The National Standards, launched four weeks ago by the Prime Minister and Education Minister Anne Tolley have initiated much discussion between politicians, parents, NZEI, Principal clusters and university academics. Mrs Tolley states these standards have been designed and developed and prepared for implementation in 2010 because statistically 20% of students are not achieving the minimum levels of competency in literacy and numeracy. This statistic cannot be denied. The question being asked by highly respected academics and schools is what evidence is there to prove that the introduction of ‘standards’ will in fact engage and help students achieve better results. A more immediate response to meeting some of the underachievement identified would be to resource and support those areas of need rather than the spending of huge amounts of money developing a tool which will only provide information already known. How much better would our national achievement results be if those schools which are under resourced, have difficulty attracting quality teachers, deal with truancy and a range of complex social issues daily were resourced more adequately? The concept of the National Standards suggests one size fits all and may have an effect on the already robust systems schools use to analyse student achievement. From this analysis learning needs are determined and Boards of Trustees resource and support these needs. The tools already used by schools are norm referenced and provide information giving achievement cohort comparison, enabling teachers to identify what the student can and can’t do and next steps for learning. Success is then measured through the progress of the individual student. Will the standards lift achievement levels or will they simply disenfranchise those who are already below the standard? Quality teaching, quality parenting and positive home- school partnerships, with the child at the centre, is the way to do this. The jury is out. Regards, Di Patchett Acting Principal |
School News |
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Library News: The last day for returning books to the school library is Friday December 4. We have kept the library open as late as possible so the children can keep reading! We need all the books back by December 4 so we can start the huge task of stocktaking the library. Please send back any reading materials issued by classrooms. We need all the books back so children can use them next year. Last year the school lost a large number of readers. If they are lurking around your home we would be happy to have them back-no questions asked!!! We know they hide under beds. So please help us by returning all books by this date, thanks very much Cheryl Dimond and Hue Ng Christmas Shoe Boxes – Samaritans Purse: On behalf of Samaritans Purse I would like to thank Churton Park School for your kind donation of 90 gift filled shoe boxes. These boxes are now on their way to the remote villages in Fiji and also to the children in Samoa who lost everything in the recent tsunami. These boxes will bring joy to many children this Christmas. Thank you. Alison Pask
Roots of Empathy Thank you to Mrs White and Isabella: The Roots of Empathy is a programme in which newborn babies are brought into the classroom to teach students to think about the feelings of others. ROE is a programme run by the Peace Foundation and has seen 60 babies around the country visit 60 primary schools. Churton Park is one of these schools and we have had a second successful year with the programme running in Room 8 in S Block. The programme aims to discourage bullying and negative behaviour by attempting to teach empathy, observation and sensitivity. Every three weeks, baby and parent visit their adopted classroom and about 30 minutes is spent playing, singing songs, answering questions and listening to a ROE instructor talk about the baby's development. In between visits, practical things like cot death, not shaking a baby, second-hand smoke and general safety around babies are discussed. We would like to officially thank Mrs Nikki White and her daughter Isabella for being so enthusiastically involved in the programme this year. Room 8 have been privileged to watch Isabella grow and develop over 2009.
Looking for a baby for 2010: Term Dates 2010:
School Lunches: Please note -t he last day to order school lunches for 2009 will be Friday 11th December. |
Celebrating Student Success |
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Balloon Shaving
Rosi Wellington Zone Athletics Team
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Oooh…. The sticky shaving foam squirted into a mountain in my hand. It felt like a giant spaghetti, all slimy and sloppy. Carefully, I shaved the soft balloon with the sharp razor. Suddenly Miss Scheyvens said “banana”. Then we shaved the cream foam off our balloon with the razor. It slipped out of my hand. Everyone was laughing hysterically and shouting behind me. It smelled like beautiful hair conditioner. We couldn’t pop our balloon because its’ skin was really thick. So we used the stapler pin and pen to pop it. I popped Liam’s snowy balloon. It splattered like an enormous elephant landing in a puddle. It sounded like someone kissing. The foam covered the walls and floor like icy, cold, white snow. We were screaming like monkeys. It was so much fun!
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Community News Please note these are provided as a service to the community and do not reflect the policies and practices of the school. |
Before School Care Available: If you need before school care for your child please contact Ruxandra ph: 477-2533. Only 2 minutes walk from school. Christmas Tree Wonderland: Saturday 5th December 6.00pm, Sunday 6th December 10.00am at The Salvation Army Johnsonville, 125-137 Johnsonville, Johnsonville (477-4853). A fun and festive hour filled with beautiful Christmas trees (approx. 30) decorated by organisations in our community, wonderful entertainment, and tasty Christmas treats. Entry is free. Bike the Bays – Sunday 13th December – Free!!!: Bike the Bays is back!!! This annual FREE event is a great way to explore Wellington’s beautiful coastline with your family. Have fun, dress up, all bikes welcome. The 26km Scorching Bay ride leaves at 9am, followed by the 10km Evans Bay Marina ride at 8.30am and the 3km waterfront ride at 10am – all from Waitangi Park. The 3km ride is fully secure with marshals to keep riders on the waterfront shared path. There will be no road closures and riders need to obey the road rules at all times. The ride will be followed by a picnic in Waitangi park with live bands, giveaways, food stalls and more. Register online at www.feelinggreat.co.nz to be in the draw or just turn up with your bike around 9am. Remember to bring your helmet (you must have a helmet to participate) and a drink bottle. School Holiday Computer Classes: One day to week long school holiday computer courses for ages 5-15 are being run in Wellington and Lower Hutt. From beginners to advanced classes in creating games, programming, animations, graphics and web design, filmmaking and video editing, building and upgrading computers, Office 2007 and Office XP. For further information call Ed Brown 499-2211 or www.grandtraining.co.nz Fisher & Paykel Asia Pacific Rim Junior Diving Invitational: To be held at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre on 16-18 December 2009. For further information contact Luvaine McDonald, Director Wellington High Performance Aquatics whpa@clear.net.nz Jewellery Representatives: Representatives wanted to fashion jewellery business. For further information email Delwyn nzmckennies@gmail.com 2010 Weet-Bix Tryathlon – Children 7-15yrs: Sunday 7th February 2010, Huia Pool, Lower Hutt Recreation Centre. Race starts 8.00am (Transition Area opens 7.30am; Race briefing 8.30am. Enter online at www.weetbix.co.nz or call 09-5315080, entries taken over the phone. Carters Kids Gone Fishin Day: Carters would like to invite you and your kids to a FREE fun filled day of fishing at Queens Wharf, Outer T (by helipad) on Saturday 5th December (rain day Sunday 6th Dec) from 10am – 2.00pm. Free sausage sizzle & Drinks, meet Caters Fishing Guru Graeme Sinclair, heaps of spot prizes, prizes for best & strangest fish. Register at your local Carters Branch or by phoning Megan 238-0541 or email megan.martin@carters.co.nz or Julie 576-1613 or julie.mcgrath@carters.co.nz Churton Park Tennis Club - Junior registrations are now open for the 2010 season. Peewee Tennis (for ages 5-7 years) – 6 x 40 minute coaching lessons on a half size court. $60 per term or $115 with racquet & cap included. Lessons held weekly on Mon- Fri afternoons. Junior Tennis (for ages 8 -17 years) – Season membership fee: Primary/intermediate student $80; Secondary student $100. Membership includes:
For a registration form or more information, please contact Karen on email: aklee@clear.net.nz or ph. 478 7846. Registrations close Mon. 18 January 2010. Kelly Sports Holiday Programmes are running these holidays. Sports based programmes across Wellington for children of any ability aged 5 -10. Fun, challenging and active; our programmes encourage children to try to beat their best and help them learn to love sports. For more information check out our website www.ksports.co.nz, or call the office on 04 972 7201. Happy Holidays! Music Lessons Encore! School of Music is launching next year at Churton Park School. We’ll help you achieve your musical goals regardless of your age or musical background. Our excellent teachers would love to teach you piano/keyboards, guitar, singing, clarinet, saxophone, flute. More instruments coming soon. Enrol before January and your first lesson is FREE! Phone: 0497 MUSIC (04 976 8742) Email:info@encoreschoolofmusic.co.nz |