Phone 04 528 3094 Email admin@maidstone.school.nz Website www.maidstone.school.nz

YEAR 7 GIRLS & BOYS IMMUNISATIONS – 18 AUGUST (RETURN FORMS PLEASE) Kia ora, Greetings Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope everyone has had a restful mid-winter break. My first week here at Maidstone has been busy getting to know new places and people. Thank you to those who attended the Powhiri last Friday. It was a moving event and I feel very welcomed. I’m looking forward to getting to know staff, students and the wider community.

A Brief Introduction I grew up on the West Coast of the South Island and have spent most of my adult life in Christchurch. My husband is Gerard Dewar. I have four adult children, one grandchild (unfortunately in the South Island), and three adult step children. Almost all my teaching career has been with Years 7 & 8, a level I thoroughly enjoy. I moved to Wellington three and a half years ago and took up the position of Principal at Rewa Rewa School in Newlands. I feel very privileged to now be leading Maidstone Intermediate. It’s an exciting time to be leading a school with the challenges and changes that we face. My particular passion is around student achievement, and how 21

st century teaching and learning is

constructed for this generation of learners. I look forward to working with your wonderful children.

Term 3 Staff News We welcome Elizabeth Morris back after being away on maternity leave with baby Eden. Elizabeth has returned for 3 days a week this term. We welcome Bronwyn Heka to Room 9. Room 9 is in good hands while Darcy Solia is on leave this term. This term also sees Andrea Scanlon return in her role as Professional Learning Support for teachers.

Hutt Exchange It was great to see the students competing so enthusiastically on Tuesday, and you can be proud of the sportsmanship they displayed. Unfortunately the shield was won by Hutt Intermediate, but we’ll come back stronger and more determined next year! A huge thank you to Anna Bullock for her amazing organisation, and to the rest of the staff for their support.

Parent Interviews I do hope you’ve all had the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss reports and learning. It cannot be overstated how important the connections between home and school are to your child’s progress. There has been very positive feedback from teachers.

Please note that you can contact your child’s teacher any time you have a question or concern – it doesn’t have to wait for parent interviews. Mary O’Regan

Board Report Welcome to Term 3 and a huge welcome to Ms O’Regan. It’s with great excitement that the Board introduces Ms O’Regan as our new Principal. We had a fantastic powhiri last week to formally welcome

Ms O’Regan and I know the students and staff are doing their best to make her feel part of the school – part of the team. It can be a bit daunting coming into a large school at the best of times, but to come in as the leader is a big ask.

We have every confidence that Ms O’Regan is the best person for the job and that as the term progresses, she will become more familiar with things “Maidstone”. It’s great to have a new face on board and we look forward to the years ahead under new leadership. Many of you will have noticed the removal of old room 11 – finally! The old classroom was well past its use-by date and was becoming a hazard. With its removal, we can now plan for the future of our remaining classrooms. This is a slow process, but will hopefully result in our school eventually having fully equipped 21

st century learning spaces throughout

the campus.

Don’t forget our next Board meeting is 12th

August – it is a

public meeting so all are welcome. It would be good to see members of our school community there – in the staff room from 7pm. The Board would like to again acknowledge the hard work that all staff undertook to keep the school running so superbly last term. In particular, Mrs Baines and Mr Kneepkens who stepped up and really lived the Maidstone values in leading the school. Thank you.

Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter

No

.1 T

1

New

Issue No.1 Term 3 2014

Message from the

Principal

Board Report

Technology Reports

Library Report

Achievements

Fundraisers

Tuckshop

Boys Hockey + photos

Community Notices and Sponsors details appear

on the back page.

Finally, congratulations to all those sportspeople who participated in the Hutt Exchange. Whilst the overall result didn’t go our way, it was great to see everyone giving it their all in each sport. Well done.

Heather Clegg BYOD Mindcraft. You've heard the name and it seems hugely popular with our students, but what is it and should you let your child become involved?

The game is a first-person, free to play indie PC/Mac game created by one person, with crafting, building and exploration at its center. The graphics are straight out of 1991. There are no characters and there is no story. There are none of the "production values" that define gaming these days, but within those narrow confines lies one of the most innovative and endlessly fascinating games in existence. You're probably wondering...Is it ok for my child to play? In general terms, yes. It has no age restriction and nothing inherently inappropriate. Just be careful about its addictive nature and perhaps set clear guidelines around how much time your child should spend playing it. Also, the multiplayer mode does have a chat feature and as I'm sure you're aware...not everyone seems to "play nice", so talk to your child about what to do when others make inappropriate comments.

Andre Kneepkens

Parent Information Evening Every year towards the end of Term 2, we invite all the parents and caregivers of Year 6 students in the region, to an information evening. It was great to see so many braving a chilly night to come along to hear us explain – in a summarised format – the opportunities that are provided for students when they come to Maidstone. As you all know, it is a very busy place, and when we try to cover all the events and programmes available in the Arts, Technology areas, Sports and academic classroom programmes, we sometimes struggle to keep the presentation to an hour. It is always interesting sharing what is in store for us all, at home and at school, with the pre-adolescent and adolescent child. We believe that it is important that we all have a shared understanding of what this stage of a child’s development may entail – emotionally, and behaviourally as well as physically. It is certainly a time of growth and change and this can be challenging if we are not working in partnership – home and school. Thank you to the Leaders for their contribution to the evening, and the many parents and caregivers who attended. We look forward to seeing you and your child in 2015.

Achievements At the recent Kids Cross Country, Tuuaari T and Aaren M did the school proud with their performance running with some of the regions most elite athletes in cross country. Tuuaari came 27th in the Yr7 girls race and Aaren came 30th in the Yr7 boys. The track was wet and muddy and made running very slippery for the athletes.

Fundraising – Entertainment Book/Membership Maidstone Intermediate are excited to be fundraising with The Entertainment Book! Purchase a new 2014 | 2015 Wellington Entertainment™ Memberships through Maidstone Intermediate and $12 from each membership goes towards our fundraising! This year you have the choice between theEntertainment™ Book Membership and the newEntertainment™ Digital Membership! Follow this link to purchase https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/105a364 !!

Foods Technology Who loves food? In Foods we always have a variety of different, easy foods to make at home. Mrs Gibbs is great at what she does and the food is just as great. She also teaches you how to be safe and organised in the kitchen. So overall, Foods is the best place to be when you are hungry.

By Robbie-John Wichman and Bianca Henderson

Hard Materials Technology Hard Materials is a great environment to be in and that’s all thanks to our wonderful teacher Mr Livesey. He is amazing at his job and knows all the ins and outs to all projects. We make lots of cool, easy wooden things e.g: a fold out stool, flipping ski man and a neat little basket.

By Bianca Henderson and Robbie-John Wichman

Fabrics/Textiles Technology The Fabric Technology course consists of two components – Year 7 & 8. The Year 7 programme focuses on the basics –

learning to thread the machine,

understanding and using basic skills

correct and safe use of equipment. The students develop these while completing variety of projects eg. pencil case, drawstring bag, wheat pack, pillowcase etc. Design components are begun to be used and are built on in Year 8. There is also an emphasis placed on developing an understanding of textiles and their properties, and the appropriate use eg. using a suitable iron setting for the fabric being used. The Year 8 programme is structured so that –

an understanding of basic machine skills from Year 7 is further developed and raised to higher level of understanding and capability.

new technical aspects are also introduced eg. hand sewing, attaching pockets, sewing in a zip.

new equipment is also introduced – the use of an overlocker and a sewing machine with embroidery discs.

The emphasis on design skills and the making of own patterns or adapting and modifying existing ones is a priority in Year 8. The understanding of textiles and their properties also plays a very important role as this is lifelong skill and needs to be able to be put into practice. This is done by developing an understanding of care labels and by being able to make a label from something made at school.

Felicity Williams

Tuckshop It has been an exciting time in the tuckshop so far this year. Our tuckshop leaders have been involved in researching the possibility of bringing in some possible new stock for the beginning of term four to add to the juicies, moosies, pies, iceblocks and other items we sell. This term is an interesting time because we are now beginning to think about possible tuckshop crew members for 2015. Early next term we will be asking for year 7 students to apply for next year’s positions. We will be looking for polite, responsible students with good basic facts skills. Applicants will also need to submit a reference. If this sounds like you, and you want to be a school

leader in the tuckshop next year, watch this space. Greg McKay

Lower Hutt Polynesian Festival On the last Wednesday of Term 2, our Kapa Haka Performance Group participated in the Polyfest in Lower Hutt. They performed with mana, and proudly represented Maidstone. The Festival was held over two nights and a number of Upper Hutt Schools had groups performing. It was a wonderful occasion and the talent and skills of the children were shared and enthusiastically celebrated. The Walter Nash Stadium was packed with a capacity crowd of teachers and whanau. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly supportive and positive, with all the children encouraging each other and joining in when appropriate. Well done to all the students who participated. Thank you to Mr Solia and Matua Patrick for ensuring that the Maidstone group could enjoy this very worthwhile opportunity.

UPPER HUTT COLLEGE ENROLMENTS FOR 2015

Attention: All those wishing to enrol at Upper Hutt College as Year 9’s in 2015 - enrolments are now due. We are conducting interviews for subject selection starting 21 August. Reminder that there is now no enrolment zone. Students from all areas are welcome! Enrolment forms are on our school website at www.upperhutt.school.nz Any enquiries please contact the school office PH: 527 8749

Community Education Election Hui The NZEI Te Riu Roa Heretaunga Branch are hosting a Community Education Election Hui on Thursday 21 August commencing at 7.00pm - 9.00pm at Maidstone Intermediate School Hall, Redwood Street. Refreshments will be available between 6.30pm - 7.00pm Do come along for an opportunity to ask a question of the political candidates and also hear them answer important questions on children's rights to quality education. It would be wonderful to see as many people there as possible, so please distribute the flyer amongst your staff members and friends.

Cash for Schools Shop at PAK’n SAVE UPPER HUTT between Monday 7 July – Sunday 28 September 2014 and place your TILL RECEIPTS in your favourite school’s entry box to try and help them win a share of $20,000. All participating schools will be entered into a weekly prize draw to win a PAK’n SAVE gift voucher over the course of the promotional period. Maidstone Topped the Group A total on the first two weeks. Please support this promotion.

LIbrary News Term 3 has got off to a blistering pace in the Library with the beginning of our World War I commemorations. Reid Perkins, Upper Hutt Library Archivist and Erica Herron, Community Programmes Coordinator have designed a World War I Quest for our students, teaching them about World War I and, in particular, Upper Hutt’s involvement . We are the only school to have been offered this collaborative project which is very exciting. The Quest ‘goes live’ in Week 3. In preparation for this the World War I Library Squad and I started constructing our Library Trench and display items. Reid Perkins was also asked to write an article about our collaboration for the publication, Heritage Today. He visited our library last Friday to do a ‘photo-shoot’ with some of Mrs Kneepkens class to add to his article. We have lots of interesting plans in the Library for the rest of this term which we will keep you all informed about through our newsletter. Mrs Asprey – Library Manager.

Boys Hockey Tournament Late last term it was the turn of the boy’s hockey team to represent the school. Due to the number of boys keen to play we were able to field two teams, which was fantastic to see. Both teams played really well through the pool games. Our so-called ‘B’ team were competitive against some of the best teams in the competition. They did not make the playoffs but with many of them being year sevens we are looking good for next year too.

Our first XI reached the playoffs with two impressive wins and a draw in pool play. They faced and beat a tough Naenae squad to reach the finals. The final was against the other Naenae squad that we had previously drawn against. It was an absolutely epic match. What was meant to be a twenty-minute match went well over an hour. It was a draw after full time, still a draw after a few overtime sessions. When there was still no result the boys continued playing with one player pulled off the field every few minutes.

After over an hour in freezing wind and pouring rain there was still no result. Maidstone were declared winners as they had the better record over the tournament. The boys showed great sportsmanship and determination throughout the day. Both teams represented Maidstone proudly. A huge thank you to Phillipa Peters, Nayan George, and Tracy Lakeman who coached the team. The results wouldn’t have been possible without you.

Thank you to the following firms for sponsoring this Newsletter

and the Maidstone Gold Ticket “Wheel of Fortune

0274 416931

526 2274

526 2275

Get your sKETCHERS School Shoes here

Tuesday and Thursday night 6.00—7.30 pm Maidstone Intermediate School Hall

Blair Martin—Phone 972 9042

Associated Computers

Malcolm Wheeler

027 4474 222

Country Lane

Silverstream

Phone 527 8389

2 Geange Street, Upper Hutt

Phone/Fax (04) 529 7342

Ph. 0800 634 572 Fax 236 0174 nzcoach@xtra.co.nz w E

David Haswell 027 440 6534 04 526 6602

Ask about our party bus

Corner Main & Gibbons Street, UPPER HUTT

Ph 920-7770

Free Warrant of Fitness Inspection Check when booked in

conjunction with our *$199 Oil & Filter Service and Safety

Check. Bring in this newsletter at your appointment time to

receive a $5 donation back to Maidstone Intermediate.

*From $199 for 4 cylinder up to 2.5 litre petrol.

www.king.toyota.co.nz New & used vehicles –

service & parts

Testing and treatment for dyslexia and reading disorders,

www.cellfield.com Call 528 7707

Wheel of Fortune

Prize Winners There have been no prize draws so far this term.

Catering

Equipment

Services

We service and repair all brands of cooking and warewashing equipment.

Mark Edwards,

Director

021 568 487 or

0800 90 60 30

mark@cesw.co.nz

Dr Ashwin Magan (BDS)

CALL TODAY (04)5277914 or 021408955

Level 3, CBD Towers Upper Hutt,

www.ashwinmagandentalsurgery.co.nz

Community Notices Akatarawa Scout Group is looking for new Keas, Cubs and Scouts! Do you like a bit of adventure and the outdoors? Become a Kea, Cub or Scout and do

heaps of exciting indoor and outdoor activities! You can learn traditional Scout skills such as tying knots and using a compass to find your way around. You’ll also visit exciting places, play cool games, even help others to ‘do their best’, and learn what to do in an emergency. There are badges to earn, including Award Badges and personal interest badges. We are hoping to open a Kea pack very soon for years 1, 2 and 3 – please contact Sheryl to express your interest! Or, COME AND VISIT US! @ Hoggard Park, BLACKBEECH STREET or call Sheryl Brown 04 527 3919 Cubs - TUESDAY NIGHTS, 6.30pm- 8.30pm, Scouts - THURSDAY NIGHTS, 7pm – 9pm

Crafters Market – 2 August cnr Benzie Avenue and Fergusson Drive. Open from 9.30 am to

1.30 pm. Home made crafts and food – something for everyone. Come along and start the Christmas Shopping early.

National SCOUT Scarf Day – Friday 1st

August 2014

When you see your school teacher or mates on Friday 1 August, you may be surprised to find that they’re wearing a Scout scarf. It’s the inaugural annual National SCOUT Scarf Day for SCOUTS New Zealand. All past and present members are being encouraged to wear their scarf for the day to school

(or work) to promote Scouting and the adventure that girls and boys aged 6-26 can

experience. For more information, go towww.scouts.org.nz or call 0800 SCOUTS.