THIS WEEK’S DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
30 Jan – 03 Feb
Monday: First day of 2012 school year – School starts 8.55am
Wednesday: Sushi Lunch orders commence
Thursday: Meet the Team Years 3 & 4 - 6pm - Auditorium; School Banking (National Bank & Westpac)
Friday: Uniform Shop open - Auditorium - 8.30am

Please refer to the school’s Google Calendar that holds all our information throughout the year.

Welcome to Elmwood Normal School

Welcome to everyone who will be associated with the school for 2012. I was delighted to welcome back today our children and their families, for what we hope will be a settled year ahead. I would like to extend a special welcome to our new families and their children, who have joined us today and also to Jamie Lee who starts her teaching career in Room 18 today.

The school opened this year with a predicted roll of 470. This number is however considerably less than our start-up last year, however, we do anticipate that the school roll will climb to around 550 by the end of the year, as new entrant children and new families continue to join us throughout the year. The roll reduction had been anticipated due to the earthquake events over the last 16 months.

I trust that you all had some pleasurable times with families and friends over the holiday season, and that the recent earthquake aftershocks have not caused further damage. Clearly, we still have challenging times ahead and at Elmwood Normal the staff is mindful of the importance of ensuring that the children will start the new term with confidence about their safety and welfare.

I am pleased to report that the school did not receive any further damage during the most recent earthquakes. Ministry of Education appointed consultants were commissioned to inspect all schools and assess whether the schools are safe for the students and staff. Elmwood was inspected on 12 January 2012. No new damage, apart from a few minor leaks from water pipes was detected. Repairs to fix the leaking pipes have been completed, and there are no health and safety concerns at this time. Please note that if circumstances should change, a notice will be posted on the school’s website.

Thank you for supporting us to do the best we can for your children.

Kevin Gooch
Principal

WELCOME TO ELMWOOD’S NEW CHILDREN (30/01/12)
Welcome to the 28 new children who joined us today. We trust that you and your family enjoy a long and happy association with Elmwood Normal School.

ITINERANT MUSIC CLASSES (30/01/12)
The school offers after school music lessons in cello, violin, flute and clarinet. Today, letters have been distributed to all Y3 and 4 children and Y5 and 6 children who expressed an interest in auditioning for a place in one of these classes. If parents have not seen one of these letters and are interested in following up a place in a class, please contact Richard Oswin in the office post haste. Audition times will be as follows:
Clarinet - Monday, 13 February @ 9:00am
Flute - Monday, 13 February @ 2:15pm
Cello - Wednesday, 15 February @ 10:00am.
Violin - Thursday, 16 February @ 11:00am
It is helpful, if children can play a tune on the recorder, for them to bring their instrument to play for the tutor.
Children who are continuing with their lessons from last year, do not need to reapply for a place in a class.
Lessons for all classes will commence in the week beginning 20 February. Children will be notified of their lesson dates and times.
If there are any queries please contact Richard Oswin.

BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS (30/01/12)
Parents are reminded that children are to wheel bicycles and scooters within the school grounds. Please assist the school in ensuring that your children comply with this health and safety issue to avoid children being injured.

SUN SAFETY (30/01/12)
Children must wear their school sunhat during the first and fourth terms to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

MORNING TEA FOR PARENTS OF NEW CHILDREN TO ELMWOOD (30/01/12)
On Friday 17 February, immediately after assembly, there will be a morning tea in the auditorium foyer for parents of any new children to Elmwood. This is an ideal way to informally get to know other members of our school community.

MEET THE TEACHERS YEARS 1 AND 2 (30/01/12)
The Year 1 and 2 teachers will be holding their Meet the Teacher evening on Wednesday 15 February beginning at 6.00pm in the Classrooms.
Thanks from the Year 1/2 Team

MEET THE TEAM YEARS 5 AND 6 (30/01/12)
The Year 5 and 6 teachers will be holding their Meet the Team/Teacher evening on Thursday 09 February beginning at 6.00pm in the School Auditorium. This will continue on to the classrooms at approximately 6.20pm.
Thanks from the Year 5/6 Team

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & TEXT SYSTEM (30/01/12)
Pleased be advised that the school’s emergency procedures are tested and proven. Last year, the school set up a school emergency text system, whereby the school will send out an emergency text to all parents who have registered in this system, advising of the school’s status. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS TEXT. It is important also to check the school’s website for details of our status during any emergency. If you haven’t registered with the emergency text system, you will be able to do so by going onto the school’s website to “School Admin” and down the bottom of this list you will find “Emergency Texts”. Please click on this and follow the instructions. Please be aware that there is a small charge to receive the emergency text. The assembly point in an emergency for all staff and children is on the sealed playground, where each class teacher will take their class and stay with them. The school also has a big wheelie bin externally situated with first aid items. So please be assured that the school is prepared for any emergency.

NEWSLETTER BY EMAIL (30/01/12)
During 2012 parents will continue to receive the weekly newsletter, by email every Monday, outlining what has been happening in the school and the up and coming events for the week. There is a weekly calendar of events included in the newsletter and also a diary of future events for your information.

SCHOOL WEBSITE (30/01/12)
This website provides access to items as they go live, the weekly newsletters, both current and historical and many other articles and items of interest. Teachers also use the website to share the activities of their classrooms and school-wide events. Please note the website is the school’s main communication line to the community and we urge all parents to be regular visitors to our website to gain the important information about the events of the school.

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS (30/01/12)
Please be sure we have your current phone numbers (both home and cell), your e-mail address and home address. This enables us to contact you quickly and easily in the event of an emergency. If you have changed your cell phone number please remember to re-register this with the Emergency Text system.

ENSCA SCHOOL LUNCHES – SUSHI (30/01/12)
Sushi is available on Wednesdays starting in Week 1. Orders to be placed in the Sushi box before 9am. Any Parents who wish to help in the collating of orders or giving out Sushi at lunch time please email Nicola at nicola68@xtra.co.nz.

SUMMER SPORT (30/01/12)
Summer Sport will commence on Friday 17 February 2012. Please note that all of the Summer Sport is held at South Hagley Park. If you do require any further information for draws please refer to the Primary Sports Canterbury website.

WANTED FOR VISUAL ART RESOURCES (12/12/11)
Previous years’ art calendars for art appreciation kits
Magazines for collage activities
If anyone knows of a free source of card please let me know as our present stocks are dwindling.
Thank you
Andrea Fisk

ENSCA NEWS

ENSCA 2012
Class Rep Role 2012
The ENSCA Class Rep is a valuable line of communication between ENSCA and class parents. Class reps will be displayed on the website, class noticeboard and ENSCA noticeboard (with a photo if possible).
The role
• Compile & issue a class list of child name, parent’s name/s, phone numbers, and email address. This list can be emailed or given to parents (by the end of February 2012).
• Welcome new parents and email/give them a class list.
• Be the contact between ENSCA and the class. It is not a problem if you are not able to come to the ENSCA meetings but please ensure emailed minutes are read and anything in the minutes is actioned for your class i.e. flick out an email to class parents about an upcoming event.
• Co-ordinate a morning tea with other parents in the class termly/a couple of times a year….whatever suits.
• Ensure someone from your class provides a plate of food for the term staff morning tea. Morning tea is at 10.40am. All ENSCA reps are welcome to attend these morning teas if able to. Plates can be dropped into the staffroom anytime after 8.30am. 2012 Morning tea dates: Thurs 29th March, Thurs 21st June, Thurs 13th Sept & Thurs 6th Dec.
• Organise at least one class get together during the year i.e. fish and chip evening, Spencer Park, The Groynes, Elmwood Park etc…
• We have the class reps in the table so far. We need one for each room. Please email Meg (fellers@xtra.co.nz) if you would like to be your class rep. Sharing the role is fine.
Let's fill in the gaps......

ENSCA SCHOOL LUNCHES – SUSHI
Sushi is available on Wednesdays starting in Week 1. Orders to be placed in the Sushi box before 9am. Any Parents who wish to help in the collating of orders or giving out Sushi at lunch time please email Nicola at nicola68@xtra.co.nz.

UNIFORM SHOP
The uniform shop will be open in the Auditorium on Friday 03 February 2012 8.30am.

PRE-USED UNIFORM SHOP
The school office has a basket for you to place 'no longer used' uniform items in. The basket is situated under the posting boxes. The Pre-Used uniforms are then sold at the school and the proceeds are used to buy 'extras" for Elmwood Normal School children. The pre-used uniform shop is opened every Tuesday morning between 8.45-9.15am. Please text Cherie 027 355 4980 for further information.

MEETINGS
AGM meeting - Friday 24th February at 9am in staffroom. All welcome.
2012 monthly meeting dates will be confirmed next week.

COMMUNITY NEWS

M*A*S*H - AFTER SCHOOL CARE 2012
Link to the information about a new after school care service that will be available to Elmwood and Heaton children in 2012.

AFTER SCHOOL DANCE LESSONS (30/01/12)
After school dance lessons with Hayley Woodham will commence next Wednesday 08 February at the following times: Juniors 3pm - 3.45pm and Seniors 3.45pm – 4.30pm. The cost of the lessons is $50 per term. If you are interested in joining these classes, please email Hayley at hayleypinklady@yahoo.com.au to secure your place.

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD (30/01/12)
Please remember to come into the School Office to check the noticeboard for any community notices. These are updated regularly.

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Elmwood Normal School, Aikmans Rd, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand ph: +64 3 55-7192 fax: +64 3 355-7116 office@elmwood.school.nz
©2012, Elmwood Normal School. All rights reserved.

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