RD2 Tuakau, Ph 232 8866, FAX 232 8862 Email: office@onewhero.school.nz Number 3 18 February 2010 Forthcoming Events February 19 - Top Team Competition February 24 - RYDA drivers Education Day February 24 - PTA meeting February 25 - School swimming sports (Note the date) February 26 - Franklin Zone Triathlon (Note the date) March 2 - River Group swimming March 12 - Interim reports issued (new senior students only) March 18 - Parent Interviews March 25 - Parent meeting about National Standards. (Information to follow) Kia ora tatou Dear Parents Swimming Sports The school will be running the swimming sports next Thursday, 25 February, 2010. This event is a participation event, where everyone who can swim one length of the big pool is encouraged to enter at least two events. The day will start at 9:30am and will run all day. First up on the programme will be the freestyle events, followed by the backstroke, breaststroke, medley and butterfly events. The day will conclude with the relays. For those swimmers who can maybe do a length in only one stroke, or who are just about there, there will be width events. These will take place at 1:00pm, immediately after lunch. Those students who come to school and cannot swim for one reason or another will be provided with a programme of work in a supervised class. There will be a small sausage sizzle running for the parents and swimmers in the pool area, with cups of tea and coffee also available. It will be great to see a good crowd of parents at this event, supporting the students in their endeavours. New Curriculum Initiative Each week, in our school assembly, we will be recognising a selection of students who have demonstrated our school values. At this week’s assembly, the following students were presented with certificates recognising excellence: Emma-Nicole Smith (R 1) trying her best Nakita Marx (R 8) meeting all class expectations Emma Carey (R 11) 100% participation in class Renata Sawyer (R 13) 100% effort since Day 1 Alesha Guard (R 13) 100% effort since Day 1 Quinton Keightley (Yr 10) Excellent participation in swimming and class room activities Bryn Jenkins (Yr 12) gaining a merit endorsement at NCEA Level 1 Tyler Hira (Yr 12) gaining a merit endorsement at NCEA Level 1 Davinia Green (Yr 12) attention to work, positive attitude and working well with peers Jasmine Clark (Yr 13) attention to detail and consistent attitude in class work Brandon Ward (Yr13) gaining a merit endorsement at NCEA Level 1 PTA meeting The first meeting for the year will be on Wednesday 24 February in the staffroom, starting at 7pm. This meeting is quite informal and relaxed and will be a chance to share ideas and plan for activities for the year as well as being specific about a couple of forthcoming events. The activities for the year do not just involve fundraising, but are opportunities for parents to learn more about how and what their children are learning. Mayoral Bike Challenge The Bike wise Mayoral Challenge is a national community event where Mayors from around New Zealand are challenged to see who can get the most people cycling with them. Franklin District Mayor Mark Ball will lead the challenge at iconic Pukekohe Park Raceway on Tuesday 23th February, 6.00-8.00pm. Registration begins from 5.30pm. Cyclists are encouraged to just ride the track at their own pace. There will be the cycling challenge around the track, entertainment, a sausage sizzle, free healthy snacks, spot prizes and much more. All registered cyclists will be in the draw to win an Avanti bike at the end of the night. Children under seven will also have the opportunity to win a Raleigh bike kindly donated by Counties Cycles. If we can get 15 or more children from our school Onewhero can be in for a chance to win prizes also. Fund raising opportunity The PTA has been offered the chance to earn $800 by providing road marshalls at the Wairamarama Trail Ride on Sunday 28 February. A total of 16 marshalls will be required, each person doing a 2 ½ hour duty. If you are available for this and would like to help the PTA raise funds for the school, please ring the office to leave your name and contact details, or speak to Mr Rowe. We need to know by Monday 22 Feb. If we do not get enough names, we will have to give this opportunity to someone else. 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. Please take note of the current advertising campaign highlighting the importance of learning to swim. Win an Adventure of a Lifetime!! Entries are now open for this competition. Students between 15 and 18 are asked to write an essay of about 300 words entitled ‘One big idea that will make our community a better place to live in’. It could be as simple as a market day to encourage travellers to stop in at your town and sample the local arts and food, and submit it by March 31. 30 students from throughout the country will be chosen to sail for a ten-day voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand later in the year. For further information, see Mr Rowe. Canteen Weekly Special The special for the week Mon 15th February to Thurs 18 February is Beef Burgers –cost $3.00 Greg Fenton Principal Community Notices St John Youth Meets Monday nights at the school community hall 5.30 - 7pm, starting on February 8. A fun night for ages 6 - 18 yrs. Contact Christine Manga, Assistant Divisional Manager, Ph 232 8097 Wanted Horse riding lessons wanted for an 18 year old complete beginner. Must be able to commit to one lesson every 1 or 2 weeks preferably weekends. Will pay $30 for an hour lesson. I am very keen to learn both ground work as well as riding skills. Anyone with knowledge of horses considered as long as you have the time and patience to teach a complete beginner all you know about horses. You can contact me on my email: dreaming.believing@gmail.com or you can phone/txt me on 0211118290 Manure Weed free dry chook manure $3.00 a bag from the chook ladies. Ph 2324 723 or 2334 700 Onewhero Rural Fire Force Onewhero will be the host to this year’s Rural Brigades Competition. The event will take place on the school’s top field on Sunday March 14, starting at 9:30am. A number of teams will be competing this year demonstrating (in a competitive environment) the skills used in real fire situations. A great day for everyone – fun and entertainment for all the family!!