Dear Parents / Caregivers
Welcome to our Deputy Principal, Mr Jim Turrell:
We are delighted to have Jim with us and we all look forward to getting to know him and the skills he will bring to our School.
Note from New Deputy Principal:
I would like to thank everybody for a wonderful welcome (return) to QPS. I am looking forward to helping everyone to enjoy their learning and achieve great results in all areas of the curriculum.
Fence Behind Yr 7 Block:
Our parent survey last year had several comments regarding concerns over the number of members of the general public who walk though our school. We are introducing a number of initiatives to address this problem. One of these is the removal of steps behind the Library and the Year 7 block. We appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience for families but we insist that no one jumps the fence. Access to the school can also be from behind Rooms 25 and 26.
IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE:
BUSES
Bus safety issues need to be addressed with your child at home. Alighting from the bus at any time can be extremely dangerous. Children must wait until the bus pulls away and the road is clear before crossing. We have had reports of some incidents where children have been running across the road without looking. Ideally we would like supervision by parents at all the stops. Rosters could be set up amongst yourselves.
DROP OFF / PICK UPS AT THE SCHOOL GATE:
It is disappointing to note that some parents are not using the median strip and pedestrian crossing. A good example needs to be set, so that children can display the appropriate behaviours when unaccompanied. Also, cars arriving at school using our slip lane MUST drive slowly and watch out for students. Some of the situations have been just TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT.
PAID UNION MEETING FOR TEACHERS:
The school has been advised by the NZEI Te Riu Roa that it is holding a Paid Union Meeting for teachers at 1.30 pm on Thursday 18 March. Accordingly, the majority of the school's teaching staff will be unavailable after 1.30 pm on that date.
NZEI is the union that represents primary teachers, primary principals and support staff. Under the Employment Relations Act, paid union meetings are a legal entitlement to discuss union business, in this case, the proposed claims for the renewal of the Primary Teachers' Collective Agreement and other key issues impacting on teaching and learning. In our experience NZEI calls paid union meetings infrequently and only when it believes that there is urgent and important business to discuss with its members.
I encourage you to either keep your child at home or make some other arrangements for the duration of the meeting. However, if you are sending your child to school at this time an alternative programme will be provided for her / him for the duration of the meeting. We apologise for any potential disruption to you and your child's routine on the day of the meeting.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
John Western
Principal
New Parents; Afternoon Tea:
All new parents are invited to our New Parents' Afternoon Tea, on Friday 26 February, 1.30 - 2.15 pm in the school staffroom (beside the office). This is a great way to meet other parents and find out what's happening at school. Please RSVP to Beth if you are planning to attend. Phone 442 9120 or email bethc@queenstown.school.nz.
Powhiri:
We are holding a Powhiri to welcome new staff, students and their families. It will be at 2.15 pm, Friday 26 February instead of assembly. New families are particularly welcome to attend.
Spare Clothes:
We urgently need some large t-shirts and pants for our school supply to fit the older children. If you have some size 8 - 12 clothes that you no longer require, please drop them into the school office.
School Fair:
Our annual PTA School Fair is being held on Saturday 27 March. We are having a meeting on Monday 1 March, in the staffroom at 7.00pm to organise who does what, and would like to have as many parents involved as possible. The more people who help, the easier the whole event will be. You don't have to be in the PTA, we just need your contribution. Please come along and offer your assistance.
Reminder: BOT Elections
The elections for Board of Trustee members will be held on May 7. If you are interested you are welcome to attend a Board Meeting to see what's involved. The next BOT meeting is on Monday 22 February in the staffroom at 6.00 pm. All welcome.
Thank You to Mitre 10:
We greatly appreciate Mitre 10's generosity in donating vegetable plants for our new edible garden.
Festival of Female's Football:
Queenstown Recreation Ground, Sunday 21 February, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
10.00 - 12.30 - Girls come and kick a ball. Learn skills, play short games. Women learn about coaching. 1.00pm - Senior women's invitation game. 3.30 - Awards and certificate presentation, and celebration of the day. This day is free for all women and girls, and open to everyone of any age, especially girls who have never tried football as a sport. To register, contact Debbie on 0274 423 624 or debbieswainrewi@hotmail.com.
