Virtues Awards Well done to the following students who were recently recognized for displaying their virtues.

Respect: Nehemiah Su’a, John Simpson, Jessie Howells, Bailee Jones, Macey Wakeling, Harrison Ward, Frankie Devane, Ada Cox, Felix Gruebsch, Ivy Kenny, Indigo Camp, Hans Martin, Ryan Comrie-Hokopaura. Creativity: Aidan Hogg. Perseverance: Youqi Wu, Liam Meijer, Zuoan Wu, Piper Gaisford, Tyson Back, Ryan Renton.

Friendliness: Marshall Littlefair, William Herd, Trent James, Dhruv Lal. Truthfulness: Peter Adams, Jorja Penn, Sophie Banks, Haine Hanson. Creativity: Eden Patterson, Cameron Boyer.

Diligence: Zariah Wong, Ashton Kibblewhite, Saransh Kumar, Jimmy Ye. Joyfulness: Jacob Kennedy, Oakleigh Anderson, Knox Musson, Elspeth Ifaturoti, Campbell Wilkins. Tolerance: James Macpherson, Liam Andrews, Solomon Deere, Wairangi Potaka-Osborne Milner-Skudder.

Conservation Week Last week we celebrated Conservation Week by actively involving a group of our learners in tree planting at Bushy Park and Gordon Park. Each class also planted a native tree in our Native Reserve ‘No Go Zone’. A kiwi coin trail was also held which raised $330.00 towards Kiwi conservation. Thank you for your support. Many thanks to Kevin Booth for his passion in organising ‘Conservation Week’ activities for our akonga.

Swimming Pool Redevelopment Progress is being made! The new pool fibreglass lining has been

installed. The water in the pool is being tested currently and final

work needs to be undertaken before the landscaper completes the

project. The personalised bricks are due to arrive.

Watch this space …

Welcome to School A special welcome to the following new students and their families.

Hector Macbeth, Connor Rooke, Jake Newton, Zack Newton, Ethan Lampp, Florence Macbeth, Lily Newton.

Hunter Scrivener, Mason Toohill, Nicholas Sherborne, Kim Bains, Ray Singh.

Benjamin Law, Devaney Russell, Ali Belkouadssi-Sleyer. We wish you all the best for your learning at our school.

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whanau

‘Let’s Go’ was officially launched this week with five walking school buses (WSB) in action on Wednesday morning. 61 akonga (learners) joined a WSB. This, combined with numerous akonga who already walk, scoot or bike to school, is a conscious effort by our school community to promote well-being, whilst reducing traffic at the school gate. A sustainable approach is also promoted by reducing carbon footprints. It is a great social occasion for children and families, with lots of fun to be had by all as they make their way to school together! A huge thank you to all of our school community for co-operating to get this programme underway.

It was encouraging to read an article in the newspaper recently, regarding the revamping of the castle at Kowhai Park. Whanganui District Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay and members of the student council, met with children from various schools across Wanganui, including St Johns Hill. Our akonga were asked what they would like to see incorporated in the new design. These ideas would then be examined for the overall concept design.

What a great example of student voice empowering our learners, as their ideas, interests and needs are considered in the redesign of the castle.

It is hard to believe we are at the end of week two already! Best wishes to everyone for the jam-packed term ahead.

Nga mihi

Alison O’Hara Acting Principal

Green-Gold Enviroschool EARTH KIDS Education for Sustainability Schoolgen School Health Promoting School

Infectious Diseases This information has been sent through to school by our

Public Health Nurse –Trish Silk.

Chicken Pox Chicken pox is a viral infection that causes an itchy rash of spots and blisters all over the body and flu-like symptoms. It is very contagious and spreads both through the air (by coughing and sneezing) and by direct contact with mucus, saliva or the fluid from the blisters. It is contagious from about 2 days before the rash starts until all the blisters are crusted over. A child with chicken Pox should stay home and rest until all the blisters have dried, usually about 1 week.

Gastroenteritis (Diarrhoea and Vomiting) Gastroenteritis is usually be caused by a virus. Symptoms include crampy abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. It usually passes in a few days and kids recover with rest and plenty of fluids. If symptoms continue after this medical advice from GP should be sought. Please remember children should remain off school until 48hrs after the last loose bowel motion and vomit.

Important Dates to Diarise

14 November School Athletics 21 November Interschool Athletics 4 December Profile Books sent home 5 & 6 December Senior Operetta 8 December Mufti/Wheels Day-Can for Foodbank Reports sent home Year 6 Social 14 December Leavers Assembly 15 December School finishes 12.30pm

Senior Speech Competition Last term, the senior classes were treated to a great display of public speaking by the following finalists: Ivan Adams, Ryan Henare, Chloe Bardell, Chelsea Jones, Finnian Sinclair, Amy Benadie, William Herd, Sophia Brown, Thomas Fitzgerald, Lachie Burroughs, Blake Smith, Pippa McKee, Morgan Taituma-Hamilton and Cassidy McCreedy. Congratulations to the top placegetters: 1st Ivan Adams, 2nd: Chloe Bardell 3rd: Chelsea Jones Highly commended: Ryan Henare and Lachie Burroughs A very pleasing aspect of this year’s speech writing and presentations was that all speech makers were well prepared, knew their subject well and displayed good levels of confidence in front of their audience. Our thanks to the guest judges, Mrs Alison O’Hara and Mrs Donna Scrimshaw.

Swimsafe Last Thursday and Friday the children were taken through a

swimming safety programme facilitated by Wendy Smith from Swimming New Zealand. The children received the information

with enthusiasm while contributing to the problem solving scenarios with very thoughtful responses. For further information

and support please go to www.watersafety.org.nz to continue learning about safety around water leading into summer.

Spelling Bee 2017 The annual spelling bee was hotly contested in the last week of Term 3 in which Year 5 and 6 finalists competed. These students are amazing spellers and many words were set to test every fibre of their spelling intelligence. Well done to all who competed and congratulations to the following placegetters: Year 5 1st— Samu Hermann, 2nd—Peter Adams, 3rd equal—Danielle Taylor Moore and Cameron Gilchrist Year 6 1st—Ivan Adams, 2nd equal—Avalee Laird and Lachie Burroughs OVERALL 1st -Samu Hermann, 2nd– Ivan Adams, 3rd– Peter Adams

Reminder: Could you please let us know if your child will not be returning next year to assist with future

planning. Thank you.

Star Of the Week

Lila Cavangh

Uniform Reminder

Term 4 is Summer Uniform.

Please ensure your child is wearing the correct

school uniform including footwear.

Summer footwear is plain black sandals.