Dear Parents / Caregivers
Thank you to the large number of parents who were able to attend our Back to School Night last night. If you could not make it please feel free to make a time to talk with your child’s teacher and you could view my presentation from my blog site found on our website.
Respect – Whakaute
Valuing ourselves, others and our environment. We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy.
This term we are spending time unpacking what respect means in our school. Our learning objectives for this are:
• To know why it is important to show respect
• To know whom / what to show respect
• To know how to show respect
• To know that there are consequences for not showing respect
Next week have a conversation with your child about this. Discuss what they are learning in relation to the above objectives.
Deputy Principal – Mr Jim Turrell
Unfortunately Jim has had to fly back to Wales to see his father who is very unwell. This means he has had to delay his start at our school. We hope that he will be with us from next week. He is very excited about returning to QPS and can’t wait to get to know everyone.
GO BIKE DAY & CYCLE SKILLS EXTRAVAGANZA! Thursday 18 February
Queenstown Primary School is celebrating Bikewise Month by taking part in a GO BY BIKE DAY and CYCLE SKILLS EVENT DAY on Thursday 18 February. Children are encouraged to ride their bikes throughout the month of February and especially on Go By Bike Day. Cycling children on Thursday 18 February will get a Bikewise reward and a healthy breakfast snack courtesy of QLDC. You will need to have breakfast at home too. Cycle to be in the draw for a spot prize. The lucky draw will be at 8.45am in the hall. Parents, please remember that it is recommended that children under 10 years old should always ride with an adult. Detailed information will be sent home next week.
SAFETY CHECKS AND CYCLE SKILLS COURSE
All children who ride to school with bikes and helmets on Thursday 18 February can take part in a special cycle skills session. This will start with a bike and helmet safety check, then the children will do practical exercises (within school grounds) which teach bike handling and on-road skills. This skills day has been possible thanks to the support of the Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ Police, cycling parents who have volunteered their time and local cycle shops.
To help the day run smoothly, please ensure that bike tyres are fully inflated and helmets fit well. Children will need to wear shoes that cover their toes (i.e. no open sandals, jandals or bare feet) and wearing helmets is compulsory. Please provide your child/ren with suitable clothing (i.e. shorts may be more practical than skirts), a water bottle and sun block. Don’t forget your safety vest.
BOT ELECTIONS 2010:
Have you thought about standing for the Board of Trustees, or know someone who could? These are happening on 7 May. The Returning Officer is Podge Cochrane, and he will be calling for nominations in March. Further information will follow.
PTA AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the School PTA is on Monday, 15 Feb at 6.30 pm in the Library. We would love to see some new faces. Our PTA is a fun group, and the more people who can help out with our fundraising events, the easier it is for everyone. See you there!
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Swimming – Congratulations to Alice Moran, Ella Gibson and Sienna Strachan for qualifying for NZ Junior National Swimming Championships in Christchurch on 20/21 Feb 2010. This is a huge achievement and ranks them in the top 1% of swimmers in their age group in NZ. Well done girls!!
Tennis – Congratulations to Bjorn Pollock who won the Boys 10’s Singles & Doubles at the Southland Junior Champs last weekend – well done!!
What's Coming Up…
15 February PTA AGM Meeting in the Library at 6.30 pm. All welcome
16 February Year 6 Parents Meeting for Stewart Island - 7.00 pm in the Hall
18 February Bike to School Day
22 February BOT Meeting, 6.00 pm in the Staffroom
23 February New Entrant Parent Evening, 7.30 pm in the Library
24 Feb - 3 Mar Life Education Visit
3 March Central Otago Swimming Sports
8 March Year 7 Camp
27 March School Fair
31 March Central Otago Triathlon
LOST last week of last term – skateboard with a dragon picture on the bottom. Please hand in to office if found.
Community Notices:
• Queenstown Junior Football Club is holding their Registration Day on Sunday 14 February from 10.00 - 12.00 in the upstairs function room at the Queenstown Events Centre. All school aged children are welcome and club kit is available for purchase on the day. For further information, please contact Damien Hochberg, Club Manager, on 027 291 9884 or by email on queenstownfootball@xtra.co.nz.
• Queenstown Gymnastics Club still has places available in their classes – Kiwi, Recreational, Trampolining and Aerobics. For more info phone Amber McNamara 021 946 177
Queenstown Lakes Family Centre is running a “Toolbox Parenting Program” for the middle years (6-12 yrs) This course covers:
• Building self Esteem • Emotional Intelligence
• Discipline, Trust and Increasing Responsibility • Creating Traditions and Memories
• Capitalizing on the “Tween-Age years”.
The course will begin on Wed 24 February and run for 6 weeks on a Wednesday from 7-9pm at the Queenstown Lakes Family Centre. Families can contact us to register by phoning 441 4331
Mission Statement
Queenstown Primary School promotes quality learning, encourages perseverance and empowers students to create their own pathways to success
