choice – it meets all our needs. It is fresh, and available on tap! Water has no added sugar, no calories and is non -acidic. Drinking water helps children to think fast and move well while dehydration can seriosuly affect concentra-

tion and co-ordination. By ensuring your family doesn’t leave home without their drink bottle is an effective way to endorse healthy

habits this summer – and their teeth will ‘thank you’ too! REGULAR UPDATES FROM THE NELSON MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH SERVICE

0800 TALK TEETH– 0800 825 583 NELSON: 539 5324- STOKE: 539 5321- RICHMOND 539 5320

MOTUEKA & TASMAN MOBILE CLINIC 0800 833 846 BLENHEIM & MARLBOROUGH MOBILE CLINIC 5209922

DRINK HEALTH – TAP INTO WATER!

***LOST PROPERTY***

Into the first term now and our lost property box is starting to fill up! Lets not let it get to the state it was at the end of last year when it was OVERFLOWING! You name it and we’ve got it — items range from uniform, lunchboxes, scooters, shoes, rugby boots, rugby ball and non-uniform items of clothing etc. It is appreciated if you can please make sure your child/ren’s items are named before they bring them to school. If your child has lost something, please drop in and have a look.

It’s that time of year again…. With the warmer weather here, we are once again requiring students wear hats. This is for ALL STUDENTS. Year 7 to 13 students must wear a hat that provides sun protection. Year 1 to 6 should be wearing uniform hats. There are 3 different styles of school sunhat available from The

Warehouse in Richmond:- A cap with our logo;

A bucket hat with our logo, and A plain navy wide brim hat.

Or you can order directly from School Tex on 0800 507 807.

The school office has some school caps available for sale for $12.

Please see Kathryn or Sandy.

When dropping off and/or picking up your child/ren from school you are able to use the school car parks if parking is a problem on the road due to increased traffic. Please keep your time to a minimum so everyone is able to safely pick up their child/ren.

Murchison Netball Club are on the lookout for anyone willing and able to commit to coaching or managing for the 2017 season please!

If you are interested please come along to the next committee meeting.

7th March, 7pm, MSRCC Lions Den.

LOST

Joe Stuart has lost a pair of black swimming togs (size 10) and his black goggles. If you come across these can you please drop them into the school office. Many thanks

Bus Reminder

Please remember to advise the school office if your child will not be on the bus due to swimming or some other reason.

PLAYGROUND PLAY

Our school is happy to allow students to play bull rush, rugby etc. during breaks. It’s a fantastic way for the students to keep ac-

tive and participate in group play. However, to protect school uniforms, could you please send to school with your child/ren a spare change of

clothes that they can change into prior to playing, and change out off once play has finished.

SCHOOL SORES

This week we have had one confirmed case of school sores. School sores is the common name for impetigo. It is a highly contagious skin disease common in children.

KEY POINTS: Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection. This means it easily spreads from one person to another. Impetigo is found generally on the hands and face, especially around the nose and mouth. It can also affect other areas. Children should see a doctor for assessment and treatment. Careful cleaning of the sores and the use of antiseptic or antibiotic cream may be advised. Sometimes oral antibiotics are prescribed. Children should be kept away from school or day care until the sores are healed, or as advised by your doctor. For further information see this website: http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/school-sores/

THE SWIMMING POOL IS OPEN There are still a few keys available. Keys may be purchased from the school office for $75.00, which includes a $15.00 key deposit, refundable upon the keys return at the end of the swimming season.

NITS are on the loose!

PLEASE check your child's hair regularly for these pesky critters. They are highly contagious and, if nits are visible in your child's hair, to protect other families we will send your child home with a request not to return them to school until the nits have been treated. There are many remedies out there for nits, some reliable, some not so reliable. The key is to check, check and check your child's hair on a reg-ular basis and do something about it if you find anything. We rely on