It’s been a hive of literacy-themed activity around school during Book Week, and I'd like to acknowledge our amazing Library team of Amanda Griffin and Vivianne Kerr for coordinating so many engaging opportunities in celebration of the joy of reading.
There's been so much media and political comment in this area in recent months, it's a timely reminder that we should not overlook the primary goal for all our young readers, which starts with enthusiasm and enjoyment above all.
Fostering a culture in which children are immersed in a love of books, stories and storytelling is crucial to developing this innate drive, and so essential to successful language acquisition, comprehension and the development of creative and critical thinking. Ultimately, this forms the foundation for the lifelong readers we want all of our tamariki to be.
We're all well aware that our unprecedented media-saturated culture makes this more pressing than ever, so one of the key messages should be that - whatever their interests - we can have a profound influence as adults simply by having a range of reading material available at home, regular visits to the library, borrowing (or gifting) books, reinforcing 'no screen time' habits and also simply modelling reading for pleasure ourselves as adults (on paper, not phones or devices, with the possible exception of a Kindle, presumably...). It can no doubt sometimes be a challenge, but the benefits are tangible.
In fact, a number of studies have shown a strong correlation with the number of books in a household (even including those they haven’t actually read) and long-term positive effects on children’s reading achievement (of up to three years, in some cases). This makes growing up in text-rich environments one of the single most significant predictors of reading ability and interest (even more so than parental education level) in later life.
For this reason, the time we prioritise in our busy lives for co-reading, sharing stories or even opting for audiobooks over a movie from time to time is equally impactful, especially in introducing newer, more challenging texts and ideas (whether in English or another home language).
Clearly the message is that there is so much more to learning to read than curriculum and formal instruction alone, so the more we can make every week ‘Book Week’ for our tamariki, the better we can support their literacy development, success and enjoyment as readers.
Lot 4: Money can't buy Fishing Charter!
Win an afternoon/evening fishing charter for you and 2 mates on the Hauraki. Skippered by Auckland’s least experienced fishermen, you’ll be taken to all the secret spots* & ‘out the back’ to catch the big ones^. See Auction Listing HERE.
Orders extended to Sunday 8th September - so get your orders in now to avoid disappointment!
For all information about this fundraiser and instructions on how to order - please see: https://www.menpspta.co.nz/calendar-art
With great thanks to Fleur de Vries-Oskamp for coordinating this annually. Any questions please email menpspta@gmail.com.
Ends on Friday 20th September
The final day to hand in your Yummy Apple Sticker Collection Sheet is on Friday, 20th September. Sticker collection sheets can be either handed in to your child's teacher or to the office. Your collection sheet doesn’t not need to be full so please start bringing them into the school so they can be counted. Every sticker counts! Thank you for your support. With great thanks to Grace Konrath for coordinating Yummy Apple sticker collections for MENPS.
Second Hand Uniform Shop open Tomorrow
- 8.15 - 9.15am
- In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
- Order online by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com.
- Pay via Cash or Bank transfer.
- If you have any uniforms that your child no longer fits/needs then please consider donating to the Uniform Shop. Donations can be dropped off at the office. Thank you!
Co-Chairs Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber
Secretary Chelsea Chen
Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran
PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner
Sponsorships Rayni Chung
School Representative Hilary Edwards
