From the Principal

What a way to start the year! I somehow never expected to be writing our first newsletter in the midst of galeforce winds and flooding. The teachers and I have planned what we hope to be a fun term with a lot of engaging learning and activities for our tamariki, so the sooner we can get started the happier we will be.

Part of the reason why I am sending out a newsletter today is because we realised yesterday that not everyone has been receiving my emails with reminders and updates. Please accept my apologies for this. It is especially ironic given how frustrated I was when an issue at the Ministry meant that I was one of the principals who did not receive the email directing us to close schools. It has been rectified now and you will be back to receiving regular updates from me.

At the moment we are directed to reopen school on Tuesday 7 February. If for some reason we cannot open on this day we will probably move to online/at home learning and I will email you with details of what that will look like.

Please print off the Dates for your Diary. I have tried to put as much information here as possible.

Most importantly, take care. Call out if you need help!

Stationery

One of the repercussions of my incorrect email list is that a number of you will have missed my reminders about paying for staionery. The packs are all made up for each child and ready to use.

Please could you pay the money for stationery into the bank account ASAP. Contact Kalene at office@ridgeview.school.nz if you are unsure how much you need to pay or if you want to make arrangements to pay in installments.

Swimming

Swimming starts again this term. Children will be swimming on the following days:

Wāhi Koru - Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wāhi Pitau - Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Wāhi Pakari - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Swimming is part of our curriculum, so all children need to take part.

Sunsmart

Just a reminder that all students have to wear a blue school bucket hat in Terms 1 and 4. If your child does not have a hat, they will have to play under the awning in the shade. The school hat can be purchased from Kalene at the office. We have sunblock available, but do suggest that you put sunblock on your child before sending them to school in the morning.

Community use of Swimming Pool

As some of you are aware, we have been having problems with the salt chlorinator of the pool. It is my goal to open the pool to the community, and so I would like to trial opening the pool as follows:

Monday to Friday 9am - 10.30am Gold coin donation Key from the office

Monday to Friday 3pm - 6pm Gold coin donation Key from the office

School events take precedence over community use!

The pool will also be available over the weekends for children's parties for $28.75 ($25 plus GST) per hour for a maximum of three hours. This will need to be booked and paid for at the office.

We are not selling keys at the moment, as this is still a trial.

Community Summer Picnic

At this stage we are planning on having our Summer picnic at the pool on Friday 10 February from 5pm. The plan is for families to bring their dinner and have a swim. We will sell sausages and drinks. Obviously this is weather dependent, so fingers crossed that we are at school and able to swim.

Money Making Market Day

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our Money Making Market Day. It was wonderful to see our little entrepreneurs peddle their wares. There was a wonderful atmosphere and I had a number of visitors comment on the great vibe. Our aim was to make $800 profit and we skimmed in with about $802.

Prizegiving

What a wonderful celebration our Prizegiving was. A special acknowledgement goes to Whaia Tina and our boys who performed our haka for the first time.

Our prizewinners were:

Overall Excellence - Sebastien Baldwin

Leadership - Adelade Leavitt

Sports and Sportmanship - Ruby Gatfield

Community Contribution - Mason Willers

Mrs T's Humantiy Award - Ruby Mahon

Mrs Janne Carter's Award for Endeavour - Summer Fullam

School Values - Levi Brennan

Basketball 2023

I am starting early on my annual plea for a parent who would be keen to manage a basketball team in 2023. The games are currently at East Coast leisure Centre in Browns Bay on a Friday afternoon. We have a number of children who would love to be part of a basketball team. (And we have brand new uniforms!)

Old Mobile Phones and iPads

We are still on the lookout for old phones and iPads.

New Telephone Number

Our new telephone number is 027 593 5963.

Friday Lunches

Lunch Orders