QUALITY TEACHING AND LEARNING

At the end of term one we farewelled Mrs Makere Tihore, who had taught in Room 30 for this term. We wish her all the very best for her future.

We welcome Mr Sanjev Kumar to our teaching staff.

 Year 7 Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you to all the Year 7 families who were able to attend our 3 Way Conferencing evening either on the 2^nd or 3^rd April. We had a 96% turn out of parents and caregivers which was extremely pleasing.

 Homework Centre

We have received funding from the Ministry of Education to extend the hours that our Homework Centre is open. From the beginning of term two the Homework Centre will operate Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, from 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. If you would like your child enrolled in the Homework Centre for some or all of these days please have them collect an enrolment form from Ms Schutt in the Resource Room.

 After School Classes

We will be running after school classes for students in our Foundation Literacy Programme on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. These sessions cost $5.00 per day or $10.00 per week. Additional information regarding this programme will be sent home with our Foundation Students.

 Winter Uniform

From the beginning of Term 2, all students [if they wish] may add to their uniforms the winter portion of our School Uniform – school regulation tracksuit pants and winter polo shirts.

By Tuesday 5^th June [after Queens Birthday weekend] all students must be in full shoes and socks. Please refer to the School Prospectus for more details.

The school tracksuit pants and polo shirts are available from ‘The Uniform Shoppe’, ‘Uniforms Plus’ and ‘Angels Fashion’.

Congratulations to the following students who have purchased school uniform from Angels Fashion and entered the draw for a set of School Uniform – Isobella Cook, Saarah Dean and Munira Pelenda.

We thank Angels Fashion for their continued support.

 Student Details – Very Important

Sometimes families change their contact details or caregiver details after the start of a school year. We must be advised of all changes to keep our records up to date. This is important if there is an emergency such as your child getting hurt or becoming sick or if a non-custodial person fronts up at the school wanting to see a student.

Our March newsletter was delivered by email to those families who have supplied an email address. Many of these addresses were incorrect.

Please send any changes along to your child’s class teacher in writing.

 Parent/Community Support

Thank you to everyone for their support of the FOTS Fun Run held in late March. We raised $4,500.00 in sponsorship for this fun run. The prize winners for the most money collected were – 1^st Daniel Sio [bicycle], 2^nd Nandani Prasad [digital camera], 3^rd Alfred Murray [MP3 Player].

Thank you for your support of the Papatoetoe Historical Society Mufti Day held towards the end of the term. This raised $752.00 which will be donated to the Historical Society.

 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Materials Fees

Our thanks to all families who have made a payment. We are very modest in our request – much cheaper than most other schools – and so would appreciate families making the effort to support their child’s school.

Payment can be made to Mrs McVerry our School Cashier - $120.00 per year or you are welcome to pay each term - $30.00 per term.

Sports Report – Term 1

During Term 1 we took part and organised the boys Softball. We had two boys’ teams, a Year 7 team and a Year 8 team. Both these teams were coached by Mr and Mrs Magalei. The games on the day were competitive and very few points divided the teams. Both year 7 boys and the year 8 boys participated well. It was so good to see.

We also convened the boys Softball on the day. We would like to thank Ms Schutt for all her time in organising both the draw and tallying the points and results on the day to help make this day a success.

 We took part in the Girls Softball. We had two teams, a Year 7 Girls team and a Year 8 Girls team. Both these teams were coached by Mr and Mrs Magalei. These games were competitive on the day with few points dividing them. Both the Year 8 and Year 7 girls were placed second.

It was great to see such good competition at both games. Thank you to both coaches for their efforts and time in coaching these teams.

 We took part in the New Zealand Cricket Cup between schools. We were in a small draw for our Zone with just Sancta Maria, Viscount and Papatoetoe Intermediate. We were successful in gaining a win against Sancta Maria by three runs but lost to Viscount by two runs. We were helped by the cricket personnel at Papatoetoe Sports Centre as they gave the school valuable training. Thanks also to Mrs Connell for giving up her time to manage, organise and help with the training.

 The Tag Zone Competition was postponed from the end of Term One to Term Two.

 Donation of Musical Instruments

Our extensive music programme has students requiring instruments to learn. If you have any musical instruments that you no longer have a use for please consider donating them to our school.

Please contact Mrs Bashnee Naidu in our Music Department.

 POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR 4 LEARNING

Congratulations to the following students who have received STAR Nominations this term for showing either Safety, Trust, Attitude or Respect – Teina – R.14, Don – R.21, Zain – R.21, Jaida – R.8, Beaula – R.22, Sydney – R.22, Elijah – R.17, Annastasia – R.4, Rhea - R.14, Foulena - R.14, Melisha – R.29, Cody – R.12, Hashley – R.21, Jeremiah – R.10, Roneel – R. 3 and Edward – R.20.

 Congratulations to our two student Assembly Leaders for 2012. Rory Archer and Melody Perry.

 ICAS EXAMS

Please see Mr Wade if you require extra information.

PARENT/COMMUNITY SUPPORT

As we extend our PB4L programme we are seeking a parent representative who would like to join our PB4L Committee. This committee meets twice a term, on a Thursday afternoon. The meetings are from 3.15 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

If you may be interested in joining our PB4L Committee please contact Mrs Donna Young for further information.

 BICULTURAL/MULTICULTURAL SCHOOL

Kahui Kaiako Maori

As an outcome from our last Education Review Office visit we have established a school subcommittee with responsibility to ensure our school continues to develop a sense of bicultural/multicultural responsibility. This committee meets twice a term, usually on a Thursday afternoon. If you might be interested in joining the School Committee please contact Mr Howard Wynyard through our school office.

 MODERN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Building Projects

From the beginning of April our school has become a building site with a number of projects starting at the same time.

Reroofing the main building – the main building of the school is being reroofed. This is a major project requiring a good deal of scaffolding to be erected around our classrooms.

Library recladding – The exterior walls of the Library have been removed and new cladding is being placed on the exterior walls. As a result of this project a new internal paved courtyard is being built to extend the useable space in the library area.

Shade Cloth – from FOTS money raised last year. A new shade cloth is being erected over the other internal library courtyard to provide a pleasant exterior reading area for our students.

School hall – while the library is being rebuilt our school hall is being used as a temporary library.

Seating under the Elms – from Board of Trustees funds new seating areas are being built under the horizontal elms facing out onto the school fields.

Costume Drama Storeroom

We have also established a new costume Drama Storeroom. If you have items that might be suitable for us to use in our school productions, please contact Mrs Bonnie Naera with offers of donation.

 WELCOME

Welcome to the start of a new school year. A special welcome to those who have started here for the first time – students and staff alike. Our school roll this year is about 870 students.   Please do not hesitate to contact either the school office or your child’s class teacher if you have a question or concern. With over half of our students new to school each year we appreciate that there are a large number of school systems that we all need to come to understand in these first few weeks of school. If you ring the school office your call will be taken by one of our administration staff; Mrs Barham, Mrs Webber, Mrs Ferregel or Mrs McVerry.

A special thank you to the large number of parents and caregivers who accompanied their child to school on their first day, this certainly helps them feel comfortable in their new school.

This year we have had three new staff start with us, Mr Lyle Pillay, Mrs Nicola Talbot and Mrs Makere Tihore.

 Whaea Margie Le Grice

It is with great sadness that the Papatoetoe Intermediate Community acknowledges the death of one of our teachers, Whaea Margie. She has been a much loved and respected member of our staff since 2004.

During her all too short a time with us, she taught in Year 8 and ran our Kapa Haka group. She will be missed greatly.

All our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Justin and son James at this time of their loss.

 SCHOOL TIMES

Students are expected at school by 8.30 a.m. each morning and classrooms are open from 8.30 a.m. After 8.40 a.m. students will need a note from home explaining their lateness. Students arriving after 8.40 a.m. without a note face a syndicate detention. School closes at 3.00 p.m. each day unless a newsletter is sent home with students, notifying families of early closing.

 PARENT EVENING [Tuesday 7^th February]

The school is open for parent orientation on Tuesday 7^th February. Parking for this event is on our school courts. Entrance from the Motatau Road entrance. Parents with students in year 8 will have a specific appointment time. The purpose of these interviews is for you to meet your child’s teacher and to review the end of year 7 report. The year 8 teachers have a copy of your child’s year 7 report.

 Parents with students in year 7 [or new to our school in year 8] meet in the school hall at 6.00 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet with us, to meet your child’s teacher, and to find out our curriculum for term one.

PARENT VEHICLES

In the interests of student safety, parents/caregivers must NOT drive their vehicles in the school grounds. Please drop your children off outside the school – Motatau Road or Great South Road. If your child has a disability we will, of course, make provision – just make contact with the office with the details. ALL bicycle students will arrive and leave via the Motatau Road entrance.

We have received notice that the Manukau City Council enforcement officers will be monitoring all school entrances this year to ensure the safety of all students. Parents picking up or dropping off students are encouraged NOT to do this within 200 meters of our Motatau Road entrance. This is a very busy area, marked by yellow lines, a number of neighbours’ driveways and within the area put aside for the road patrol team.

We have also received the following notice from The Manukau City Council – “Definition of parking in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 is as follows: In relation to any portion of a road, the stopping or standing of a vehicle on that portion of the road, (includes a footpath and vehicle entrance and the picking up/dropping off passengers, when the driver is present and the engine is running).”

Parking Officers will no longer be asking parents/guardians to move vehicles from illegal parking areas, but will instead be issuing infringement notices in respect of the offence and will then post tickets out to the registered owner of the vehicle.

 EVERY CHILD ATTENDING SCHOOL EVERYDAY

Our school is taking part in a Ministry of Education pilot, studying student attendance rates at school. The theme of this pilot is to aim for every child to attend school every day. To ensure that this is a realistic target we need your assistance.

Please assist us in encouraging your child to attend school everyday it is open. For those students who attend everyday we award a 100% participation certificate. Our aim is for every student to receive one of these certificates at the end of this year.

 SCHOOL CANTEEN

Students are able to order their lunch from our School Canteen each morning before the school day starts. The lunchroom is open by 8.00 a.m. each morning and students need to have ordered their lunch by 8.45 a.m.

UNIFORMS

Many thanks to parents for sending their children along to school looking so neat in their new uniforms. They are a credit to you. Please ensure that your child’s uniform is named [including their shoes!]. The wearing of sneaker/sports shoes, and the like, to school is unacceptable. If your child tries to pressure you to write a note excusing them from wearing the correct school shoes in favour of this trendy footwear, please stand firm for school standards.

This year ALL students are required to wear a sunhat while outside their classroom. They are permitted to wear a sunhat from their contributing school or to purchase our school hat (black in colour.)

AN ISSUE AT SCHOOL

If you or your child has any issue at school, over any concern whatsoever, your first point of contact is with their classroom teacher. If you feel that the classroom teacher is not the best person to deal with your issue then please refer the matter to your child’s syndicate leader.

In very rare circumstances the issue may be more appropriately dealt with by one of the Learning Leaders of our school. Mr Wynyard, Mr Wade, Ms Lolesi and Mrs Young are our Learning Leaders and are available to assist if an issue cannot be dealt with by your child’s class teacher. As Principal, I would only become involved once the Learning Leaders had been approached and their advice sought in the first instance.

 SECURITY BOXES

Each class has their own Security Box – students are to place any valuables [e.g. cell phones, money etc.] in the box first thing each morning, the box is held in the Cashier’s Office [Mrs McVerry], for the day and valuables are returned to students before 3.00 p.m. Students ARE NOT to keep cell phones on them during the day – they MUST go in the Security Box.

 STATIONERY

About 99% of students came to school with all of their stationery. Fantastic! This has meant a wonderful start to school work. Many thanks, parents for this excellent support. Stationery lists and uniform requirements can be collected from the school’s main office.

 SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

The school newsletter is printed once a month and is sent home on the third Thursday of each month.

 POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR 4 LEARNING [PB4L]

We are a PB4L school which means that we follow a strongly values based approach to relationship management.

Our four core values are Safety, Trust, Attitude and Respect [STAR].

Therefore, you will hear your young people speak of us as a STAR school, or that they are in a STAR classroom or that we are a STAR school. Each newsletter will explain a little more about the PB4L approach and how you can assist us with this.

AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS

We ask our students to talk to their parents before school about making arrangements to visit or play at a friends place after school. We do not allow students to use the phone at 3.00 p.m. to make play arrangements. We would appreciate parents who want to make after-school arrangements phoning before midday. It can be difficult to get messages to children in the afternoon – and more so the closer it gets to 3.00 p.m. We will be running an after school programme this year Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.00p.m. to 5.00 p.m. [Enrolment form included with this newsletter].

SCHOOL FEES

Please read the information in the Prospectus [A – Z General Information - page 12 ‘Fees’] about this. Payment can be given to our School Cashier, Mrs McVerry, who handles all money matters from the front desk. Our school does not ask for a donation and our fees conform to the Ministry of Education’s Guidelines. Payment of fees can be made quarterly. The fees for 2012 are $120.00, therefore the first quarter’s fee of $30.00 is now due.

REPORTING TO THE OFFICE

All visitors to the school MUST report to the school office and sign in. Lunches for students also need to be brought to the school office, the lunch will then be taken to the School Canteen and delivered to your child’s classroom at lunch eating time.

FAMILY COURT ORDERS

A number of caregivers refer to custody/family court orders when they enrol their child with us. We are unable to meet these requests until we have on file a copy of the appropriate order. If this is an issue for your family please bring in a copy of the court order and we will photocopy and action accordingly.

PARENT PARTNERSHIP

We believe that educating our young people is a three way partnership.

The three groups are: Parents as first teachers, the students themselves and us as intermediate school teachers. All three groups working in partnership will ensure the best learning outcomes for our students.

During the year there will be frequent opportunities to meet with your child’s teacher or to speak with them on the phone.

Our vision as a school is to ‘Ensure student achievement’ and to do that will require all of us working together.

STUDY CENTRE

A reminder that Ms Schutt runs the Study Centre Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.00p.m. to 5.00p.m. Students have access to our library and computers to assist them complete their homework. Parents are asked to collect their children by 5.00p.m.

Tena Koutou

Nga mihi mahana, nga mihi hari ki a koutou katoa

STAFF FAREWELLS

At the end of the year we farewell Ms Molly Perese and Mr Sione Falefata. They are both moving with their respective families to Australia. We wish them all the very best for this new move in their careers. 

WELCOME

We welcome the twenty one Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour who join our school community from the 28^th January 2012.

The Papatoetoe Intermediate School Board of Trustees has become the employing authority for Cluster Ten serving the communities of Papatoetoe and Otara.

CONGRATULATIONS

• To our School Councillors who have been amazing young people of our school. Each of these students have exhibited leadership skills in a wide variety of   different situations. We wish all of them the very best for their high school years.

• To all of our prize winners who will be recognized at prize giving on Monday night, 12^th December. To each and every one of these fine young people, congratulations on achieving at this high standard this year.

• To the following students who after receiving a STAR nomination were successful in the Assembly draw this week – Jarrod R.21, Leo R. 7, Isha R. 30, Downey R. 6.

• To our four students who have won scholarships to play with the Auckland Philahomania Orchestra at their summer camp over the Christmas holidays.

SHOWCASE AND CULTURAL NIGHT

Congratulations to all of our students who performed either in the musical Showcase or Cultural celebration two weeks ago. The wide variety of talent on show was a real expression of our enthusiasm for music and cultural performances.

We would also like to thank all of our tutors and teachers for their efforts in preparing our young people for their performances.

TECHNOLOGY FAIR

Last week we held our first Technology and Arts Fair for some years. On display were items created by our students during their technology programme throughout this year. Also on display were the pieces of art displayed at the recent Auckland Intermediate Schools Visual Art Festival.

Again it was impressive to see the wide variety of talents displayed by our students. These were a credit to their hard work and dedication this year. Thanks is also due to the teachers of these programmers for their enthusiasm to put on this night for our community.  

UNIFORMS

ALL uniforms belong to parents and caregivers. Under NO circumstances are students permitted to write on, or intentionally damage, their school uniforms and adversely affect their excellent image. Please talk to your children about this and support our high standards.

Any Year 8 student – and there may be a few Year 7 students – who are willing to donate their uniform to the school for sale during 2012, please hand your uniform in to the office on the last day. [Thursday 15^th December]. Donated uniforms must be clean, tidy and in good condition. All students donating their uniform may wear mufti on the last day. 

SCHOOL PRIZE GIVING 2011

This major event will be held in our school hall on Monday evening – 12^th December at 7.00 p.m. We would like the prize winners and performers to arrive by 6.45 p.m. in full school uniform and with footwear polished. On the night prize winners NOT in correct school uniform [including correct shoes] will NOT receive their awards on stage. No exceptions will be made

The school phone will not be answered after 3.30 p.m. on 12^th December as we are preparing for the night.

We ask that families do NOT leave during this ceremony [i.e. when their child has performed or received their prize] but to stay for the entire ceremony which should finish about 9.00 p.m. Families of students attending must ensure that an adult is present to collect their children. In past years we have found that some families bring many family members which means that the parents of other children have difficulty in getting into the Hall. We ask for each child who is performing or getting an award to bring along with them up to 3 guests. [This does not include Prize winners and students performing].

SCHOOL REPORTS

End of year student reports will be issued on Friday, afternoon, 9^th December. For those students moving into year 8 we will hold a parent interview evening early in term 1, 2012.

The new Year 8 class teacher will use the end of year seven report to be the focus of this first report evening.

PB4L

What the research says – Evidence identifies the importance of fostering a classroom environment characterised by positive relationships between the teacher and students. Students are more likely to be engaged in their learning when they are provided with interesting and challenging learning opportunities and when they see the relevance of that learning beyond the classroom.

Positive Behaviour for Learning - Fosters classrooms in which students feel comfortable asking questions, are expected to do their best, where instruction is appropriately challenging and specific feedback is given to help students with their current learning, and are less likely to have bored, disengaged and disruptive students. 

LIBRARY

Borrowing library books over the summer holidays

Year 7 students will be borrowing books from the school library over the summer holidays. Reading at least one book a week over the break will help them maintain the reading skills they have achieved over the year. You can help by asking your children which books they have borrowed, encouraging them to read them and keeping them in a safe place ready to return at the start of the new school year. Remember that your local public library will be running a summer reading scheme. It is free to join the public library and you can now borrow from any branch across Auckland.

LEAVING BEFORE 15^th DECEMBER

If you know your child will not be here for the last week of this term – [12^th – 15^th December], please get them to empty their desks before they leave. All desks will be emptied and stacked over the holiday period.

SHIFTING?   LATE BACK?

If you are moving away from the area during the holidays and your child will not be returning to this school for 2012, we would appreciate knowing as soon as possible. If you leave in the holidays, please drop us a short note.

Likewise, if your child is going to be late back from the holidays we do like to know so we can keep your child’s place in class and on our school roll. If your child is not here on, Tuesday 1^st February 2012, and we have not heard from you we may have to allocate your child’s place to another student. That means that if we have to create a new class your child will have to take [class and teacher] what is available rather than what we planned for them.

ENROL NOW FOR MUSIC LESSONS AT SCHOOL IN 2012

Does your child want to learn Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone or Drums.

Enrolments are now open for 2012 and we will be offering lessons on these instruments to students during school time at a small cost to parents.  Please contact our highly experienced AllStar Band Programme tutor for more information.  Phone Stacey – 0210 798 302,

email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or check out the website, www.allstarbp.co.nz.

NEW STUDENTS

Please make use of the opportunity over the summer holiday to visit our school and to become familiar with its layout. This is an excellent way to reduce those ‘first day nerves’.

Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend school on the first day and to meet your child’s new teacher.

NEXT YEAR

All students are expected to arrive on their first day at school in full school uniform. Details of local stockists of our school uniform are included in the information book.

Also a small selection of second hand uniform will be available from the school the week prior to school returning.

The school office officially opens on Tuesday 24^th January 2012 and we will be taking new enrolments from that date.

All students are also expected to arrive at school with their stationery ready to begin their first full school day on Wednesday 1^st February 2012. All stationery requirements are also included in the information book.

We will stock stationery packs that meet the school requirements here at school. [These packs will sell for $39.50 and will be available the week prior to school starting.]

Year 7 students return on Tuesday 1^st February. They move into the Gym at 8.30 a.m.

Year 8 students return on the same day and go to the Hall at 8.30 a.m.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our thanks to those parents and friends of the school who have helped over the year, with special thanks to our hard-working FOTS and Board of Trustees members.

Grateful thanks to all of our staff, teachers, administration and support staff alike, for their hard work and achievements this year. Our students are fortunate to be served by such a dedicated group of people. Our thanks also to the splendid group of students who attend this school. We are very proud of them. They are a credit to their families and to the community of Papatoetoe.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dr. Brian Hinchco

Tena Koutou  Nga mihi mahana, nga mihi hari ki a koutou katoa

 YEAR 6 STUDENTS

Every Year six student should have now all received a copy of the 2012 School Prospectus. Please read this very carefully as it will answer many of your questions.

If you have not received a copy please contact our school office and one will be posted to you. Phone 2789763.

 YEAR SIX PARENT EVENING

Thank you to the very many parents who braved the wet weather earlier this month to attend our first year six parent evening looking ahead to 2012. It was a pleasure meeting you all. For those who were unable to attend this meeting we discussed these matters during the evening.

 DATES FOR 2012

School starts for all students on Wednesday 1^st February at 8.30a.m. in the school gymnasium. Parents are most welcome to attend and stay for the morning if they would like to. Our next parent evening, for all year seven parents (2012), will be on Tuesday 7^th February starting at 6.30p.m.

 INSTRUMENTAL TUITION

Those students who are part of the strings ensemble at Papatoetoe East will continue this at our school. Those who are part of the instrumental orchestra and band at Puhinui and Papatoetoe West will continue this at our school next year. Those from other contributing schools will have the opportunity to join our school instrumental programme with Mrs Naidu. Next year we will be running three different instrumental programmes to cater for the various levels students are performing at.

 FOTS

We have an active Friends of the School parent support committee.. We are looking for new parents who would like to join this committee in 2012.

  DIGITAL SCHOOL

We are a digital school and we have a large number of computers in each classroom. As these are linked to our school server and wireless system they work only in our school and have no software of their own. We have a number of Acer Netbooks which are three years old, but in very good condition able to be purchased at the end of this year. These will be sold for $250 each and you may like to consider purchasing one of these, or your own laptop for your child starting at intermediate school next year.

To order a Netbook please contact our school office and they will place your order on our Waiting List.

 PB4L

We are a Positive Behaviour for Learning School and our Mission is STAR; Safety, Trust, Attitude and Respect.

PB4L Evaluation Process

School wide Evaluation Tool (SET) is designed to assess and evaluate the critical features of school wide effective behaviour support across each academic school year.

Information necessary for this assessment tool is gathered through multiple sources including observation, interviewing randomly selected students and teachers.

Focused areas at Papatoetoe Intermediate;

1. Setting behaviour  expectations
2. Teaching behavioural expectations
3.  On-going rewarding system for reviewing behavioural expectations
4. Establishing systems for responding to behavioural violation
5. Monitoring and decision making

The result of the survey will assist to provide trend lines of improvement and sustainability over time.

We have completed our annual SET data and received a very pleasing result of 92.9%.

 TOUR OF THE SCHOOL

The Year 6 parents were then invited to have a tour of the school so that they could become familiar with the layout of our school.

CONGRATULATIONS ……….

• Mrs Selina Groube, our Board of Trustees Chairperson,

   has been elected to the New Zealand Trustees

   Auckland Executive. We all offer her our

   congratulations for this appointment. In this role she

will have the opportunity to visit a number of school

   boards’s of trustees and share with them the way in

   which we work.

• We are also very proud of Emily Maguire and Logan

   Clark, both students of Papatoetoe Intermediate

   School who have been chosen as Head Girl and Head

   Boy of Papatoetoe High School for 2012. A fine

   achievement for these great young leaders of our

   community.

• To the year 8 students of Rooms 26 and 27 who have

   had an article published in the prestigious Australian

   Middle Schooling Teachers journal. They are the first

   students who have ever had work selected for this

   international education journal. A wonderful

   achievement by our young people.

• To France Bloomfield. France has been selected for a

     call back to trial for Mount Albert Grammar School

     Netball Academy.

• To the following students who after receiving a STAR

   nomination were successful in the Assembly draw this

   month Georgina – Room 3, Tyson – Room 5.

 GRADUATION CEREMONY 2011

This is a very special formal event for our Year 8 students.

The ceremony is a milestone in your child’s school life and we hold a graduation ceremony to which the parent/care-givers of graduating students are invited.

 Students are rewarded for all their positive behaviour and achievements throughout their final year with us.

 Students who achieve the minimum number of points (160) are invited to receive a special graduation certificate. These students are also invited to attend the graduation dance. 

 The graduation ceremony will take place in the school gymnasium on Wednesday 7^th December 2011. Syndicates Kroon and Chawla at 11.00 a.m. and Syndicates O’Reilly and Michaels at 1.30 p.m.

 Because of limited seating for parents/care-givers invites are limited to 2 per graduating student.

 STATIONERY LIST

We will stock stationery packs that include everything on the stationery list except the ‘headphones’. These stationery packs will cost $39.50. They will be available from school, the week prior to school starting.

Students can prepay, if they wish, from now on and the pack will be ready to collect when the students arrive at school on Wednesday 1^st February 2012.

For Year 8 students in 2012, we have included the stationery list with this newsletter to assist families planning for the start of the new year.

YEAR EIGHT SCHOOL UNIFORM

A reminder to all parents that we discourage students writing on any part of their school uniform. This can tend to happen towards the end of the year.

 If you would like, we accept all items of school clothing in good condition from year eight students on the last day of school. These students are then permitted to wear their own clothes for this day. The uniform that is handed in on this day is either sold at the beginning of next year as part of our second hand uniform or given to families where there are particular needs.

 UNIFORM SHOPPE PAPATOETOE – has relocated to 376 Great South Road. [Opposite Papatoetoe Central School].

 TERM 3 SPORTS REPORT

This term we took part in Netball ( both boys and girls) basketball, Rugby League ( both girls and boys) and Volleyball

The Girls Netball was at the Bader Courts and the Yr7 were coached by Mata Magalei and the Yr8s by Molly Perese. The girls played really well. The year 8 Girls came first and the Yr7 girls came second .At the Auckland Championship the Yr 7 girls came 5^th and the year 8 girls came 6^th Well done to both teams and coaches.

The Boys netball was at Bader Courts and the Yr 8 Boys netball team won . They were coached by Molly Perese. The Yr 7 boys where coached by Mata Magalei and came 2^nd   They also went to the Interzone where the Yr 8 boys came 9^th and the Yr 7 boys came 10^th

The Boys and girls Basketball also played this term. They played at Alan Brewster. The Girls team was coached by Villi Magalei and they played well. They came first. The Boy’s team was coached by Bonnie Naera did well also and were placed third .

 For the Rugby League this term the Boys teams were coached by Sione Falefata and Villi Magalei.

The Boys under 55kg and the Open Weight played really well In the Zone competition. The Open came third and the U55kg came fourth. The Girls teams an Open Weight and a U55kg did not have a zone competition and as a result went straight through to the Interzone .   The Open team came second and the U55kg came third. They were coached by Villi Magalei.

The Boys and Girls Volleyball was also played this term. The Girls had a false start with the date as Allan Brewster was double booked. This means that not all the teams took part on the day. The girls did really well and came third. They were coached by Villi Magalei The Boys volleyball also had a change of date so not all the teams took part either. The boys played well but were unplaced. They were coached by Lianne Baker.

A lot of time and effort was put in by both coaches and children for all the Zone competitions and the results were good to see. Well done to everyone.

Tena Koutou

Nga mihi mahana, nga mihi hari ki a koutou katoa

WELCOME

We welcome all our 2012 new Year 6 students, their parents and caregivers, with this newsletter, to Papatoetoe Intermediate School. All year six students enrolled with us will receive two newsletters during this term, as an introduction to our school and the different events that are happening here. We trust that you will thoroughly enjoy your next two years with us and the exciting challenges that come with moving to Intermediate school.

There are still a number of Year 6 students who have not as yet enrolled for Intermediate School for 2012. If you are living in our school zone and have not returned your enrolment form to Papatoetoe Intermediate School, can you please do so by the end of November. Thank you.

PARENT MEETING - for parents of all students in year six at our contributing schools.

We are holding our first parent meeting to meet with our new year six parents on Tuesday 1^st November at 6.30p.m. All year six parents are invited to attend this meeting to be held in our school hall. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss our digital learning and explain the school work that your children will be doing when they join us next year. All new parents and caregivers are most welcome. Please come up our driveway and park on the netball courts for this meeting.

EVERY CHILD EVERY DAY

Papatoetoe Intermediate School has set an attendance goal for this year of every child attending school every day. Thank you to all of our parents who have supported us with this goal. Please remember that school starts at 8.30a.m. each morning and all students are expected to be in class by the 8.30a.m. bell.

NEW START TO THE TERM

Thank you for the great start to this, our last term of the year.

A couple of very important reminders;

• All students should now be in summer uniform

   [sandals or black leather lace up shoes]

• Students are encouraged to wear sunhats when

   outside [plain, solid single colour hats in black or blue].

• Please do not drop students you have brought to school

   inside our school grounds. This is a safety issue due to

   the large number of students and staff on our school

   site.

• Be careful if parking in Motatau Road or Great South

   Road as the parking wardens have the responsibility of

   enforcing all road rules around school entrances.

• If you are travelling overseas with your son or daughter

   please write a letter to school [Principal] requesting

   leave from schoolwork for the time you will be away.

Congratulations to Bhavishna Pratap Room 25 for winning first prize in the Hindi Diwas- Hindi  Oratory Contest held at Papatoetoe High School. Bhavishna talked on Child Abuse

Congratulations to the following students who succeeded in the recent Australian Maths Exam –

Credit - Ryan La, Jack Le, Sarah Trenberth, Isha Patel, Mukti Rathod, Ravishant Shankar, Jobandeep Singh, Kanav Singh, Kevin Tang and Sabina Yang.

Distinction – Bradley Southgate.

Congratulations to Vivian Chhau, for achieving a Distinction in the ICAS English Competition and to Victoria Lu for achieving a Credit.

Congratulations to the following students who have received a Silver Bar this year. A Silver Bar is awarded after a student has received 10 badges.

Benaiah Tuigamala, Ravishank Shankar, Elizabeth Leka, Folou Fifita, Jobandeep Singh, Cong Ma, Ailen Suarez, Mukti Rathod, Deepal Prasad, Kanav Singh, Ba Phi Pham, Minute Maukeni, Wayne-Marie Brown, Josie Gin, Antonio Afualo, Shafeel Khan, Si Ngo, Balkar Gill and Sabina Yang.

FOTS RAFFLE RESULTS

Thank you to FOTS and to the school community for all the support. The total raised was $4897.00.

PB4L

Papatoetoe Intermediate is a Sunsmart

School.

This term our students will be taking part in Sunsmart Activites and will be made aware of how crucial it is to be Sunsmart in New Zealand.

[A copy of the full Lesson Plan is available from our school office on request].

We ask that students wear school hats during terms 1 and 4 while outside in our school grounds.

YEAR EIGHT CATCH UP CLASSES

All year eight students are invited to consider joining one of these catch-up classes before the end of the year. These classes are for students who are working between 3P and 4P in reading, writing or numeracy and are to ensure that the students reach 4A by the end of year eight.

These classes will run from week one to week five; for five sessions.

Students need to arrive on time, ready to work in this subject area. Students can choose to do more than one subject if they need to.

Interesting research finding ..

The Competent Children Competent Learners study has traced around 500 children in the Wellington region from just before they started school, to age 20. It has looked at the impact of early childhood education and then after educational experiences and time use out of school on children’s development. It has monitored the development of skills such as reading and writing, and also attitudes such as perseverance and curiosity. When they returned to the participants at age 20, the researches looked at how the young people had got on with NCEA. They looked at the impact of earlier school performance, engagement in school and their experiences of learning.

Some key findings included –

• More than half those with low performance at age

   8 went on to gain NCEA Level 2 or Level 3. That

   means that children’s support from teachers and

   parents, the learning opportunities they had in and

   out of school and their interactions with teachers,

   parents and peers, enabled them to make real

   progress.

• Those who gained NCEA Level 2 did not necessarily

   have higher levels of mathematics, reading, writing

   or logical problem solving at age 14 than those whose

   highest qualification was NCEA Level 1, or who did

   not gain any qualification. But they did have higher

   levels of perseverance, communication, social skills,

   curiosity and self-management.

• The period from age 10 to age 14 appears to be a

   time when it is particularly important for teachers

   and parents to watch for signs that children are

   turning away from school and learning. This applies

   as much to high performers at school as low

   performers. It was clear how deeply memories of

   school at this time can colour later attitudes to

   learning.

A short summary of these and their findings is available on the NZCER website at: www.nzcer.org.nz/research/competent-chiren-competent-learners

A day at The Cloud

NUMBER ONE SHOES MANUKAU – now have in their store a poster of the shoes acceptable for students to wear to Papatoetoe Intermediate School.

If you present the enclosed letter to them when purchasing a pair of shoes you will receive a further 10% discount on your purchase.

GOOD NEWS ................

LEWIS EADY COMPETITION

On Saturday 27^th August, the Papatoetoe Intermediate School competed in the annual Lewis Eady Music Competition under the Management of Mrs Bashnee Naidu and the Conducting of Mr Phillip Beilby.

It was a huge day and a great success! The Jazz Band won SILVER and Basant Singh our Soloist, also won SILVER. A very proud day, and a fantastic achievement!

CONGRATULATIONS to

• Bhavishna Pratap – Room 25. Bhavishna came 2^nd in the

   APPA Hindi Oratory Contest held at Mission Heights

   College on 25^th August.

• Philip Turua – Room 5. Phillip represented Papatoetoe

   Intermediate School as a Soloist at the APPA Choral

   Evening on Thursday night 25^th August.

• Spencer Symons who placed second at Auckland Speech

     Competition. Spencer speech was titled ‘The End of The

     World’.

• Girls Rugby League team who were placed second in the

   Auckland Rugby League Championships.

HOW WILL PB4L HELP MY CHILD?

At Papatoetoe Intermediate School we are aiming to promote positive student behaviour by applying effective school-wide behaviour systems.

PB4L boosts student engagement in learning by increasing attendance and improving student behaviour. It is a structure that helps us to deliver highest quality learning programs to improve student academic and behavioural learning.

This structure helps us to develop positive and respectful relationships through ongoing consultation with, and decision making by, parents, students, community and all staff.

We are inviting our parents and the community members to join us in developing a caring culture where students, staff and parents/caregivers feel valued and the whole school community feels safe.

If you are interested in joining us please contact Mrs Rosita Ivoghlian at school.

Congratulations to the following students who after receiving a STAR nomination were successful in the Assembly draw this month – Prashneel – Room 12, Daejah for Trust – Rm 12, Tania for Attitude and Respect – Rm 9 and Matt Lomax for Attitude – Rm 4.

FAREWELL

We farewelled Mrs Loiusa Zhang from our Language Centre last Friday. Mrs Zhang has worked as a support person for our ELL learners for a number of years. Her support of our Chinese students and her work with various cultural groups will be sadly missed. Unfortunately, due to ill health she has been required by her doctor to give up work. We wish her all the very best for her future.

Kia Ora Koutou Katoa,

Off the bus and onto the stage, the Kapa Haka group not only looked spectacular, they sounded spectacular. So spectacular, their performance gave people goose bumps all over.

Though there were no winners for the day because of the absence of the other schools, Papatoetoe Intermediate shone. From the time they got onto the stage, to the time they got off the stage, they were well behaved. Your students represented your classes, the school, your whanau (family) so well that there were high praises from the Kaumatua  (Maori Elder) and the Principals represented there including our own Principal, Dr. Brian Hinchco.

With the supporting class, Room 22, the haka was a real surprise for the audience. Mainly because of the amount of non Maori students performing the haka. Even though Grayson Toilolo, had literally no voice left to lead the haka for room 22, he took off his shirt and gave it all he could.

The parents, Ms Barnett, Ms Matiu, Mr Le Grice and Dr Brian Hinchco were very proud of all the students.

As the teacher of room 22 and the Tutor of the Kapa Haka Group, I was immensely proud of each and every one of the students.

A special thank you to the wonderful ladies who helped dress the Kapa Haka students, Ms Matiu, Ms Lolesi and Ms Barnett.

To Mr Le Grice, thank you for being the mouthpiece I needed because I was not feeling 100%.

He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Arohanui

Margie Le Grice

THE CLOUD

On Tuesday the 6^th of September, a group of 400 students from Papatoetoe Intermediate were given the opportunity to visit the Pasifica forum at The Cloud built on the Queens Wharf. 12 students had the honour of asking ex- All Black players Va’ainga Tuigamala, Eroni Clarke, Michael Jones and Olympic discus champion Beatrice Faumuina a question. A few messages that went around about leadership were -

• Choose your friends wisely.

• Never give up, no matter what the obstacles are

• T.E.A.M - Together Everyone Achieves More

• With hard work, dedication and the right support you can

   achieve your dreams.

When asked who is going to win the Rugby World Cup, the general consensus was the All Blacks. However Eroni Clarke summed it up nicely by replying – ‘hopefully rugby wins’.

The Cloud is a magnificent structure built on the Queen’s wharf with a length of 178.5 metres, which can fit up to a total of 5960 people. The building has a safe and detailed framing of wood and steel. The whole construction of the cloud took up to 9.8 million dollars.

While we were in The Cloud we had the opportunity to have a look around at the exhibits that they presented to us.

Through out the day we took the chance to look around at the gateway plaza at the Wynyard Quarter and had a look at what the plaza had to offer us.

To sum it up we had a great time meeting the former all blacks and Olympic champion. Seeing new things from The Cloud and the Wynyard Quarter that amazed us. We had an experience that we will never forget.

By Priyanka and Basant

Room 11

FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL RAFFLE

The Friends of the School are holding their ‘every second year’ school food hamper raffle. We are currently asking for food donations to put into the food hampers that are being raffled. Also each student has been issued with one five ticket raffle book to sell. Once the tickets have been sold could the raffle book butt and money please be returned to your child’s class teacher. The raffle will be drawn on the last Monday of this term. The funds raised from this raffle are being used to put up a shade cloth cover over the external courtyard of the library.

BUILDING WORK

The Ministry of Education has identified three of our new buildings as being ‘leaky buildings’. The first building to undergo extensive repairs is our school library. This work will start during these October holidays and this project will last until Christmas. During term four the library will be moved to our school hall and students will have full use of all of our library facilities from the hall. All activities that usually happen in the hall will be moved to our Gymnasium. Homework Centre will continue to operate three days a week from the Hall, one of our classrooms.

SCOUTS New Zealand is offering free trial memberships for one month to anyone interested in joining in this adventure. SCOUTS NZ has been providing outdoor opportunities for over 100 years. They have a passion for providing young people from all walks of life with new experiences, as well as encouraging personal development and community involvement.

If you would like to download a ‘free one month trial membership’ simply head to www.scouts.org.nz, click on ‘Join Now’ and fill out the details or call 0800SCOUTS to find your local group.

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

All Year 8 students should by now have their High School Enrolment well under way.

Please refer to No. 8 August newsletter detailing high school enrolments and contact numbers.

PAPATOETOE AFC YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

CONJUNCTION WITH NW FOOTBALL

Professional skill development, physical exercise, team and one to one training programmes for

Youth – 12 – 19 years and Junior 5 – 12 years. Both boys and girls

Contact Neil to Register for September school holiday training programmes

0276103381

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

STAFF ONLY DAY

A reminder that Papatoetoe Intermediate School is holding a Staff Only Day on Friday 9^th September.

We ask that students do not attend school on that day.

 SCHOOL’S TELEPHONE SYSTEM

We wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused during the first three weeks of term 3 because of our telephone system being down.  Due to circumstances beyond our control we had only one line in and out of the school which made it extremely hard for parents to ring in and contact us. 

 All things are now up and running as they should be so we do not envisage any further problems.

We thank you for your patience.

 CONGRATULATIONS

To Pikiteora Pokaitara – Room 5. Pikiteora has been awarded first place in a Creative Writing competition organised by the Auckland Libraries. Entrants were encouraged to write a story that had been passed down from a grandparent, a parent or any other whanau [family] member.

Pikiteora won the Junior English section.

 Congratulations to our SPEECH FINALISTS and WINNERS

Year 7

1^st   Angela Pesovski – Pollution

2^nd   Jacob McDougall – Why is family important?

3^rd   Beaula Elia – My family

Year 8

1^st Spencer Symons – The End of The World

2^nd   Mason Glenn – Why we should eat chocolate

3^rd   Katrina Faamoetauloa – Junk Food

 CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who were the winners of the Year 7 Rubbish Bin Art Design Competition.

Ruta Anae – Room 10, Rupa Singh – Room 3, Thornton Edmonds – Room 10, Vea Eke – Room 6, Adrienne Koliata – Room 6 and Lanuola Fesolai – Room 9.

These students will have the opportunity to work with Mr Van Schalkwyk and Mr Curham to decorate the school rubbish bins.

 NETBALL

This Year is the first year that all four of our teams have been selected to represent our Zone at the Auckland Championships.

Our students were a credit to the school – they played with sportsmanship and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

PB4L [Positive Behaviour For Learning] - is about Social competency and academic achievement. This initiative provides a broad range of strategies for achieving positive social and learning outcomes for all students. One of these strategies is the development of lessons which are taught by all teachers. Over the last few weeks these lessons have covered aspects such as wearing our uniform correctly and expected classroom relationships.

 Another initiative has been the development of Papatoetoe Intermediate as a STAR school focusing on all aspects of Safety, Trust, Attitude and Respect. In order to have a positive learning environment; we have a system of fostering good behaviour by nominating the students and the staff who are demonstrating positive behaviour in every aspect of school life.

 At the end of term two the winners of ‘STAR’ classroom awards were, Room 22 in year eight and Room 8 in year seven. Congratulations to these two classrooms. Congratulations to the following students who have received STAR Nominations this term – Trust     - Richard – Room 25

Attitude - Thornton – Room 10 and Musheerah – Room 21

Respect – Sophie – Room 4

 PB4L committee is looking for members of our parent community to join this part of our school life. The PB4L team meets one Tuesday morning per month. If you might be interested in joining us for these discussions please contact Mrs Rosita Ivoghlian at school – 2789763 Ext 715.

 FOTS [Friends Of The School]

 The FOTS Committee met on Tuesday evening for their monthly meeting. So far this year our FOTS have funded –

• $500.00 towards musical instruments

• Student assembly prizes and

• had computer shelves built in each classroom.

 Their main goal this year is to pay for a new shade cloth area over the library’s external courtyard. To raise funds for this project the FOTS are running their food hamper raffle from Monday 12^th to Monday 26^th September.

 In early September FOTS will be asking for food donations to create the hampers for raffling.

DELIVERING STUDENTS TO SCHOOL

Thank you to the families who are following our signs out at the gates and are dropping students outside the school gate. We are aware how tempting it is to drive your child into school and pick them up from inside the school gates in this wet weather.

We have a school roll of 840 students and it is just not safe to have parents’ cars inside the school gates during these busy times.

Thank you for your co-operation.

 ALL THE BEST

To our Choir who are performing this evening at the Papatoetoe Choral Festival. Our students are joining with all the Papatoetoe Schools to perform at the Telstra Clear Stadium.

 Also to our 17 individuals and groups who are performing at the Lewis Eady Music Competitions on Saturday afternoon. We wish them all the very best as they take part in this prestigious event.

 HUNTERS PLAZA SCHOOL REWARDS CAMPAIGN

On Monday 29 August, the popular Hunters Plaza ‘School Rewards’ program will commence, where schools in Papatoetoe and the immediate surrounding suburbs have the chance to win a prize pool of $10,000 cash. 

 The school who collects the most ‘School Rewards’ dollars in relation to the number of students at their school at the conclusion of the promotion will be the Winner of $5,000. Second will receive $3,000 and Third $2,000.

 Participation is easy – and you can enlist the support of your wider community to help boost your points.

 All parents and supporters have to do is collect Hunters Plaza purchase receipts and take them to the customer service desk opposite Dunkin Donuts where staff will exchange them for ‘School Rewards’ dollars.  For every dollar spent within Hunters Plaza including Kmart and Countdown, you will receive the same value in ‘School Rewards’ dollars. 

 You then deposit your ‘School Rewards’ dollars in the entry box with your school’s name on it.

 The ‘School Rewards’ program will run from Monday 29 August – Sunday 2 October 2011. 

 STUDENT IMMUNISATION

Papatoetoe Intermediate are required to note on students files their Immunisation records.

Please send to school with your child a copy of their Immunisation Certificate. If you do not have a copy you can get one from your GP.

If your child is not immunised please state this on the proforma below.

QUILTS FOR KIDS FIRST    

 In term 2, our Year 8 Fabric Technology classes had ‘poverty’ as their theme for their projects.

 Students from rooms 12, 21, 24 and 29 made quilts for needy babies in our community.

These were presented to Victoria White from Kids First Hospital at our Year 8 Assembly on Wednesday 24^th August.

 HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

All Year 8 students should by now have their High School Enrolment well under way.

Please refer to No. 8 August newsletter detailing high school enrolments and contact numbers.

Kia Aroha College

Open Day Friday 26 August 2011

This is an exciting new option in Manukau, created by the merger of Clover Park Middle School and Te Whanau o Tupuranga In January 2011. The new school, named Kia Aroha College, is located at 51 Othello Drive, Manukau. There is no school zone and no school fees to pay.

Kia Aroha College offers a full secondary curriculum from Years 7 to 13 in a designated character, Maori , Samoan, Tongan, and Cook Island Maori bilingual programmes. 

Kia Aroha are holding an OPEN DAY for parents and prospective students from 9.30am to 12.3pm on Friday 26 August. Kia Aroha visited Papatoetoe Intermediate on Tuesday of this week. Information packs are now available from our school office.

Please phone the Kia Aroha College school office on 2745807 for an enrolment pack.

 JUNIOR TOUCH MODULE

To be played at the Papatoetoe Sports Centre. You can register a team or as an individual and be put into a team.

Registration – 5^th, 12^th and 17^th September – 5.30 – 7.00 p.m.

Please contact Edie-May Johnson – 0212334177 for further details

 SOFTBALL

If you are looking for a summer sport to play. Why not give T Ball/Softball a go?

T Ball Grade – 4 – 10 years

Junior Grade – 11 – 19 years.

Musters are at the Otahuhu Softball Clubrooms, Sturges Park, 25A Fort Richard Road – 3^rd and 4^th September and 10^th and 11^th September. 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

For further information please contact Sally Hoani – 2762437 or 0273150585.OR Priscilla Niuia – 021430459

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 IMMUNISATION RECORD – please complete this slip and return to your classroom teacher

 Name __________________________________________                  Room _____

 Signed _________________________________________ Parent/Guardian