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

17 August 2017 - Term 3, Issue 2

Rarotonga Cake Auction - Friday 18 August Maidstone School Hall. Viewing from 6.00 pm, Auction 6.30 pm

Dear parents, caregivers, students and friends of the school Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa I’ve enjoyed visiting our Contributing Schools in the last two weeks to talk to the Year 6 students - with the able assistance of the Maidstone Ambassador students. It’s valuable to have the opportunity to visit the Year 6’s as it helps them to feel welcome and confident in their transition to Maidstone. I can’t help but notice how fortunate our families are in the quality of the Primary Schools in Upper Hutt. Our SRC and Rangatahi Maia students took part in a workshop on Monday to discuss a variety of items. Firstly they unpacked the meaning behind our Maidstone ‘Purpose’. They then brainstormed the characteristics and needs of early adolescents from an adolescent point of view. Finally they brainstormed ideas for a new school motto that would capture the essence of being a Maidstone student. Their ideas were wonderfully insightful and it was an absolute pleasure to listen to their viewpoints.

Our purpose/vision…. 'To inspire positive self-belief in learners to think critically and contribute meaningfully in an increasingly changing world.’

Once a motto has been developed, staff and students will review the values. It’s good to review these from time-to-time to make sure they continue to be relevant and appropriate. Thank you to parents who have either paid their fees in total or are paying them on a regular AP. You will have received invoices last week, and a reminder notice was given out today if accounts were less than half paid. These fees cover the extra opportunities associated with the learning programmes, and teachers would like all students taking part. Nga mihi nui Mary O’Regan Principal/Tumuaki

Mangahigh maths Maths Super Hero Challenge. All Maidstone students are enrolled on Mangahigh Maths. Mangahigh is a global online mathematics

phenomenon based in London, England. Thousands of schools around the world participate in stimulating, interactive mathematics

games and challenges every day. The cost of participation is covered by your child’s activity fee.

Between 21 August and 3 September Maidstone students have the opportunity to compete in the MATHS SUPER HERO

CHALLENGE. Not only do they get the opportunity to strengthen their maths skills, but to win medals and international prestige. Full

details can be found at

http://competition.mangahigh.com/challenge?inf_contact_key=5b8368659ca8c4fcc63770d7e4c8445cc41977e55c931b8ab290ade

0a1a3566b

Remember, Maidstone students don’t need to join up to participate in the Super Hero Challenge. They already have a Mangahigh

account.

Maidstone Intermediate Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS 18 August Mufti Day

18 August, Cake Auction,

Rarotonga Group

23 August – Netball Tournament

24 August SRC Leadership

morning

29-31 August – Yr6s Visit MIS

9-15 Sept AIMS Games Tauranga

25-29 Sept Rarotonga Trip

27 September UH Cultural Fest

29 September – end Term 3.

Virtual Business Option Every Friday after morning interval a group of eager students gather in the Flight Deck (our computer suite) to develop their imaginary businesses. These ‘virtual’ businesses include cafes, auto parts, veterinary practices, pet shops, beauty salons, plumbing services and supplies, and sports goods to name but a few. What do students learn? Well, a great deal about spreadsheets for a start. Skills include using the formula tools in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets to automate complex calculations. Students develop a simple business idea which they then turn into a monopoly-like game. Over the eight week option cycle each student develops ten positive and ten negative scenarios which could impact on their business. Electronic random number selectors are embedded within the spreadsheet and are used by players to move around either a virtual or physical board. A player lands on a number which relates to a particular scenario. It could be that “The council has dug up the road outside your café – reduce your sales by half”, or “Your advertising has brought about a 20 percent increase in sales this week.” Each player has a copy of the spreadsheet and adjusts the business’s bottom line until a winner is found. Most students start out knowing very little about running a business or using the clever tools embedded within spreadsheets. By the end of the eight week cycle many end up virtual experts! Grant Reid

Nau mai, haere mai.

You are invited to a

Whanau Hui When: Tuesday 5th September at 5.30 pm

Where: Maidstone Intermediate, Room 16

Why: We need your help to create our school MOTTO and Whakatauki.

Your perspective is important for our Maori students.

PLEASE bring a plate and we will start with shared kai.

Matua Patrick and Ms Winiata

PACIFIC STUDIES OPTION 13 eager students are currently working towards a week of learning, fun and sun in Rarotonga at the end of this term. We have spent the last 14 weeks studying the Islands of the Pacific, our contribution to the Pacific and what it means to be a Pacific nation. As part of this we have been learning about the religion, education, cultural activities and government of a variety of islands. As part of our study we are learning about international travel, New Zealand border patrol, and basic Rarotongan greetings. We are looking forward to spending two days visiting schools in Rarotonga, attending a church service, browsing the markets, snorkelling, kayaking and cooking our own bbq dinner each night. Keep an eye out for more updates closer to the time! R Kneepkens

mufti day A Mufti Day is being held on Friday 18 August to raise money towards the Rarotonga trip. Students are asked to wear clothes suitable for the weather and a day at school. If they have PE on a Friday they will be required to bring their PE gear. Cost - a gold coin donation.

Cake Auction

Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you love cake, home baking, muffins or delicious treats? Do you need a bit of excitement on a Friday night? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then come along to the Great Maidstone Cake Auction. This Friday, 6.00pm, in the hall. Cash sales only.

Girls Volleyball tournament On Wednesday the 9th of August, the Maidstone boys and girls volleyball teams attended the inter-intermediate volleyball tournament at the ASB Arena in Wellington. We arrived at around 8:45 and found a net to practise on, so we practised setting it high in the air while the other person moved to get under it and set it back up for someone to spike over the net. The boys soon had to move down to the opposite end of the arena, as the buzzer had sounded, indicating that there was only five minutes left until the first game began, for both boys and girls. The captains were called over to play Paper, Scissors, Rock with the opposing team's captain, determining the team to serve first. Our team won the “toss”, so we served, arcing the ball high over the net, where one of the other team players tried to spike it over the net but it went too high and out of the court. 1-0 to Maidstone. We served the ball high over the net again. One of the other team's players dug the ball at the net. Another point to Maidstone. A Maidstone player again, served the ball over the net while one of the other team's players set the ball up and another player spiked it down onto the Maidstone-half of the court. 2-1 to Maidstone. The game carried on like that for another 10 minutes. The final score was 25-6 to Maidstone! On the other side of the arena, the boys were into a 3rd and 4th play-off. It was a good game and the Maidstone boys snagged the win and came 3rd overall. After another 11 games (for the girls) it was time to go. It was an extremely successful day, with the girls placing 4th overall. We all enjoyed ourselves a lot. We would like to thank Mr Kleinjan and Mr Solia for organising and training both teams, along with Andy, who helped coach and transport the boys, and to the parents, who supported and transported us on the day. By Sasha and Amy

Boys Volleyball tournament On Wednesday 9 August the boys and girls volleyball teams came to school at 7:30. We left school and headed to ASB arena in Wellington in Andy’s car. We arrived at the arena and parked the car and everyone rushed to the entrance of the arena. When we got to the arena and saw the volleyball nets we thought WOW. The nets were very high and most of us couldn't reach the top; definitely higher than we expected. We headed to court 12 as fast as we could, thinking we were late. As it turned out the other team (Avalon) wasn’t even at the arena, so we won that game by default. Then we stayed on court 12 to play Brandon, it was a good game; we ended up with our second win of the day. Then we had a bye so we went to watch the girls play Brandon which they won!!! We then moved on to court 11 to play Hutt, unfortunately we came out with our first loss. We then went to court 7 to play SWIS (South Wellington Intermediate School) and again we lost. So we had our heads held up high and went to play EBIS on court 8 and we came out with the Win. We then headed off to court 10 to play Wainui and sadly came out with another loss, but we said to ourselves it was ok. After that it was lunch time. We ate our food and gathered our courage to play on and do our best. Then we headed off to court 7 to play Newlands and came out with a win. After that we stayed on court 7 to play Tawa and unfortunately we lost. We went to court 10 to play Naenae and we lost to them. We then went to court 9 to play Fergusson which we won, then again against Raroa on court 9. We then had our last game for third and fourth places on court 9 against Naenae and we won. So we came third place overall. Then we went to watch the girls to play for 3rd and 4th against Raroa but they sadly lost and came fourth overall. We would like to thank Mr Solia and Mr K for training us and Andy for coaching us at the tournament. By Kaleb.L and Shaun.M.

SPORTSFEST – 16 AUGUST All the teams who went had an awesome day out. Our volleyball team played incredibly well and came in first place. The turbo touch team came in second, only having lost one game to Wainui. The netball and hockey team came away with a 6th and 4th placing respectively. Congratulations to all the teams and the

effort they put into training and playing on the day. Sportsfest student reports will be in the 31 August newsletter.

2018 school term dates Term 1 1 February – 13 April Easter holiday 30 March & 2 & 3 April Term 2 30 April – 6 July Term 3 23 July – 28 September Term 4 15 October – 19 December There will also be 2 Teacher Only Days – the dates of these will be advised when confirmed. Wheel of Fortune Prize Draw The winner of the spin of the wheel last week was Samantha from Room 11. Her prize was sponsored by Bozinoff Mortgages and insurances. Her Gold Ticket was awarded for Kawenga – Responsibility. Well done Samanatha.

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Whitby - Open Day

Year 8 parents are invited to come to the Marsden Whitby Open Day on Friday 18 August, between 10am and 12pm. This is a good opportunity to see the school in action and learn about the programmes and opportunities for your child. Marsden Whitby (2 Starboard Lane, Whitby) is for boys and girls Years 7-13. Enrolments for 2018 are now open. marsden.school.nz

Public Talk on Building Resilience - Come along to hear how you can support your children to increase their ability to handle the sense of failure, frustration, anxiety etc. It is a skill we need to learn, so come along and learn how to support their learning. Easy to understand examples and instantly usable information. Kathryn has her Masters in Educational Psychology, and certified with an international expert on trauma. She has been working in this industry for over fifteen years, training Police, Social Workers, prisoners, NZRugby and so many more audiences throughout NZ and UK. Wednesday 23rd August 7 – 8:30pm; Upper Hutt Rams U11 Rep Team Fundraiser - $20 Upper Hutt Rugby Clubrooms, Maidstone Park. Tickets from Eventbrite.com (search ‘sport resilience): or on the night if not sold out prior

Thank you to the following firms for sponsoring this Newsletter and

the Maidstone Gold Ticket “Wheel of Fortune

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

David Haswell 027 440 6534 04 526 6602 Ask about our party bus

Ryan Thomas Custom Construction

For a quote please call

Ryan Smith 0273467235 Or Email: ryanthomascc@gmail.com

Ground Floor, The Mall, Upper Hutt

Phone/Fax (04) 529 7342

Get your sKETCHERS School Shoes here – 2 Geange Street Upper Hutt