From the Principal
We need to say a huge THANK YOU to our community for the outstanding student attendance rates we received for Term 1 2021. The ministry has provided us with our latest attendance data, and we are absolutely delighted to see that Pigeon Mountain Primary School students attended more regularly than any other opening term! Our overall attendance figure of 96.1% was the equivalent of only one child per class being absent from school on any given day. Although fears over COVID understandably had an impact on attendance in 2020, compared to the first terms of both 2019 (95.5%) and 2018 (95.3%), this year has seen very little absenteeism from school.
We are working through the data to explain why- obviously, there is little overseas travelling at present. Hygiene practices also help- we are generally healthier, and better at stopping the spread of our germs and illnesses. Finally, we also think that our children are loving school, and they are happy to be back to relative normality after the disruptions of 2020.
Whatever the reason is, we think it is important to acknowledge those people who are responsible for getting the children to school each day, and for making sure that they are in classrooms absorbing new learning.
Staff Parking Only
Please note that the Staff Parking Only area applies at all times. Unless you are directed to do so by office staff, parents and visitors are not allowed to use the Staff Parking area. If collecting a student or dropping a student, the school car park must not be used as a parking, dropping or waiting area- please use Wells Road for parking and walk into school along the driveway.
Using the School Site
One of the best features of our school is its accessibility to the community over weekends and in the evening. We know this plays a key role in the decision making of many of our families who choose to move into our area to bring their children to our school. We also appreciate the passive security we gain by having people using the site outside of normal school hours. However, from time to time, this causes us a number of issues. Recently, we have been finding an increased amount of dog mess left by inconsiderate owners who fail to pick up after their animals. There are multiple ‘Dogs on Lead at ALL Times’ signs around the property, and we would be grateful if you politely pointed these out to dog owners you may see on site.
We have also returned this morning to a number of bottles and cans left by selfish visitors to our site over the weekend. If you are ever using our site and you notice someone behaving in a way which is not following our 4 school values or in a way which is breaking the law, please do not hesitate to contact the police who are very understanding of the issues we face as a school.
Pigeon Mountain Primary is shouting out for Streets for Life this Road Safety Week
This week we are taking part in Road Safety Week (17-23 May), coordinated by Brake, the road safety charity, and sponsored by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. This year the week coincides with the UN Global Road Safety Week, which focuses on speed as a road safety issue, and is calling for Streets for Life in communities. In NZ hundreds of organisations, schools, and community groups will be sharing the what, the why, and the where of speed, because whether you’re walking to school, riding on a rural road, or driving for work, the speed of traffic matters to your safety.
As part of the campaign, we will be running some interactive, engaging lessons around how to keep safe in our streets through classroom lessons and lunchtime activities. Your child may be bringing home a few things to share with you as well and share their learning.
Speed is important because it plays a part in every death and injury on our roads. The formula is simple: the higher the speed, the bigger the forces and impact involved in a crash, and the greater the risk of death and injury. This year activities around the country during Road Safety Week will be reminding everyone of how the speed they travel affects other people, and why safe speeds are important.
We are urging everyone to remember that speed matters for everyone’s safety, health, and wellbeing. By taking part in Road Safety Week, we aim to inspire our community what safe speeds are and to educate our students about how their local streets can have safer speeds and how to keep safe.
On Friday 21 May, we will be having a Dress Down Day – Bright Colours. We are encouraging all our students to wear the brightest colours that they can find to school instead of their normal school uniform. The day helps to remind drivers to slow down and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists, and raises awareness. We are asking for a gold coin donation.
We would love for each and every one of you to get involved by taking part in Brake’s national survey about the safety of the streets where you live. Brake will use the findings from this survey in its work to make roads safer. The survey is available at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/safestreetsnz2021.
Together, we can make a difference! Keeping our students safe is a top priority. Each and every one of us has a role to play to ensure that our students are safe.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 17 May to Sunday 23 May – Road Safety week
Tuesday 18 May – Soccer Field Day
Tuesday 18 May – PTA Annual General Meeting 7.30pm
Thursday 20 May – School Board Meeting 7.00pm
Friday 21 May – Dress Down Day – wear your brightest clothes
Tuesday 25 May – Rooms 23 & 24 Te Tuhi Trip
Thursday 27 May – Rooms 20 & 21 Te Tuhi Trip
BOT News
Next meeting Thursday 20th May 7pm in school staffroom
PTA News
Annual General Meeting Tuesday 18th May 7.30pm in school staffroom
Community Notices
MusiqHub Guitar & Ukulele Lessons with Ben – ben.lee@musiqhub.co.nz or 021 529 531
Jaye’s Dance Studio Vocal & Performing Arts Festival July 2021
