22nd April - Naenae Intermediate

NEWSLETTER NO 5THURSDAY 22 nd APRILDear Parents and CaregiversWelcome to the start of Term 2. I hopeyou had an enjoyable holiday and madethe most of the lovely weather. Onceagain we have another busy Term instore for our students and you will soonreceive a newsletter from your child’ssyndicate leader outlining details of theTerm 2 classroom programme. Ourmajor events this Term include Ballpreparation and parent interviews.Venture ClassThe first Venture Class for the yearstarted on Monday and the studentshave an exciting Term ahead of them. Avery special welcome to new VentureClass teacher Mrs Pace.Intermediate School EducationAlongside the academic achievement ofYear 7 and 8 students I wrote about inthe last Newsletter, IntermediateSchools have been entrusted with theresponsibility to ensure appropriatesocial development programmes areprovided. Since 1890, for over 114years, New Zealand has believed thatthis age group requires education inschools that meet the specificrequirements of these students. In NewZealand currently, about 60% of all Year7 and 8 students are educated inIntermediate Schools. A wide varietyof programmes that support the socialdevelopment of 10 – 13 year olds areoffered by Intermediate schools. AtNaenae Intermediate these programmesinclude:• Camp• Production• Leisure Education• Biennial Ball• End of year Disco• Strong health programmes targetingthe needs of early adolescence.• An active student council.• Composite Year 7 and 8 classes thatallow peer leadership to develop.But the most important structure wehave in place for developing the needsof this age group is a dedicated team ofteachers whose sole focus is in workingwith students of this age group. Arecent national ERO report on middlelevel schooling commented that theoverwhelming strength of IntermediateSchools was that the entire school,buildings, equipment, budgets, staffingand community support was focused onmeeting the specific and unique needs ofthis age group.Immunisation Certificate ReminderAs it is a Ministry of Educationrequirement, we need a copy of yourchild’s immunisation certificate. Thiscan be found in the back of your child’sTamariki Ora Well Child book. Could youplease bring your child’s immunisationcertificate to the office so we can takea photocopy and keep it on file.PTO

Netball CompetitionThe Saturday morning netballcompetition starts on Saturday 1 st Mayand we have seven teams taking part.Thank you very much to those parentswho have indicated they are willing tocoach or manage a team – I wish you allthe best for the season. Unfortunatelywe have yet to find a coach for Team 5.If you have a child in this team couldyou please consider coaching. ContactMarcia Waikato or the school office ifyou are able to assist.NutritionWe have noticed through our enquiriesand observations that there are largenumbers of students who do not havebreakfast and/or do not bring lunch toschool. As you will be aware students ofthis age are growing at a considerablerate and require a level of nutrition tomatch this growth. A good nutritiousbreakfast gives them much neededenergy and assists them in staying alertand fully focused on their learning.Research tells us that without adequatefood a student’s education may sufferthrough tiredness and aninability to concentrate.Please ensure that yourchild has breakfast eachmorning and something toeat at lunch time.Cold WeatherAlthough we have had lovely weatherover the lastfew days, cold,wet winterweather is notfar away. Pleaseencourage yourchild to weartheir sweatshirt and considerpurchasing long pants from the schooloffice. They cost either $40 or $42.00depending on size. Also, students arepermitted to wear a coat (not a cottonhoodie) to and from school. Pleaseencourage this on wet days.Tweens and Teens ToolboxWould you be interested in attending asix week course on parenting teenagers?Modules will include:• Home atmosphere• Setting boundaries• Communication• Positive discipline• Self esteem• Inspiring teenagers• Coping with troublesome issues.The course will be run in our schoollibrary by trained facilitators onconsecutive Mondays (except QueensBirthday) beginning Monday 10 th May.The course will start at 7.00pm andfinish at 9.00pm. Costs are $30.00 forone parent or $50.00 for two. You willalso receive a handbook for futurereference and a year’s subscription toParenting magazine. If you areinterested please ring Natalie on 934 –8483 or email huttbx@parentsinc.org.nzBoard of Trustee ElectionsNominations for parent representativeson the Board of Trustees closetomorrow at 12.00 pm. Nominationforms were posted to homes severalweeks ago. We are very keen to have asmany nominations as possible, so pleaseconsider filling out the form anddropping it off at the school office. Ifyou have lost your form, we have morecopies at school.The most important single ingredient inthe formula of success is knowing howto get along with people.Theordore RooseveltThank youSteve Black(Principal)