My name is Nick Kwasza I'm the Principal for the Day today. I became principal for a day because my Mum and Dad won the bidding at the Promises Auction. I have made it a mufti day. Another idea I had was to make it it a ‘wheels day’ but it was too short notice to organise.
So far today I have read to two classrooms [Room 9 and Room 11], done a building inspection, taught a class and I had morning tea in the staffroom. I am hoping to teach another class later on today.
The new buildings are looking very good they now have carpet and have been painted.
The best thing about being Principal is no school work.
Kind regards to all, Nick Kwasza
From Allan Short's Desk
Thinking Maps – Parent Workshop
On Wednesday 12th May we are running a Parent Workshop to discuss not only the introduction of Thinking Maps at VAS but also the research and pedagogy behind a real revolution in educational thinking. Over the past 20 years our knowledge and understanding of how individuals learn best has been transformed…we want to explain to you how brain research has impacted our teaching and learning at VAS.
This will hopefully be as fun as it is informative and in the past many parents have taken elements of the workshop away and used it in their own businesses and lives. The PTS will provide a few nibbles and drinks will be available. I hope many of you will take the opportunity to come along. In order to cater appropriately can you please rsvp to the school office
With the election coming up next week to select the new Board of Trustees I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two current BOT members who are stepping down from the Board. Tom Gordon and Gerard Brown. Both Tom and Gerard have their youngest child leaving Victoria Avenue School at the end of this year but their association with our school has been a long one.
Tom has been on the Board for two terms in office, a huge commitment. During my time here he has held the Personnel and Communications portfolios and I have appreciated his professionalism, enthusiasm and thoughtful approach to the job. Tom’s educational background has been of great worth to staff, BOT members and myself. His longevity on the BOT has also provided vital stability and continuity over the past six years.
Gerard was co-opted onto the BOT in 2008 to provide much needed legal expertise. His portfolio responsibility has been Policy where he has offered informed, practical and detailed advice. On a personal level he has been a valued sounding board for me on a number of legal matters. His commitment to our school has been absolute.
Both Tom and Gerard are characterised by their unswerving desire to really help make a difference to our school and their whole-hearted passion for VAS shines through. Both of them will tell you how rewarding being a trustee has been and on behalf of everyone at VAS I want to thank them for all that they have done.
Of course Rob Hamilton, Vlad Kozak and Garry Scarborough are all standing for re-election and we thank them too for their tireless efforts over the past three years. Their willingness to stand once again and offer their experience and expertise is much appreciated as is that of Sharon Reynolds who is nominated again as the elected staff representative. Much of the work of our BOT goes unnoticed but as Principal I am humbled by the contributions made.
Many schools around the country struggle to find people prepared to stand for BOT elections but we have 14 names in the ballot next week. I wish to say thank you to everyone who has put his or her name forward and I look forward to working for the next three years alongside those successful in the election next week.
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Staff Car Park
Please can I ask all parents to avoid using the staff car park prior to 4.00pm on a school day. As it is we do not have enough car parking spaces for every member of staff at our school, and several of the staff park cars on adjacent streets. Each car park space is reserved and it can be incredibly inconvenient when staff arrive to find their space taken. Likewise the 5min visitors’ parking spaces get abused resulting in cars getting blocked in. __________________________________________________________________________________
Uniform
Please can you ensure that your child is in the correct uniform every day. If you are unsure of the requirements a full uniform list is available here www.victoriaave.com/uniform. In particular socks and footwear are the most common items not conforming to the uniform code. Wearing the correct uniform displays a sense of personal pride in both the individual and the school. As parents you are responsible for ensuring that your child is appropriately dressed and we would welcome your support in this area.
PE UNIFORM UPDATE Unfortunately, due to fabric stockouts, the arrival of the new PE uniform is delayed. Our supplier expects delivery around 18 May. __________________________________________________________________________________
Calendar Dates
There are a few dates that we would like you to add or amend on the school calendar as follows:
Wed 12 May 2nd Hand Uniform sale 2.00-3.00pm. This is a new event to add to the calendar.
Sun, 16th May School Working Bee Time: 10:00 till 2pm
Thurs 27th May Kindy Kids morning tea 9.30-10.30am. This event will be advertised elsewhere by the PTS, it is an opportunity for parents with pre-school children to visit. The original date was 18th May; please amend.
21st – 23rd Sept Year 5/6 Performance The show dates as advertised in the directory (7- 9th Sept) have changed to allow additional weeks for preparation. __________________________________________________________________________________
Bubbledome After-School activity
Spaces strictly limited, get in now before you miss out!
NEW! After-School Computer Programme at Victoria Avenue School: Starting May 11th. Bubble Dome is launching an exciting new after school programme in 3D Animation, Games Design and Inventions at Victoria Avenue School this term on Tuesday afternoons for 8 weeks.
This is an 8-week programme, open for all students aged 6- 11 years interested in Computers, Art, Design, and Inventions. Students will be given a software list so they can continue using the software for their own school and personal projects providing hours of learning and creative opportunities! Spaces strictly limited. For questions Tel: 09-622-0670 or Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Visit: www.bubbledome.co.nz
Kind regards
Allan Short
Principal
Victoria Avenue School
Board of Trustees Elections
VOTING CLOSES
FRIDAY 7 MAY at NOON.
Due to a significant spelling error in the name of one of our candidates we have reissued a second voting paper.
Please use this yellow voting paper if you have not already voted. Click here to see the list of candidates.
Please ensure your completed voting paper is sent/brought to the school in the envelope marked VOTING PAPER provided in the first mail out. If there is no envelope your vote cannot be counted.
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Turtles from Room 21!
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Road Tip ~Respect the school patrol, cross on the crossing.
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Netball
Uniforms were handed out on Thursday. Please ensure the kit is kept in a good condition throughout the season.
Netball After School Netball Skills Sessions are being held at Windmill Rd in Mt Eden. Click here for more information.
Winter Exchange Teams
With the exception of the Football team all teams have been provisionally decided and have been practicing ready for our first games next Tuesday 4th May. Team lists will be posted on the website when they’ve all been finalised. Please check if your child’s name is there and ensure they have the correct gear on match days and practice days. Shirts will be provided on match days for Rugby, shirts and shorts will be provided for hockey and football. Netball players should wear the school netball kit that they play in outside of school on a Thursday.
If your child is currently playing for the school team can you please ensure you have completed the registration form and paid the $160 fees. This just applies to the Year 5 and 6 teams.
Basketball Results
The Year 6 basketball team had a very exciting game on Monday, they were slow to get going but once we did there was no holding the players back! A much improved game with some superb ball handling and goal scoring to be seen.
Magic Moment went to Ishan Naik for an awesome shot at the basket from outside the key.
Player of the match went to Ava Peters for her excellent defence and aggression on the court.
Vicky Ave Vikings
VAS Vikings game against St Ignatius was a no show. The game they played was fast moving with Georgia Devereux and Jan Carson scoring 6 points each. Sara Scoular, Luca Mercer and Fraser Nicholas scoring 2 points each. Georgia Devereux was Player of the Day with her great attacking. Memorable Moment went to Luca Meccer with his defensive work.
VAS Vipers played St Kents B and won 8 - 2. The team played really well and made big improvements in their passing game. Daniel Dance was Player of the Day for his big improvement over last week and Alice Foster got Memorable Moments for her attacking runs through the other team, as well as scoring one basket. Josh Kennard scored the other three baskets. A good game, following on from a good practice session! Great job Team!
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR TERM 2
Click here to see the clubs offered this term - there are still some spaces left in this term's clubs.
Please Note:
Chinese Kongfu classes with Joe's Classroom - PRICE REDUCTION!
Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 7.50 to 8.30am for 10 weeks in Term 2
The cost will be:
~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~
Last week Room 21 learnt why ANZAC day is such a special day for us as New Zealanders. Let us share some of our thoughts:
What does ANZAC day mean to us?
ANZAC day is a day to remember the New Zealand and Australian soldiers that fought and died in the war. In 1915 on April the 25th the New Zealand and Australian soldiers approached Gallipoli. As soon as they got off the boats they heard a crash, bang, deathly bombs hit the soldiers. The war had begun. Families wait for their loved ones to come home. Sometimes they don’t, they lie in peace in the Gallipoli grounds.
By Charlotte Holland
ANZAC day is a special day to remember the men who fought and risked their lives to give us freedom. In some countries they need to fight for freedom. I think it would actually be very scary! With poppies swaying in the wind and all the soldiers rest in peace and their family wait…they never come home. Bombs fire everywhere and that was the end of the soldiers that were there. By Angelina Dejong-Gover
How The War Started: The war started when Germany invaded France and France attacked them trying to protect their country and their allies, including the ANZACs were fighting for 4 years until Germany and Turkey gave up! Lots of people died, probably a lot more than 2000 people died for our free country. By Sam Jackson
The Poppy: The poppy is the most known flower from the war. Lots of soldiers died in Gallipoli where the wild poppies grew. Poppies are also remembered because they are red, the colour of the soldier’s blood. On ANZAC day some people wear poppies and go to the dawn parade with the brave, bold soldiers that gave their lives for us. By Emily Bashford
Soldiers:
Someone who cares for New Zealand Overjoyed when the war was over Loving and helpful Doesn’t give up Is brave and bold Enthusiastic and courageous Respects everyone By Ellie Cammell
~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~ ANZAC DAY ~ ROOM 21 ~
Yummy Stickers
Please keep collecting the Yunmmy Stickers. If you could download the sheet from the website and attach the stickers to it before returning them to school. We will win more sports equipment for the school!
School Working Bee
Date: Sunday, 16th May 2010
Time: 10:00 till 2pm
Come along and be involved in our School Working Bee, its going ahead rain or shine, your support will be much appreciated. Bring along your gardening tools. To register your interest please fill in the following form. Thank you.
Entertainment Books
Thank you to those who have returned or paid for their entertainment books. Please ensure books are returned/paid for by 4 May.
Thank you for your support for this fundraiser.
Girls Night Out!
Gather your girlfriends for a night out at a special screening of Letters to Juliet
at SkyCity Cinemas Newmarket on Wednesday 26 May.
Tickets are $20pp and include a glass of wine before the movie.
Tickets are limited so book now. Click here for more information.
