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Te Whanau Marama – School Production Cast

Kia ora whanau,

the speaking roles for our school production have been cast. Your child will be able to tell you if they have a role this afternoon. To be able to fulfil this they must be present at school as much as possible, and with no planned absences in November. If you or your whanau are planning a trip away in term 4 please let us know so we can adjust the casting.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Office closed today

Kia ora whanau,

Our school office is closed today. If you have any changes for after-school plans, please make sure you have rung and left a message, or put a message through this app by 1.00 today.

It is still very important that children who are coughing and showing symptoms of s respiratory illness are kept home from school. This protects us all.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Office closed today

Kia ora whanau,

Our office is closed today. If you have any messages for children regarding after-school arrangements please make sure you have rung us before lunchtime (1.00) so that we can make sure your messages get through.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Bus runs at 1.00

Kia ora whanau,

This is just a quick reminder that our school closes and the bus runs at 1.00 today for goal-setting interviews.

Nga mihi maioha

Melissa

School Board Nominations

Nominations for School Board close tomorrow.

Are you thinking of joining the Russell School Board ?(formerly The Russell School Board of Trustees)

Board members don’t have to have children at our school, they just need to be nominated by someone who does.

If you have any questions I am available to talk today, there is also information in the link below.

I look forward to hearing from you

Rachel Holland

Russell School Board Presiding Member

0211855579

https:www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/

Goal-Setting Appintments

Kia ora whanau,

Please ring the office directly if you still need to make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher.

We hope to have all of our children in the meetings as they have a wonderful insight into their areas of strengths and what they need to learn next. Please talk to them before you meet with our teachers to make sure that you are discussing the issues that matter most to our children.

We will stop taking bookings from 12.00 on Tuesday for Tuesday afternoon/evening, and at 12.00 on Wednesday for Wednesday afternoon.

If none of the times or dates suits you please let us know and we will arrange another time.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Computer Use Agreement Update

Kia ora whanau,

Today your child will bring home a Computer Use Agreement form. We are updating our records and need these returned, signed by all of our parents and caregivers as well as our students. 

Your child’s teacher has reviewed the material in the agreement and it reflects our everyday practices. 

I have also attached the appropriate policies for you to view.

Please discuss the importance of using our equipment and networks responsibly with your child and return the signed for as soon as you feel comfortable that they and you understand its content and intentions.

Nga mihi maioha

Melissa

Digital Technology and Cybersafety

Responsible Use Agreement

Goal-setting meetings – school closes at 1.00

Kia ora whanau,

Just a quick reminder that on Tuesday and Wednesday school closes and the bus runs at 1.00. Please make sure you communicate any changes to your child’s after-school routines to Ange in the office. Children cannot wait at school for your interview time as there will be no active supervision. We look forward to seeing you and ask that you wear a mask inside the classroom.

Many thanks

Melissa

FORS Meeting (Friends Of Russell School)

Hello Russell School Community!

The Friends of Russell School (FORS) would like to invite you to our upcoming meeting on Monday August 1st.

We will be celebrating the success of the school disco that we recently organized and discussing our next event …… Quiz Night!  We’ll also review our progress toward a new school playground and sandbox.   We would love your support in strengthening our Russell School community culture and supporting our hard working teachers and staff.

The meeting will be at 9 Wellington st (Ms Fulton’s house) at 5:30pm. Nibbles will be provided, 

Hope to see you there!!

Kindly, Erin Bomati (on behalf of the FORS committee)

[email protected]     ph 0274676368  (feel free to reach out if you have any questions,comments,ideas)

FREE COOKING LESSONS

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Kiwi Spelling Bee

Kia ora whanau,

Attached is the entry form for this year’s Kiwi Spelling Bee. This is open to children in Year 5 and up. Your child can collect a paper copy from the office if you would like to participate. Entries must be returned to school by Thursday next week.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Kiwi Spelling Bee

Goal-setting meetings

Kia ora whanau,

Thank you to all who have sent back their goal-setting permission slips so quickly. This helps us organise the best time for you and for our teachers. 

Please make sure these are returned as soon as possible, and if you have lost yours, just call Ange in the office and she can make you an appointment.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Goal-setting Meetings – August 2 and 3

Kia ora whanau,

We are holding goal-setting meetings for parents, students and teachers on Tuesday the 2nd and Wednesday the 3rd of August. On both days school will close and the bus will run at 1.00.

Your child will bring a booking sheet home today. We make bookings as soon as the sheet is returned to school so you have the best chance of getting a time that suits you by returning the sheet quickly.

The purpose of meeting mid-year is to set goals for your child’s academic progress and social development. If you have anything you wish to discuss in particular, please email your child’s teacher so that they can be best prepared for your queries. 

It is ideal to have children present at these meetings as they are often the greatest experts in what they need to learn and do next.

We look forward to seeing you.

Melissa

View PDF

Goal-setting Meetings – August 2 and 3

Kia ora whanau,

We are holding goal-setting meetings for parents, students and teachers on Tuesday the 2nd and Wednesday the 3rd of August. On both days school will close and the bus will run at 1.00.

Your child will bring a booking sheet home on Monday. We make bookings as soon as the sheet is returned to school so you have the best chance of getting a time that suits you by returning the sheet quickly.

The purpose of meeting mid-year is to set goals for your child’s academic progress and social development. If you have anything you wish to discuss in particular, please email your child’s teacher so that they can be best prepared for your queries. 

It is ideal to have children present at these meetings as they are often the greatest experts in what they need to learn and do next.

We look forward to seeing you.

Melissa

View PDF

Nomination form for School Board Elections

Nomination Form – English

Becoming a board member

Russell School Board Parent Elections 2022

Tena koutou katoa, 

Nominations are now open for the election of 5 parent representatives to the school board. All eligible voters will receive a nomination form on Monday the 25th of July, the first day back of Term 3. Keep an eye out in your kids school bags! Use this form to nominate yourself or someone in our community. 

Information on who is and who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with the nomination form. If you would like a nomination form or have any other questions before the first day of term 3, you can contact the returning officer on [email protected]  Nominations close at noon on Wednesday the 3rd of August. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination. The electoral roll will be held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours. As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view.

More information on voting will be issued on Wednesday the 10th of August and the voting will close at 4pm on the 7th of September. 

Naku noa,

Rachel Thwaites 

Returning Officer

Dental Caravan

Kia ora whanau,

This morning I rang the Northland District Health Board to try to find out when the Dental Caravan will be visiting Kororareka Russell School. So far, it is not scheduled for Term 3. If you have any queries please ring 0800 MY TEETH (0800 698 3384)

Nga mihi

Melissa

Kiwi CAM Spelling Bee

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Policy Review Term 3

Kia ora whanau,

As always we like to hear from you about what is working and what could be improved at Kororareka Russell School. This term we are reviewing the following policies and would appreciate your input. 

Abuse Recognition and Reporting

Care and Management of Students

Supporting Student Wellbeing

Food and Nutrition

Staff Wellbeing

The most direct way for you to do this is to go directly to our policy website SchoolDocs and follow the instructions.

Visit the website https://russell.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm

Enter the username (russell) and password (bakerst).

Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

Read the policy.

Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.

Select the reviewer type.

Enter your name (optional).

Submit your ratings and comments.

If you don’t have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form when we are back on the 25th of July.

I have attached PDFs of these policies to this alert.

Thank you for all the contributions you make to helping us improve our school.

Nga mihi

Melissa

View PDF

Mid-Term Reports

Kia ora whanau,

Tomorrow your child will bring home their mid-year report. This report focuses on their learning and achievement in the priority areas of English and maths.

There are a significant number of whanau isolating due to COVID-19 or who are unwell for other reasons. If your child is absent due to these reasons tomorrow we will either hold on to the report or post it to you. Please let us know if you would like it posted otherwise we will give it to your student next term. 

We will be scheduling goal-setting meetings in week 2 of term 3. A booking sheet will come home on the nfirst day back.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Swimming Holiday Program

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RATs available

Kia ora whanau,

we still have cases of COVID-19 at school. If you or your children are unwell please stay home until you are symptom-free. We have plenty of Rapid Antigen Tests in the front office.

Children may not be at school with runny noses, sore throats a cough or any other symptom of respiratory illness. If we call you to pick your children up please be understanding as we are still trying to protect our population.

Noho ora mai

Melissa

Russell School Board Meeting

Notice of Russell School Board Meeting

29th June 2022

5:30pm Russell School

The following items will be on the agenda:

Change to Board constitution.  This is so we can change from 5 parent elected members, The New  Zealand School Board Association has recommended 3 parent elected members is suitable for a school of our size.

Opt out of the staggered election cycle and move to the national triennial election cycle, this will bring our school board elections in line with most New Zealand Schools.

Community members are welcome to attend all School Board meetings, a request should be made to the Presiding Member before the start of the meeting if you wish to speak on any of the issues on the agenda.

Nga Mihi

Rachel Holland

Presiding Member

Butterfish Draw

Congratulations to the Jung family – you have won our Butterfish voucher draw! You can collect your voucher from Ange in the office. Thanks from all of us for your engagement in our consultation process and enjoy your meals.

Matariki Book Week

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Matariki Book Week – helpers needed

Kia ora whanau,

we still need a few helpers for book week sales next week. Please email me at [email protected] or call the school office on 09 403 7016 if you can help.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Health – Growth and Personal Development

Kia ora whanau,

the documents attached will be coming home with your child today. They are an outline of our planning for Term 3 when we will be teaching about growth and development, including pubertal change and relationship and sexuality education. Our planning is informed by the latest research from our Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office as well as our knowledge of our learners and their academic and social needs.

On Tuesday the 21st of June our classroom teachers will be available in their classrooms to discuss any aspect of this programme with you between 3.15 and 4.00. We are especially eager to hear any cultural perspectives that will help us deliver the most inclusive programme possible.

This is a sensitive topic for some people and we welcome the opportunity to talk with you one on one as well if you would prefer that. Please make your needs and preferences known to us.

Whanau have the right to withdraw their child from any part of the programme that they don’t feel fits with their child’s needs or their cultural and spiritual values. If you make sure you are as informed as possible about our content and approaches you will be able to make those decisions more easily.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Growth and Personal Development

Room 1 and 2 are back at school.

Kia ora whanau,

we are back a little early and your children are ready to be picked up.

Many thanks to our teachers and Ray from Clark’s for a wonderful day.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Manea Trip – Tuesday 7th

Kia ora whanau,

This is just a reminder that our senior school (Years 5-8) trip to Manea is on Tuesday next week. 

Students need a good packed lunch for a longer school day, shoes and a filled water bottle.

Thank you for making the extra effort to collect your children later from school so that we can really enjoy this experience.

Enjoy the long weekend.

Melissa

Manea – Room 1 and 2 trip

Kia ora whanau,

Please send in any outstanding permission slips by tomorrow to help us organise Tuesday’s trip.

Children need their packed lunch and a full water bottle. We will not be stopping anywhere to buy food but we will take some water containers to refill drinking bottles. They will also need suitable clothing for the weather.

We will be getting in touch with a few people to make sure we have our drop-off arrangements sorted but please feel free to let us know if you would like to meet your child at Okiato or the GAS Station.

We are really excited about the trip as it feels like we are starting to get back out and about in the wider world. 

Noho ora mai

Melissa

Teacher Only Day/Tech

Kia ora whanau,

this is a quick reminder that we have a teacher only day on Friday this week. 

To minimise disruptions, the Tech programme for our Year 7 and 8 students will still go ahead. These students can catch the school bus in the morning and afternoon at the usual times. Moerewa School has a teacher only day on Friday, June the 17th, so we hope that our students will take this opportunity on Friday.

Please let us know as early as you can if your Year 7 or 8 student will not be attending tech on Friday – especially if they use the school bus run.

Noho ora mai

Melissa

Matariki Book Fair

Book Fair Flyer

Teacher Only Day June 03

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SpotX Fishing Charter raffle

Kia ora whanau,

We are raffling off a spot on a SpotX Kingfish charter, generously donated by Katarina and Stefan of Screaming Reels.

Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20. You can get them at the school office and possible at Butterfish from tomorrow.

Thanks again to Screaming Reekls for the very generous support.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Kingfish Charter Raffle

Surfing is on today for Rooms 1 and 2 (Year 5 – 8). The weather is great but please make sure you have a warm layer.

Thursday Netball

Thursday Netball

Hi Families,

To keep the momentum from the fun the tamariki had at Maromaku, a few parents and some of our wonderful year 7 students would like to offer informal Netball fun on Thursday afternoons.

This will be at the School Netball Courts starting at 3.15pm and finishing at 4pm.  This will be weather dependent and will not run if it is raining.  This is open to all interested students years 2 and up and will run for the duration of this term.  If you are a caregiver with a love for netball and would be happy to share your skills we would love to welcome you along.

We will start with a warm-up and then split into older and younger groups to work on ball skills and drills and then hopefully there is enough present to finish with a friendly game.  

Please ensure your child has a snack for after school, a drink bottle and some closed in shoes (sneakers preferably).

All parents are welcome to come along and watch or take part.  Please note we will be on the netball courts only and will be unable to watch your child if they wish to move around the school and not take part in what we are doing.  Practice will finish at 4 pm so please ensure you have made arrangements for your child for when we finish.

If you have any questions you can email me at  [email protected]

Warm Regards
Kelly Barnett

Teacher Only Day Friday June 3rd

Kia ora whanau,

This is a quick reminder that we have a planned Teacher Only Day on Friday the 3rd of June. We will also send a paper note home closer to the date. Currently, we would still like our Year 7 and 8 students to attend Tech at Moerewa as usual. Please email me at [email protected] if you have any feedback about that.

Nga mihi mahana

Melissa

Book Fair 2022

Kia ora whanau,

Kororaareka Russell School will be hosting a Matariki Book Fair from Monday the 20th to Thursday the 24th of June. We receive  20% of the value of book sales over the week to support our school library, so every book you buy helps us provide a learning environment that values and promotes a love of reading.

We would love your help to make the most of the week. If you could volunteer some time for sales, set-up or pack-up, please let me know by emaiing me at [email protected] or phoning the office on 09 403 7016.

Everyone is welcome to come and shop so please let your neighbours and friends know about this opportunity to support our kura.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Updated Maromaku Booklet

ViewUpdated to reflect new draw.

Maromaku Draw – Please try again

ViewWe have found a couple of errors in the draw so there will be an update later today.

Nga miji

Maromaku Draw

Kia ora,

Please find attached the most up-to-date Maromaku information including the draws. Some changes may be made on the day but this is the information we are working from tomorrow.

FRIENDS OF RUSSELL SCHOOL

Hello Russell School Community!

The Friends Of Russell School (FORS) would like to invite you to our upcoming meeting Monday, May 30th at 5:30pm, 9 Wellington street  (Ms Fulton’s house)

We will be discussing the planning of potential events including a quiz night and a Kids Disco.

Nibbles will be provided, hope to see you there.

Erin

Well done Yellowtail Team and supporters!

Our Yellowtail Team raised $165.00 today from the sale of kiwifruit and worm wee today. We still have 5 bags of kiwifruit left at school for $5.00 each.

Oyster raffle tickets are selling quickly and you can buy them from the school office or from Butterfish. The prize is a whopping 5 dozen oysters and tickets are limited to 100. Your ticket is eligible for either draw.

Tickets for the Butterfish dinner are available from the Butterfish counter. This is a prepay system to make sure the night goes smoothly.

Many of our children who aren’t in the team this year are pitching in and helping which we are very pleased to see. 

If you have any items you would like to donate for a raffle, please contact Ange on 094037016.

Lastly, thanks to Simon who spent his lunch hour with the team and their kiwifruit stall.

Nga mihi

Melissa

Maromaku Information

Please read especially if you are planning to attend as some things have changed from previous years. 

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Maromaku – Friday 20th

Kia ora whanau,

On Friday children will need to bring their own food, a filled water bottle, clothes suitable for the weather and a plastic bag for any muddy gear.

The bus leaves school promptly at 9.05 and returns before 3.00.

If your children require medication for hayfever, bee stings or asthma they need to come prepared on the day as we don’t have any currently in storage. They can hand them to the teacher in charge of their team or care for them if they feel able. 

We will take our new tent, so look for the penguins to find our home base. 

If your child is travelling by private car on Friday they will be sent home with their sports shirt on Thursday so that they can arrive prepared. We do not have many spares, especially in the larger sizes so please make sure your child remembers theirs.

If you take your child early please let the team co-ordinator know…

Ms Higgins and Miss Jackson – Year 7 and 8 Netball 

Mr Graham and Mrs Maioha – Tear 7 and 8 Rugby

Miss Starr – Year 5 and 6 Netball

Simon – Year 3 and 4 Netball

Mrs Cooke – Year 3 and 4 Rippa Rugby

If children bring money they will need to buy tickets to use at the food stalls. Please look for signage at Maromaku.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Melissa

Kiwifruit for sale – $5 per dozen

Available from Russell School students outside the Four Square between 1.15 and 2.30 today.

Orders will also be accepted at the school office.

Many thanks to Raumati and Miriam for their support of our Yellowtail Team.

Butterfish Dinner – Yellowtail Fundraiser

Kia ora whanau,

Butterfish are hosting a fund-raising dinner for the 2022 Yellowtail Team. The flyer attached will also come home with the children tomorrow. 

We are very grateful to Colin and Amy for their generous support and we hope to see as many of you there as we can.

Please book your seats through Butterfish but remember you can buy raffle tickets for the oysters through the school office. 

Nga mihi

Melissa

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Oyster Raffle – Yellowtail Fundraiser

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RUSSELL’s ULTIMATE CAKE BAKE OFF

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