Dear Parents

At the core of all the work we do here, are the children. Obviously! They come in all shapes and sizes. They come from different cultures. They come from different types of families – mum, dad and the kids, blended families, single parent families. They have differing abilities, strengths and weaknesses. They all have something they are passionate about. They all have opinions.

It is important to us that we listen to what our children are saying. It is important that we ask their opinions and listen to any concerns they may have.

When I first started at VAS, I asked every child to write to me and tell me two things about the school they loved and one thing that could be improved, or implemented. It was a great way for me to ‘listen’ to what children were saying. I am currently doing this exercise again. A couple of reasons: I want to ‘listen’ to what children are saying about school and I want to see what changes have happened in the four years since I started. I also look at the letters as it helps me identify which children are showing signs of needing additional support with their writing.

I am having so much fun reading the letters. The uniqueness of every child is captured in their letters. I have sat their reading with a smile on my face, an occasional ‘awww’ and at times laughing, not at the child but at their ideas for change (a horse and stable please!).

Mostly, the children I have identified are already known to me through our analysis of school-wide achievement. When I have spoken with the class teacher, or our SENCO (special needs co ordinator) about those few children that I have identified as needing additional support, I am pleased that support is already in place for all those children and in most cases, they have been supported for some time. It pleases me that so many adults in this school are watching over the children to ensure they achieve.

So what have the children been saying about the school? From the class letters I have read to date, the thing that our children love the most is the forest and our peaceful environment. Next favourite is the teachers, followed by the library, climbing trees, the field and playgrounds, reading, sport and PE and assemblies. So far, there have been 53 things identified as being valued by children, so a very diverse list.

To date there has been no standouts in the things identified to improve or bring into the school (52 different things!). Some of the things that made me smile: a games arcade, putt putt golf course, more fire drills, after school café, roller coaster, flying fox, pet shop, more art around the school, rubix cubes for children. Once I have all the responses, I will look at any aspects for improvement and take steps to remedy them. What was lovely, was that some children said there was nothing to change or add, the school was great just as it is!

However, the point of the exercise is not to pat ourselves on the back, but to listen to children and take any necessary steps to improve where needed.

Kind regards

Janice Adamson

Mufti-Day – Thursday 24th March

Next Thursday the 24th March a gold coin gives all pupils the opportunity to come to school in mufti! This event is a fundraiser for Orphans Aid International, a NZ charity that rescues and cares for children in extreme need. Orphanage projects in Russia and Romania, Uganda, India and Nepal provide for up to 750 children each day in areas where no other national government or international donor support is available. While NZ does not have orphanages as such, Orphans Aid supports organisations working with children in desperate need, and families who require respite care. 100% of funds raised from the mufti-day will go to children in the orphanage programs.
www.orphansaidinternational.org

 HELP REQUIRED:

GRAPHIC DESIGNER WANTED!!

We need to complete a single, one-off task to a high standard, that needs design/photography/production/print. The person we seek needs to be able to work within a Apple Mac environment using CS6+ with particular skills in InDesign and Illustrator and be intimately familiar with pros and cons of printing techniques, and capable of working to tight budgets. Deadline is flexible but we ideally wish to conclude the work within the coming month. Please contact Linley [email protected] or phone 5200602

PRINTING WANTED!!

Our directory needs printing …. is there anyone out there who can help us to get this underway as soon as possible. Please contact Shelley Cunningham vasptschair@gmail.com or phone the office 5200602. Many thanks.

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Thanks to everyone who donated second-hand uniform, and to those who purchased it from our sale.  This raised $1908 for our school!

We still have a large quantity of second-hand fleeces available.  These will be on sale for the rest of this term, during shop opening hours (Fridays, 8.15-8.45am). Cost $20 (new $69).

Clean, good-quality second-hand uniform may be left at the office any time, or dropped to the shop when open.  Our next sale will be in Term 3. Our thanks to Jenny Hayward and Liz Schellekens.