Week 4 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

Busy week for our staff…Hayley, Becky and Brooke are up in Auckland today at an Apple Education event, Sophie and James had training on Tuesday in a new online Writing intervention, James also had a workshop yesterday on the new assessment and reporting requirements, and at the start of the week Simon, Shaun and I were down in Christchurch to look at structured literacy in schools, and also attend an Apple Education event.

What each of these events has highlighted…is that our school is well placed in all of these areas. Watching the structured literacy in Christchurch, we could see how well our children are doing. Watching what the Apple Distinguished Schools were doing with technology, we could see how strong our children are in this area. Learning about the new assessment and reporting requirements, we could see how advanced and detailed our thinking is in this area.

Getting out to courses, visiting schools, engaging with like-minded schools…all of that is great to do, and in this case, it has been very affirming.

Matariki Mahi

Miss Mac has done some wonderful Matariki mahi with some of the Kahikatea students. They have created tukutuku panels based on their Matariki knowledge. It is a great example of powerful learning…listening, oral language, some reading, Miss Mac 3D printed the templates, students having to physically create an artifact…hand’s on, explain their thinking/their art…and capture it in an audio recording, with a QR code for access. All wrapped up in our focus on Creativity!

When learning pulls together these elements…academic content, hands on, minds on, some technology…the learning is powerful, and it ‘sticks’ for children. Ka rawe team…these are very cool.

Support Staff Week

It is Support Staff Week this week, the week where we celebrate our wonderful support staff at DPS. Teacher Aides, Cleaners, Office Admin Team, and our Caretaker...all support staff, and all awesome. We have amazing teachers at DPS delivering a quality education, but that quality is enhanced by this support staff team. Our classes are wonderful to work in...fresh and clean each day, Cheers Ange! Our grounds are beautifully maintained, and any small issues resolved quickly, Cheers Mr Blue! Our school logistically, financially and operationally functions so smoothly, Cheers Anna and Meryl! Our kids also get wonderful care and attention from our Teacher Aides, supporting them as learners and young humans, Cheers Andrea, Joe, Kris, Grace, Dan, Pania, Hayden, Imogen, Mrs Blue, Rose, Chevelle, Nat. People make the Place...a saying I love...and so true, our wonderful Support Staff do make this place...make it function, make it awesome and make it a wonderful place to work and learn in. Happy Support Staff Week!

Cross Country

Practice is well underway for this event, and it is great to see the kids challenge themselves. I write this every year…and I still believe it. Cross Country isn’t about running as much as it is about developing perseverance, and rising to a challenge. No matter how fast you are, how far you can run…training can get you quicker, or enable you to run further. And the beauty of it…the challenge is universal. I’m yet to meet anyone who can run, push themselves and not be physically and mentally challenged by the effort it takes. Legs get sore, that voice starts in your head (just slow down, walk a bit…) so the real learning in cross country is about pushing yourself, and being able to push past the challenges.

We look forward to inviting whānau to the cross country…Friday 22nd May…It will be great to have you, and great to see our DPS Kids rise to their own challenge during their run.

Reminder: Teacher Only Day Tuesday June 2nd

Just a reminder that all of the local schools, primary and secondary, are closed Tuesday June 2nd. As one of the organisers I’m stoked with how the day is looking, and excited to get everyone in the same place, hearing the same thing. Thanks for your support.

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

writing from mrs mcphail's homeclass

This week in Mrs McPhail's writing class we have been learning to be creative and entertaining authors. We have been learning about adjectives and verbs that make our writing interesting. The task is to rewrite an oldie but a goodie … The 3 Little Pigs. First we planned our writing using the ipads, taking photos of 3 new materials to build the houses out of. Then we created and described our new baddie! Stay tuned for the finished stories …here are our plans!

Daisy, Ayesha and Blesszie

Jairus and Kaihote

Jackson and Peaches

Raijin and Carter C

Oliver and Junior

Louis and Leon-Yaj

Odin and Nathan

Cooper and Acacia

Kaison and Max

Henry and Jahmiah

whats on at dps

pies pies pies - Friends of Douglas park school

Thank you to those whanau who have already returned their pie order forms and payments!

We know the return date says Wednesday 20th May - but can you please bring in any forms as soon as possible so that the FODPS can start collating the pies. This is always a big job and takes some time, the sooner we can start collating the orders the better.

Haven't received a form? There will be extra forms at the office - please pick one up from there.

So start rounding up the order forms and get them back into school!

Thanks from the FODPS Team

lucky book Club

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

reminders

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

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