CHRISTIAN CULTURAL COMMITMENT

Friday June 10, 2005 Term 2 Issue 3

READING IS STEADILY IMPROVING
Since the end of 2002 the school has been testing children from year 2 to 8 on reading twice a year (in terms one and four) to measure progress. Whilst our children are very good at reading words, they often do not understand the meaning of the story. As part of the testing children have to be able to answer 7 or more of the 10 questions asked, to show that they understand what they have read.
The data at the end of 2002 showed that only 44% of children were reading at or above their chronological age (the actual age they are at the time of the test)
2003 At the start of the year 48% of students were reading at or above their chronological age. By term four this had risen to 62%
2004 At the start of the year 54% of students were reading at or above their chronological age. By term four this was 68%
2005 At the beginning of this year 63% of students were reading at or above their chronological age.
This continuing gain over the last three years is due to a lot of hard work by teachers, parents and of course children. It would be great to see 70% by the end of this year. Keep it up everyone.

LITERACY QUIZZ
A couple of weeks ago four students found themselves unexpectedly in Wellington at a regional primary/intermediate literacy quiz. It was very last minute, but our four young readers did very well for a first time effort.
Well done Brooke, John, Diana and Helen

LUNCHES
Next week we will be offering an addition to our lunches. A new low sugar/low fat dessert is being trialled as a lunchtime addition. This product will be sold on Wednesday along with the hotdogs, to see how it goes, for $1 and is really rather nice (a couple of us have tried the free sample).
At the moment we have a number of children ordering lunch and telling us that Mum or Dad will pay later. The school does not have a problem with this, however, we do need to have parental consent - you do not want to be faced with a bill for lunches that you know nothing about. If you want to order your child's lunch and need to pay later please just ring the school and let Adrianne or myself know. Thanks.

BREAKAGES
Over the past few weeks we have had a couple of windows and a light broken by children playing with balls in places they are not allowed to.
Two school rules that all children know (but some still manage to break) are:
" Large balls are not to be played with in the junior and senior courtyard (tennis balls are permitted)
" Balls are not to be played with inside

The cost of replacing windows is quite high and this comes out of our bulk grant. This money could be far better spent on teaching resources for the children.
If a window is broken because your child has kicked or thrown a ball in a place they shouldn't have, you will be billed $20 towards the cost of a new window.

PARENT INTERVIEWS
These will take place on Monday June 27 and Tuesday June 28. School will close early on the Monday so that interviews can begin around 2pm. A form will be sent home next week so you can select a time that will suit you.
Your child's assessment book will go home on Friday June 24, so that you are able to look at it over the weekend and their teacher can discuss with you the work that they are doing. The assessment books must be brought back to the interview

SCHOOL TERMS
For your information
2005
TERM 2 - Monday May 2 - Friday July 8
TERM 3 - Monday July 25 - Friday September 23
TERM 4 - Monday October 10 - Tuesday December 20
2006
TERM 1 - Tuesday February 7 - Thursday April 13
TERM 2 - Wednesday April 26 - Friday June 30
TERM 3 - Monday July 17 - Friday September 22
TERM 4 - Monday October 9 - Wednesday December 20

DISCO - St Bernard's College are holding a year 7/8 disco on Friday June 24 from 7 pm to 10pm at the Hutt City Musical Hall (corner of Mitchell St and Oxford Cres). Admission is by ticket only. These are $6 and can be purchased through the office here at school

AFTER SCHOOL CARE - Childzplay runs before and after school care. If you are interested in knowing more about this please contact Vanessa on 5866119 or 0211809300

HEALTHLINE - This is a 24 hour health advice telephone service which is available in the Wellington Region. This means that anyone can phone the toll free Healthline 0800 611116, from a landline or cellphone for health advice from a registered nurse, any time day or night. The nurse will not be able to diagnose what is wrong but will recommend the best course of action for you to take.

GENERAL ELECTIONS - A general election is being held later this year. To be eligible to vote you must be enrolled. If you have changed address since the last election you might not be enrolled. I have some enrolment forms at school for people who have not enrolled. You can also obtain them by calling 0800 367656 or going online at www.elections.org.nz

HOT TIPS ON RAISING GIRLS - I have often heard that boys are easier to raise than girls. I don't know as I had two daughters. We all managed to survive the teenage years and they are now settled and getting on with their lives, one is training as a veterinarian nurse in Palmerston North and the other is in marketing in Christchurch. A one evening seminar on raising girls is being held at Lane Park, 16-22 Lane St, Upper Hutt on Friday June 17 at 7.15pm. The course will be run by Naomi and John Cowan and is advertised as positive, practical and fun. The cost is $10 a person and this includes supper. For more information please contact Stephanie on 5288228.

ROAD SAFETY
Some reminders about road patrols at the crossings
" Road patrols will operate outside the school on Tocker and Cooper St.
" Parents must use the crossing when leaving the school with their children, it is a good way to teach them how to be safe, for when they walk to school by themselves
" Cars are not permitted to park on the broken yellow lines when collecting children

PIZZA ORDERS NEED TO BE IN NEXT TUESDAY - more order forms can be collected from Mrs Coffey

Orders for the maths computer game, Numbers Up, must be in by MONDAY JUNE 13.

God Bless you all, Linda and the staff
______________________________________________________________

I have read this weeks newsletter, June 10, 2005

Signed _____________________________________ (parent/caregiver)

Names of children in the family
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St Michael's Catholic Primary School
3 Cooper St, Taita, Lower Hutt City, New Zealand.
Ph (04) 567 1514