Term 1 Newsletter 6

From the Principal

It seems strange to look back over the past 11 weeks and comprehend the events which have taken place. We started the term in February, and since then, we have probably experienced a number of ‘firsts’.

We have probably all taken our first Rapid Antigen Test, know our first friend or acquaintance to have been infected with COVID-19, and perhaps been forced to spend our first periods in isolation as close or household contacts of someone with COVID.

All these experiences cause instability or change in our lives- they mean we need to be flexible and resilient. In school, we continue to be flexible and resilient. We have emerged from the term less affected than many schools, but we have suffered our fair share of class splits, absent students, and switches to temporary online learning. Despite this, our students, teachers and community have remained positive and engaged in learning.

We are planning for the term ahead with optimism, and we have plans that are outlined in this newsletter for what the new term may look like.

Please take time to enjoy the break and take stock of the 3-4 months we have just experienced as a school community and as a country. We have our fingers and toes crossed that we may see a number of things returning to how we remember them, but rest assured that whatever happens, we will keep you informed and we will be ready for whatever new challenges may be thrown our way!

Three Way Conferences

Thank you for your support and taking the time to meet with your child’s Classroom Teacher last week. All of our teachers thoroughly enjoyed meeting you all and discussing the learning of your child. We recognise the importance of working together to ensure that your child is the very best version of themselves.

If you were unable to attend, please contact your child’s Classroom Teacher to find some time to meet with you.

Drop Off and Pick Ups

At this current time, until further notice and advice from moving from Red Light to Orange Light we will continue to operate in the current structure that we have in place in regards to dropping off and picking up your child.

As a reminder, we ask that only students are allowed beyond the Pigeon Mountain gates during the hours of 8.30am – 3.30pm unless prior arrangements have been made with a Pigeon Mountain Primary staff member.

Students are allowed on site from 8.30am each morning, with our Junior School finishing at 2.45pm and Senior School finishing at 3.00pm. If you have a child in the Senior School, they are able to collect their younger siblings if they are in the Junior School at 2.45pm to make the pick up easier for you. If there are any changes that take place from now before the start of Term 2, we will communicate this with you.

Students Waiting to be Picked Up

We have noticed a number of our students waiting at the Loloma entrance for a considerable amount of time to be picked up. For their safety, we will now be asking students to wait near the Loloma school gate, so that they are away from the roadside. Any child that is not collected from 3.15pm, for their safety, will be asked to attend Bizzy Bodz after school Programme where you will be charged. If you happen to be late, please contact the Front Office on (09) 534 9765 to let them know.

Safety Around our Roads

We wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all those that are following the road safety rules around our school. We have seen some great improvements; however, we still have people doing the wrong thing which puts our students and community at risk.

We are having to continually remind people that:

By law all children MUST be wearing seatbelts
Not to park across driveways when dropping your child off or park across a driveway
Not to park on yellow lines. CLICK HERE to learn more about where not to park.
When your child is getting out of the vehicle they must exit the vehicle on the footpath side NOT the roadside
The speed limit is 40km from 8.20am – 9.00am.

All of these rules are to keep our children, you, and others safe. Please help keep each other safe.

Break Times – Morning Tea and Lunch

Currently we are operating our morning tea and lunch breaks in two bubbles. We have a Junior School and a Senior School Bubble where the morning tea and lunch time breaks are at different times. We will continue to operate in this system until we have further notice.

School Uniform

We currently have a selection of items available via KINDO.

Trousers and long sleeve polo shirts are able to be worn in terms two and three only.

School hours

The school day starts at 8.50am. Children must be in their classrooms at this time.

Our gates open at 8.30am and will be locked at 8.50am. They are unlocked at 2.45pm.

If your child is late for any reason please call the school office and advise them.

Absences from School

Your child’s absence from school must be notified to the office using the following means:

School Website/Skool Loop App – submit an absence including the reason for the absence

Telephone the School Office Ph 534 9765, and leave a message with your child’s name, room number and reason for absence

Library News

Exciting News!

Pigeon Mountain Primary School Library has connected to a shared ePlatform for schools supplied by Wheelers Books.

ePlatform by Wheelers is an electronic ebook collection that is complementary to our print collection in our school library. This collection is handpicked to be age and interest appropriate for primary school aged children. There are well over 2,000 books to choose from.

eBooks are:

Complimentary to print books
An easy portable way to access multiple books
You can borrow and read a book on any device
They can’t be lost!
Children can enjoy ebooks independently
Reading improves literacy

First of all find the Wheelers App and download. If your child has a school device, then use this, but the app can be downloaded onto any suitable device at home.

Once the app is downloaded you will need to search for our school. The User Name to sign in is your child’s school Gmail address and the password is pmps1

This is a great resource to encourage reading at any time and particularly over the holidays.

If you have any problems or questions, please contact Mrs Brown at the library.

Happy Reading!

Mrs Brown

Library and Resource Manager

tinab@pmps.school.nz

09 534 9765 ext 834

Counselling Services at PMPS

A reminder from the last newsletter that we are fortunate to have the services of a number of Counsellors working in our school.

John – Lifewalk Trust
Yajun – AUT Practicum Counsellor
Taalia – AUT Practicum Counsellor
Jessica – AUT Practicum Counsellor (commencing Term 2)

If you feel your child would benefit from speaking with one of our counsellors, please make contact with your Classroom Teacher and they will help arrange a day and time for them to speak.

Please note, that all sessions are confidential and all counsellors understand and follow Pigeon Mountain Primary School policies.