Phone 04 528 3094 Email admin@maidstone.school.nz Website www.maidstone.school.nz

25 May 2017 - Term 2, Issue 2

Teacher Only Day – Friday 2 June Spell-athon – keep up the encouragement and support

Garage Sale – keep those items coming in (article below) John Parsons Evening - on Internet Safety – 13 June – 7-8 pm

Dear parents, caregivers, students and friends of the school Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa We were disappointed not to be able to hold the Rugby 7’s Intermediate Tournament last week but the weather was against us. We hope for a good day on Friday for the school Cross Country. This year there are different levels of challenge to the Cross Country so all students should be experiencing the right amount of challenge for their skill level.

Our Student Representative Council leaders and deputies took part in a Leadership Day run by Ignite Sport last week. The programme looked at the characteristic and responsibilities of leadership, with plenty of fun activities to break it up. It was wonderful to share the day with them - what a wonderful group of young leaders we have at Maidstone! Note the Teacher Only Day on Friday 2 June. This TOD is an opportunity for all teachers from all schools in Upper Hutt to gather to learn and discuss various aspects of modern teaching practice. The Upper Hutt Cluster is working closely together to align and develop our teaching programmes and practices across our city. The aim is to develop learning practice that is student centred with a focus on Learner Agency and Engagement.

Please keep up your encouragement and support of the school Spell-athon. This is the major fundraiser of the year where we encourage our students to practise their Citizenship and develop the Key Competency of Participating and Contributing. We also look forward to a step up in spelling level achievement! I wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable long weekend next week. Maybe it will be a chance to clear out some cupboards for items that can go in the Garage Sale! Nga mihi nui Mary O’Regan, Principal

John parsons evening - John Parsons is an Internet Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant who delivers cyber security

training workshops to New Zealand Police, the Health Sector and the Education sector. Tuesday 13th June 7- 8pm in the Library or School Hall (depending on numbers).

There is a growing need to have a clear understanding of the protocols, issues and dangers for our children using the online environment. John can explain about, and prepare you, for security risks and emerging threats that might affect you and your children. He is an accomplished public speaker who travels extensively in New Zealand and is regularly invited to speak via TV and radio. Visit his website for further information. http://www.johnparsons.nz/ Any inquiries please contact Kerry Baines at school.

FUNDRAISER GARAGE SALE:

The Rarotonga and AIMS Games teams are holding a monster garage sale! Do you have clothing, homewares, knick knacks or craft items we could sell? Do you have items we could raffle? We are looking for good quality items to be donated. We may be able to pick up larger items by arrangement.

If you would like to donate items, please bring them along to school over the next four weeks. Our Garage Sale will be held at school on: Friday 23 June. 3.30 – 7.00pm. All welcome! Please email rachael.kneepkens@maidstone.school.nz with queries.

Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS 26 May Cross Country at Maidstone

pp 30 May

29 May Year 7 Immunisations

2 June Teacher Only Day

13 June John Parsons Evening

23 June Garage Sale 3.30-7.00pm

(DATE CHANGE)

28 June Year 6 Parent Information

Evening

4 July School in Action Open Day

Maidstone

Cross

Country FRIDAY 26 MAY

Race Schedule (Please note these are estimated times)

9:15am: Yellow Course: Year 8 runners (Girls)

9:20am: Yellow Course: Year 8 runners (Boys)

9:40am:Yellow Course: Year 7 runners (Girls)

9:45am:Yellow Course: Year 7 runners (Boys)

9:50am: Rapid Walkers: Yellow Course

(All participants)

10:00am: Orange Year 8 runners (Girls and Boys)

10:30am: Orange Year 7 runners (Girls and Boys)

College news

Careers expo The Careers Expo is on at the TSB Arena in Wellington on Friday 16 June and Saturday 17 June. Admission is free to all visitors. A wide range of exhibitors; including employers, industry, training and tertiary providers will be present. Visit the Website for more Information

YOUTH EVENT This event might be of interest to some of our learners and their families....

The Spearhead Leaders have organised a youth leadership event. This is organised by Youth for Youth in Upper Hutt. This is a free event for youth aged between 12 and 24 years old.

Saturday 27th May, come anytime between 9:30am - 5:30pm

Venue: Upper Hutt College

Speakers include; Billy Graham, Patrick Gower and more

Workshops include; Street art and more

Live bands: No Sleep after Midnight and Johnny Rockets

There will be free fun, food, workshops, music and opportunities to share your vision More information is available via facebook@SpearheadLeaders

JOB OPPORTUNITY – INFORMATION ON BACK PAGE

CROSS COUNTRY We are hopeful to run our school Cross Country tomorrow. You can find course maps and approximate race times on our website. If we need to postpone it will be held next Tuesday (weather permitting). Students will compete in their PE shorts and can either wear their PE tops, or a top supporting their home Syndicate colour. Students wishing to adorn their faces with paint, need to do so before arriving at school. Many students have been training hard in preparation for this event. Good luck to everyone.

RUGBY SEVENS

Unfortunately the Rugby Sevens Tournament has been cancelled for 2017. I wish to extend a thank you to our coaches, Mr Grant Reid, Mr Sam Hinton and Mr Michael Baines who trained teams in preparation for the tournament. I would also like to thank the PTA parents who were supporting a possible fundraising venture at the tournament.

Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt Welcomes enrolments for Year 9 2018. Parents and Caregivers of students in State Schools are invited

to call at the College Office, 65 Laings Road, Lower Hutt to collect an enrolment pack from Monday 22 May. Enrolment forms are to be returned to the College office no later than Monday 3 July. Open Days. For students in State schools (please contact the

College to book) Wednesday 14 June between 9.00 am – 12.00 noon

Wednesday 21 June 2017 between 9.00 am – 12.00 noon

Taita College Welcomes enrolments for Year 9 2018

13 June Open Morning (9.30 am. 12.30 pm) students to arrive at 9.15 am 21 June Open Evening (7.00 pm – 9.00 pm) For more information contact the College on 567 8728 or secretary@taita.school.nz

Self-defence option Options have been going fantastically for the girls' self-defence students. 15 girls have been learning to develop their street smart skills to protect themselves in case of danger. Whiro, our awesome instructor makes the sessions active and fun while boosting our confidence and skills. Even after 3 sessions we look stronger, fitter and more confident.

Clyma Park Gardens Recently the Clyma Park Gardens suffered damage. Many of our students were concerned about this and have suggested donating some funds to support this great community initiative. Some students are also volunteering their services next Thursday afternoon to help repair the damage. If you and your family wish to contribute, please place your contribution in a clearly identified envelop and post in the office over the next fortnight. If paying via online banking please clearly reference Garden Donation. Thank you for your support for this beneficial community project.

RED SYNDICATE Welcome to Red syndicate! We have had a great start to the year, with new faces joining the crew and the familiar faces guiding them along.

We have had lots of great learning opportunities throughout the syndicate and are planning on having more. We do syndicate rotations, some of these include Socially Speaking, Te Reo Maori and sports.

There are three teachers in red syndicate. Mrs Kneepkens is the syndicate leader, she is very organised, she loves chocolate, making booklets and pushing us to do the best we can. Mrs Sanderson challenges you with your learning but not to the point where it's too hard. Mrs Sanderson also organises all of the music tuition and the bands. Miss Finnigan enjoys P.E, she makes learning fun and she organises all of the lunchtime sport games.

We are currently learning about Upper Hutt and how we are able to contribute to our community. We are working with the Upper Hutt City Council Sustainability Officer and an Environmentalist from Forest and Bird. They ran three workshops for us last term, and this term we are planning to visit the Forest and Bird nursery. Check out our workshop photos from last term. "Red syndicate has invited people from our community to work with our students on some projects. Here, we are learning a game called Cloak of Protection, about protecting our species. " Red syndicate respects all of the Maidstone school values. Teamwork is shown on the sports field when do syndicate fitness/P.E and lunchtime sport. We show respect by respecting everyone as an independent learner, we show responsibility by being on time to school commitments and meetings. Manaakitanga was shown by Red Syndicate at the start of the year when the Year 8’s welcomed the new year 7’s, making them feel comfortable at their new school. Red syndicate shows courage when we try new things and step out of our comfort zone. We show integrity during assembly when we do the right thing by sitting up straight and listening carefully.

We enjoy being in Red Syndicate as there are so many kind and caring students you always feel welcome. We are looking forward to the rest of the year to come. By Grace and Tayla Rm 14

VSUAL ARTS

Last year, a group of Year 8 Visual Art students, with the support from the Year 7 students, worked on a number of murals which are now displayed around the school buildings. The murals consists of a variety of styled artwork from a big pixelated Mona Lisa painting to an Aboriginal art piecedepicting a Maori legend about Maui and the Sun. The artwork brings more “Life” into the school environment, but there is more space around the school to add more work. This year we will have students who will continue on adding art to the outside of the buildings. A big thank you to those who put in the effort to make our school more aesthetic, and to Mrs Mitchell, Mr Addley and Mr Solia for the time and effort in putting up the murals.

COMMUNITY NOTICES Job Opportunity Are you keen to work school hours? Are you able to multi-task, have an eye for detail and competent in following established

processes? Leda is a local plastics manufacturing business and we are looking for a “star” casual employee who is able to work as part of our team. The role involves doing quality checks and packing with high levels of accuracy. The job requires some heavy lifting and good numeracy skills are necessary. If you are interested in working with us in our manufacturing environment please send a cover letter outlining your suitability for this to richard@leda.co.nz

What: Table Tennis Coaching - separate beginner & intermediate groups Where: Empire Table Tennis Stadium, Marine Parade, Petone When: 6.30pm - 8pm Thursday 1 June – 6 July inclusive Cost: $30 for entire term payable at the first session Bring: Table tennis bat if you have one; soft-soled shoes; sports top (not white) & shorts Info: Gabrielle chair@ttwellington.org.nz, Ph 021 361162 Enrol: ttwellington.org.nz or https://goo.gl/forms/NrgUSWbGvzjwLAtA2

WHEEL OF FORTUNE PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

The lucky winners of the latest spins of the wheel are: Trent from Room 2 Sponsor BEC Cleaning Hazel from Room 1, Sponsor – Ryan Thomas Custom Construction

Thank you to the following firms for sponsoring this Newsletter and

the Maidstone Gold Ticket “Wheel of Fortune

Ph. 0800 634 572 Fax 236 0174 nzcoach@xtra.co.nz

David Haswell 027 440 6534 04 526 6602 Ask about our party bus

Ryan Thomas Custom Construction For a quote please call Ryan Smith 0273467235 Or Email: ryanthomascc@gmail.com

Ground Floor, The Mall,

Upper Hutt

Phone/Fax (04) 529 7342

Get your sKETCHERS School Shoes here – 2 Geange Street Upper Hutt