ARDMORE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

#2 1 March 2016

Clevedon Road, RD 2, Papakura, Auckland 2582 ph 09-299-6228

[email protected]

www.ardmore.school.nz Twitter;@ardmoreschool1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S LAPTOP Tēnā koutou katoa Student Leadership Leadership within the school is not just for Year 8 students in their final year of school; Ardmore offers opportunities for younger students to experience and learn about leadership roles as well. While students in the senior classes can take on roles such as Travelwise and Enviro Leaders, Bus Monitors and Senior Librarians; all students, including those in the Junior and Middle Teams, can put their names forward for Student Council Classroom Representative. The only exception to this are those children who were classroom representatives in 2015. The leadership roles are about learning and developing valuable social skills as well as having input into and ownership of what happens at Ardmore School. All the student leadership roles come with the expectation of “service” to the school and the school community; and a personal commitment to uphold the Ardmore School values of Co-operation – Mahinga tahi, Respect – Manaakitanga, Excellence – Hiranga, and Perseverance – Hiringa. Last year’s Student Council pushed hard to get a water fountain near the adventure playgrounds and field. This will be in place for the children within the next few weeks. They also provided valuable input into last year’s Ag Day planning and review. With the introduction of the new health and safety legislation in early April, the Student Council will be another source of risk identification around the school. Classroom elections for the Classroom Representatives will be held next week. Nominations open tomorrow. The nomination forms require a parent signature and should be returned to your child’s teacher by 3.15pm on Friday 4th March. An outline of the Student Council process, Classroom Representative job description and nomination form are included with this newsletter. Gala Day The Gala Day team are heavily into the organisation of this major fundraising day for Ardmore School, but they need YOUR help. Closer to the time there will be cake, slices and sweets to make but right now they need the names of people who can assist on a stall on Gala Day. This fundraiser is for the benefit of your children. The money raised will be used almost straight away to make Ardmore School an even better environment for your children to learn. Please come into the office or email your contact details with your offer of help.

Surf Safety Trip A big thank you to all the parent helpers who accompanied our children on their Surf Safety trips to Sunset Beach early this term. The children had an amazing time and this great experience would not have been possible without their support.

Brigid Peterson Principal

ARDMORE BOARD OF TRUSTEES With the board of trustees elections next term, New Zealand School Trustees Association has produced a booklet “A Parent’s Guide to the Role of the Board of Trustees.” The guide provides information on frequently asked questions that parents and caregivers raise about the functions of boards. An electonic version of the guide can be found at http://www.nzsta.org. nz/about/parent-place Please consider standing for the board of trustees. It is a very valuable way of contributing to your child’s education. Leanne Wise Chairperson Ardmore School Board of Trustees

ARDMORE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL The whole school benefits from organised student involvement in decisions and activities at school. The Student Council has an important role in providing leadership opportunities in school activities through service and to involve children in class and school communication processes. The Student Council has a particular responsibility to ensure through their leadership activities and service they emphasize and promote the values of Ardmore School.

Student Council Elections / Nominations Peers elect the Student Council annually. Each class has two student representatives – a boy and a girl. The representatives must model the Ardmore School values of cooperation, respect, excellence and perseverance. The Student Council Class Representative election will take place at the end of February/beginning of March each year. 1. The Principal calls for nominations for Student Council. 2. Classroom teachers hand out Student Council job descriptions and nomination forms. 3. Students are given three days to put in a nomination form, which parents must sign. 4. Nominations are given to the classroom teacher. 5. A student nomination list is confirmed and made up by the classroom teacher. 6. Each nominated student has the opportunity to speak to their class about why they think they would make an excellent Student Council Class Representative. 7. Students vote for the students of their choice from within their class. 8. Students have 2 votes. One vote for a boy representative and a second vote for a girl representative. 9. Votes are counted and students advised by their classroom teacher. 10. The classroom teacher notifies the Principal. 11. School Council badges are awarded at the school’s annual Leadership Assembly. NB. Students may not stand for Student Council Class Representative if they were a Student Councillor in 2015. This rule does not apply to Year 8 students.

Roles on the Student Council ● ● ● ● ●

Chairperson (with casting vote) Deputy Chairperson Secretary Treasurer Classroom Representatives (elected as above)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Year 7 and 8 students elect the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations for the roles listed above may only come from students who are School Leaders. Job descriptions and nomination forms for the different roles are available from classroom teachers. Students may be nominated for more than one role. Each person nominated for the different roles has the opportunity to speak about why they think they would be the best person for that role. The Deputy Chairperson is the second highest polling candidate for the Chairperson’s role.

6.

Job Description

Student Councillor - Classroom Representative

Person Specification: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Is a person who models the Ardmore School values Is a person who follows classroom and school rules to the best of his/her ability Is an enthusiastic person Is creative Is a good listener Is not afraid to speak in front of others Is a punctual (on time) person Is an organized person who plans ahead Is willing to report Student Council activities to his/her class Is willing to give up an occasional break time if needed Is able to make up work that may occasionally be missed.

Specific Tasks: ● ● ● ● ●

Attend all Student Council meetings. (Fortnightly on Mondays 12.30pm - 1.30pm) Ask for the ideas and opinions of others in your classroom. Bring your class’s Student Council Book to meetings. Share with your class what was decided at Student Council meetings. Try to get others involved in Student Council activities.

Roles and Responsibilities Being on the Student Council requires commitment. Students selected for council must be prepared to give up their time to attend meetings, organise events, represent the council and school, and take an active role promoting the school’s values and expectations. Being a positive role model is an essential part of the role. Meetings are held fortnightly on a Monday 12.30pm - 1.30pm in the hall foyer. Councillors bring their lunches with them. Continued representation on the Student Council is dependent on each student representative demonstrating through action the Ardmore School values. Co-operation – Mahinga tahi ● We work together to achieve our goals ● We support each other Respect - Manaakitanga ● I respect … ● Myself, Others, our Heritage, our School, our Environment Excellence - Hiranga ● I always “Aim High” Perseverance – Hiringa ● I keep trying even when it gets hard Student Councillors will report back to their classes on decisions made. Classes will have the opportunity to raise and discuss issues to be forwarded to the Student Council for discussion.

The Student Council will… ● ● ● ● ● ●

Advocate for and on behalf of all students, putting students’ views forward. (student voice) Hold fortnightly, or as needed meetings, minuted by the Secretary. These minutes will be posted on the Google Drive and available for all students and teachers to read. Fundraise for items/events the Council decides upon. The Treasurer, in liaison with the school’s Executive Officer, will maintain accurate accounts of this fundraising and any expenses. Have their names and photographs displayed in the School Office foyer and photograph only on the school website. Communicate school wide activities with the student & parent community through any combination of school website, newsletter, council minutes. Student Council Office Holders attend one Board of Trustees’ meeting each year to report on their activities. They may attend additional BOT meetings as needed.

The Student Council will place a particular emphasis on… ● ● ● ● ●

Promoting the Ardmore School values through leadership and service Providing student voice - feeding thoughts, suggestions and concerns to the Principal and staff. Running fundraising events e.g. mufti days Helping to organise and assist with school wide events Promoting the school environment (sustainability, trees, gardens, recycling)

ARDMORE PARENT SUPPORT GROUP Term 1 2016 Meeting Dates 9 March – AGM (this will be mostly Gala related) 23 March – Gala Meeting All meetings are held in the school staffroom at 7.30pm. We would love to see some new faces. We are They are an informal, friendly gathering where parents get together and discuss what fundraising activities happen within the school and how these funds are spent. There is no obligation to join the PSG, but we welcome everyone's feedback, help and support in assisting the school to provide resources which will benefit all our children. Why not come along and check us out ☺ PSG Secretarial Position Available – Shelley Southgate has resigned from her position as the PSG Secretary. She has held this role for over 3 years and has done an amazing job. If you are interested in this role and would like to talk about it, please feel free to contact Rachel or Shelley for more information. GALA TIME CHANGE – please note there was a typo in our first newsletter, THE TIME IS ACTUALLY 10.30 – 2.30. CAN YOU HELP? – With our Gala coming up, we are going to shortly be sending home requests for you to pop yourself on a roster to help out at the Gala Day stalls. We are only asking that you give an hour of your time to make this a success. We need approximately 260 helpers on the day to make it happen. Professional Printing and Copying – Do you know someone who is able to donate either professional printing or copying to the PSG. We have various activities during the year e.g. the school yearbook, it would be great if we could get some printing donated to the PSG to assist with these activities. If you need a formal letter, please get in touch with Rachel on 027 283 0879 or kelly.rachel@xtra. co.nz. Any help with this would be most appreciated. Subway Lunches Term 1 – Envelopes will be sent home on Monday’s, please return orders with money to respective classrooms on Wednesday morning. Please return any unused envelopes that you may have at home, and post in the PSG mail box. We would like to minimize waste and recycle any unwanted envelopes. Please Note: If you are ordering lunches for siblings, please make sure each child has their own envelope. Thank you to our lovely parent helpers that take time out each Wednesday morning to make this possible. Mufti Day – 24 March. Gold coin donation. Notice will come home closer to this date. Nigel Latta – Yes, we have managed to secure him to do an event at our school. Book 9 June 7.30p.m. -9.30 p.m. into your diaries. More information on tickets, topic etc to come closer to the date. Lock it in your diaries; he is not to be missed. Yummy Stickers - Time to start saving those yummy stickers, a notice will been sent home to families this week. You can even ask extended family and friends to collect on your behalf. Collect the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy stickers for our school's share of the $200,000 free DG Sports gear prize pool. Yummy stickers are available from New World, Fruit World, Pak'n Save and participating Four Square stores. The more we collect the more sports gear our school receives. More charts are available from the school office. All stickers must be in by Monday 19 September (end of Term 3).

2015 Yearbook - Missed out getting your 2015 Yearbook?? There are a few left, please contact Donna Brown on [email protected] if you would like to purchase one.

Board of Trustees News

PUBLIC NOTICES

For Sale 2x Size 12 & 14 old style jumpers $10 2x Size 12 &14 New style jumpers $20 2x Shorts-fit 8-10 year old $5 each 1 senior red hat $5 1 Size 8 old style jacket $5 Call or txt Julie- 021 109 3567 FOR SALE 1 size 6 jersey Brand new never worn $45 Call/txt Sam 0212056589

Drury Utd Football Club (soccer) Registrations now open, teams to suit all ages & abilities, great coaches & development programmes. See our website for info www. druryfootball.co.nz or contact Angela Ph: 297 7483 Mob: 021 0299 8230

PUBLIC NOTICES Are placed in the school newsletter by request, space permitting. Notices are in no way endorsed by, or reflect opinions or interests of those at Ardmore School.