Address: 282 Victoria Avenue, Remuera, Auckland | Telephone: (09) 520 0602
E-mail: [email protected] | web: www.victoriaave.com
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
In this newsletter Alison Laxon is sharing with you what our Future Problem Solving Gifted and Talented (GATE) are working on.
GATE: Future Problem Solving
This year a team of Year 5 and 6 students are taking part in an international competition called Future Problem Solving. While they are not in the competitive division this year, we hope to aim for that in future years. Future Problem Solving poses authentic, futuristic scenarios for the children to analyse and develop a constructive solution. This is done through a system of brainstorming the challenges, selecting one as your ‘Underlying Problem’, creating solutions, then finding the best solution through a detailed grading process. We have recently looked at the topic of “Space Junk.” The scenario was about the issues faced with clearing the space junk alongside the challenges this generates due to competition and overcrowding in space. We are eagerly waiting for our booklet to be returned from the Evaluator so we can see how we did and improve for the second challenge.
These are our initial thoughts/ comments on being involved in the group in 2017: “ It’s really cool how we can expand our creativity and thinking outside of the box and solve problems.” “ We are very challenged when we have to think about the consequences and solutions of challenges. The fact that they’re futuristic makes it really interesting to see what we come up with.” “It’s been very educational and it’s taught us how to solve real-life problems.” “I really enjoy going on Thursday afternoons; I’ve acquired some new skills and I’m really challenged.” “It’s really fun to come into the Community Room and have a healthy debate.”
Kind Regards
Jane Cameron
A very worthwhile cause
As a school we are going to be helping with the ‘Give a Kid a Blanket’ drive. This is the second year the initiative has been run with the help of Public Health Nurses. On Friday 2nd June children can wear mufti and bring a blanket.
We are collecting blankets of all sizes, sleeping bags and duvets for the public health nurses who will distribute them to families in need. These includes families in homes that have no heating, families who are homeless and those living in poor conditions, like camping grounds.
This is a very worthwhile cause and we are happy to be able to support the initiative.
We will be collecting the following items:
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- New pillows (or ones that have been used once but were not right)
- Gogo bags that babies sleep in
- Wheat bags (new so they can be heated by the families)
- Good PJ’s for children of all ages, including teenagers
- Duvets & covers (including king & queen size)
- New socks would also be appreciated.
Farewell to Jenny
Tomorrow is Jenny Hayward’s last day as Uniform Shop Manager. She has been with the school for quite a number of years, first as School Accountant and more recently in the Uniform Shop role. In her time with the School she has made a huge contribution to devising and improving systems and processes as well as the day to day running of these areas. Thank you Jenny, we will miss you!
Welcome to the new Uniform Shop Manager – Kate Wood, also a parent at the school.
Click Here to view our BLOG PAGE.
DRAMA/SPEECH LESSONS: Click here for information
MUSIC LESSONS: Click here for information on Musiqhub music lessons
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
FOR TERM 2 2017
Click here for details on these activities.
Also:
Click here for After School and Holiday Community Based Programmes and Activities for 2017
What’s Ahead?
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ONLINE CALENDAR
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
School Times
School starts: 8.50am
Interval: 10.30-10.50am
Lunch: 12.30-1.25pm
School finishes: 3.00pm
Term Dates for 2017
Term 1: Wednesday 1 February to Thursday 13 April 2017
~ Waitangi Day Monday 6 February ’17
~ Good Friday 14 April
Term 2: Monday 1 May to Friday 7 July 2017
~ Queen’s Birthday Monday 5 June ’17
Term 3: Monday 24 July to Friday 29 Sept 2017
Term 4: Monday 16 October to Friday 15 December 2017
~ Labour Day Mon 23 October ’17
Stationery Sales
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 8.30-8.45am
Uniform Shop
– half way up dragon drive in the old dental clinic
OPEN FRIDAYS only: 8.15-8.45am
Orders and payments for uniform can be made online on our website ~ Click hereSave
Lunch Orders
1. ‘Daily Lunch and Catering’ ordered through ezLUNCH: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays – ONLINE ORDERS ONLY
Join ezlunch today and Place an order Sushi is available through Daily Lunch and Catering
2. Pita Pit: ordered through ezLUNCH: Thursdays – ONLINE ORDERS ONLY
Join ezlunch today and Place an order
3. Subway: Wed and Fri – ONLINE ORDERS ONLY
Register to order online at www.subwayrialto.co.nz
School Dental Service
8b Ngaio St Orakei Ph5200603.
The dental team will be posting letters to all new entrants to our school as required.
Remember to ‘like’ Victoria Avenue School on Facebook.
NIT NIGHT TONIGHT!!
PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK FOR NITS – a number of classes have reported nits and if your infected child is not treated then many others will be!
Here is a link from NZ Health for info and treatment.
http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/head-lice
Reminder school Banking is on every Wednesday
To join go to the ASB display/banking box in the foyer.
To download the app for free on iPhone or Android click this link. http://is.gd/3ffmjc
Fundraiser – $5 to the School for each Subscription to NZ Rugby World Kids Magazine
Langhills Publishing is offering our school the opportunity to sell subscriptions to NZ Rugby World Kids magazine and keep $5 for every one sold. Please click here for the flyer to subscribe. The offer runs until 31 May.
Support Victoria School – Order your NEW 2017 | 2018 Entertainment™ Membership
2016 / 2017 Digital Entertainment™ Memberships expire on 30 June 2017.
To order your NEW 2017 / 2018 Digital Membership, order securely online at http://www.entbook.co.nz/
Thank you for supporting this PTS fundraising initiative.

Auckland Schools Futsal League
Auckland Schools – Central Zone – Term 2, 2017
Training: Thursday – Epsom Campus gym
League Match: Saturday afternoon – EGGS Sports Centre
Registration
>> Parents simply Register their Child here: http://
Either for:
– School (we then place them into a team); or a
– Current School team (if they are already in one)
>> Trials, Team selections, Training, Game times, Referees… all organised by Auckland Futsal
Please contact Koko Purdy for more information: 027 7056097