|
Newsletter Term 3 No 9 - 29 September 2011 |
 |
Term 3 No 9 - 29 September 2011
|
Dear Parents
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
- Douglas Adams –
Last week I discussed the value of the Arts in education, and this term has been a real celebration of our children’s Visual Arts and Music. Today I wanted to mention something completely different, but no less impressive.
It is not often that you see impressive and authentic engineering projects at primary schools but two Year 6 classes took on a particular challenge over the past term, which culminated in a presentation to members of the Board of Trustees last Thursday morning.
Our Marvellous Makeover was the title of the presentation given by four of our students, on behalf of both classes. Their task was to create a viable project to further develop the ‘forest area’ behind rooms 7-10. This was an Inquiry Based Learning opportunity that soon gathered a life of its own. From the initial ignition point (a fantastic video produced by Year 6 staff) the children were fully immersed in the various stages of inquiry: wonderings, identification of issues, planning and researching, creating and presenting their new learning and thoroughly reflecting on the inquiry in order to take action.
If you have time to stop outside Room 6, you can see a visual representation of their journey. It tells only part of their journey but as you will see their final proposal to the BOT is thoroughly researched, impressive in its scope and vision and fully costed in a most professional manner. Their hope now is that the Trustees will find the financial resources to support this project, which, if completed, will create a fantastic addition to the physical and environmental aspects of this area of school…just what the junior school children said they wanted when they were interviewed by our seniors.
The children are also looking to obtain financial backing for the project through a Young Engineers competition The IPENZ Transpower Neighbourhood Engineers Awards. Finally we must say a big “thank you” to Toko Kofoed, Helen Evans and John McKenzie, these three parents lent their professional expertise and knowledge to the children to help inform their research.
Education Review Office
It has been a pleasure having our guests from the Education Review Office with us this week. Whilst they formally finish their visit today they will return tomorrow afternoon to debrief the Board of Trustees on some of their thoughts and findings.
It will be some weeks before the finalised written report is presented to the Board of Trustees and published for families on ERO’s website but we will ensure that all families are given full details at that time.
Kind regards
Allan Short
|
AFTERSCHOOL and HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES ETC
Community based groups have approached us to inform parents of various activities available locally.
- we also have a range of options offered by local providers in the foyer of the administration area of the school.These are available to view :
http://victoriaave.com/our-people/our-community
The Week Ahead:
Friday 30 Sept
Sausage Sizzle
Monday 12 Sept
BOT Meeting @ 7.30pm
Friday 7 Oct
• FUN DAY FRIDAY - gold coin for Starship!!
* Last day of Term 3 - school finishes at 3.00pm
School calendar is
on:
http://victoriaave.com/school-calendar
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
School Times
School starts: 8.50am
Interval: 10.40-11.00am
Lunch: 12.30-1.30pm
School finishes: 3.00pm
Stationery Sales
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8.30-8.45am
Uniform Shop
Fridays only: 8.30-9.00am
Orders and payments for uniform can be made online on our website http://victoriaave.com/school-shop
Lunch Orders
French Lunches: Tues only
Subway: Wed and Fri
Sushi: Thurs only
Order forms/Instructions
http://victoriaave.com/our-school/lunch-orders
School Banking Wednesdays before school in Room 4
Term Dates 2011
Term 3 Mon 1 Aug to Fri 7 Oct 2011
Term 4 Tues 25 Oct to Fri 16 Dec 2011
Term Dates 2012
Term 1 Thur 2 Feb to Thur 5 Apr 2012
Term 2 Mon 23 Apr to Fri 29 Jun 2012
Term 3 Mon 16 Jul to Fri 28 Sept 2012
Term 4 Mon 15 Oct to Tues 18 Dec 2012
|
Victoria Avenue School Speech Competitions:
Earlier this month our senior students presented speeches on a wide range of topics.
Here are the three finalists for you to enjoy:
First place and our representative at the Lions Speech Makers Competition:
Lauren P
Second Place:
Emma G
Third place:
Toby W
The Korean and Chinese students also competed and the following children gave excellent speeches in their own language:
Bill Wang won the VAS Chinese Language speech competition.
Ted Jung won the Koren language competition at school but was unable to attend the Korean Speech Zones Competition. Fortunately Alice Lee was able to attend this competitions and was placed second.
Congratulations to all participants!! |
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
|
|
