PNINS Newsletter - 19 February 2019

Kia ora koutou. Nau mai haere mai

The 2019 school year is off to an impressive start with students settling quickly into good learning routines.

Congratulations to:

our Year 7 and new Year 8 students who have adapted quickly to their new school, and school expectations (The Intermediate Normal Way)
our Year 8 students who have taken on their role as senior students in a very positive, responsible way
new staff who have thrived in their new school environment, building strong relationships with students, colleagues and parents

Vision

“Passport to the future” Haere ake ra - After a lengthy consultation with staff and whanau we have developed a new vision statement for PNINS that will be rolled out over the year. “Passport to the future” is our vision statement.

Newsletters

www.pnins.school.nz

Newsletters at PNINS are sent out every two weeks, usually on a Tuesday. The newsletter provides a vital communication link between the school and its community. It serves to inform you of school programmes, share and celebrate the success and achievement of students and staff, reports on and highlights past and future school events, and provides an update from Teams.

Once again this year we will be placing the newsletter online through our website, Facebook page and School App. This will enable parents and community members to access it anytime and anywhere where there is internet connectivity.

A paper copy will only be sent out to those families who request them and we ask that parents inform the school office to let them know.

Social Media

We have a very active school Facebook page that is updated regularly, providing up to date information regarding upcoming events and celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students, staff and their families. Please take the time to follow our page!

School App

Download our our school app through the App or Play stores and receive instant notifications and reminders to your phone.

Communication

At PNINS there are so many sporting, performing arts and academic opportunities for students to participate in. As Year 7s & 8s, students are expected to pay close attention to when and where they are needed to register their interest. Each week we have whole school communication and sports assemblies, followed up by daily reminders to ensure students get the necessary information. However, students can still miss these notices and it is important that we encourage them to ask when they are unsure. These years are extremely important for students to try a range of activities that may uncover future passions. So let's make the most of them!

Our School Values

We have 5 KEYS TO SUCCESS which are very much embedded in the philosophy of PNINS. The main purpose is to support communities, schools, and homes in a collective effort to optimise the social, emotional, and academic outcomes of all young people. We believe that all young people need to acquire these 5 KEYS in order to be successful in school, experience well being, and have positive relationships.

Confidence(academic, social)
Persistence
Organisation
Getting Along
Resilience

Manners

We have a school approach to teaching our values and last week we really focused on the simple things such as using manners. At PNINS we have agreed that some of the basic manners we will see and hear around our kura:

Saying PLEASE and THANK YOU, SORRY, and PARDON

Letting ADULTS through the door first

GREETING people while LOOKING at them

TAKING TURNS and WAITING for your turn to speak - ‘Excuse me’

Behaviour Management Plan

We have a clear behaviour plan to support students and staff which enables all students to learn to their full potential. We have developed a pamphlet that is easy to read and provides clear guideline to deal with any issues that may occur. There is no school in New Zealand where an element of bullying does not take place.

The challenge for all schools is not to deny that bullying occurs but to put in place policy, procedures and programmes to deal with this form of behaviour. This pamphlet is available through the school office and will be uploaded onto our school’s website.

School Swimming Sports

Our School Swimming Sports will take place on Friday, 1 March at two venues.

Swimming, Championship Events – Lido, 10am – approximately 2.30pm
Swimming, Non-Championship Events – School Pool, 10.45am – 1.00pm

An invitation is extended to parents/caregivers to support students in action at both venues. Your presence adds to the wonderful atmosphere of these events.

School Road Safety - Parents responsibilities when picking up students

With 730 plus students entering and exiting our entrances each day, we are very safety conscious with regard to the use of cars, bikes and buses.

Your co-operation with the following, as vehicle drivers, is essential in keeping our entrances as safe as possible for students.

South Street / College Street / Linton Street

Keep clear of yellow lines (no parking, or stopping to drop off or collect students)
Keep clear of cones on South street (no parking by signs / between cones)
No Entry into South Street / Linton Street Entrances between 8.15am – 8.45am; 2.45pm – 3.30pm each day
Keep clear of corners
No stopping on bus stops or in neighbours’ driveways
No stopping in the Liquor King Carpark or the Copthorne Hotel carpark (These are private carparks and must not be used)
Please refrain from doing a U-turn outside the gate in South Street / College Street or Linton Street, for the safety of other road users

The vast majority of parents are very supportive of the above traffic rules and arrange for their child to meet them down the road rather than outside the school gate.

However, each year there are a few parents who simply ignore yellow lines/no parking areas thus putting our students and themselves at risk. The safety of students whether they walk, cycle, bus, or are dropped off by parents is paramount. Your support of the above will help to keep our surrounding streets safe for students and thus minimise risks.

School Uniform Expectations

It is an expectation that students wear our uniform correctly to and from school i.e. shirts tucked in, sandals worn correctly, socks up, etc.

All children are required to go home first and not go up town (or visit Burger King/the Plaza ect) in uniform unless they are with their parent/ caregiver. If your child is up town with you please ensure that they are wearing their uniform correctly including sandals or shoes and socks.

Payment of School Donation/Activity Fee/Stationery Fee

As outlined in the school's prospectus last year the Board of Trustees has approved a voluntary family donation of $85.00 per child and in addition an Activity Fee of $135.00. In total $220 per child is requested.

There is much publicity about “free education”. The reality for schools is the funds that are received from the Ministry of Education provide a basic model. For our school to provide high quality education at a reasonable cost a contribution from parents is needed. This is sought through subject contributions so students receiving the benefits contribute to the costs.

Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School is very proud of its personalised learning evidenced by exceptional academic results and student engagement which are in part a result of being able to put the extra funds received from subject contributions into its school programme. We endeavour to keep these costs to a minimum.

This year, the Board of Trustees has decided that parents / caregivers who pay the School Donation and Activity Fee by the end of March will have their stationery pack (valued at $30) free.

Note: To get this benefit both the school donation and activity fee must be paid together ($220).

Camp

In 2019, we have decided to attend a different camp venue than in previous years. All students will be travelling to Tui Ridge which is based just outside of Rotorua. We have made the decision to change due to a number of reasons with a major focus on students experiencing a wider range of activities. These include: in-camp activities such as abseiling, giant swing, high swing, air rifles, flying fox, BMX, indoor rock climbing and bubble soccer; all of which will be taken by fully qualified instructors.

Another feature of the camp will be the ability to have one full day attending activities within the Rotorua region, allowing greater scope to attend cultural experiences. Plus students are able to attend an activity while travelling to Camp on the Monday. Hence, we feel students will experience a wider variety of learning activities over the week.

The cost for camp will be similar to that in the past of around $480 and parents are able to begin making payments at any time for this via internet banking to:

PNINS

BNZ

02-0630-0029588-00

Please reference your child’s name and the word: Camp.

More information about camp will be sent out closer to your child’s camp through the school wide and team newsletters.

We understand that camp costs can be a financial strain and we urge you to contact Mr Ruawai in confidence if you have any difficulty meeting these costs so an arrangement can be made. Please phone (3580548) or email the office (office@pnins.school.nz)

The following dates have been confirmed for 2019 camps:

Term 2