RD2 Tuakau, Ph 232 8866, FAX 232 8862 Email: office@onewhero.school.nz Number 2 12 February 2009 Forthcoming Events 14 February - Community Touch Tournament 20 February - Top Team Competition 23 February - Franklin Zone Tryathlon 4 March - School swimming sports 6 March - River Group swimming 13 March - Interim reports issued (new senior students only) 17 March - Parent Interviews Please help our PTA: We would appreciate offers of time, scones, muffins for Saturday this week. See notice below!! Kia ora tatou Dear Parents Buses With two buses coming to the school each morning from Tuakau, the bus company, Murphy’s has had to modify these bus routes slightly. As of Monday the 16th Feb, the first bus will travel directly down Elizabeth St from Tuakau College and turn south on to George Street, and then to the bridge. All students who live south of Jellico Ave and Madill St in Tuakau (towards Onewhero) are expected to catch this first bus. The main pick up point for this first bus will be at the tennis courts on George Street. All students who live north of Jellico Ave and Madill St (the railway side) will continue to catch the bus from Jellicoe Ave. This will be the second bus, and students will transfer at the bridge to travel up to the school. In the afternoon, students have been informed as to which bus they catch as the routes are different. Class allocation Parents please note: You will have noticed that we have needed to run mixed classes at some levels this year. In addition, the current room allocation for this year is a little bit out of a strict numerical order. This may mean that some younger students may get the impression that they have 'gone backwards. Please assure any children who may be concerned that that is not the case. I want to assure you and the students that the room number is not a measure of progress or lack of it!! If anyone is to 'go backwards' or even to 'stand still' for a while, we would have talked with you well before now. Access to the buildings During the current phase of construction, access to the school office is from the main field side of the school. From the car park, visitors will need to walk around the Tech Block to get to that door. This situation is likely to last all this term and we ask for your understanding and forbearance while this is going on. We can assure you that the result will be worth the wait and the hassle. PTA The PTA group held their first meeting of the year last night and enthusiastically embraced the idea of promoting the school profile in the community by offering light refreshments at the Onewhero Community Day on Saturday. (See elsewhere in this newsletter for details of the day.) The next meeting will be on Wednesday March 11. What are we going to do? We will have the chance to use the kitchen in the Rugby Club and will be offering tea and coffee with scones and muffins. The group acknowledge this is late notice, but offers of help would be really appreciated. Scones and muffins (savoury or sweet) could be dropped off at the office on Friday or at the rugby club on Saturday from 9am. People to help in the kitchen from 9am to about 2pm in one-hour slots would also be appreciated. Please ring the office if you can help out. Swimming I would like to remind all parents that with the great run of summer weather, we are fully involved with a swimming programme throughout the school. All students should be ready for swimming on all days. Teachers will make responsible decisions about weather and as you know, the weather in Onewhero is quite changeable - what is happening at 7:30am is often quite different at 12 noon. Swimming is an integral part of the curriculum and we expect all students to take part. Canteen The Canteen Manager would be very grateful for the donation of any or all of the following: • Fresh fruits and vegetables • Eggs • Any good workable kitchen equipment. School Banking Takes place every Thursday 8.35 - 8.50am in the school library. Should your child not have an account but wishes to open one, this may be done at either the school or National Bank Tuakau or ASB Pukekohe. Phone Sharyn in the school office for further information. Two reminders If there is any question or concern you have, please ring and talk to the class teacher or the Head of Department or Principal. We are always happy to discuss matters with you, preferably before they become big issues. The school website is available for anyone with Internet access. The address is www.onewhero.school.nz. Bible in Schools Due to the increase in numbers of students and classes, we need lots of teachers and helpers to work in the Bible in Schools Programme. If you are willing please contact me – Helen 232 8883 or Deborah 232 8522. Training is provided – as is a great time and lots of fun. Greg Fenton Principal Community Notices Car Boot Sale Having a clean out or have something to sell, come along to the Car Boot sale on 14th February. $10.00 a boot at Onewhero’s Community Day Touch Tournament (Rugby Club) Phone Dori Muir to book on 2328584. Onewhero Community Day - Saturday 14 February Onewhero Rugby Football Club grounds Touch Tournament and fund raising for the Onewhero Rural Fire Force. Touch teams playing from 10am. Finals at 4:00pm and 4:30pm Prize giving 5:30pm Also: • BBQ; bar facilities; raffle tickets on sale for a free sky dive. • Fire Brigade demonstrations and challenge; pony rides; fire engine rides. • sky divers; golf circuit; bowling activities; school pool open; OSPA providing entertainment. Come along for a fun filled day. Bring the family and join in some or all of the activity. Collection We are collecting clean, tidy second hand clothing (both adults and children), children’s books, basic stationery ie colouring in pencils, crayons and exercise books. The items collected will be sent to a small village in Tonga. If you can help please contact Cherry 232 8846, Dori 232 8584 or Sharon 232 8801. If you need your donations collected we are happy to do so. Thank you. For Sale 1 pair black school shoes size 10/11, hardly worn contact Helen on 232 8883. Roading Update The biggest issue at the moment is the bleeding roads, where the bitumen surface has livened up in the hot weather and created very sticky surfaces. This is particularly bad at Punt Hill, but is also apparent on several of our roads that were re-sealed prior to Christmas. Fulton-Hogan (our re-sealing contractor) is responsible for maintaining these sites and is preparing a plan explaining how they are going to permanently address the issue. In the meantime they are using water carts to cool the surface, applying dry chip to the roads to “soak up “ the excess bitumen and arranging for cars to be cleaned where it is evident that the excess bitumen has created problems. We expect that Fulton Hogan’s plan will contain information on what they are planning to do to address the problem in the short and long-term, and will also provide an explanation about why these problems have occurred. Footpath cost on Onewhero Rd - $55 000.