Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa te whanau whanui o te Kura Tuatahi o Whakatu – greetings to friends and family of Nelson Central School.

Welcome new and returning families and a special welcome to those who have travelled from USA and  Korea this year to join our school. I hope your experiences with us will all be positive!  At first you might find some of the things we do puzzling – please don’t hesitate to ask teachers or office staff for clarification.

New Staff
A special welcome to new staff – Sue Ford in Room 4 and Jaine Cronin (LTR T1 & T2) who will teach in Te Pouahi Room 17.

Duty Teachers
During morning tea and at lunchtime we have four teachers on duty in each of the main areas of the playground – front field; main quad extending through to the quad outside Rooms 9/8; adventure playground extending through to the junior playground; and, the back field extending through to the adventure playground. Children have been taught to identify a duty teacher by looking for the adults wearing fluorescent jackets.

Entering School
This is one of many reminders I am sure. Children and adults should not enter the school grounds until the 8:30 bell rings. We do not have anyone on duty first thing in the morning; teachers will be involved in meetings and preparation first thing each morning and I would like them to be able to do that without interruption.

Road Patrol
Children manage the school crossing morning and afternoon supported by staff members. Please help them by following their instructions. They have a routine of commands they have been trained to implement, one of which is “Cross Now”. In everyone’s interest please do not cross until they issue that command.

Swimming
All classrooms have been rostered for swimming and children should bring their swim wear each day to take advantage of the weather while it lasts.

Sunhats
Our sun safe policy is operation again and children should be encouraged to wear their hats while at school. These are available from the school office at $13.00 each.

School lunches
If you would like your child to have a bought lunch please ensure that YOU place and pay for the order. Children are not allowed to leave the school grounds to buy lunch. If buying from the pie shop across from school or from Sushi Direct, they bring lunches to the school fence for children.

Before School Care
Our Before School Care Programme is underway for the year. For people not familiar with this we operate a Before School Supervision Programme between 7:30 – 8:30 am Monday to Friday in the school library. The cost for this is $1 per day payable in advance or on the day. Children will be able to read, play library games, and do homework or some other quiet activity.

YIKES – After School Care
Call at the library after school to find out more about the YIKES programme.

Absences
We would appreciate it if you could advise the school office of proposed absences. These can be left on the answer phone or by text to: 027-759 0096

Curriculum 2012
In preparing learning programmes for 2012 we have attempted to build on themes from previous years – they were important when we framed them and they are no less important today. We also considered the tools that will help children shape their future. One of those tools is likely to be Science. In 2012 we intend making this a focal point for the school again. Our 2012 school theme is:

“An Enterprising Education”

The theme offers some exciting possibilities for learning through our transdisciplinary approach to curriculum design. As each Syndicate develops implementation details these will be put on the school website for you to follow.

Dr Paul Potaka
PRINCIPAL

Dates for 2011