Week 1 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

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

Welcome back to Term 3, underway with a hiss and a roar already! The children have settled back in well…it is hard to beat that energy and positivity of the children reconnecting with friends, classmates and staff.

In my 8 years of leading this school we have transitioned from having mainly single cell classrooms, to having four Modern Learning Environments (MLE’s)...four open plan spaces for our collaborative teaching teams to work within. Yesterday our Minister announced the halt of new classrooms being built in this style (kind of…more at the bottom of this if interested), and the statement that learning occurs best inside single cell (traditional) classrooms.

We have been recognised locally, nationally and internationally as providing amazing learning programmes here at DPS…so to hear our Minister describe our classrooms as ‘bad for learning’ was disheartening…particularly as I have invited her to visit in the past but she has yet to come and see us in action. We do well here, and I was triggered yesterday…and I was going to write heaps on this topic…but instead I will let smarter people than me share their thoughts, and just share some of my thoughts in the form of a social media comment from last night.

Have a listen to these interviews to get a real sense of

Claire Amos. Principal of Albany Senior High School. Claire has nearly 30 years teaching under her belt…in both single cell and open plan classrooms. She speaks very passionately about how the generalised statement of single cell is good, open plan is bad, isn’t true or helpful. She also debunks the claims around noise, distraction and these spaces not being good for neuro-divergent children
Tony Grey. Principal of Te Ao Mārama School. Tony is a very experienced primary school principal, and his school is only around 5 years old…and is an ‘open plan’ design. Tony speaks about how these spaces can be designed to support multiple ways of learning, and how the generalised label of ‘open plan’ or barn buildings is not helpful.
Dr Sarah Aiono. CEO of Longworth Education. We have worked with Longworth, they were instrumental in helping us develop our playbased learning. Sarah speaks at length around how teacher practice and development are so important in any space, and how effective MLE design can enhance good teaching.

Below is a comment I wrote on a social media post about the announcement, and I stand by my words. I am super proud of how our school functions, how great the learning design is, how amazing my staff are, and daily I’m blown away by the quality of the students…your children. Under that comment are our three Apple Distinguished School videos…inside these you can see our classrooms in action, and the power of our learning design.

If you have any questions around the power of the learning design and our classroom environments…I’m happy to be asked, just flick me an email at principal@douglaspark.school.nz

Another simplistic answer to what is a complex problem (engagement and achievement). As the Principal of a local school with 4 MLE (open plan) spaces I was disappointed to hear the way she spoke about schools like mine...she missed the point entirely, classrooms/spaces are not what make the difference in education. What does is:

- The quality of the teacher in the class

- The quality of the learning design and teaching programmes

- The quality of the relationships between staff and students

- The quality of the room (good lighting, heating, ventilation, connection to the outdoors)

- The quality of the data and information teachers have to base their learning design on

- And the quality of the beliefs and expectations of staff about their students (high expectations, and the belief that all students can achieve)

All of those things can exist inside single cell (traditional) classrooms, or inside MLE (open plan classrooms)...the space doesn't really matter. I agree with several of the comments here...balance and flexibility with classroom design is important. Schools can be successful with single cell rooms, schools can be successful with a mixture of single cell and MLE spaces, and schools like mine can be successful as just MLE spaces. But for the Minister to say that schools like mine that have open plan spaces are 'bad for learning' is just plain wrong, and insulting. Our children achieve highly, are super engaged, our classrooms have won national awards and we have been recognised internationally for the quality of the education we provide.

My footnote about her announcement is that the Minister, while pausing ‘open plan’ classrooms, is actually going to be building spaces that are connected, have glass sliding doors, have small breakout rooms connected to the larger space…in essence, a MLE!

Actually…I did write heaps in the end (whoops), but I could have written a lot more! Perhaps in future editions.

Staffing Changes

A couple of changes here:

Teacher Aide Rose finished at the end of last term. Rose has been an awesome member of the team, and will be missed!
Helen and Kiri start the next New Entrant class in a couple of weeks. For the first half of the year they have been providing extra literacy support in Rimu and Kōwhai. As they start the new class the literacy support will continue, but in a much reduced form.
But the big news here is that Amanda Jolliffe is finishing up soon. The first grandchild is on the way, and rightfully Amanda wants to be a part of that journey! We are both excited for her, and gutted that she will be leaving DPS! Maya Champion is back from an overseas trip, and will step into the classroom until she herself heads back overseas in the middle of Term 4. Maya taught here last year, knows us, knows the children and will step into that role well.

BOT Elections

That time once again, School Board elections are upcoming! Nominations will be called for this week. We have 3 trustee spaces in the election this year…could it be you putting your hand up? On the surface the role is:

Meeting 9 times a year. Twice each in terms 1-3, and 3 times in term 4
Reading the Board papers in the leadup to our meetings. Agendas, reports, correspondence, Ministry of Education pieces
Being available via email for discussion/information sharing in between meetings
Having and sharing your thoughts about the overall direction of the school.
Inside the Board, members also have assigned roles…the bigger ones being the Presiding Member, a person to oversee finance and a person to oversee property developments.

But to me the role is also a supportive one…supporting me in my mission to create an amazing place to teach and learn in. Hearing my ideas, critiquing them, discussions around how to resource them and also being a champion of them.

The School Boards Association are running a webinar for aspiring Board members…might be worth attending if you think you are keen to step up!

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.

reminder - Dental forms

Please return your child’s dental forms to the School Office as soon as possible

Fodps news

Friends of Douglas Park School – Get Involved!

We’re a group of dedicated volunteer parents and teachers who meet monthly to fundraise and support Douglas Park School. New members are always welcome — we’d love to have more helping hands on board!

Next Meeting:

Wednesday, 23 July - 7:00pm - DPS School Staff Room

Each term we run a different fundraiser - from raffles and delicious pies to beautiful student artwork. These efforts go a long way in supporting our tamariki and school community.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to contribute to:

Brand new Jump Jam equipment - a fun, high-energy aerobics programme for our kids
Volunteering at the Matariki Evening, including prepping veggies and donating kai
Ice blocks for students after the cross country
Annual contribution to school leavers' t-shirts

Ongoing support for Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) activities
New sandpit toys for outdoor play

Fundraising Highlights:

Pie Fundraiser: Raised an amazing $3,818.90! Huge thanks to our volunteers who sorted 1,971 pies, and to Countdown Masterton for donating banana boxes and paper bags.

Easter Raffle: Brought in $2,700 — thank you to everyone who donated and participated!

Together, we’re making a real difference. Come along to our next meeting — we’d love to see you there!

writing - ivy and Lily from kahikatea

Ivy and Lily interviewed people to find out the best and worst thing about their holidays

The best thing about his holidays was spending time with his moko.

The worst thing was the bad weather.

Joe

The best thing in the holidays was he went to the movies to see Lilo and Stitch.

The worst thing was when he went to the park and fell over.

Noah M

The best thing about the holidays was when he went to Time Zone in Palmerston North.

Driving to Time Zone was the worst thing.

Braxton

The best thing was going ice skating in Auckland.

Bruising his knees was the worst thing.

Leo W

Going to Go Zone and playing there was the best part of the holidays.

The worst thing was when she fell over on the ground.

Blesszie

The best thing about the holidays was she went shopping at the mall in Wellington.

The worst thing was doing jobs.

Emma

Going to his cousin's house was the best part of the holidays.

The worst part was his Dad was sick.

Wirihana

The best part of his holidays was hanging out with his friends.

The worst part was when his cousin got bullied.

Locklyn

Going to a baby shower with her mum was the best part of her holidays.

The worst part was she stayed home most of the holidays.

Marlia

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.

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