A holiday thought to ponder

Fri Sep 30 03:25pm

Dear Parents

Term 3 has now come to an end. I hope you have a stress free break with you children and it gives you time to connect and have some fun.

Thank you for participating in the the student led conferences. I hope you were able to learn a little more about what goes on in your child’s classroom and I’m sure all students enjoyed sharing some of their successes with you.

Finally, I would like to leave you with a thought. A very wise woman, Mrs Bradbury, shared this with me the other week. It made me reflect as a dad and helped to reinforce the important role we have as parents and guardians.

I would like to offer you one idea to ponder. 

Prepare your child for the path, not the path for the child.

Let me explain this a bit more by you guessed it, with a long protracted analogy! Well not too long.!!

A few years back, scientists got together and created what is called the Biosphere. In short, it’s a miniature version of our planet, constructed for scientists to study how the planet’s living systems actually work. The long term plan is to have one of these in space. Learnings from this tiny planet enabled scientists to innovate and come up with new ideas related to the growth of plants. But as with life, one of the most important learnings came about completely by accident and it related to the role of wind in a tree’s life. 

So to cut a long analogy short…this is what happened. Because of the perfect conditions created in the Biosphere, trees grew faster than they would in the wild. This was quite exciting to the scientists until the trees started falling over. It took a bit of time for the scientists to understand why this happened…surely when you give a tree all it needs it should grow tall and strong?? Turns out the one thing that wasn’t in the Biosphere was the one thing the trees actually needed – trees need wind to stand tall and not topple over. 

When plants and trees grow in the wild, the wind constantly keeps them moving. This causes a stress in the wooden load bearing structure of the tree. So, to compensate, the tree manages to grow something called stress wood. This stress wood usually has a different structure and is able to position the tree where it’d get the best light.This is the reason why trees are able to contort in all sorts of strange ways.

So…what can we learn from this…kids need to face and solve challenges themselves to develop resilience and grit.  They need wind.

Where do we come in….well …it’s our collective job to Prepare our children for the path, not the path for our children.

Don’t try to sweep the path so your children have nothing in their way, don’t always rush in when they encounter challenges, don’t always drop off your kids lunch when they forget their lunch box, don’t always make everything ok. Instead, see the challenges they face as ways in which your child can grow, see the challenges as ways that will teach your child what it takes to live in our world, what it takes for them to be like the trees that grow strong and resilient.

Ngā mihi nui

Ed Roper

Disco

Fri Sep 23 04:46pm

Dear Parents

I believe there have been some students who have paid for disco but didn’t receive a ticket. If this has happened to your child please don’t worry. Please turn up at the disco and this problem will be all sorted out at the door.

Have a great long weekend.

Ed Roper

Yearbook Cover Competition

Fri Sep 23 01:55pm

Calling All Shelly Park School Kids!

 

All Shelly Park School students are invited 

to enter the:

Design a Cover for the Shelly Park School Yearbook Competition.

We are looking for designs to put on the front and back covers of the 

Shelly Park School 2022 Yearbook.  

The theme is ‘Life at Shelly Park’

Get creative and get busy over the rest of Term 3 and the holidays.

Cover designs are to be done on A4 paper with first and last name

 and room number clearly written on the back.

Please hand the cover designs to the school office by

 Friday 21st October

School Newsletter

Wed Sep 21 03:33pm

Dear Parents

There is some important information in the school newsletter this week. I have just uploaded this to the school app and website.

Kind regards

Ed

Government Update

Mon Sep 12 08:08pm

Dear Parents

This afternoon the Prime Minister made some adjustments to the Covid settings.

Masks are no longer recommended. Of course, students are more than welcome to continue wearing masks but masks are only required in a health setting like hospitals, GP clinics etc.

Students will still have to isolate if they have Covid for 7 days. House hold contacts only need to test daily (for the first 5 days) and can come to school if the test is negative. We will NOT require evidence of this.

Lastly, there will be a public holiday on Monday 26 of September. This is the last Monday of this term. Remember, we also have a Teacher Only Day on Tuesday 27th, so enjoy an extra long weekend.

Ngā mihi

Ed Roper

Fun Fest Mufti Day – Opposite Day

Mon Sep 12 11:09am

Dear Parents

Another reminder about the Fun Fest Opposite Mufti Day. 

Please see details on the attached flyer.

 

Opposite Day

Student Led Conference

Mon Sep 12 10:58am

Dear Parents

Just a reminder that you can book your student led conference at 10 am this morning. 

Go to: http:www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

Enter the school code:       b5ezu

Follow the instructions to enter your name, your child’s name and your email address. Then select the year level (1 – 6) and choose from the list of teachers to find your child’s teacher.

You will then see a timetable showing the available times. Select the time that suits you. You may only meet with your classroom teacher as we simply don’t have the time for multiple booking slots. If your child attends Mrs Brown’s Literacy Programme, or you would like to talk with the principal then these slots will be available to you. 

When you have completed your Student Led Conference booking, details will be emailed to you. You can return to the website and change your Student Led Conference booking at any time.

Regards

Ed Roper

Lost Hearing Aid Device

Fri Sep 09 03:05pm

Good afternoon parents/caregivers

A student’s hearing device, that hangs off a lanyard, has been lost somewhere at school. It looks like a necklace and it could easily be mistaken for one.

If by some chance it mistakenly turns up at your house can you please bring it back to school. 

Thank you

Coram Bradbury

 

 

 

 

Whittakers Chocolates

Fri Sep 09 12:38pm

Dear Parents

Firstly, thank you to all those families that have sold the Whittakers Chocolate bars. This has been a great fundraiser for the school and the money we have raised will be put into projects that benefit our students. 

We currently have 90 boxes of chocolates that have not been paid for. If you took one of these boxes could you please send the money back to school ASAP as we have deadlines with Whittakers to meet. 

Kind regards

PTA

Fun Fest Mufti Day – Friday 16th of September

Fri Sep 09 08:48am

Please see the attached flyers for our next exciting Fun Fest Mufti Day.

 

 

Opposite Day

Opposite Day

Newsletter

Wed Sep 07 03:56pm

Dear Parents

The newsletter has now been published on the school app and website.

Have a great afternoon.

Ed Roper

School Lunch Orders

Mon Sep 05 02:48pm

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Over the past couple of weeks we have had an unusually high number of students coming to the office saying they had a lunch order. When we check the orders they have not been on the list indicting an order was not placed.

Please note, when you place a lunch order you will get an automatic confirmation email. If there is no email, there has been no order placed.

Thank you

Coram Bradbury

Book Week – Curious Creatures 19-23 September

Mon Sep 05 09:27am

The second to last week of Term Three (19 -23 September) is Book Week. The theme for Book Week this year is Curious Creatures. During the week classes will be working with their buddy class reading and exploring lots of stories about Curious Creatures.

On Friday 23rd September at 9.30am we have a Book Week parade under the canopy. Parents are welcome to attend.. All students should come dressed as any book character. It would be great if they could also bring along the book that their character comes from. 

This does not need to be a fancy, expensive or time consuming costume. Be creative and see what you can come up with from items that you already have at home. 

Teacher Only Day

Tue Aug 30 12:16pm

Dear Parents

I understand there is a bit of confusion around the up coming Teacher Only Day. We WILL be having a Teacher Only Day on Tuesday 27 September. There will be NO Teacher Only Day on October 21.

This is correctly showing in the calendar on the app and on the school website.

Kind regards

Ed Roper

Whittakers Chocolates

Fri Aug 26 03:56pm

Dear Parents

If you would like to sell any additional boxes of chocolates the last day to order these is Monday, 29th of August. 

All money needs to be collected and handed back to the office, or on Kindo by Friday, 3rd of September.

Just a reminder that boxes that have been opened, and have unsold chocolate bars in them, cannot be returned.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

A couple of things.

Thu Aug 25 03:21pm

Dear Parents

We are having our first whole school assembly tomorrow in our revamped hall. We will have very limited space in the hall for parents as it’s a tight squeeze when all the children sitting down. We will try and get one row of chairs at the back of the hall for you but you may be required to watch from the foyer area if you decide to come. 

Secondly, I have attached a flyer for a parent workshop at Howick College on Tuesday, 30th of August. The workshop is around growing emotional resilience in your children.

Lastly, just another plea to parents when picking up children at the end of the day. Please do not park over driveways, yellow lines or pull into driveways to do a U-turn. This is happening on a regular basis and it really is just a matter of time before there is an accident outside our school. Please be extra careful on a day like today when its wet and windy.

Your help with this is much appreciated.

Have a good afternoon

Ed

Parent Workshop

Daffodil Day and Dance Festival

Tue Aug 23 12:50pm

Dear Parents

We are supporting the Cancer Society this year with the selling of daffodil ribbons in return of a gold coin donation. The daffodil is a ‘symbol of hope’ and we are encouraged to wear the ribbon all day. Our donations help the Cancer Society fund research into the causes and treatment of cancer. Children can come to school wearing green and yellow mufti clothes this Friday, 26 August.

I am aware that we have had a number of mufti days this year due to it being a gala/fun fest year. While we do want to support this cause it is completely optional for you to purchase a yellow ribbon. 

I was lucky enough to witness our dance group preform at the HPPA Dance Festival at Somerville Intermediate last night. A big congratulations to Mrs Hales and the girls for a polished performance that was full of energy. Well done girls and good luck for your second performance tonight.

Kind regards

Ed Roper

Latest Update from the PTA including Whittaker’s Chocolates.

Fri Aug 19 09:01pm

UPCOMING KEY DATES:

Whittaker’s Chocolates Fundraiser
This Friday the 18th we will be sending home a box of 36 Whittakers Chocolate slabs in a variety of flavours for you to
sell for $2 each. One box per family will be sent home unless you request otherwise. Money can be returned via Kindo or
cash to the school office, with the school earning $30 per box sold. There will be a $100 Prezzy Card prize to whoever
sells the most, as well a prize draw for anyone who sells at least one box. This fundraiser is optional, if you would like to
opt out please email pta@shellypark.school.nz
Please note we cannot return partially sold boxes. If there are families who received a box of chocolates, and wished to opt out, please do no open your box of chocolates as we can’t return opened boxes. Just return your unopened box to school on Monday. Your support with this fundraiser is greatly appreciated.

Fun Fest Volunteers
We are in need of more volunteers to help coordinate the fun zones, if you are able to help please get in touch with the
PTA.

Brainathon
A reminder that Brainathon money can be paid via Kindo or by cash to the school office.

Yummy Stickers
The Yummy Apple Sticker Promotion has come to an end, Please return all completed collection sheets to your
classroom teacher.

Entertainment Book
Thank you to those who have recently purchased an entertainment book. The PTA truly does appreciate the extra funds
that the school gains from each purchase. All memberships last 12 months from the date of purchase.
Every membership sold gives 20% back to our school! Please support our school with this fundraiser, and share this
link with family, friends and work colleagues. Use this link to find out more! https://nz.entdigital.net/orderbooks/954z61

Monthly meetings
A reminder that all parents are automatically members of the PTA and encouraged to join us for our monthly meetings to
hear from Ed & the Board of Trustees about what is happening at the school, and find out what fundraising activities are
planned for the months ahead.

Fun Fest Mufti – Wear your favourite colour!

Wed Aug 17 09:17am

Dear Parents

Please find attached the latest theme for the Fun Fest Mufti Day, this Friday 19th of August. I do realise that we have had a number of mufti days lately. However, this really does support the PTA with their organisation and budgeting for our Fun Fest on November 13th. 

Thank you for your support. 

Ed Roper

 

View PDF

School Happenings

Tue Aug 16 05:31pm

Dear Parents

HPPA Cross Country:

I was a very proud, if not slightly embarrassed, principal today. Our cross country team competed in the HPPA Inter School Competition. There were 6 events  – Year 4 Boys and Girls – Year 5 Boys and Girls and Year 6 Boys and Girls. I know Miss Higham will send out a more detailed report, but Shelly Park won 5 of the 6 events and came third in the other one. What this shows is that hard work pays off. The team have been training for several weeks. It was so impressive seeing the students working together and pushing each other on to do their best.

Mask wearing:

Thank you for assisting the school with mask wearing this term. Moving forward we are recommending that students, in Years 4-6, wear masks while in an indoor setting.

If your child is unwell we also ask that they are kept home until they are better. I am hopeful that with spring on the way winter illnesses, that have disrupted a lot of the country, are behind us and we can look forward to the warmer weather that is to come.

Fun Fest:

Finally, if you are able to assist with the Fun Fest (Sunday 13, November) I know that there are still some roles that need filling. If you could get in touch with the PTA -pta@shellypark.school.nz – they will be able to give you more information about the roles that still require volunteers. The more people we can get involved in the Fun Fest, the easier it will be on everyone.

Kind regards

Ed Roper

Shelly Park Football Success

Thu Aug 11 06:28pm

The Shelly Park Boys Football Team won the inter school competition today. We were top of our pool and then won the final on a penalty shoot out. A very exciting day. Well done boys.

We have the girls competition coming shortly.

Newsletter

Wed Aug 10 04:00pm

Dear Parents

The Newsletter is now out. You can find this on the app on on the school website. 

Kind regards

Ed Roper

Board of Trustees Members

Mon Aug 08 03:42pm

Dear Parents

The nomination process closed for the Board of Trustees last Wednesday. We had 5 nominations for the 5 places available. Due to this there is no requirement for a vote so the Board has now been decided. 

Please see below your new school Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees Members

Regards

Ed Roper

Kelly Sports After School Programme

Mon Aug 01 02:38pm

Dear Parents

Please see attached the details for the Kelly Sports After School Programme.

Kelly Sports

Board Applications

Mon Aug 01 01:28pm

Dear Parents

This is a friendly reminder that if you would like to send in a nomination form for yourself, or would like to nominate someone else for the School Board of Trustees, then these must be into the school office by 12pm on Wednesday, 3rd of August.

Kind regards

Ed Roper

Compulsory Mask Wearing – First 4 Weeks of Term 3

Fri Jul 22 12:28pm

Dear Parents

After reviewing advice that has come from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education our school Board of Trustees has passed a motion that for the first 4 weeks of Term 3  masks must be worn by students in Year 3 and above in all indoor settings. 

We expect parents and whanau of Year 3 students and up to provide masks but the school will be able to give masks to some students whilst we have a supply. 

We know the combination of current illnesses together with COVID has put, and will put pressure on our collective school community.  To help mitigate illness, mask wearing, good ventilation plus active monitoring of our CO2 monitors will all help to protect each other from winter sickness.

Kind regards

Coram Bradbury

Board of Trustees’ Election

Thu Jul 07 05:10pm

Board of Trustees’ Election

Nominations are invited for the election of five (5)
parent representatives to the Board of Trustees.

A nomination form and a copy of this notice will be
posted to all eligible voters.

Nomination forms can be obtained from the school
office.

Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 3rd August
2022 and may be accompanied by a candidate’s
statement.

The voting roll is open for inspection at the school
and can be viewed during normal school hours.

There will also be a list of candidates’ names, as they
come to hand, for inspection at the school.

Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday 7th September 2022

 

Sue Richards

Returning Officer

Jumping for June

Thu Jul 07 09:30am

‘Jumping for June Prizes’ open Thursday 7th of July

Thank you to all the amazing Shelly Park children who participated and fundraised in Jumping for June. We have fundraised over $9,700 to date.  A special thanks to the Shelly Park School Leaders for their commitment 

to help other children and teachers during this time.

All children with a profile will be notified by email to order their prize through their profile page.  To order their prize, they need to log in during the prize ordering dates written below.  Once they log in, a pop up will appear advising them to ‘Order Prizes’. This will then allow them to select their prize.

Children will be able to order their prizes from Thursday 7th of July to Thursday, August 11th 2022. Prizes will arrive during Term 3.

It was wonderful to take part in such a worthy cause.  Children have enjoyed themselves skipping with their friends and classmates and Shelly Park School has received lots of new skipping ropes to use in the future.

Thank you.

 

 

Bread tags for wheelchairs

Thu Jul 07 09:27am

Bread tags for Wheelchairs

As of 1 September 2022, Bread tags for Wheelchairs will no longer be collecting plastic bread tags and bottle tops. This is due to the introduction of cardboard bread tags.

The final date for collection from Shelly Park is 27 July. 

Please keep collecting plastic bread tags and bottle tops throughout the holidays and send them in during the first week back.

Thank you all for your contributions to this worthy cause.

– Mrs Wansbury and the Kindness Club