Week 2 NEWSLETTER

Music, sweet music

I love music…I love listening to it, I love creating it and I love performing it. I grew up listening to a lot of music, my Dad always had the radio on, always had a cassette in the car and had a great collection of vinyl. When I got to college I discovered the guitar…and I was hooked. It is probably fair to say that music was one of the main reasons I got through college, the fact that my mates and I could be together in lessons and play really hooked us in. 

I’m proud of where this school is heading with music…over the last 5 years our kapahaka has gone from strength to strength. Not just the performance groups, but the voice it has given the school in general is awesome. We have hosted the Masterton Brass Band tutors for a number of years now, and numbers have swelled. This year we have Miss Nadia running lessons in guitar, piano and ukulele. These lessons have proven popular, so now she is here two full days a week. This term the Goodtime Music Academy is running drum lessons for some children. All up around 60 children are getting musical tuition in some form.

On top of this…this term we have The Beat Station…a musical lesson/equipment system for teachers. Each class will get roughly 30mins a week music tuition…starting with beat, building to percussion, and some classes will end up doing Ukulele as well. 

Put all that together…sprinkle in some performances like the US Marine band, or the STRIKE Percussion group next week…and we are building a very healthy musical culture in the school.

Some Dates for your Calendar

Friday 22nd May - School Cross Country

Monday June 1st - Kings Birthday, no school

Tuesday June 2nd - Townwide Teacher Only Day, no school

Room 1 students have been learning how to use personification for effect. They showed great creativity in their language to describe a scene, bringing their ideas to life. They then used their Keynote skills to animate their writing and record themselves reading it aloud.

Ka rawe, koutou – what epic writing!

Orders for Lucky Book Club need to be in by Friday 15 May 2026

Stationery - Payment Reminder

We are very fortunate that our Board of Trustees subsidises stationery each year, helping to keep costs as low as possible for families. We kindly ask that all learners pay the $15.00 stationery contribution as soon as possible. 

Payment can be made online to ASB 12-3290-0064275-00. Please include your child's name as the reference. Alternatively, payments can be made at the office via EFTPOS, or cash can be sent to the office in a clearly named envelope.

We appreciate your prompt payment, as this helps reduce follow-up. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact the office - we are happy to help.

Sports Fees - Reminder 

If your child is participating in a sports team for Douglas Park School, please ensure the relevant sports fees are paid as soon as possible. 

Payments can be made at the DPS office (cash or EFTPOS) or via online banking:

DPS Account: 12-3290-0064275-00

Reference: Child’s first name, last initial, and the sport they are playing

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 

All school teams and draws will be posted on Hero.