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

THE LAST DAY FOR TERM 1 IS THURSDAY 2 APRIL AT 2.55 PM

STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL AT 8.50 AM ON 20 APRIL.

Dear parents, caregivers, students and friends of the school Tena koutou katoa Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa I’ve just been to watch our Girls Football Team play in the Inter-Intermediate Tournament. I’m impressed with their levels of fitness and ball skills! Their attitude and commitment is also to be commended. Thank you to the parents who have provided transport and support. Student achievement is our main focus and our targets for 2015 have been set. This year these targets are in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. The initial achievement data has been analysed and cohorts of students have been selected for acceleration in their learning. Teachers will identify these students in their classrooms, and syndicates will collaborate to monitor and design effective programmes and strategies for these students. The targets are as follows: Reading:

1. To accelerate the learning of Year 7 Māori students achieving at L3b-p at least 2 sub-levels.

2. To accelerate the learning of Year 8 Māori students achieving at L3p-a at least 2 sub-levels.

Writing: 1. To accelerate the writing levels of Year 7 students at L3b-p

by at least 2 sub-levels. 2. To accelerate the writing levels of Year 8 students at L3p-a

by at least 2 sub-levels. Mathematics:

1. To accelerate the maths levels of Year 8 girls from L3b-p by at least 2 sub-levels.

The following table indicates the Curriculum levels according to year

levels. Level 4 is the expectation for Years 7 & 8. Students working one level below this level have been selected for the targets.

Curriculum Levels: Reading, Writing, Mathematics

1b 1p 1a 2b 2p 2a 3b 3p 3a 4b 4p 4a 5b 5p 5a

Numeracy Stages 1-3 4 5e 5a 6e 6a 7e 7a 8e 8a

Reading Ages

Leve

l s 12

-1

Leve

ls 17

-18

Leve

ls 21

-2

8.5-9

.5 yrs

10-1

1yr

11-1

2yr

12-1

3yr

13-1

4yr

14+y

rs

National Standards 1 yr

2 yrs

3yrs Y4

Y5

Y6

Y7

Y8

Y9

Y10

b = beginning p = proficient a = advanced

AY Thank you to the families who have paid their school donation this term. This is an important component of our annual budget and is used to support learning here at Maidstone. Parents can claim back one third of this cost on their IRD Tax Return. You will need a Rebate Claim Form (IR526), which can be obtained from www.ird.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 257 773. Our 2015 SRC organised a very successful Mufti Day and Can Drive for the Upper Hutt Food Bank last Friday. Maidstone students (and their families)showed wonderful generosity by donating 555 cans! ‘The Part We Play’ is our theme this year and this was a very successful example of The Part We Play in our local community. Well done Maidstone Students - very proud!

Nga mihi Mary O’Regan, Principal

Anzac Day and Teacher Only Day. This year Anzac Day falls on a Saturday so for the first time it will be Mondayised, and everyone will have a holiday on Monday 27 April. On Tuesday 28 April, there will be a Teachers Only Day and

the school will be closed for students. This day has been set aside for a Professional Development Day for Teachers on Digital Technologies.

Capital E Trip On Monday the 16 of March, Red Syndicate had a trip to Capital E in Wellington. First they went to the one and only Opera house and there they watched a performance about outside animals. They showed the animals moving using aerobics and tricks that included all 5 people. The second thing Red Syndicate saw was at Reading Cinemas on short movies. The last activity was about a girl that was trying to follow her dreams of growing a beard. She really wanted a manly beard because no one would listen to someone without a beard. Then she meet Abraham Lincoln and he told her he only would listen to little girls and so she thought after all she didn’t need a beard!!

Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter

No

.1 T

1

New

Issue No.5 Term 1 2015

Message from the

Principal

Library News

Teacher Only Day

PTA

Trip Reports

Poem

College Enrolment

News

Sports Community Notices and Sponsors details appear on the back page.

Library News: Another term has flown by in our Library . It’s been interesting to watch our new students settling in and our Year 8’s stepping up to a more senior role in school. As always happens, I gather a diverse collection of students who set up ‘home’ in the Library at lunchtimes and become my ‘regulars’. The activities that are offered at Lunchtimes reflect the varied interests of our students. I introduced weaving looms into the mix this term [with grateful thanks to Mr Livesey, our Hard Materials teacher who made the weaving boards]. I took a gamble that it would interest our students and have found that the boys in particular have really enjoyed learning how to weave. I’ve run out of boards now so there is a waiting list! Additionally our ‘You Rock’ wall is looking great with thanks given to those students who have been brave enough to get the Wall started. I think that it is really important that we celebrate the positive things that our students do. There is still space on the Wall so I’m hoping students will continue to add to it in Term 2. I have spent some time this term putting together some of our own school archives to add to our website. The picture included is of Maidstone being built in 1969. I’ve got lots more to add to the website next term.

Continuing with our World War 100 commemorations, I have made up information cards about the soldiers that had an Upper Hutt connection and died at Gallipoli. Some of the classes are using these cards to expand upon their Anzac lessons and add a bit of local history interest. Lynley Yeats, a local historian and ex-NZDF member has been really helpful in providing information for myself and our students to use. A couple of weeks ago I collected a car boot full of recycled computer keyboards from Andy Parkins at I.T. Recycla in Lower Hutt. The Lunchtime Students have been having great fun popping the keys out of the boards. My intention is to use these keys for some literacy ideas next term. I thought that students could write some poetry or articles and then display them using the old keys. This particularly helps those students who find that physically moving objects and shapes helps them to remember the activity [such as with their spelling]. It will make for a really interesting display of all of their work too. The empty keyboards will go back to I.T. Recycla over the holidays so that Andy can continue the recycling process with them. It’s shaping up to be another busy term in Term 2 so I wish all of our students and their families a relaxing Easter Break and see you all next term. Mrs Asprey, Library Manager

Up-Coming Events 2 April 2.55 pm last day of Term 1 20 April Dental Van arrives at Maidstone. Departs on Thursday 12 June 23 April Year 8 girls Immunisation (1

st dose).

27 April Public Holiday for observation of Anzac Day. 28 April Teacher Only Day. School closed for tuition. 1 May Option programme begins 13 May Rugby 7s 15 May School Cross Country and pp day Rugby 7s 22 May pp School Cross Country 26 May BOT Meeting 7.00 pm

Everyday Theatre Group One seemingly ordinary morning Blue syndicate was joined by two game masters from Everyday Theatre. Their task’ to teach us the game they had mastered and perhaps give us the honourable title of Game Master. This game one was that had never been mastered. The objective of the game was to help a struggling family: Dave (dad), Maraea (mum) and their child Tee. After the introduction we began to play the game, we split up and the classes competed in a race to get ten bonus points. The game involved students swiping in different characters to complete different tasks. After a variety of team challenges and many discussions, we finally had the last challenge. Completing the final level would give us the title of Game Master. It was a hard task, and we lost two of three lives, but we persevered and finished the game on a high. The glory was real! We had beaten the game and helped the family. We were each awarded a game master's badge and we got to learn the coded handshake. The message on the badge simply read: 'Every child has hopes and dreams.' By Julia C

PTA News Entertainment Book

This year Maidstone are making a real effort to fundraise using the ever popular Entertainment Books and we need your help. You will have received a letter explaining how this fundraiser works. The school receives $12 profit for each book sold. We understand not every student is in a position to participate so there is a return slip if you wish your child to opt out and not bring a book home. Please return this slip to the school office by 2nd April if you do not want your child to take part. Also, there is now an option to go digital using your smartphone rather than carrying a booklet with you. Very convenient as, if you're anything like me, I often don't have my purse with me! Each student will bring an entertainment book home on Friday 1 May. Outdoor Spaces at Maidstone – a request

The PTA is hoping to raise funds to enhance the outdoor spaces at Maidstone. This would include gardens, trees and shade. Are there any parents who have skills in the area of Landscape Design who’d be willing to work with the PTA and some of our students to design our outdoor spaces. Raffle

We are planning a giant raffle for Term 3. Any donations from local businesses would be very welcome. Please contact Barry Davies on davieschicks@gmail.com.

Sports Round Up Boys’ Football Tournament On Monday, the 30th of March, the boys’, football team went to Wakefield Park. In our pool, we played against Raroa, Wainuiomata and Brandon Intermediates.

Our first game was against Raroa, but unfortunately we lost 1-0. We had to win the next two matches to proceed to the quarterfinals. Our next game was against Brandon,which we worked hard for, and won 4-0. Our next opponents were Wainuiomata, which we destroyed 6-0, which means we made it into the quarterfinals against Evans Bay Intermediate - we tried our hardest but lost 2-0.

We played well and made it to the quarterfinals of which we were proud of. Overall we came 6th place and the champions were Evans Bay Intermediate.

Thanks to everybody that participated in the team and special thanks to Dean, our coach, and Ms Cooze who helped with the team. Tyron and Sean - Rm 19

Inter-Intermediate Athletics On 19 March, 42 athletes representing Maidstone Intermediate, competed in the inter-intermediate Wellington Athletic Competition. The team was excited, pumped, and ready for action. They all tried their hardest and gave it their all. Each member of the team worked cooperatively and cohesively together. Overall Maidstone came away with some amazing results: 7 first placings, 8 second places and 5 thirds. After all the results had been counted (and recounted), Maidstone had earned enough to sit comfortably in 2nd place overall. With 13 schools competing in this event, the efforts of our school's top athletes rendered us enormously proud of their magnificent efforts and achievements. Well done Maidstone! And thanks to all the parents who helped on the day, and to the other parents who went into Wellington to support the team. A special thanks also goes out to Mr. Solia for taking our fantastic athletic team into Wellington to meet their glory! Mrs Dee, Sports Coordinator

Netball April School Holiday Programme

Keep active in the holidays with our block course. Open this year to years 3-10 and focussing on key netball skills with games where numbers allow. Held each day in the second week of the School Holidays (13-17 April) Inside at the Walter Nash Stadium Years 7-10 11.30-1.30 $100 Netball Specialist Series for Years 7-10

A brand new programme for 2015 in response to demand for more specialised coaching for players in Year 7-10. Perfect for those players who are hoping to trial for representative teams, or just ready to take their play to the next level.

Separate Attack, Defence, and Mid-Court sessions will be run by experienced coaches and encompass both whiteboard and practical components. The course will go ahead subject to a minimum of 8 enrolments in each specialty area. Each court area has 2 sessions and players are registered to attend both sessions. Players may choose to attend sessions for more than one specialty area 10 May at Walter Nash Stadium. 9.00-11.00 Attack; 11.30-1.30 Mid Court; 2.00-4.00 Defence 12, 13, 14 May at the Taita Courts and Pavilion from 5-7pm. 12 May Attack; 13 May Mid Court; 14 May Defence. $40 to register for each specialist area (2 sessions).

Bottom to top poem By Abbie G, Room 1, Purple Syndicate When you read this poem from the top to the bottom it is negative but when you read it bottom to top it is positive.

Respect God

Our people don't respect God

Never will people comment "Wow! God is AWESOME!"

Is what people should say

"Did you read chapter Three?" But it isn't the right thing to say

"Society sucks" They really say

Student Representative Council Congratulations to Nathan Bennett who has been elected Chairperson, Julia Corston who has been elected Deputy, and Camryn Johnson who has been elected Secretary.

Congratulations also to the following students who have been elected by their classes to represent them on the SRC (Student Representative Council). Room 1 Charlotte Braddock Room 2 Danica Patterson Room 3 Tamzin Richards Room 4 Kiah Heald Room 5 Will Wilson Room 6 Nathan Bennett Room 7 Jacob Backhouse Room 8 Gordon Hardman Room 9 Ellen Tarr Room 10 Julia Corston Room 11 Cameron Maxwell Room 12 Mattie Tait Room 13 Hupdric Eng Room 14 Terenzo Warren Room 16 Camryn Johnson Room 17 Kayla Knox Room 18 Zoie White Room 19 Jorja Waaka Room 20 Hadley Attewell

College News St Mary’s College, Wellington. Open Day on Wednesday 29

April at either 8.30am – 10.00 am or 10.45 am – 12.20 pm. For further information, please contact Principal’s Assistant on 473 5554 ext 844 or www.st-marys-wellington.school.nz Chilton St James, Lower Hutt. Prospectus and Scholarship

information now available from the school. Sports and Performing Arts Scholarshuip are now open. Applications close at 4.30 pm on Tuesday 19 May. There are also Aspire Scholarship fully funded Government Scholarships avauilabel for Year 9 students in 2016 – these close on 23 April. For information contact the Registrar, Miss Leigh Whitelaw, Phone 5664089 Ext 7025.

Community Notices

Thank you to the following firms for sponsoring this Newsletter

and the Maidstone Gold Ticket “Wheel of Fortune

0274 416931

526 2274

526 2275

Get your sKETCHERS School Shoes here

Associated Computers

Malcolm Wheeler

027 4474 222

Country Lane

Silverstream

Phone 527 8389

2 Geange Street, Upper Hutt

Phone/Fax (04) 529 7342

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

David Haswell 027 440 6534 04 526 6602

Ask about our party bus

Testing and treatment for dyslexia and reading disorders,

www.cellfield.com Call 528 7707

Catering

Equipment

Services

We service and repair all brands of cooking and warewashing equipment.

Mark Edwards,

Director

021 568 487 or

0800 90 60 30

mark@cesw.co.nz

Creative Art Classes – Term 2 beginning 20

th April 2015

Monday Creative Kids Class 3.30pm – 5.30pm. 7-9 years $120 ($110 for returning students/children of current TLC students) Wednesday Creative Youth Class 4.00pm – 6.00pm 11-16 years $120 ($110 for returning students/children of current TLC students) Thursday Creative Kids Class -3.30pm – 5.30pm 9-14 years $120 ($110 for returning students/children of current TLC students) For further Information or bookings please contact s.hughes@tlc.ac.nz