Ardmore School Newsletter

* Hello * Kia ora * Namaste * Malo e lelei * Talofa lava * Kia orana * Guten Tag* Nǐ hǎo * Sat sree akaal * Hola * Chào bạn * Bula * Hallo *As-salamu ‘Alakum

Finally this week, the Council signed off our building project and Rooms 1, 2 and 3 were able to move into their renovated classroom spaces. The children and teachers were SOOOO excited on Monday afternoon when we were given the go ahead to move in. The renovation has created light filled, vibrant indoor spaces; while the addition of covered exterior decks for each classroom, further enlarges the learning spaces.

It has been great this term to have the children involved in off-site activities like Tui's trip to the Warbirds' Museum, Gym Fun, ECCS sport, the GRIP Leadership Conference and Barbarian's Rugby Fun Day. It has made it feel like we are back to pre-Covid 'normal'.

Having said that it has been good to get back to 'normal', I have had to make the difficult decision to postpone next week's school Matariki Celebration due to health considerations.

Student attendance due to illness dropped to just 75% over the last week, compared to our usual 90% at school. Our Covid cases have also increased somewhat although our numbers are still comparatively small.

I'd like to thank all those parents and whānau who have offered their assistance for this event. We will reschedule our celebration day when our illness rates improve.

Over the next three years we will be working with Rob Profitt-White from the 'The Learner First' Consultancy, on developing our Mathematics teaching, learning and assessment practices.

Rob has been working with classroom teachers and the Leadership Team since the beginning of the year. He has been in all classrooms modelling teaching strategies for teachers to use in their classroom programmes. You may have heard your tamariki talk about 'moveNproves' or 'recallNreasons' and Mr Rob.

This week, in Auckland, he began a countrywide, New Zealand Primary Principals' Roadshow, focused on teaching and learning in Mathematics. He spoke to principals across Auckland about his research and the strategies he is training teachers to use in their classroom programmes. While Rob has, and continues to work with schools across the South Island, Ardmore is the one of only two Auckland schools he is working with and the only one where he undertakes classroom modelling of successful Mathematics teaching practise. Hence we have have had a number of principals and their leadership teams visiting the school to observe Rob.

In the last few weeks, two amazing people have stepped up to help the school with all the recent PSG fundraising activities; been Gym Fun helpers when other parents had to cancel at the last minute, been furniture movers for Rooms 1, 2, & 3; and just today, barbecue cooks for the Trees for Survival Planting Day.

A huge thank you to Julian Nonu and Nadia Rainers for all their help and support.

Trees for Survival is a charitable trust which works with schools across New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways and on erosion prone hillsides. Our school has been part of this programme for 22 years. Each year students help grow native plants in preparation for planting days on host properties. This year we were the host property and today, Room 7, with the assistance of whānau, and volunteers from Watercare, have planted the seedlings we have been nurturing since last year. The planting area was beside the staff carpark and along the bank below the library that leads to a stream.

If you would like to know more about this great scheme go to https://www.tfsnz.org.nz/

A fabulous day of rugby was had by our Ardmore School team who attended the Barbarians' Rugby Fun Day earlier this term at Bruce Pulman Park. The children had been training hard in preparation for this event and had some real stand out moments. A big thank you goes to Mrs Ashford and Mr McLeod, their coaches, and to all our parent supporters on the day.

If you happened to drive past the school one weekend in May you may have noticed a number of campervans parked here. The Akarana Caravan Club came to Ardmore to enjoy some of the local attractions and scenery whilst enjoying the safe parking our school provided.

The Club made a donation of $288 to the school for allowing them to hold their rally at our school.

We were sad to say goodbye to Miss Coral Farkash recently who has left us to pursue a new career outside education. A big thank you goes to Mr Neil Wadam who is teaching Room 8 until a new teacher is appointed.

Student conferences will be held the first week of Term 3. Information specific to your child and how to book a conference will be sent home before the end of this term. We do, however, need you to know that school will finish at 12noon on Thursday 28 July so you can plan ahead and arrange child care.

Over the past few months we have sought leadership nominations for a new steering team of the PSG. We’re pleased to say we have appointed a new Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary. All positions will have tiered wrap around support to allow a soft transition from the previous stakeholder.

We’re very proud to announce Julian Nonu as the new Chairperson for the PSG, effective immediately. With unanimous support from the members, she comes as no stranger to the school. Julian is well known by the school community, students, parents and teachers alike. Julian brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and hard work ethic to the leadership team and has been part of the School’s PSG for the past 5 years.

Rebecca Robinson is nominated as Treasurer, with support from Megan McCann.

Nadia Rainers will continue as Secretary, with support from Nicol Diack & Anna Scanlan

Cross functional support will be provided to Julian & the team by Charles Briggs

With a strong plan in place for the remainder of the year, we Thank these parents for their leadership going forward.

If you are able to assist with any upcoming events or wish to be notified/ involved, please email: ardmorepsg@gmail.com or contact: Julian- 022 427 5785

The PSG are an amazing group of people from our school community, who work to raise funds for our school. Last year alone, even though we were all in lockdown for such a long time, they raised over $23,000. Their recent projects have included the installation of the two bucket swings and our amazing sandpit on the field.

This year their fundraising focus is shade sails for the basket swing and sandpit on the field.

The PSG also run the second hand uniform shop through Kindo which not only raises funds but is a significant help to our families, providing affordable, extra uniform items.

If you would like more information please email: ardmorepsg@gmail.com

A big congratulations to Sky and her family who were the lucky winners of the PSG Easter Raffle.

The raffle was a great success raising around $1400 for the PSG. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket.

Payments to the school or the PSG are all made through the online payment system KINDO.

To set up your account please click the link here Create KINDO account

Remember to use the email that the school has on file for you when creating your account.

If you need help with your myKindo account please call KINDO on 0508 454636. Open 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

You can also check out their help pages by clicking the link here KINDO customer support

We have a limited number of Yearbooks left from 2017 to 2021 which we are now selling at a reduced cost. Purchases can be made through Kindo only on a first in first served basis.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Email: office@ardmore.school.nz
Website: https://www.ardmore.school.nz/
Location: 599 Papakura-Clevedon Road, Ardmore, New Zealand
Phone: 09 299 6228