Week 2 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

Well…last week was a real game of two halves, another week of contrasts…and another week showing what our little school is capable of.

The first half of the game revolved around the government's announcement that all new schools and classrooms being built will no longer be open plan ‘barns’ and the messaging that single cell (traditional) classrooms are somehow better for learning. Alongside this was the message from other Ministers that learning in these open spaces was focused on the wrong things (collaboration, creativity and student inquiry were mentioned) and that children were missing out on the ‘basics’ for this ‘fluffy’ learning.

Clearly all this is just a load of nonsense…but it really upset me that it was stated as fact by those in positions of authority. The minister was quoted as saying:

“The evidence is clear, these classrooms are not optimal” - Erica Stanford

I think she got confused, and what she meant to say was:

“The evidence is clear, teachers and learning design make the difference in education…not building design” - pretend Erica Stanford

Anyway…it annoyed me greatly, but I was heartened by the response of our community and people nationally. While lots of people may not like our classroom design, there was also an outpouring of support. The Times Age wrote an excellent article that contrasted Douglas Park School and Lakeview School…two local schools doing well, two local schools that have different beliefs about teaching and learning, two schools that have different classroom types (open plan at DPS, single cell at Lakeview) but two schools who agree that it is the quality of the staff that make the difference. We can have our flavour, they can have theirs (in terms of learning and classroom design) and neither is ‘better’ or ‘worse’ - both schools are meeting the needs of their communities. The article is worth a read.

One thing is undeniable in education…and that is the impact of a teacher. We are very lucky at DPS to have an amazing staff of excellent teachers, and the impact on learning is huge day to day at school.

And…the second half of the ‘game’ confirmed just that. My week improved dramatically when I went to watch the two school Aquabots teams at the regional competition on Saturday. What I saw in action is the sum total of all our educational efforts, all our learning design choices, all our classroom design choices…the sum total of how we operate at Douglas Park coming together.

The two teams, the HydroGirls and the Hydronauts, exemplify a heap of what we believe to be important in learning (to use the governments terms…both the ‘basics’ and the ‘fluffy’ stuff)

Collaboration - The teams had to work as one unit…only one person could control the robot at any time (one controller), but the others were giving directions, thinking about the next part of the task and planning, they were encouraging the controller…it was a seamless thing to watch 3-4 kids working as one, and to communicate with each other so effectively.
Creativity - Each task was fairly open…many different ways that the children could have approached them…but each time they were able to generate a range of ideas, and visualise how they might play out in the pool.
Critical Thinking - The challenges were hard, and not every first attempt at a task was a success. Each failure led to new ideas being generated, tested out and reflected upon…in just mere moments.
Agency - When the tasks were underway…it was all up to them. The team had control of the robot, they had to decide the best way to tackle the task and they had to do it by themselves. The decision making on show was amazing.
PRIDE - Something I’m always proud of when children represent the school…is how well they conduct themselves. It was a long day (10am-5pm), inside a hot pool building…but our children were impeccably behaved
Reading - Part of the event was a quiz, and they had a bunch of reading to do in the leadup to be prepared for this. Skills learnt in class, transferred to this event…and they nailed it
Oral Language/Writing - They had to write, create digitally and then deliver a presentation at the event…drawing on the oral language and writing skills they gain in class.
Maths - even just hearing the directional language they had to use to navigate their robots around was impressive! Let alone the complex, logic based thinking involved.
Digital Technologies - right from 5 years old our children get taught coding and robotics, and as an Apple Distinguished School we are right up there globally with our ability to use technology…this event just confirmed it. Building and then piloting your own robotic submersible at 10/11 years old? Amazing.

The children get all this from our epic teaching staff, inside our amazing ‘barn’ classrooms. And while this is just 7 of our 352 children, all our children are exposed to this level of quality teaching, and we could have switched those 7 children out for others and still come away with amazing results.

The Hyrdonauts came third in the primary school competition. The Hydrogirls…not only did they come first, they also amassed the same number of points as the winning Year 7/8 team. What an achievement! Both teams are off to the national finals now, and I wish them all the best. Massive thanks to Mrs Harkness for all her training and efforts

Our Staffroom

While we have been in our newly refurbished administration block for quite some time, the project still is not quite finished. However…another major milestone was completed in the school holidays with the installation of the Ngā Waipikpiko Rau o Whakaoriori map…the tuna (eel) highways map.

This was installed a few years ago in Aratoi, and was the culmination of a project looking at re-discovering all the streams in Masterton, and reclaiming their traditional names.

Four of these streams flow through or near Douglas Park School…and the decision was made several years ago that we would do what we can to keep the names of these streams alive. The map was a major design inspiration for the admin block, with our carpet tile layout reflecting the map itself. And now…it is installed in all its glory in the staffroom! Massive thanks to Kirsten (ex-DPS parent) for all her design mahi on the map, and to Sign Factory for the installation.

New Staff

We have had a new teacher aide join the team. Chevelle started this week, and is working in the Rimu team supporting our youngest learners. Great to have you on the team Chevelle!

Teacher Only Day - Monday 1st September

We will be having a second (and final) Teacher Only Day this term…please add Monday 1st September to your calendars.

We are able to have two teacher only days in 2025 to focus on teacher development and the new curriculum. In September we will be diving further into the new maths curriculum.

Thanks in advance for your support of this.

What's on at DPS?

tama toa

Tama Toa is a selected group of boys who gather twice a week to learn life skills, resilience, respect, and teamwork.

This week, the boys explored aspects of mechanical aptitude — learning how to change engine oil, check a spark plug, fill a mower with petrol, and carry out general maintenance. A big thank you to Mr Blue for supplying the lawnmowers for the boys to practise on. Next in our wānanga, we’ll be developing tool skills — using different tools to pull an engine apart and, most importantly, just have some fun with it! The boys really enjoyed getting their hands dirty today.

We’ve also started a mara kai (vegetable garden) where the boys will grow fresh produce to use in cooking sessions. They’ll learn how to prep and cook basic meals, and eventually serve kai to their whānau.

Each session finishes with a reflection on the day’s mahi, followed by a group haka and karakia.

We look forward to keeping the school and wider whānau updated as the boys continue to add life skills to their kete throughout the year.

Ngā mihi mahana,

Hayden and Joe

reminder - change of details

If you have moved house, had a change of phone number, or any other contact details of your child/children have changed, could you please let us know at the school office by calling in to see us, phoning us on (06) 370-0189, or sending an email to office@douglaspark.school.nz

writing - Mr riley's homeclass

What I did during the holidays. By Zane

It was the last day of school then BANG! Now it's the holidays. This is the perfect time to go to Go Zone. I arrived at Go Zone and I was so happy to be there. I started jumping around, you know, what kids do when they are excited. Then I saw it….

The doughnut slide, it was as shiny as a diamond, as silky as silk and as smooth as ice, I thought. I wanted so badly to slide down it but I had to wait an hour until I could go on it because they were fixing a problem. So I went over to the trampoline.

An hour later the slide was fixed. I went on it but I was too thick. That only means one thing, back to the trampolines I go.

I was hot and sweaty but I kept jumping. I’m going to use all my energy on jumping until I can't. It would be nice if I could get a slushie. I got one and it was so cold and nice. When I drank it, I felt like I was in Antarctica freezing to death.

I went home. The drive was long and tiring. When I got home I relaxed on the couch. I was thinking about what game I should play?

Among us, no, Roblox, no, Minecraft, maybe, fortnite, no. Minecraft it is, I guess.

What did I learn from these holidays?

1: slushies are the best

2: never stop jumping

3: holidays are the best

4: school isn’t that fun

I'm eating a slushie now. Bye.

What I did in the holidays…

The holidays are supposed to be calm and relaxing. Like playing Roblox and sleeping. But instead I found a way to go in and out of 99 nights in a frost! On the way I met Carol the bunny who could crank 90s in fortnite.

It all started on a normal Wednesday. I woke up at around 1pm because I fell asleep at 3:19am playing Roblox, but something was off. I wasn't in my room anymore, I was in the game I was playing… 99 nights in a frost! But then I realized that I had 1 nonillion Robux!

When I realized I had 1 nonillion Robux I started to pay to win. First I brought 5,000 diamonds and brought the assassin class! Then I brought everything in the game! So then I went into a match and that is when I met…Carol.

When I met Carol I thought he was a normal bunny. But then he said ‘haro der’ or something like that, then I said ‘what the skibidi toilet?’ Then Carol stole my ax and he ran. I chased him until dark (which is like 2 minutes in the 99 nights in a frost) ‘STOP!’ I yelled. But he kept running. So I had no choice but to go to the camp fire. And on the way I found Carol's diaper.

‘It’s day 99, 1 more night to go!’ Then when it turned night I saw the deer so I threw Carol's diaper at it and defeated it!!

So what did I learn from the holidays?

I know how to teleport in and out of 99 nights in a forest!

Diapers can defeat the deer.

When I have the opportunity to pay to win I do.

What i did in the holidays

By Ella-rose

My dreams were kinda crazy, the holiday sleep process went like sleep, nightmare, wake up, repeat, ect. But one night I went to sleep for three days! But that's not the story. So one night before bed time I brushed my teeth with my doll, Cheatah, to be honest I do not know why I still had him. But anyways, I went back to sleep… then woke up to get a midnight snack, very typical.

Suddenly a cheetah appeared behind me from a portal! It was fuzzy and rainbow like it came out of a cartoon. ‘Hello there Ella.’ He said, I cared a little but not really that much at all. Then I said ‘who in the world are you and how do you know my name’ ‘I am your doll, Cheatah,’ he said. ‘My doll?’ ‘Yes, your doll,’ Then he asked me to be friends but I said no.

He begged and begged until I shouted at the top of my lungs ‘FINE!’ he said ‘ok geez you did not have to yell, my ears hurt. I apologized to him and we went destroying stuff, eating fast food, flying to Jamaica, and learning Japanese in Japan! Also going to America, and Brazil! Then I went back to New Zealand.

Then we got kechtinup on fry-day! No pun intended, it was friday, also we did more destruction and other stuff, then i woke up. Then after that i went to school, then after i went to sleep, i saw him again, he said ‘what took you so long, i went to sleep then woke up.’ ‘I do not know at all,’ I said. Then a few seconds later we went to all the countries in the whole world then sadly… I woke up and never saw him again.

What i did in the holidays

By Luka

These holidays meant to be pretty chill and relaxing. You know, rotting on the couch, maybe a little nap here and there. Instead, I somehow ended up riding a megalodon, winning a jack pot, and making friends with a chicken salt obsessed snail. Weird.

The holidays finally started on a Thursday, I can vividly remember that moment, cause, well I mean who wouldn't, it's the holidays. Anyway, I started the first day by having my weekly tantrum of running out of baked beans. So then my mum came in and told me, “ come on luka, put on your big boy pants and hop in the car.” We blasted pink fluffy unicorns on the way to the supermarket. As I ran to the baked bean isle, I came across a glowing door, so……you know I opened it. The door took me to a stage with lots of people yelling, sing sing sing sing!!! So then i started yelling california girls.

After that I got my baked beans, and felt like I needed to test my luck after that so I bought a lotto ticket. I was scratching the ticket knowing I wasn't going to win, but then my heart started to beat out of my chess, my sweat was dripping off me like rain dripping off a coat, my eyes going out of my socket, I WON THE BIG JACKPOT. The first thing that came to my mind was to buy a lifetime supply of baked beans!

I got out of my big boy pants because I was ready to be a man! As soon as my baked beans arrived, I started to devour them. Quickly after, I licked them clean to make my amazing, thrilling outstanding submarine! I quickly put all the cans together, and used what felt like every roll of duct tape in the world, and it was ready!!! My mum drove me to the dock to get ready. As I started going, then it came to me, I'm not going down, I'm SINKING!!! As I started sinking I saw this most terrifying animal, a megalodon! Then I started saying my last words, UNTIL I saw this snail that has apparently been following me. He said all the things that he has been seeing. I called him bakery beanie, and he said that the meg will help us get to shower. We got the megs attention and he said, “hope on my back.” But all we heard was, chompCHOMP chomp, but he kind of understanded him, so we just jumped on his back.

I rounded the last couple days finishing baked beans, and swimming with the meg that we called chomp chomp, while he accidentally ate bakey beanie. OH well!

What i did in the holidays

By Levi

This all started on a monday, or maybe it was tuesday. No, I think it was friday, idk. No one really knows what day it is, especially when you're on holiday. Anyway, i was just chillin’ when mum ran in and said “we’re leaving for Australia tomorrow morning, so move your butt and pack!’’ And that dear reader was the start of an horrendously horrible holiday.

We had just got to our holiday house when my sister said “lets go to the river’’ and I immediately said yes. what, you would too if it was like a million degrees even with air-conditioning. On the way there we saw tons of aussie animals, I really liked the koalas. I even saw a platypus (agent platypus, you know from phineas and ferb.) Then we became besties. We hoped in with like a billion other people. (Yeah it was really crowded.) Anyway agent gave me a ride through the river. It was pretty fun.

Then I heard a growl like no other, and since there are no bears in Australia (it's true, if you don’t believe me search it up on google,) I knew it wasn’t a bear, and that was the moment I remembered that I had explosive diarrhea. So I got out, dug a hole, and did my business. But a few seconds later I realised that the hole, it was not in fact deep enough and that my chocolate smoothie turd had started seeping into the river.

Then to my absolute horror someone shouted out “its so clean you drink it!’’ Then after what felt like eternity the slurps stopped. The next thing I knew everyone had left the water. Then started staring at the chocolate milk water, and then cocked their heads towards me. “Wha-a-a-a-at” I said anxiously, “you have a big brown stain on the back of your pants’’ someone said, and the rest agreed, so they all got out their medieval weapons (have you ever heard drop bears, you can’t leave home without at least one weapon, anyway) once i saw them, I was out of there with agent (dont tell me you forgot about him) guess what i did… I blasted like a diarrhea powered rocket. (literally.) So now I live on the moon.

What i learnt these holidays

Go to the bathroom BEFORE going to the river
If you do need to go, go further out and dig a deeper hole
NO MORE SEAWEED SALAD!!!!!!!!!

The end, agent says hi (hes currently spying on Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz.)

Holidays aren’t supposed to be crazy, right… Holidays are for resting and watching ‘I make the face, you make the sound’ in bed. And also getting told of for eating all the Cheds and not sharing them. You know? But instead, I ended up going to the jungle, and marrying a rock.

So I’m pretty sure this happened on a Wednesday, or a Thursday? Anyways, it all started when me and my family were going to do some air surfing. Then I suddenly found a rock that I fell in love with. I named him Rocky, and that was the beginning of a happily ever after. I clutched it up to my cheek, and that made me light up. I felt different. It sat there in my hands like a little sleeping kitten. So cute!

So I’m at the beach, and I get on the air surf board. I clip on a helmet, and tie myself onto the ropes. And there I go. Some wind picks me up and I’m a flying fairy. I look down, and I ALMOST DROP ROCKY! (Opps! That wasn’t supposed to happen!) I looked back at my family, and I was to far away! they just sat there like a pile of nothing. They were probably wondering how to get me back. I was so hungry, maybe even starving! And the parachute thingy looked so delicious! I couldn’t resist it! I took a little nibble and next thing you know, I’m falling down to a tiny island!

So I’m at the island, with rocky cuddled up in my pocket. I jumped in the water, hoping I could swim back. And no doubt, the waves just pushed me back to the island. (To be honest, that’s not very surprising, cause my arms are like noodles!) “Rocky, do you think I’m strong?” He didn’t reply, he just sat there like a pile of Ruble. (I’m starting to think we should just divorce now.) I tried one more time, but the waves push me to a jungle!

So I’m at the jungle, with nothing. But luckily, I remember how to make a raft! I bundled up some wood and vines. I wrap the vines around the wood,and there you have it! A raft! I push it into the water, and jump on. I ride in to the sunset with Rocky, until I get back to the beach.

What I learnt!

You shouldn’t eat parachutes.
You can have rocks as partners.
Air surfing is dangerous.
I’m very weak.

It all started on Monday when Meaia was driving to the beach in her Flintstone looking car. The car broke down so she had to make it a Flintstone car because she is poor and doesn’t have any money to buy a new car.now she has to push her car everywhere she goes.

seagull ate her McDonald’s

On her way out to the beach she got some food. It was McDonald’s when she was peacefully eating it. A seagull came into the car. His name was Lil Timmy and he ate the McDonald’s. What am I going to eat now? That must mean I am close to the beach l said. We are here, let's go.

secret Spot put the key.

Mum where did you put the key she said in the secret spot we put in so no one can break in the house where it is secret spot you are not meant to now.1 hour later lets go inside to un pack my bag oh no l forgot my pink fluffy flamingo hat i will have to go back to china to get a new one.

Going swimming with new hat

Mum can we go swim because I got a new hat “ok meaia” she said when my toes touched the cold water my body shivered and went cold when we got to the ocean my mum needed to get her hat but suddenly an alien abducted me so when she came back to the ocean I was gone she thought I had drowned but I didn’t I was with an alien in the sky. But suddenly I appeared in my bed. I thought nothing of it and went to sleep then my mum came down and said what are you doing? and she said we can go get fish and chips and eat it on the beach. Ok, let's go.

Fish and chips time

Let's go eat. I said I see a seagull is coming to eat all of our food. What are we meant to do now? I said I was going to eat that let’s go back home pack up your bag because we are going home tomorrow. Time to go to sleep 12 hours later it is the morning when I get up I have breakfast and I am going to have bake beans because I’m a bake bean eater now I am going to put on my makeup mum we’re is your car in the driveway no it’s not we will have to go home in the neighbours car okay mum.

What I learned in the holidays?

Don’t let your car break down.

Don’t eat fish and chips on the beach.

Don’t eat McDonald’s in the car with the window open.

My holidays by Angus.

These holidays were suppose to be spending time with family like having a turkey at the table and buying a fish at the market but my holidays were embarrassing.

I went to domino’s to kick off the holidays and play video games. But when I got my pizza i slipped and the whole pizza fell on my face. Everybody was laughing and I felt embarrassed. I went back home to wash my face and play video games and go to sleep.

The next day i went to the zoo. I had a walk around the zoo. You know look boring dumb horrendous animals. After that I had some shade because it was insanely burning hot.

I got to stay the night at the zoo. I went to my room and had a shower while singing tupac. After the shower i had to go to sleep in my 5 star luxury bed. After my luxury sleep I had 5 star bacon with gold flakes. The bacon slid down my throat like an a oily kid going down a slide. After breakfast I signed out of my motel.

And then GORILLA ESCAPE!!! I get rammed by 5 massive gorilla's.

subway lunch available every friday - order online or at the school office

Sports

All school teams and draws will be posted on Hero.

Oral Health for School Newsletter

Regular Dentist Visits:

Free dental care is available from birth to 18 years old. Call 0800 TALK TEETH for appointments or concerns. If your child is not enrolled, please contact us. The Wairarapa Dental team is based at Masterton Intermediate School: 06 377 9071 or oralhealth@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz.

Brushing:

Brush every morning and night with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes. Parents should help with brushing until about age 8, as young children struggle to reach their molars properly. When it comes to toothpaste, spit don’t rinse. To save water, turn the tap off when brushing. Replace your soft bristled toothbrush each school holiday.

Mouth Guards:

Always wear a mouth guard during sports to protect teeth. Injuries to baby teeth can affect adult teeth still in the gum. For any injuries to the mouth always register the accident under ACC with your GP or dentist, no matter how minor you may think the injury is.

Avoid Sweets:

Don’t eat sweets on your way to school otherwise the sugar will be stuck on your teeth all day. Sweets should be avoided as everyday treats or rewards and saved for very special occasions.

Fluoride:

Fluoride helps strengthen and protect teeth. The fluoride in toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Not rinsing after brushing allows fluoride to remain on teeth and continue to help protect them. Your Oral Health team recommend toothpastes which contain full strength fluoride (1000ppm). Also seen as sodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride.

Baby Teeth:

Baby teeth are important for a child's development and overall health, playing a vital role in chewing, speaking, and holding space for adult teeth. Teeth extracted on young children due to decay can affect speech as well as cause space loss later in life.

Cereals:

Many cereals are very high in sugar especially those recommended for children. That’s before we add our own sugar to it. In some of our most popular cereals up to 40% contain sugar. Try weetbix, oats or try a hot brekky if time allows. Read the labels to compare different cereals.

Limiting Sugary Drinks:

Keep sugary drinks to mealtimes. Most drinks brought from the shop have an average of 10 teaspoons of sugar in them. Imagine eating that out of the sugar bowl for breakfast! Teeth need a rest from sugar so water is the best drink for your teeth.

Safe Snacks & lunch ideas:

Try these healthy options for healthy teeth. Fresh fruit, dairy products, raw vegetables and dip, protein filled sandwiches, crackers, savoury muffins, plain popcorn, nuts, rice/pasta dishes, quiche/frittata, crumpets, pizza, toasties, fritters, simple sandwiches - marmite, peanut butter, cheese.

Adolescent Oral Health:

Dental exams and treatment (excluding orthodontic care) are free until your 18th birthday whether you are a student, in employment or seeking employment. All year 8 children will receive a transfer pack to choose your chosen family dentist either when the dental mobile visits the school, or when they are seen at the MIS clinic. If you have year 9 or older children still waiting to be seen by your family dentist, give them a call to arrange enrolment and an appointment.

Community notices

Report abuse