Newsletter Issue 2

Kia ora, Nameste, Talofa, Konnichiwa, Guten Tag, Gidday, Vannakkam, ni Hao, Kia orana, Hola, Salam, Sa wat deekha, Dia Dhuit, Goeie Dag, Bonjour, Καλημέρα, Mālō e lelei, Greetings everyone

Bellevue Whānau Inventory 2025

We now have 68 families who have completed our whānau inventory for 2025 - thank you! If you have not yet done this you have until 5pm this Friday (28th February).

Reporting to families - Community Information Evening

Thank you to the 23 families who attended this evening last week. It was so encouraging to have such a good turn out and we appreciated the thoughtful questions, suggestions and connections that will support us to improve how we build our learning partnerships with our community.

This newsletter will largely focus on the information provided during this evening so that all of our families can use this as reference for what to expect and can benefit from the questions asked by those who attended.

Where can I find the information shared at this evening?

Slides with extensive information about what you can expect from Bellevue in regard to sharing information that supports your child’s learning for 2025 and beyond are now on our website HERE.

Other aspects that came up in our ‘He Pātai’ or Q&A sections include:

• What does the school do to cater for students who are not making progress as expected?

Obviously this varies greatly depending on the individual and their needs, but some of the systems we have in place to identify and support these students include:

• Learning or behaviour needs / support strategies are shared with teachers by the teachers of the previous year (this includes when transitioning to Intermediate).

• Constant monitoring of students not making expected progress.

• Identifying ‘focus’ students - teachers identifying a student or small group of students to focus on with trialling and reviewing strategies for support. Usually, what works for one will support others in the cohort. This also involves external supports as described below. The teacher will contact you if your child is a focus student so you can explore together what works best.

• Seeking advice and support from external agencies (with parent permission) Learning Support Coordinators (LSC), Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB), experts in supporting students with English as their second language.

• Providing additional support through extra targeted groups.

• Working in partnership within families, providing information about how they can support at home.

• Creating and working to Individual Education Plans or Individual Behaviour Support Plans.

• Providing extension opportunities for those students who need this.

• Will we hear if our child is not progressing as expected?

Yes. Our policy is ‘no surprises’ - families are to be kept informed if a child is not progressing as expected - always separate and prior to a three way conference.

• How different is the NZC Refresh?

English - A significantly different approach to teaching - based on brain development and extensive research into Literacy practices that cater the most successfully for the widest range of learners. The English curriculum area moves through a scope and sequence of the building blocks of learning to read. Then, as students begin to ‘read to learn’, there is more emphasis on comprehension and engagement with text. These are all taught explicitly as ‘next steps’ from where the child is confident (established based on ongoing assessment) with additional support for those who may not be progressing as expected.

What children are learning to do in Reading, Writing and Spelling is not vastly different, but the way in which we approach the learning is, as it is based on the latest information about cognitive development. We began upskilling in this approach at the end of 2021. Our Year 0-3 teachers are either trained in this approach or training (if they have moved into this area of the school), our Year 4-6 teachers will begin training in Term 2.

Mathematics - Prior to 2020 the school engaged in extensive professional development in regard to evidence based best practice in Mathematics with Cognition Education based on ‘Effective Pedagogy in Pāngarau/Mathematics: Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration (BES)’ - click for link if interested in knowing more. This focused on teaching that focused on developing Mathematical Proficiency - defined by the BES as:

• conceptual understanding: comprehension of mathematical concepts, operations, and relations;

• procedural fluency: skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately;

• strategic competence: the ability to formulate, represent, and solve mathematical problems;

• adaptive reasoning: ability for logical thought, reflection, explanation, and justification;

• productive disposition: habitual inclination to see mathematics as sensible, useful, and worthwhile, coupled with a belief in diligence and one's own efficacy.

The refreshed Mathematics curriculum is heavily influenced by this and therefore, while the progression of content under each year level has shifted a little (some concepts being taught earlier than the previous version of the curriculum and some later), meaning the ‘benchmarks’ for student progress are different, the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of Mathematics teaching at Bellevue does not require much change. Teachers need time to familiarise themselves with the changes of content at the levels at which they are teaching.

• What’s next for the school’s Literacy journey?

As you know, we have now embedded the Better Start Literacy Approach in the New Entrant - Year 3 area of the school. Our teachers who have not worked in this area prior to this year are training currently.

In the Year 4-6 area of the school the teaching team are currently engaged in a BSLA (Year 4-6) trial for four weeks and we are applying for them to train in this from Term 2 so that the literacy practices are consistent throughout the school. We are currently updating our Bellevue Literacy Progressions to align with the refreshed curriculum.

• What about Mathematics?

We used our 7 February Teacher Only Day to start to familiarise ourselves with the changes in the NZC refreshed documents. Teachers are planning from these currently. From the middle of the year we will begin to refresh our school progressions so they align with the refreshed curriculum. We have professional learning planned from the middle of the year to build on what we have started in regard to deepening our knowledge of the aspects of the NZC refresh that are new or different.

• What will happen to children that have not previously had BSLA and may need extra support?

If children are requiring additional support we have a series of processes in place to support them as per the first bullet point.

• Is there a place online where we can see what is included in each year level of the refreshed curriculum?

The Ministry Website Tāhurangi - Links below

English Year 0-6

Mathematics Year 0-8

• Will we get printed reports this year?

No. As you can see in the slides and information, we ask families to download these from the reporting folder in Seesaw. This provides flexibility in regard to what you wish to download. Selecting a specific child’s reporting information is currently easier from the family side than from the school’s on Seesaw, though we are working with Seesaw on improving this for the future.

Two printable visuals are included in last week’s newsletter to help families locate either reporting posts from this year, or reporting posts from previous years that have now been archived. These can also be collected in hard copy from the office.

• How can I see what my child is doing in the classroom or in their school books regularly?

You are welcome to visit the classes at any time. Please note that teachers are in their rooms from 8.30am if you need to speak with them but if you arrive after 9am their focus is on working with the children. If you need a longer time to connect with a teacher, please organise an appointment to meet. If you wish to drop in and see what your child is doing before or after school without needing to talk to the teacher, however, please feel free to do so before or after school.

• Should I comment on my child’s learning posts? If so, what about?

Yes please! Learning shared with an audience is much more meaningful, motivating and akin to real life for our children. Likewise, a strong partnership between families and teachers has a powerful impact on a child’s learning and engagement in school. We intend for Seesaw reporting to become ‘a conversation’ where the learning goes both ways - families learning about their children at school and school learning about the children from families. If you are unsure what to say, commenting on our learner dispositions below supports our children to develop the mindset of a lifelong learner:

- Curiosity

- Collaboration

- Resilience

- Risk-taking

- Self-managing

• Can we talk to Seesaw about improving accessibility?

Since the reporting evening we have happily heard that major updates have been made to ensure accessibility. The school is aware that PDFs or images hinder this, however, and can modify this approach where required for families to access their child’s reporting.

• Has anything replaced Reading Recovery?

Yes it has. In the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) the children are identified and start additional learning at specific teaching points much earlier than we could using The Reading Recovery Model. With Reading Recovery we could only have two to four students at any one time on this programme. We had to wait until the child had turned six before they could commence the programme. What we have now, through the Better Start Literacy Approach is that the children are identified within the first 20 weeks of teaching and have extra support through a Tier 2 programme in a small group. In this way all children that need this will be able to have this support.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s whānau teacher or a member of our senior leadership team. We’d be happy to help.

Dogs on School Grounds - our Visitors policy

The following guidelines ensure the safety of everyone on the school site.

• All visitors to the site, except those dropping off or picking up students before and after school, are asked to report to the school office. Visitors sign in using VisTab.

• All staff monitor visitors to the school, and report any behaviour, hazard, or safety concerns to management or administration.

• All visitors to school, including parents, are expected to comply with our smokefree and vapefree, and alcohol and drugs policies. We encourage visitors to consider privacy issues when sharing photos and videos taken at school events. Dogs are allowed on school grounds but must be on a leash that keeps the dog reasonably close to the adult. The leash must be held by an adult.

• Visitors may not wear gang insignia on school grounds. Anyone wearing gang insignia on school grounds will be asked to remove the item or leave the premises. Police may be called to the school and persistent offenders may be trespassed.

Payments to School

There are a few donations we ask families to make to the school each year. As you will be aware, Primary School’s budgets are frequently stretched. We continue to walk the line between working to provide a range of exciting learning experiences, providing the resources for children to develop their creative and academic skills, and struggling to remain within the budget.

We request that families make donations to go towards the costs of the ‘extras’ needed to operate the school successfully as well as a payment towards the termly activities.

For your information 2024 percentage of payments received are shown below:

• School donations - 58% students (not families) paid

• Trips donations - 72% students (not families) paid

• Camp fees - 91% paid

• Swimming - 71% paid

Anything that is not paid is ‘topped up’ by our learning budget which is already stretched in supporting children’s learning. Please consider this when your donations are requested.

Bellevue Community Support

Please see last week’s newsletter HERE if you missed this.

We will be closing the donations for this on Friday 7 March. If you wish to contribute, please do so before this. Members of the wider school community may wish to show their support of this family at such a difficult time. The school is receiving donations for the family. These can be made in cash direct to the office, or via online banking.

If you would like to contribute please may your payment to the school bank account below with the reference: Aroha. Bank details: ASB Johnsonville Branch, 12-3223-0048283-00

Reminders:

• Our Bellevue Website has term dates and longer term information about the operation of the school - take a look at the Parent Portal - and you may wish to follow our closed group Facebook Page for quick updates or reminders.

• 2025 Term Dates - are HERE on our school website.

Ngā mihi

Annette

A reminder that our fortnightly newsletters can also be found on our Bellevue Website - scroll down to view 'previous Bellevue Newsletters' - and for more timely updates, you could follow our closed group Bellevue Facebook Page, if you are not already.

Zion - Room 3

To assist our families with locating our Attendance Procedures, please note that the below link now takes you to a 'quick link' on our website to the Attendance Procedures in PDF form.

Please do always contact the office (office@bellevue-newlands.school.nz), or call and leave a message for absences. Do not reply to this newsletter as your message may not be seen.

As we are a Netsafe School, we are working in partnership with our community to keep our tamariki safe online. Below are two webinar opportunities for our families of primary or intermediate age students.

Online Safety for Children Under 10

Date and time: 5th March @ 7.00pm

Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Discover practical advice and helpful tools to support tamariki online with Netsafe's first parent webinar of 2025. Designed for parents and whānau of tamariki under the age of 10, this webinar will explore common concerns and introduce the Hector's World resource, designed exclusively for primary school children, their teachers and their families.

The webinar will explore:

• The opportunities and risks under 10s face online

• Resources available from Netsafe (including Hector’s World) to help support online safety in the home

• What to do when things go wrong online

Whether you’re seeking reassurance or taking your first steps in learning about online safety, this welcoming and judgment-free webinar is here to support you. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Supporting Your Pre-Teens and Teens to Chat Safely Online

Date and time: 26th March @ 7.30pm

Register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

This webinar is designed for parents and whānau who are you looking for ways to support their 11-18 year olds to navigate the challenges and opportunities of chatting online. Gain practical tips and advice for supporting your children’s online safety when they chat and connect in the digital world.

We’ll cover:

• Popular chat based social media apps and online games, and the practical safety steps that can be used on them

• Tips for discussing safer online chatting with your rangatahi

• What to do when things go wrong online

Whether you’re seeking reassurance or taking your first steps in learning about online safety, this welcoming and judgment-free webinar is here to support you. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

At Bellevue School we are committed to providing a physically and emotionally safe place for all our tamariki. This is supported by our policy documents that are available on our website, or using this link: School Policies - Bullying.

Bullying-Free NZ is an initiative from the Bullying Prevention Advisory Group (BPAG). BPAG is made up of 17 agencies, who collaborate and are committed to reducing bullying in New Zealand schools. The Bullying-Free NZ website is managed by the Ministry of Education, and has fantastic information and resources available for Whānau and students. https://bullyingfree.nz

Please see below for a helpful guide from Bullying-Free NZ, outlining what is and isn't bullying.

School Athletics Day - Wednesday 12 March (pp Friday 14 March)

We are excited to be holding our whole school Athletics Day on Wednesday 12 March. Tamariki are already busy practicing their athletics skills in readiness!

Years 3 - 6 will be taking part in athletics rotations throughout the day, with New Entrants - Year 2 holding their events on Newlands Field from 11.45 - 1.10pm.

We warmly invite whānau to come along and watch your child/ren take part. There is no need to commit in advance and you are welcome to stay for as little or as long as you are able. Please see below for a timetable and map of the Year 3-6 events.

Let’s Get Movin’ in March!

We’re a Movin’ March school and counting down to Monday 3rd March when we’ll start stamping passports as part of the Walk or Wheel Passport Challenge all through March. Walking or wheeling to school is a great way to get active, know your neighbourhood, kick start learning for the day AND take care of the environment. Remember tamariki with at least one stamp on their passports go in the draw to win a Micro Scooter and helmet at the end of March!

Park & Stride

If you live ‘too far away’ why not try a Park and Stride? Your child can still get their passport stamped! It helps reduce congestion around the school gate, gives tamariki exercise and whānau get to share precious moments on the way to or from school. You can drop your child at the bottom of Bancroft Terrace, or on Link Road and they can still get their passport stamped!

Weet-Bix TRYathlon 2025

The 2025 Weet-Bix TRYathlon is coming to Wellington on Sunday March 16, 2025! If your child is interested, they can register as part of the Bellevue School Team by following this link. If you would like to know more information about the event, please head to:

https://tryathlon.co.nz/locations/wellington/

Yummy Stickers

We raised a fantastic $350 last year by collecting Yummy Stickers! We have purchased some new sports equipment for our tamariki to use. We are collecting Yummy Stickers again this year. Your children will be encouraged to peel off their Yummy Stickers and place them on a sheet in their hub. We are also collecting the cut-out labels from the bags, which can be given directly to your child’s whānau teacher.

Board meeting minutes are public documents and therefore you have the right to see them. The minutes of meetings will also record whether the board went into committee (to discuss confidential information or information pertaining to a specific individual (for example, a staff appointment or resignation). This part of the meeting is confidential to the Board. The minutes also state the time and place of the meeting.

Bellevue School Board minutes are published on our website - follow THIS LINK or go to Our People - Board Minutes on the top menu bar.

Please note that the minutes of a meeting need to be approved by the Board as a true and accurate record at a subsequent meeting so there is a 4-6 week delay between the meeting and the publishing of the minutes to the public. December’s meeting will be ratified at our meeting this week.

Term 1 is a sun-smart term - wear a hat every day

Term 1 is a sun smart term and students MUST wear a wide brimmed hat when they are outdoors for activities such as PE and Sport, morning tea and lunchtime. Please ensure your child has a named sunhat ready to go!

A reminder that, due to allergies, school cannot provide sunscreen for our students so please do pop a named sunscreen in your child’s bag so that we can remind them to apply this when they go outside.

Lastly, please make sure your child has a named water bottle in their bag!

If you would like to nominate our school to win $10,000 worth of sports equipment, please click on the link below. The more nominations we get the greater the chance of us winning!

https://www.aainsurance.co.nz/big-little

Username bellevue-newlands, password 'grow'