As two thirds of our school will be away at Orewa Beach tomorrow, our Tuck Shop will not be opening.

Thanks.

We have some visitor students from Korea with us for a couple of weeks. They would love to experience Kiwi homelife before they head back to Korea. We have one girl and two boys at year six age level, and ideally would want a family with children around this age. The homestay fee is $230 per week

Thanks.

Our annual Meet the Teacher picnic starts from 5:30pm. I will present the Seesaw Digital Portfolio tool to parents from 6:30 to 7pm. There will be an opportunity to visit classrooms after 7pm and to sign up with Seesaw (for free) if you haven’t done so already..

Over the past few months we have been researching ways to improve the way we report student’s learning and progress to parents and caregivers. Currently you receive mid year and end of year reports. However, we feel that many of the goals set by the children are well out of date by the time reporting comes around. We looked for a more efficient and timely way of sharing your child’s learning on a regular basis.

The system we are introducing is called Seesaw. Seesaw is a new app which enables students to share what they are learning at school through a learning journal. Seesaw is learner driven more than teacher driven and also allows for parent feedback. This system ensures goals are current and relevant and the learning shared is up to date and therefore gives you an accurate picture of what they are achieving and where they need to go next. Seesaw is user-friendly, and is easy for both students and teachers to implement. Seesaw empowers students as young as 5 to independently create and organise their work in a digital journal, develop their academic voice, and collaborate with classmates. Only you can access your child’s learning journal.

Seesaw consists of two different applications.  The Learning Journal for teachers and students

and Parent Access for parents. Seesaw facilitates parent communication with real-time notifications, giving you a glimpse of your child’s day and an opportunity to support learning at home.

Student’s work will be posted in two stages. The first stage is the PROCESS stage where the learning process showing their workings and corrections or the need for them will be evident. This stage focuses on the area the child is developing and working on. 

The second stage is the PRODUCT stage where the child will post work that is completed and successfully achieved. In the left hand corner of each post will be a tag identifying whether the work is at the PROCESS or PRODUCT stage. Students will regularly add items to their learning journal such as photos, videos, writing or drawings. 

Students work will be posted on Seesaw during these times: 7 to 8.30am and 3.30 to 8.30pm.

Seesaw is a new app we're using to share what your child is learning at school.Seesaw gives your child a safe space to document their learning and learn how to use technology.Each child gets their own journal and will add work to share what they're doing at school.When your child adds items, you'll be notified. Your child's journal is safe and secure.

Sign Up Instructions  iOS, Android and Computers with Chrome or Firefox

1. Download “Seesaw Parent Access”in the Apple App Store or GooglePlay Store - OR - go to    

    https://app.seesaw.me     using Firefox or Chrome and choose      "I'm aParent”.

2. Choose "Create Parent Account"and scan this QR Code.

3. Finish creating your account to view your child's journal

Other Smartphones and Computers

1. Go to          https://beta.seesaw.me/s/361-333-176     in any web browser.

2. Choose your child from the class list and create an account.

3. After you’ve been approved by your child’s teacher, you’ll get access to their journal.

**If you have more than one child using Seesaw, you can subscribe to both journals using the same account. 

Follow the sign up instructions again, but choose "Sign in" instead of "Create account”. 

Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 February - Student-Led Learning Conferences - focused on our new ePortfolio tool, the Seesaw app. School closes at 12:30pm both days. 

Our Tuck Shop will be open for morning teas but not for lunches on both days.

Conferences run from 1pm to 7:55pm. 

Junior school finishes at 5:35pm on second day.

Please Note: We will provide supervision for those children who need it between 12:30 and 3pm on Conference days. Please email macash@mac.com stating children, room number, day and time supervision is needed. Thanks.

Online Booking - go to   www.schoolinterviews.co.nz    enter the code    MK7ZZ

... or ask at our school office if help needed.

Because there is a gap between Ministry of Education funding and staff, parent and community expectations, we need to find ways of bridging this funding gap. As with all schools in New Zealand funding is always tight, so parental contributions are of great assistance to help cover expenses in areas of Technology, music, resource materials, and transport for class trips like our Beach Trips.

We fully understand how expensive schooling is. We do our best to help by keeping our school donation lower than many schools. Our donation amounts are $110 for a child, and $220 for a family (no matter how many children you have).

These amounts reduce by $10 if paid by March 30. They are a donation so there is no requirement to pay, but we greatly appreciate it if you do.

School donations are tax deductible, so keep your receipts.

There are a lot of costs associated with schooling. The best way we know of to manage all these costs is to set up an automatic payment. It’s brilliant and it’s as close to painless as paying can be - unless you win Lotto.

We encourage parents to make payments directly to our school Bank Account - 

 12-3039-0773733-00

Please make sure you put your child’s name, room number and payment reference.

Children are encouraged to munch a FREE piece of fruit while their parents shop for their groceries.

What a brilliant idea!

PLAYBALL WEST AUCKLAND is calling all year 1,2 and 3 students, join our coaches for fun filled games whilst improving your sports skills.

Playball is an introduction to 8 different sports - Football, Basketball, Netball, Cricket, Baseball, Tennis, Hockey and Rugby.

Our aim is not to create superstars, but rather to provide children with the opportunity to develop a host of necessary social, educational and personal skills. By giving children competence in sport.

Playball for term 1 will commence on Thursday 18 February at 3:15pm - 4:00 and will run every Thursday for 8 weeks.

To enrol your child/children please sign up online     

http://www.playball.co.nz/find-a-class/westernheights 

Any queries please call James on 027-481-7000 or   email    james@playball.co.nz

Learn to Skate Classes

Tuesdays at 5.30 pm during school terms

Court 4 at the Trusts Stadium

Learn new skills and have fun

$50 for Term 1 which is 10 weeks

(includes skate hire, bring your own socks)

First class starts on Tuesday 9th February but if you can’t make it,

the $6 casual rate per night is still available.

For more details phone Leanne 021739953

or Heather 0211239348