NEWS Stepping Up & Reaching Out 12 JUN 2015
Important Notes/Dates / A note from the PrincipalTerm Dates 2015:
Term 2 - Tue 21 APR – Fri 03 JUL
Term 3 - Tue 21 JUL – Fri 25 SEP
Term 4 - Mon 12 OCT – Fri 18 DEC
HOLIDAYS:
Labour Day, Monday 26 October
Show Day, Friday 13 November
Teacher Only Day
Monday 20th July is a Teacher Only Day.
First day back at school for Term 3 is Tuesday 21st July.
Whats coming up:
JUNE 2015:
12 JUN – LEAP 3.15-4pm School Hall
15 JUN – Book Week @ QPS
15 JUN - ICAS Writing Exam 11am Hall Foyer
16 JUN - ICAS Spelling Exam 11am Hall Foyer
18 JUN – Come to school dressed up as any book character
12 JUN - LEAP 3.15 - 4pm School Hall (date change, was 05 June
22 JUN – Rm 9 Visit Bottle Lake Forest 12.30-2.30pm
23 JUN – Rm 8 Visit Bottle Lake Forest 12.30-2.30pm
24 JUN – Rm 6 Visit Bottle Lake Forest 12.30-2.30pm
25 JUN – Rm 7 Visit Bottle Lake Forest 12.30-2.30pm
26 JUN – Rm 5 Visit Bottle Lake Forest 12.30-2.30pm
26 JUN – Disco – Run by QPS Student Council. Theme: Formal Wear. Juniors: 6-7pm, YR5-8: 7.15-8.30pm $2 entry
29 JUN - BOT Meeting 7pm
30 JUN – Rm 15 & Rm 24 visit Ferrymead 9am – 1pm
30 JUN & 02 JUL – Mid Year Parent Interviews – School finishes at 1.45pmfor ALL students
JULY 2015:
01 JUL – NE/YR1 Parent Assembly 2.15pm
01 JUL – Rm 16 visits Ferrymead 9am – 1pm
02 JUL – ICAS English Exam - 11am Hall Foyer
02 JUL – Rm 14 & Rm 23 visit Ferrymead 9am – 1pm
03 JUL – Term 2 ends
20 JUL – Teacher Only Day - School closed for instruction
21 JUL – Term 3 begins
23 JUL - YR7/8 Ski Day (PP Date: 28 July)
27 JUL - BOT Meeting 7pm
30 JUL - Winter Tournament (PP Date: 06 Aug)
AUGUST 2015:
04-05 AUG - School Photo Days
13 AUG – Parent /New Student YR7/8 Open Morning 9-9.40am, 10-10.40am or 11.30am-12.30pm – Please RSVP which time you would like to attend at the office
21 AUG – YR1 Wheels Day 11am – 12pm
25 AUG - Kids for Kids Concert
26 AUG - Strike, Strum, Blow Concert
31 AUG - Cultural Festival Week
31 AUG - BOT Meeting 7pm
SEPTEMBER 2015:
10-11 SEP - Art Workshops
11 SEP - LEAP - 3.15 - 4pm School Hall
21 SEP - BOT Meeting 7pm
23 SEP – NE /YR1 Parent Assembly 2.15pm school hall
24 SEP – QPS Showcase 6pm school hall
25 SEP – Term 3 ends
OCTOBER 2015:
12 OCT – Term 4 begins
26 OCT - Labour Day - School closed for instruction
27 OCT - BOT Meeting 7pm
30 OCT-01 NOV - Water Polo Trip to Dunedin
NOVEMBER 2015:
11 NOV - Zone Athletics (Rawhiti Domain)13 NOV – Show Day – School closed for instruction
20 NOV - QPS Twilight Fair 5-9pm
27 NOV - LEAP 3.15 - 4pm School Hall
30 NOV - BOT Meeting 7pm
DECEMBER 2015:
02 DEC - Canterbury Athletics08 DEC - YR7/8 Prize Giving Evening
10-11 DEC - YR8 Hanmer Camp
18 DEC - Final Day Term 4 - 12.30pm finish
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Intermediate Years 7 & 8: Open Morning: We invite you to attend one of three sessions to view our Senior School in action. Come and look through the senior classes and hear first hand from our students what life is like as a Senior Queenspark Student. Thursday 13 August. 9-9.40am, 10.10.40am or 11.30-12pm. Please RSVP at the school office for this.
Our Year 6 classes are in the process of having a tour through the senior school to find out about the exciting programmes they can be part of next year. Ask your YR6 child about this and see what they thought! / Dear Parents / Caregivers
FUTURE FOCUSSED EDUCATION
Queenspark School Staff are currently reviewing our core beliefs, principles and practices for 21st century teaching and learning. Both Primary and Secondary schools throughout New Zealand with the support of the Ministry of Education have been developing many different modern learning approaches to better meet the learning needs of all students. You may be aware of other schools in the wider Christchurch community who like Queenspark School have made significant progress in their approaches to teaching and learning to meet the needs of their learners.
As a staff we are taking a very considered approach as we explore how modern learning practices can enhance our curriculum as well as empowering our children for the future. We are committed to good teaching and learning practice across the school that is relevant for today's modern world and for the future. Part of this process is about how we can improve and build on the good practice as well as continually providing excellent programmes to meet the needs of all of ourlearners.
What Modern Teaching Practice is…
Greater collaboration between teachers; conversations around learning and behavioural needs
Q Competency focused, individual needs, interventions and extension
Using teacher strengths to support student needs
Managing resourcing to benefit a wider range/group of children
Stages not ages - learning is differentiated
Inclusion for all - diversity
Visible and clear systems - Well structured learning and expectations
Self directed/regulated learning opportunities
What Modern Teaching Practice isn’t…
Learners on laptops/computers etc. all day
Everyone sitting on bean bags
Open plan barn of the 1980’s
Restricted to the primary sector
Learners being lost/falling through the cracks
Learners having free choice all day - unstructured learning
One size/model fits all learners
Learners hiding/behaving inappropriately
Learning practices are continually evolving in education. Over the last couple of years our Year 5-8 teaching teams have been equipped with extra devices so that our learners can have increased access to elearning tools such as the use of Google docs as a tool that supports learning programmes. Learning to learn and to be safe in the digital world has also been an integral part of a well planned modern learning approach. Our Digital Citizenship Programme across all Y5-6 classes has been a focus for this year.
We are positive and excited about always improving on what we do as we prepare our students to Step Up, Reach Out and achieve their Personal Best.
Ross Willocks
Principal
YEAR 4-8 MID YEAR INTERVIEWS:
The dates for these interviews are:
Tuesday 30 June & Thursday 02 July. This is only for those children in Year 4-8. Year 0-3 will hold interviews at a later date and you will be individually notified of these dates /times by your class teacher. Please visit and enter our school code: ZBCVRand follow the prompts.
ALL students (NE – Y8) will be leaving school at 1.45pm on both these days.
COUNSELLING:
With the closure of Relationships Aotearoa, the following are other options that are available in the community for counselling:
Petersgate Counselling Centre
29 Yaldhurst Road
Christchurch – PH: 343 3391
Catholic Social Services
336 Cashel Street
Christchurch – PH: 379 0012
Home and Family Services CHCH Inc
PH: 944 0635
LEARNING UPDATE AT THE QPS DISCOVERY CENTRE (Special Education)
We are involved in lifestyle programmes, sporting activities, occupational skills training and supporting students at morning tea and lunchtimes.
We are trialing a new phonological programme called Agility With Sound that is proving worthwhile.
We have several students working on the SPEC programme, a Resource Teacher of Learning/Behaviour (RTLB ) initiative and this is also proving to be beneficial.
General News . . .
ZONE CROSS COUNTRY 2015:
Congratulations to all 48 Queenspark students who competed in the Zone Cross Country. It was fantastic to see you all step up and give it 100%.
The following students made it through to the Canterbury Cross Country:
Xyron Burns, Ruby Lange, Leon Lumb, Ruby Moore, Brooke Overend, Jade Lewington, Jake Hale, Reuben Williams, ZarahKurzfeld, Natasha Ansett, Josie Seymour, Josh Hardy & Brooke Saggers.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!
Congratulations to Jake Hale who came 7th in the Canterbury Cross Country this week! Well done Jake that is a fantastic achievement!
SCOOTERS @ SCHOOL
A reminder, if you are bringing your scooter to school, please place it in the correct areas. We have scooter stands around the school and by most classrooms. It is advisable to bring a padlock or combination lock and use this to keep it secure while you are at school. Please make sure you clearly name them also. There is a much better return rate if they are well named.
NZ Music Month:
As part of New Zealand Music Month, part of our Senior Choir (Yr5/6) sung at the Parklands Library. This was a great experience for our young singers and was enjoyed by all! Thank you Mrs Jackie Stafford for co ordinating this.
Book Week is June 15-19th
Our theme this year is Book Week - Book Feast
How it works:On Friday 12th, and Monday 15th, you may bring in any children’s book (chapter books, picture books or non-fiction) that has been gently used to your class. Let your teacher know what you have brought in and they will keep track of the numbers. You may bring in a maximum of 5 books each. What you can take depends on what you bring in; if you bring picture books, they are what you can take, the same goes with novels.
Book criteria:Please make choices carefully before bringing in books. Books will only be accepted under the following guidelines:
- books must be appropriate for children Years 0-8.
- only in good used condition; no torn/missing pages, cover on, no bent edges.
- books with colouring or writing in them are unacceptable.
- colouring books, sticker books and activity books will not be accepted.
- ex-library books are not acceptable
Please realise that the selection of books to choose from depends on the books that have been donated.
On Tuesday June 16th, you will be able to come and choose the ‘new’ books for you to take home and enjoy.
If you have any questions please talk to your teacher or Mrs Silver-Hessey.
Dress up as a Book Character Day
This will be held on Thursday 18th. Come dressed as a book character on this day Classes will choose their favourites and then all students will go to the hall to see them parade. If you need ideas check out for ideas.
Other activities include:
Colouring competitions, a Library Quiz, writing a progressive book class by class, Teachers changing classes to read to other children, Book Feast Bingo, crafty stuff in the Library.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS: READ THIS NOW AND KEEP AS A RECORD!
Dear Parents8th June 2015
Currently we are taking additional health and hygiene measures throughout the school to reduce the likelihood of molluscum contagiosum. As stated in our earlier communication to our parent community (24th March), it is the beginning of the cold, flu and ‘bug’ season. Last year we had a number of students who returned to school before they were well enough to do so. Returning to school too early not only puts their health under stress but also increased the opportunity for ‘bugs’ to spread throughout our school.
It is not acceptable to send children back to school when they are still unwell and need attentive care.
We have sent homethe Ministry of Health recommendations for the most common infectious diseases we experience in our New Zealand Primary schools. The information contained in the Ministry of Health pamphlet can help support you when caring for sick children. If you have not kept the last copy as a record then additional copies may be attained from the school office or from the MOH website.
IMPORTANT
Please read the following Ministry of Health advisory information on the common skin virus molluscum contagiosum. It is very important that you read this information now and keep as a record.
Parents can help support students ‘keeping healthy at school’ by reinforcement of hygiene – washing hands properly and not picking your nose – using a tissue instead. Wash your hands after blowing your nose. It is also very important to inform the classroom teacher of the status of your child’s health should they be unwell.
Students who are unfortunately suffering from molluscum contagiosum will not be going swimming as part of the school programme. Avoidance of skin to skin contact is important. The children should avoid close contact sports unless it can be ensured that the lesions are fully covered.
Ross Willocks
Principal
Further information can be found on the Ministry of Health website -
Molluscum contagiosum
What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral skin infection of infants and young children. Adolescents and adults are less often infected.
How does molluscum contagiosum present?
Molluscum contagiosum presents as clusters of small round papules (bumps). They mostly arise in warm moist places, such as the armpit, groin or behind the knees. The papules range in size from 1 to 6 mm and may be white, pink or brown. They often have a waxy, pinkish look with a small central pit (this appearance is sometimes described as umbilicated). There may be few or hundreds of spots on one individual.
Molluscum frequently inducesdermatitisin the affected areas, which become dry, pink and itchy. As the papules resolve, they may become inflamed, crusted or scabby for a week or two. An itchy rash may sometimes appear on distant sites and represents an immunological reaction or 'id' to the virus.
Molluscum contagiosumTypical molluscum /
Eczema and crusted lesions /
Scarring
More images of molluscum ...
How do you catch molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum can be spread from person to person (especially children) by direct skin contact. This appears to be more likely in wet conditions, such as when children bathe or swim together.
Molluscum papules tend to be more numerous and last longer in children who also haveatopic eczema.It can be very extensive and troublesome in patients withhuman immunodeficiency virusinfection.
Molluscum contagiosum may arise in areas that have been injured, often because they've been scratched. The papules form a row; this is known as koebnerised molluscum.
How is the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum made?
Molluscum is usually recognised by its characteristic appearance clinically or ondermatoscopy. White molluscum bodies can often be expressed from the centre of the papules. Sometimes, diagnosis is made on seeing thehistopathological features of molluscum contagiosumonskin biopsy.
What is the treatment for molluscum contagiosum?
There is no single perfect treatment of molluscum contagiosum since we are currently unable to kill the virus. The soft white core can be squeezed out of individual lesions, which may trigger them to clear. In many cases no specific treatment is necessary.
Medical treatments include:
- Antisepticssuch as 1% hydrogen peroxide cream under occlusion or 10% povidoneiodinesolution
- Cantharidinesolution
- Wart paints containingsalicylic acidorpodophyllin
- Cryotherapy
- Minorsurgery,curettage(topical anaesthetic cream may be applied first) orlaserablation
The secondary dermatitis may be treated with a mildtopical corticosteroidsuch as hydrocortisone cream, but is unlikely to fully resolve until the molluscum infection has cleared up.
Although sometimes prescribed for molluscum contagiosum, clinical trials have not shownimiquimod creamto be of benefit.
How long does molluscum contagiosum persist?
Molluscum contagiosum is a harmless virus. The papules may persist for up to 2 years or longer. In children, about half of cases have cleared by 12 months, and two-thirds by 18 months, with or without treatment.
Tiny pit-like scars may be left behind after the molluscum contagiosum clears up.
Here is a link to a reputable source of information
will answer some of your questions.