Week 8 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

One of the big pieces of work going on at school currently is…how will we report against the new curriculum to whānau at the end of the term? We’ve spent countless hours, working through so many iterations of what is possible…most of which lead to dead ends, to things that we weren’t happy with. Recently though we’ve managed to piece something together that we can stand behind…it is robust, consistent and follows the guidelines from the Ministry.

However…it is different to what we have done in the past…

I saw a great analogy for the new reporting the other day. The curriculum used to be seen as a journey, progression or pathway…and wherever your child was on that learning journey, we would tell you in our reporting. The new curriculum is more like a series of ladders…a new ladder for each Year Level that your child is in. Each year we will report how far up that particular ladder they get to, and then…new year, new ladder. We tell you how far up the ladder by using a series of words…Emerging, Developing, Consolidating, Proficient and Exceeding.

We held a staff meeting on Monday to start going through our new process, and I’d just like to thank the team for the efforts they are putting into this.

Apple Distinguished School Application

Currently we are an Apple Distinguished School…recognised for 2023-2026, and right at the moment we are at the finishing touches stage of our re-application. There has been quite a bit of mahi going into this…but it has also been very uplifting. Some great reminders of how powerful the learning is here at Douglas Park…the strong foundational academic skills, the expert staff, and the amazing creative ways the children have to express themselves and their learning.

We will be excited to share our new Apple video with you when it is ready…it’s a great watch!

Matariki Evening

Next week, come along on Thursday evening (the 18th) to our annual Matariki evening. Performances in the hall, storytelling, marshmallow roasting, Matariki learning…it’ll be a wonderful time as usual!

Interschool Cross Country

Real cross country weather on Tuesday, freezing cold…wet…muddy…and windy! We had a large team of children competing…and they did a great job in tough conditions! Remi, Lily, Kiah, Henry H and Jaxon T have qualified for the Regional Cross Country event, well done guys!

Lots of positive comments as well around how awesome our children behaved…their PRIDE values shone out strongly at the event, proud of the team for this also.

matariki evening - Thursday 18 june

We are so excited for our Matariki Evening next Thursday!

The evening will begin at 5:15pm in the hall.

Come along and enjoy marshmallow roasting, Matariki learning, and storytelling from these awesome wāhine — plus lots more!

We can’t wait to celebrate together. 🌟

We have the mayor coming in to share some Matariki picture books.

And our very own published author - Michelle O'Connell

Rimu's creations

Rimu have been inspired to create impossible and imaginative creatures through drawing, talking and writing. Check them out:

Benji's Forest Monster - Draft

Benji's Forest Monster - Result

Billy's Bear - Draft

Billy's Bear - Result

Charlotte's Mermaid - Draft

Charlotte's Mermaid - Result

Cleo's Robot - Draft

Cleo's Robot - Result

Eliza's Alien - Draft

Eliza's Alien - Result

Ezra's Fire Monster - Draft

Ezra's Fire Monster - Result

Monty's Alien - Draft

Monty's Alien - Result

Ole's Rainbow Rat - Draft

Ole's Rainbow Rat - Result

Riley's Zombie - Draft

Riley's Zombie - Result

Scarlett's Octopus - Draft

Scarlett's Octopus - Result

whats on at dps

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

Sports

All school teams and draws will be posted on Hero.

Community notices

The Bubble Spectacular | Sunday 5th July 11:00am - https://www.wairarapaec.co.nz/the-bubble-spectacular-sunday-5th-july-11am/

Enter the bubbly-brilliant world of Dr Hubble, as he presents The Bubble Spectacular – a fun-filled, out of this world, bubble-riffic show! Expect to be amazed as the ultimate master of bubbles, Dr Hubble, creates little bubbles, BIG bubbles, volcano bubbles, tornado bubbles, square bubbles and with a bit of his bubbly-magic, you might even end up inside a bubble!

This poppin’ bubble party, filled with laughter, audience participation and even a little burst of fiery bubbles, kids and their grown-ups will be left awe-struck as bubbles fly around the auditorium and take forms you’ve never seen before!

The Boy With Wings | Wednesday 8 July 11am - https://www.wairarapaec.co.nz/the-boy-with-wings-wednesday-8-july-11am/

A comic, touching, and environmental story using the ageless wonder of puppetry, live music and exquisite hand-crafted sets that magically unfold out of boxes, telling an epic fable of one young man’s life-altering journey. All this is set against the backdrop of a contemporary ornithological lecture on the miracle of the great migration of Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwits).

As these fragile birds set out on their extraordinary journey from New Zealand to Alaska, watching them take to the sky in awe is Jack-the-Everyman, who is contemplating a journey of his own to seek the ‘treasure’ that will save his dying orchard.

Award-winning theatre company ‘Birdlife Productions’ promise laughter, tears and thrilling adventure, enticing us to ask the question; “how do we trust our inner map – how do we find our own wings?” Suitable for ages 5 to 95!

Tickets only $16 per person.

The Pantolooons: Alice In Wonderland | Tuesday 14 July 1:00pm - https://www.wairarapaec.co.nz/the-pantoloons-present-alice-in-wonderland-tuesday-14-july-100pm/

When curious Alice falls down the rabbit hole, she lands in the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland, where nothing makes sense and everything is wonderfully silly!

She meets the White Rabbit, the cheeky Khandallah Cat, and a host of oddball characters… all whispering about the terrifying Jabberwocky, who everyone is scared of, but no one has ever actually seen.

Meanwhile, the fiery Queen of Hearts is demanding jam tarts, ready to shout “Off with their heads!” at any moment!

With laughs, songs, and plenty of audience fun, Alice must navigate the madness, solve the mystery, and find her way home.