LBP Newsletter – Term 4, Week 3

Term 4, Week 3 – Friday 27 October 2023

Principal’s Chat

Kia ora Parents/Caregivers

Computer games have been given a bad rap over the years. As someone who can remember Space Invaders being an awesome experience, I go back a fair way. Minecraft has been around since 2011 and has an up and down reputation. It turns out that Minecraft is incredibly useful when on camp at Kawau Island. One of the earliest industrial sites in New Zealand was the copper mining that occurred there. From 1844 to 1852 the island was alive with workers and their families all hunting the elusive metal.

We visited the old copper mine, historical school building and viewed the smelting house that had been established. Thanks to Minecraft the students knew exactly what copper ore is and how it can be turned into copper and products from there. While sailing past the smelting house on the ferry I was trying to explain what went on there. One of the parents chimed in and said it is like a furnace in Minecraft. The slightly puzzled faces nodded in unison with understanding.

I have always enjoyed the historical aspects of this place. Ever since I visited during my Form 2 camp in 1984 and nearly sliced my finger off with a sharp knife trying to make a model chimney for a school project after we returned to school. While I hope no one repeats the finger slicing experience, the island remains a wonderful place to explore.

Our students were a credit to the school and their families, working well together, asking great questions, enjoying themselves and making the most of everything on offer to them. Thanks also to the parent helpers that came with us. They were very well behaved, worked collaboratively as a group and are welcome back again in the future. Thanks also to those parents who trusted their children in our care. The benefits of being away from home, independence skills and experiences were worth it.

Finally as we celebrate World Teachers Day it would be remiss to thank the teachers who gave up five days of their life to spend the time providing an outstanding experience for the students in their care. The teachers at Long Bay Primary go above and beyond everyday, not just at school camp. I would like to thank all of the teachers at Long Bay Primary School. The teachers not only work on numeracy and literacy skills but more importantly collaborative and interpersonal attributes. Helping to develop well rounded students who will be prepared for the next step in their education when they leave our gates for the last time.

Our new camp strategy from Year 4 to 6 has begun with outstanding success. It remains to be seen which computer game the Year 5 camp will connect to. There is one thing I am sure about, I doubt it will be Space Invaders.

Rob Hutton
Tumuaki/Principal

2023 Term Dates and What’s On

Welcome New Students

A warm welcome to our new students who have started at Long Bay Primary since our last Newsletter:

Willow, Caige, Daisy and Sofiya

Important School Reminders – Please Read

Absences

If your child/children are going to be absent from school, then you must let the Office and class teacher know.

Absences can be reported by calling the school on 09 473 6077, select option 1. Emailing the class teacher and admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz or through the school website ‘Report an Absence’.

All absences from school must have a reason so your child/children can be coded accordingly on their student record. Thank you for your co-operation.

Contact Details

If your personal contact or emergency contact details need updating, please email admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz It is very important that we have correct details on our student records.

Enrolments

If you have a child turning 5 in the near future, please can you complete an online enrolment application form as soon as possible. This is to assist us with classroom planning. For all enrolments enquiries, please email enrolments@longbayprimary.ac.nz

2024 Class Planning

As staff we are currently working on classes for 2024. This is a complicated process involving finding the teachers that suit each year level the best. Then we consider the type of teacher each student responds to most effectively, along with which peers the students work well with and the list goes on and on.

We have asked the students who they get along with and have already collected this information from them. If you have any additional information about your child/children that will help us with this process, please send it to info@longbayprimary.ac.nz with your child’s name and 2023 class in the subject line. We will then take this into account as well, or contact you if necessary.

Please do not send in a list of the teachers you do and do not want along with a list of 15 children you would like in the class and 10 you would not. We are interested in information about your child that we may not be aware of that will help us as part of this process. We tried to think of other tactful or politically correct ways of saying this, nothing sprang to mind, sometimes being direct is most effective. Thanks for your help as part of this process. Please note that this is not compulsory, it is available if you have something valuable to add to the process.

We will be closing off this opportunity on Wednesday 1 November to allow us time to digest the feedback we have received and work on the next step of this process.

Mihi Whakatau Assembly

It was wonderful to welcome our new students and whanau at our Term 4 Mihi Whakatau this afternoon. Thank you for choosing our school and community and we look forward to the wonderful things we will do together.

Chickenpox

As we mentioned in the last newsletter there have been several instances of Chickenpox in the community. If there is an instance where a student in your child’s class contracts this disease we will let you know. Unfortunately patients are contagious in the two days before the spots appear and do not know they have it until it is too late.

Chickenpox can spread between people who are in close contact with one another such as family members or classmates.

Te Whatu Ora have indicated for parents of the affected year level to watch out for symptoms and monitor their child if they are immune compromised.
This Ministry of Health link outlines specific details regarding chicken pox for your information.

We are not the only school in the local area to be experiencing this current outbreak.

There have not been many new cases reported in the last week which hopefully means the diease is not spreading across the school. We ask you to remain vigilant and follow the medical advice if your child develops spots.

Auckland Regional Dental Service Information

The Auckland Regional Dental Service provides free dental examinations, oral health education, x-rays and treatment to all eligible children from birth up until they are 18.
It is your responsibility to enrol your child/children in their service. If you have not done so already please enrol using this form.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your child’s teeth, or wish to update your contact details please call 09 839 0565 or visit www.ards.co.nz

Year 6 Camp on Kawau Island

Year 5 Camp Payment Information

Year 5 Camp at Kiwanis Lodge and Huia Lodge in the Waitakere Ranges on 15-17 November.
Payment options are now available on Kindo for camp.

Gumboot Friday – 3 November

We are continuing to support the Gumboot Friday charity that helps young people in New Zealand with free counselling if they need it.

This year children are welcome to wear their gumboots to school on Friday 3 November and support the charity by bringing along a gold coin. There will be a wide range of gumboot related activites throughout the day. Thank you for supporting this worthy charity.

Room 15

This term in room 15 we have been exploring geometry. We have been working in small teams to design and construct a geometrocity. We began by exploring the properties of 3D shapes and created our own using nets. We then began the design process of creating a city (learning new design and shape language along the way!). Our designs include a road system and specific buildings that are created from 3D nets. When we have completed our construction, we will be creating tourism brochures for our places of interest and maps to help you find your way. Room 15 love working on collaborative projects and always enjoy the opportunity to be creative.

Sports Buzz – Term 4, Week 3

Senior and Junior Athletics Days
The Senior school Athletics Day (8 to 10+ year olds) will be held on Wednesday 8 November and will run from 9.00am until approximately 2.30pm. 

PTA News

Join the Friends of the PTA Whatsapp group to get involved, where you are able, in making our school even more amazing. We will post info and opportunities on the group for parents to assist the PTA with any fundraising or events. Join the group by scanning the QR code or use this link.

If you would like to join the PTA Committee, please email us at longbayprimaryPTA@gmail.com. The commitment is 2 x one hour meetings per term to plan for fundraising, as well as helping out at events where possible. The committee is a great group of parents, who are very welcoming and committed to supporting our school. We are especially looking for a secretary to join our team, assisting with minutes and agendas for meetings.

NZ Uniforms

Kelly Club – Teacher Only Day on 13 November

The school will be having a Teacher Only Day on Monday 13 November – school will be closed for instruction that day.

Kelly Club will be open and will require at least 12 children registered to run a programme that day. Please register at https://kellyclub.co.nz/kelly_events/view/16217

Bricks4Kidz – Term 4

Community Notices and Events