Kiaora.

Welcome to our new digital newsletter. Exciting!

We've come to the end of another week here at Edendale Primary School. Here are some snippets of news and information from me.

• Newsletter - Digital Upgrade: We have taken a further step forward with our newsletter to make it more digital-friendly for the different devices that view it. We hope you like it.

• VOIP - Voice Over Internet Protocol: This week we went live with an upgrade to our phone system to make it completely internet-based. This is known as VOIP. For you, at home, this should not mean any changes at all. Our number is still 03 206 6959. Thank you to Caitlin Wallis and Charlie Blackmore for recording our messages. They have done a great job with this.

• Goal Setting - Thanks: Thank you to all our parents for making the time to come into school, meet your child's teacher, have a chat about the year and set learning-focused goals for your child. Research clearly tells us when parents, the teacher and the child are all on the same page, learning is maximised.

• Internet - Upgrade: Today we had our WIFI units and internet switches updated to the latest technology that is around. This continues to strengthen and future proof this important part of the school.

Ka kite and have a great weekend.

David McKenzie

Week Five

Saturday 6th March Car Boot Sale, 9.00 am - 12.30 pm

Week Six
Wednesday 10th March LMV Athletics (Menzies College)
Thursday 11th March LMV Athletics (postponement)

Week Seven
Monday 15th - Friday 19th March School Swimming

Week Eight

Monday 22nd - Friday 26th March School Swimming
Wednesday 24th - Friday 26th March Senior Camp Pukerau

Saturday 27th March - Southland Primary School Athletics

Saturday 27th March - Firewood Fundraiser, 10 am.

Week Nine
Friday 2nd April Good Friday (School Closed)

Week Ten
Monday 5th - Tuesday 6th April Easter (School Closed)

AGM - Office Bearers

The Board of Trustees held their AGM on Tuesday evening. As part of that meeting, the following officeholders were elected into positions.

• Chairperson: Jacob Smyth
• Deputy Chair: Brendon Clarke
• Secretary: Sarah Cupido
• Edendale Community Pool Society Representative: Catherine Frantz
• Edendale Home and School Representative: Logan McKenzie

Thank you to our BOT who put in the mahi to build 'the school of tomorrow', giving clear strategic direction and momentum for our future.

General Meeting - 1 of 8 for the Year

After the AGM, the BOT held their first general meeting for the year. The following is a summary of the meeting.

• The BOT received a response back from Hon Paul Goldsmith after expressing concerns last year in regards to the inadequacy of teacher assistant funding. They are pleased there has been a system review launched in relation to this funding for schools.
• The agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Edendale Community Pool Society, to use the pool for the benefit of the community, was confirmed for 10 years with a right of renewal for a further 10 years.
• The BOT received updates in relation to the Lower Mataura Valley Community of Learning with many positive developments occurring with this initiative.
• The Education Review Office is starting with us and we are the first tranche of schools to be part of their new review programme. Their first visit was this Thursday 25th February.
• The 10 Year Property Plan with is first Five Year Agreement has finally been confirmed. The BOT is moving to engage a project manager for the various projects in the next five years with the first being the recladding of the pool roof.
• The BOT agreed to a windshield being installed at the end of Room 3 with several modifications and clarifications being made to the plan to ensure it is fit for purpose.
• The principal presented his report with accompanying reports and information including the financial report, Ministry of Education staffing and funding, management unit reports and a professional development report.

Situations Vacant - Relief

We are looking for a person or people who could be a relief cleaner or relief After School Care coordinator. Email: principal@edendaleps.school.nz with your CV if you are interested.

Firewood Fundraiser - Saturday 27 March 10am

Location: Carnie Farm, Oakland Road, Mataura Island.

You don't need to have the equipment to be able to contribute but if you do, you are more than welcome to bring it, including all the appropriate safety equipment necessary for its operation.

Please let us know you are coming so we can confirm location, coordinate chainsaws and log splitters, as well as communicate should the weather be unsuitable.

If you would like to purchase wood also please contact us...

• Hamish Blackmore 027 636 0421
• Logan McKenzie 027 283 6943

Next Meeting - Term Two

The next meeting of the Home and School is Monday 24th of May starting at 7.30 pm in the staffroom.

There are a number of positions available as a way of giving back to the school and school community including the chair, deputy chair and treasurer.

Events Top - Get Yours Now

With our zone athletics being Tuesday 10th March children need to have their events top. These can be purchased from the office.

Athletics - Transport

On athletics day all children come to school, with their events uniform on (events top and black shorts) except those competing in the 800m. We bus them down, as a school, to all be there at the right time.

At the end of the day parents are welcome to take children home but please inform your child's teacher and fill out the bus roll.

All those that remain will come back to school with us on a bus.

Athletics - 800m

The 800m is voluntary, open to 9 and 10-year-old boys and girls.

This year it is going to be held at 8.45 am, on the day of the athletics.

Those wishing to compete, need to inform their classroom teacher so their names can be entered into the LMV Zone Athletics entry form.

Children competing will also need to be transported by parents, to Menzies College, gathering before the race at 8.30 am.

Car Boot Sale - Saturday 6th March 9.00 to 12.30 pm

Get your car washed for $5. Sell spare items from your boot for $10. Get a coffee from Mad Cow Coffee. Have a sausage for lunch. It's a fun community morning.

Tennis Net - Installed

Last week we put up our new tennis net. It is very cool. The children now have a further option to play during the summer months.

This is part of our 'active playground' emphasis. We know that active children are purposely occupied, fitter and grow their physical and interpersonal skills as they play.

Helicopter - School Drop Off

On Monday James and Briar got dropped off at school via helicopter. They had won a radio competition. It was exciting seeing the helicopter come in and land in our rugby paddock.

Ngai Tahu - Learner Support

Ngai Tahu offers learner support. The eligibility criteria are as follows...

• Registered with Whakapapa Ngāi Tahu;
• Attending school*; and
• Aged between 5 and 21

Follow the embedded link below to learn more. The applications for the Term 2 grant close 19 April 2021.

We have had a fantastic start to the year in Team Tui so far!

There are 25 year 4 and 5 students and we have been working hard to build a team environment based upon Manaakitanga-Respect.

This term in Team Tui we have been learning about our natural environment as part of our DRIVE inquiry this term. We have learnt the names of native bushes and trees to New Zealand, what they look like and how to preserve our natural environment for the future.

We created some artwork based on our inquiry. We painted our natural environment here in New Zealand by including mountains, water and koru using watercolours and paint. We layered the watercolours with paint to add texture and detail. The dark background is outer space and we used glitter for stars.

This term we have been enjoying using our PR1ME books and reading the class book the Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.

We are looking forward to the car boot sale, athletics, swimming and the Year 5s are looking forward to their Senior Camp at Columba, Pukerau.

The aim of our values is to nurture positive, purposeful and meaningful relationships of aroha. When we come for so many different families our values draw us together as one big school whanau.

We show manaakitanga respect when we...

• Use our manners and talk politely to each other.

• Follow rules and instructions.

• Listen actively.

• Are aware of the needs of others and offer to help.

When we use our values on a day by day basis, in the relationships that we have, one with another, in our school, we contribute to making our school a great place for all to come along.

This week the Principal Tumuaki would like to acknowledge McKenna Clarke for being a contributor of values to our school.

Bonnie Gargiulo-Harris

Bonnie has had an amazing start to the year in Team Kiwi.

Each morning Bonnie has a big smile on her face and always greets me before doing her morning tasks. She always has the right equipment out ready to start her day.

Bonnie has a kind, caring personality that always makes sure her peers are included and no one is left out.

Bonnie uses her manners and always listens to the instructions the first time they are given.

You can see Bonnie always doing the right thing and trying hard with her learning.

You can always count on Bonnie to volunteer around the classroom.

She is reliable and follows the school values which is why she is a great role model in Team Kiwi.

Bonnie, I’m super excited to have a great year with you and see how far you will grow here at Edendale Primary School. Keep up the awesome work. Ka pai!

Miss Mineur

James McKenzie

James is a new student in Team Kereru and at Edendale Primary School this year.

He has settled into our class very quickly and already he is setting an excellent example of our school value of manaakitanga-respect.

James is a young man that is showing me that he can be relied on to be doing the right thing at the right time and is respectful towards parents, teachers and his peers.

He has a great attitude towards school. He settles down to tasks quickly and quietly, showing that he is ready to learn and I often see him taking the time to help out those around him if they are unsure of a task and I am working with a group.

Manners are so important in life and James is great at using them throughout the school day.

He is respectful to those around him and he is a great Year Six role model, showing other children in the classroom what being an active listener looks like.

James what a fantastic start to the year! You have really impressed me, and we are very lucky to have you in Team Kereru this year.

Keep up the good work - well done!

Karsden Latta

Karsden is Team Kea’s MVP this week for manaakitanga, respect.

Karsden is a kind and caring young man who shows many of our school values.

Karsden walks into our classroom with a happy smile and greets his friends.

He knows our daily routines and follows them well. Karsden is always organised with the right equipment ready to learn.

Karsden has a positive attitude toward school. He gives everything a go and makes sure he completes things to a high standard.

Karsden tries his best with tasks and has already made great progress with his learning.

I can rely on Karsden to follow rules and instructions.

He has been a helpful big buddy to the new Team Kea children.

Karsden is very friendly and is first to offer to help someone. He treats others how he would like to be treated.

You have had a fantastic start to your learning journey Karsden. We are lucky to have a wonderful learner and role model like you in Team Kea. Well done!

The Woodland Creature

In the magical forest where trees were at their highest peak lived a mysterious woodland creature. It had swirling branches spreading across and around his whole entire body. Under his branches lay a brightly glowing heart that was visible to the human eye. On his light, brown face was a look of sadness in his four beautiful eyes. There were also short branches growing on his head that had tiny leaves that danceded in the swiftly blowing wind.

As he looked for his cave, a more worried look spread on his face and he leapt faster and faster with his large legs. He ran past nearly every animal in the forest, running and running as fast as the wind could blow.

When he stopped for a breath, his worried face turned into a look of curiosity. He had never seen these plants before but then he remembered his father said these were “Venus Flytraps”! He opened one of them and saw a dead fly. He was disgusted but his face didn’t show it.

He saw an apple tree and munched on the apple. When he ate it he immediately regained his strength for the journey. Running was his best trait because he could go miles and miles in just 30 seconds!

His face now held a large smile as he stood in front of the most beautiful mountain ever where his cave was. His cave was lined with daisies and cherry blossoms and the inside was a bright garden. He was home alone, but his mum left him some fruit to eat, so he was very happy.

Email: admin@edendaleps.school.nz
Website: https://sites.google.com/edendaleps.school.nz/edendale-primary-school
Location: Edendale Primary School, 24 Salford Street, Edendale 9825, New Zealand
Phone: 03 206 6959
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdendalePrimarySchool
Twitter: @EdendaleSchool

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