Week 3 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

Week 3 of the term already, and learning is up and running across the school…and as always it looks varied, exciting and engaging!

We have some new 3D printers in the school…with another on the way. These machines are a big step up from our previous ones (which we still have and will use). Fast, better quality and the ability to print multiple colours. Children across the senior teams have been having some Tinkercad refresher lessons, and already we’ve seen children design then 3D print their ideas into reality. The technology is cool…but what is cooler is how it supports Creativity, and allows children to print…test their ideas…modify their designs and go again. I made a bold claim to Emma yesterday that I want every kid in the school to 3D print something this year…let's see if I live up to my aim!

Technology used well, with a purpose, can be a real game changer. Michelle sent this photo through to me of Harvey, Nanakia and Tom working together on a KeyNote slide. Michelle had made the template, and the boys were recording their names visually and in audio. Tom was able to engage and join in with his peers for the learning…the technology helped/allowed this to happen. You also see his communication board on the device in front of him. Awesome stuff!

And lastly Shaun shared this photo of Miss Hawke’s maths lesson yesterday. The way we design our maths learning caters for a wide range of learners abilities. Gives everyone access, and allows for extension as well…a low floor, and a high ceiling. You can see in the image that the task allowed for children (in little groups) to be working on questions ranging from 11x5, to 16x5 through to 36x5. The visual on the board contains some help (scaffolds) showing them the equation/answer for 1, 2, 5 and 10x5. Designing learning like this gives access to all abilities, and doesn’t pigeonhole learning based on age or year level. Those children still acquiring their multiplication ability were catered for…and if they picked that up quickly, a chance to develop themselves further. And at the other end…children of the same age aren’t being asked to do work that is ‘too easy’...they get the chance to deepen and extend their ability.

School Picnic

This awesome event is tomorrow 5pm - 7pm…weather permitting! The forecast doesn’t look great right now, but we will make a call tomorrow. Just prior to the picnic we will open the classrooms up, and staff will be there…so if you’d like to head into the learning spaces to see them, to have a chat with the teachers…they’ll be there from 4.30pm. The picnic itself will run 5pm - 7pm…bring a blanket, some kai and come hang out. The pool will be open, the bouncy castle will be here…and Olivia and I will serenade the crowd with some music. Teachers will be mingling around so you can meet new faces, or reconnect with familiar ones. Fingers crossed the weather improves!

Swimming Pool - Thanks FODPS and the BoT!

It has been such a win having a school pool…all the kids, everyday, getting a chance to build their water confidence. As always…Mr Blue is a legend for keeping it running…103 years old this year, and somehow still surviving! (the pool that is, not Mr Blue!)

I’d like to also say thanks to the BoT…every year maintenance costs creep up, and the Ministry doesn't provide much funding for school pools…but the Board see the win and value of the pool, and cover all the additional costs each year. In the last year alone it has had electrical work done, new piping, all the concrete grout taken out and replaced, and epoxy resin used on all the joins and cracks. Skipping this maintenance would save the school money, but we would lose the pool…so thank you Board of Trustees.

Also thanks to the Friends of Douglas Park School (FODPS). They have recently donated money to the school to buy some new resources for the pool…much appreciated, and already being put to good use! Massive thanks.

what's on at douglas park

lucky book club

Lucky Book Club is optional and you need to order and purchase the books. This book club is additional to the Duffy Book Programme - that our kids are super lucky to be part of. Duffy Books is a charity and they donate books to our kids several times a year.

The best way to order Lucky Book Club books is to sign up to the Loop Orders app, and order and pay online. See instructions below.

Apologies some classes may have been missing earlier but all teachers have now been added onto the website.

Unfortunately there is a quick turn around for these orders - and the orders will close at 3pm on Friday 13th February - tomorrow!

However Issue 2 will be out soon!

Please see Gemma McPhail or Meryl if there are any questions.

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

change of details

If you have recently 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