Tena Koutou ngā whanau me ngā tamariki o Parerihirau,

Greetings to the families and children of Bledisloe School;

Currently, across the country, there are a series of union meetings being held by the NZEI. Our staff will be

attending meetings but we will not be closing the school early. Our staff have arranged to attend the

various meetings at different times so that classes can be covered and there will be minimal disruption to

families and students.

The issues being talked about are very important. There has been a 40% drop in the number of people

going into teacher training in just the past six years. Without any changes, we could see class sizes growing

rapidly over the next few years as we struggle to cope with this shortage.

The issues being talked about will include:

Reduced class sizes in years 4-8 (From 1 teacher to 29 students down to 1 teacher to 25 students). Our

Board of Trustees currently fund this for our school which is a significant cost out of our operating budget.

Funding for a special needs coordinator in every school, to meet the needs of every child and free up

classroom teachers to teach. This is one of the roles that Claire Watts performs and it takes up most of her

release time. It would be wonderful is she was able to focus on the teaching and learning programmes of

the junior school.

A significant pay jolt to encourage new people to enter the profession and stay in it. Along with reduced

numbers entering teacher training, a large number of teachers leave the profession within five years of

graduating.

I encourage you to read and listen to the media reports of these union meetings and become aware of the

issues being talked about. No matter what political party you support the wellbeing and health of the

education system your children are in is vitally important.

Kind Regards, Carol

Term 1, 16 March 2018

Responsible Respectful Resilient

Sport Thank you to our staff for their amazing commitment to

after school sport. We currently have 13 teachers

supporting teams across the school to participate in

volleyball, t-ball, fundamental athletics, basketball and

cricket. We do this because we know the value of

sport to the education and wellbeing of the whole

child. We also know the value of the relationships it

helps us develop outside of the classroom. We

appreciate the support of families to ensure children

have the right clothing and shoes and that they turn

up for practices and games. It is very helpful for us if

families clearly communicate pickups and drop offs

with your children and check the times for games

before the day.

Haere Ra Mr Holloway It is with sadness but great pride that we share the

news that Mr Holloway is leaving us to be the new

Deputy Principal at Greenmeadows School. We think

Greenmeadows is incredibly lucky and although we

will miss Darren, we are proud of growing another

school leader. We will make sure that students in Room

14 have a smooth transition to their new teacher and

will keep our school community in touch with news of a

new appointment when it happens.

Learning Conferences

A reminder that these conferences begin next

week. If you have not made your booking

online you will receive a note giving you a time.

If you cannot come at that time please let the

office know. Our teachers work very hard

preparing for these interviews and it is very

frustrating if people do not show up.

www.schoolinterviews.co.nz

Event code d9jfa

Our lost property box is getting a bit ridiculous.

There are some really good quality items in the

box at the moment that must belong to

someone! If these things are not claimed soon

they will be going to the op-shop. Please make

sure you name all of your child’s uniform

(including hats) so that we can return things to

their owners.

Coming Up

Friday 16 March Seniors Gannet Trip

Monday 19 March Learning Conferences start

Friday 30 April Good Friday - School closed

Monday 2 April Easter Monday - School closed

Tuesday 3 April School Closed

Friday 13 April End of Term 1

Monday 30 April Start of Term 2

COMMUNITY NOTICES

BLEDISLOE SCHOOL

MEEANEE ROAD

TARADALE

NAPIER

Phone: 06 844 2131

Fax: 06 844 2920

Email: admin@bledisloe.school.nz

Website: www.bledisloe.school.nz

Child’s name, room number and reason for absence

The school cellphone number is: 027 872 2333

A reminder that this is available on Wednesday and Friday.

Easy, no fuss online ordering. Just set up your account and top

up when necessary. We will soon be taking advantage of a

fundraising offer from Pita Pit in which they donate a

percentage from each order back to the school We will let

you know the date for this closer to the time.

PTA Thank you to those who attended our AGM and general

meeting last week. At this meeting Vicki Campion was elected

as President, Bonnie Evans as Vice President, Lisa Somervell as

Secretary and Joan Zumbuhl as Treasurer. We know that you

will support this group as they plan events to raise money to

support projects for your children. At your learning conference

you will be asked to add your name to a contact list if you

would be willing to sometimes lend a hand at events. Your

support would be very appreciated.