Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Bula, Namastē, Namaskar, Ayubowan, Kia Orana, Taloha Ni, Kumusta,  Aloha Mai E, Fakaalofa Lahi Atu, ‘Alii, Malo Ni, Halo Aloketa Aloha, Nī Hāo, Sawatdeekhrap  Sabaidi, Terve, Dobradan, Bonjour, Hola, Guten Tag, Ciao, Salaam, Olā, Zdravstvuyte, Konnichiwa, Ahn Young Ha Se Yo, Hoi, Merhaba, Jambo, Yasou, Shalom, Salamat Siang, Ahoj, Xin Chāo, Sawubona, Bok, Yiassoo, Hej, Dia Dhaoibh, Cham Reap Sour, Hoi, Vanakkam.

We have a Teacher Only Day on Friday May 8 for our school and another on Friday May 29 which is for all the schools in our Community of Learners (includes Henderson Intermediate, Liston, St Dom's and Waitakere College).

My apologies for mistakenly writing this year is the Year of the Tiger in last week’s newsletter. According to the Chinese Calendar, it is the year of the Rat - but as you should now all know, at Western Heights it is the Year of the Turtle(s).

Turtles will be featuring in much of what we do this year - they are one of the things that make our school unique, so we are celebrating them going forward.

The BIG EVENT TONIGHT is our Meet Our Teachers Evening. 

This is an opportunity to come and have a picnic, have a stroll around our school and see what is changing and then come and hear from our Team Leaders as they introduce the teachers in the teams and share a little of what to expect in 2020. 

I will also share a bit about our values, philosophy and approach to teaching and learning - What We Believe, Why We Believe It and How We Put It Into Action.

Novel Corona Virus - Latest Update:

We do know the risk of the virus spreading in New Zealand is very low .

How worried should I be?

Your chances of catching the coronavirus in New Zealand are very low.

It is highly unlikely you will catch the virus walking down the street

Coronavirus appears to be as infectious as the flu and the symptoms are similar - fever, cough and shortness of breath. You are only likely to catch it if you are near to someone with the virus. Most people catch the virus from someone at home, a close workmate or someone they spend time with.

People will not be moving around the community if they are suspected or confirmed of having the virus – they will be in isolation. Their family and anyone they may have infected will also be asked to stay at home.

How serious is coronavirus?

People are being infected, mainly in China, but only a small number of those with coronavirus have died.

Most people have a mild to moderate illness with flu-like symptoms

People of all ages are being infected, but older people and those with medical conditions seem most likely to get seriously ill.

How do I protect myself and my family?

Everyone should protect themselves from the virus, as you would for the ‘flu -

Washing your hands regularly, or using hand sanitiser, is the best way to avoid this illness.

As with other illnesses, do not go to work or school, or see visitors if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or clothing, and wash hands afterwards

Avoid being near to people who are sick

Washing your hands often and covering coughs and sneezes will do more to protect you from the virus than a mask.

If you are sharing food, use utensils to serve the food and keep your personal spoon, fork, or chopsticks separate to avoid transmission through saliva.

What should I do if I think I could have coronavirus?

If you start to experience mild symptoms, then stay at home and call Healthline for advice: 0800 611 116. Interpreters are available on request.

If you start to experience more severe symptoms arrange to see a doctor urgently. Call ahead and mention your travel history. Difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention and can be a sign of pneumonia.

Where can I find more information?

Information is updated regularly on the             Ministry of Health website

但我们明确知道该病毒在新西兰传播的风险非常低

在多大程度上需要担心?

在新西兰感染冠状病毒的可能性非常低。

您基本上不可能在街上行走时感染病毒。

冠状病毒与流感一样具有传染性，并且症状相似：发烧，咳嗽和呼吸急促。 您只有在感染者附近时才有可能被传染。大多数人是从家人，同事或共同相处过一段时间的人那里感染病毒的。

如果有人被怀疑或证实感染了病毒，该人将不得在社区内四处走动——他们将被隔离。他们的家人和可能受到感染的任何人也将被要求留在家里。

冠状病毒有多严重?

受到感染的人在增加（大部分在中国），但只有少数冠状病毒感染者死亡

大多数人的病情为轻度至中度并伴有类似流感症状

各个年龄段的人都会受到感染，但老年人和健康状况不佳的人似乎最有可能病情
严重。 

我如何保护自己和家人?

每个人都应该像防止流感病毒一样保护自己免受病毒感染：

勤洗手或使用免水洗洁手液，这是避免该疾病的最佳方法

与患有其他疾病一样，生病时请勿上班或上学，或接待访客

咳嗽和打喷嚏时用纸巾或衣服遮盖，然后洗手

避免靠近生病的人

勤洗手以及在咳嗽和打喷嚏时遮盖比口罩更能保护您免受病毒侵害

如果您要共享食物，请使用餐具盛放食物，并使用各自的汤匙，叉子或筷子，以免
通过唾液传播

如果认为自己可能感染了冠状病毒该怎么办?

如果您开始出现轻度症状，请留在家中并致电健康热线（Healthline）寻求建议：0800 611 116。若您要求可以提供口译人员。

如果您开始出现更严重的症状，请马上去看医生。提前打电话告知他们您的旅行记录。呼吸困难需要立即就医，这可能是肺炎的一个征兆.

哪里可以找到更多信息?

定期更新的信息参看：Ministry of Health website （卫生部网站）

At the end of last year Hayley and her mum presented this wonderful book to our school library - “101 Awesome Women Who Changed The World” by Julia Adams.

Inside the book is a message that reads -

“Thank you Western Heights. What an awesome school. The teachers are passionate educators and they truly care about the kids.

We have had a wonderful time here as a family, with some amazing experiences and opportunities.

We could not have asked for a more caring, inclusive and and warm environment for our children.

Thank you again - the Jensen Family.                      2011 to 2019

Helen Rollo is one of those quiet and unassuming teachers who just get things done with no fuss or fanfare. She is a wonderful teacher and also a fine gardener.

Under Helen’s guidance our children have established and maintained an excellent Enviro Garden here.

Helen lives on the North Shore but managed to find ways to ensure the garden more than just survived over summer.

Her garden team have harvested lots of beautiful veggies - including new potatoes and these fine carrots.

Thanks Helen - gardening is an important life-skill for our children, so we appreciate your work.

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

For all Year 1, 2 and 3 students:

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 is taking final enrolments for term One and will commence on Thursday the 20th of February from 3:15pm-4:00pm and will run for 8 weeks every Thursday 

We will be limiting spaces to 36 children for term one. 

Ask about a free trial today. 

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

Guitar and Piano Lessons at WHS in 2020

Our visiting guitar teacher, Andrew Burt, will be starting some new beginner guitar groups in 2020 open to any student from Year 3 upwards. Andrew has been with us for 10 years now and comes to school every Tuesday to teach small groups of guitar students. Andrew’s fees for lessons are fixed at $120 per term. Please email Andrew direct if you’d like further information or to register your interest in lessons for 2020. Spaces are limited.

 andrewburt1@hotmail.com 

text 021 1586 739

Our piano teacher Kamran Khodaverdian is back for his 4th year at WHS. He offers tuition to every level either in groups or individual lessons. An accomplished composer and performer.