Stanley Avenue School Newsletter

Hello, Kia ora, Chomreabsour, Mālo ni, Ni hao, Kia orāna, Talofa lava, Namaste, Hola, Hallo, Chào bạn, Bula Vinaka, Kumusta, Guten Tag, Mālō e lelei , An-nyeong-ha-se-yo, greetings to all our School Families

I was reflecting with a colleague during the week about the fact that there are so many sporting opportunities for our children in Te Aroha. Not everyone is into sport and that’s fine as there are many other hobbies, interests, passions that children can pursue. I’m very mindful of all of the volunteers providing the town's youth with a range of opportunities after school and into the weekend. Without these community heroes/ heroines, sporting or other opportunities would not exist for our students.

Therefore as a parent/ caregiver, supporter, it’s important that you acknowledge all of these heroes/ heroines when you get a chance. A simple ‘thanks for your efforts,’ or ‘keep up the great work’ goes a long way.

Additionally, here is our Supporter Code that I put out at the beginning of Term 4 last year. Thanks to everyone in our Stanley Ave Community, who follow it and set a great example to our youth.

A message to the supporters:

• Enjoy watching your children

• Remember it is the children’s game not yours!

• Be supportive of all players

• Acknowledge the opposition

• Be supportive of the Coaches and Managers

Wishing everyone the best of luck with their sporting endeavours this weekend!

Footpath Etiquette

If your children bike or scooter to school, can you please talk to them about the following issue we are having regarding the footpath, that runs the entirety along the front of the school.

With students waiting to be picked up, bus students, families walking into school, our footpath is becoming congested. To avoid injuries I think it’s fair that students hop off their bikes and scooters and walk them until they are past either end of our school. This will make the front of our school safer for everyone.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter.

John Byers

• 27 Feb BOT Meeting (6.00pm Staffroom)
• 28 Feb School Swimming Sports Te Aroha College
• 4-7 March Year 7/8 Camp Epworth
• 11 Mar District Swimming Sports Te Aroha College
• 12 Mar Piako World Cup Football
• 14 Mar Hockey Big day out Ngatea
• 28 Mar Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day School Closed
• 29 March Good Friday School closed
• 1 April Easter Monday School Closed
• 2 April Easter Tuesday School Closed

We are learning to read , write and recall some early words so that we can use them every day.

We read a story called Dressing Up.

Then we dressed up and wrote

“I am a …” stories.

Mrs Finucane took our photos and we put our stories on the back.

These are hanging up in our classroom.

This year, due to our school pool being out of action, our Swimming Sports looks a bit different and will be held solely at the Te Aroha College on 28th February.

We will need helpers on the day. If your child is swimming and you can lend a hand, please contact the office or Di Meyler 027 2722227 or di.meyler@stanleyave.school.nz

Thank you for your assistance.

To start off the year, and get to know one another, we read the classic ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. Room 7 then embarked on a MASSIVE undertaking. Making our very own hungry caterpillar! Each student drew and coloured their favourite food, and dyed their own section of the caterpillar.

Once our caterpillar was ‘finished’, conversation began. We found out that, with 25 students in our class, that we had 25 sections of the caterpillar. We then realised our caterpillar was missing something. Feet! How were we going to embark on this next challenge..

The students decided that they could colour two feet each… That means our caterpillar was going to have 25 groups of 2, FIFTY feet! This led to the realisation that we could use our caterpillar to count in twos! Together, we made ‘2s’ and placed them under each set of feet.

We then realised our caterpillar was also missing her ‘hairs’. The children came up with the idea, that they could each colour 5 ‘hairs’, and then we could use our caterpillar to help us count in 5s, too!

25 groups of 5, and 125 ‘hairs’ later, here is our beautiful, hungry, and very ‘mathy’ caterpillar. Watch this space for where our caterpillar takes us next..

While the weather is still warm we will re-start selling Juicies and Moosies for a few weeks during Term 1. These can be ordered through the week, in class please through our money bags, and then delivery will be Friday lunchtime.

The Climb

The end was near. I could picture my team crossing the golden mat. With one challenge left and nobody near us, we were off to an extravagant start with a leap onto the web with determination.

Climbing up was a breeze ( I'm a skilled rock climber ) . My team below me were plotting ways to get across the lava. “Almost there,” I called with untamable excitement. At that moment nothing could stop my team now. Well, except touching the piping hot lava that might change the story. I created the knot that joined the pole and the flag with speed.

Danger was in the air as I leaped from the web to the hoops. An intense burning was coming from my ankles. I ignored the pain. My team was relying on me. My competitive side was shining as my team glided across the golden finish.

By Victoria

The Final Round

The finish was in sight. My team and I tied with another. Our feet scrambled forwards, pulling the hoops along with our ankles.The heat radiated against my skin. I was more focused on the ache of my sunburn tomorrow then the present.

“Go! Go!” Shouted the other teams, edging towards us from behind. Just inches away from our last task, we took a sharp turn.We forgot our flag. It was overly embarrassing.

We pushed through. One of my teammates on the web, the others balancing along the sidelines. Our flag was tied but it was already to late. Our shoulders drooped and our pace slowed as we walked on the golden mat in last place. The others teams already seated underneath the shady tree.I could feel the mocking glares burning into my skin.My friends giggling in the crowd.

My team departed into the crowd. I seated myself down next to my friends. The sun filtered through the treetops. I didn't mind losing at all because at the end we all had an ice block of sort in hand.

As my eyes traced around the crowd, I noticed one thing. Everyone had a good time

By Bella

The Race

We were devastated when the teams in front of us were ahead. The heat was radiating on my skin as we slowly shuffled on the grass. It was like we were in Arabian heat.

My team-mates screamed loudly, “Hurry up!” That was the motivation we needed. One little mistake and we’d be done for. That happened to us. The team was frustrated and burning with anger but we didn’t give up yet, and so on we peddled to the metal. My heart raced as all the pressure was given to me. This was intense, really intense. This wasn’t about fun anymore. This was about winning.

Rushing to the climbing frame with all our strength, we were there. Almost there! All we had to do was secure our flag and we’d be done! I could see the shimmering mat reflecting the sun as we arrived. We did it! In the end, we ended up coming in 3rd place. My team-mates looked like they had enough of the race, (for now).

By Sharon

Our two challenges have proven to be very popular this week, with all ages. Here are some photos of students building bridges and playing new games.

From now on we have the welcome addition of music playing to add a fun vibe to our area.

We have gone live on DirectGroup Uniforms with our new Sports Shirts that you are able to purchase. We feel moving forward this is a great option and will save a lot of time issuing and collecting sports shirts. At this time we still have our other sports shirts for anyone that is playing and has not purchased their own yet. Check them out at:

https://dgstore.co.nz/collections/stanley-avenue-school

You can purchase the sport shirts and they arrive directly to your address and they even have Afterpay so that it makes it possible to budget. We are looking forward to seeing these appearing on our sports fields.

A Day at the Domain Te Aroha is an annual event, and aims to be an affordable day out for local families to enjoy. Admission is free, as is the entertainment from 10am till 2pm. We have free activities for the littlies, with affordable activities for the bigger kids. Plenty of food trucks, sausage sizzle, ice cream and coffee plus lots of local crafters with their makes. Our Facebook page has all of the latest up to date info on the day. www.tearohadomainday.com

Email: office@stanleyave.school.nz
Website: https://stanleyave.school.nz/
Location: Stanley Avenue School Stanley Avenue, Te Aroha 3320, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7-884 8479
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stanleyaveschool/