Dear Parents,

VAS Forest Project

Have you seen the plans for the VAS Forest Project yet? This is such an exciting project split into three stages, with the first stage planned for construction early in the year. The plans are displayed in reception so please come along and have a look and perhaps give some feedback. This year, the PTS raised nearly $70,000, which is just fantastic! We are only able to start this project as a result of all the fundraising the PTS has done this year. I know you will love seeing the slide area redeveloped, knowing that the money you contributed either attending an event or buying things is going towards giving our children an amazing space in amongst the trees.

PTS News

As you know the PTS underwent a renaissance this year with a group of parents and a board member who met and designed a different structure for the PTS. Charlotte Houghton spearheaded the new PTS and has done a fantastic job rallying parents to help either organise or help out at events. Charlotte is standing down and I want to express my huge thanks for all her hard work this year. Charlotte and another group of parents have been revisiting the structure of the PTS as well as working with the board to improve communication and transparency around the use of the funds raised by the PTS. The VAS Forest Project is just the start of the new improved way of doing things as the VAS community, with board, PTS and parents all working together.

Carol Service

The Carol service was well attended on Tuesday night and was absolutely delightful. The singing was beautiful, the organist ensured we could sing the carols loudly and the children’s snippets of what ‘shine a light’ meant to them were gorgeous. Thanks to Alison Laxon and Jane Cameron who were supported by all the teachers.

Year 6 Leavers

The Leaver’s dinner with the theme ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ was such a great occasion. The children came past a ticket booth, had candy floss and popcorn while they watched circus performers outside. They were let into the big top where performers from Flip n Fly put on a show. The dinner was superb, the MC Gene Kuhtze was a great ringmaster. It was a brilliant night! Thanks to all the year 6 parents who organised it. We are also very appreciative for the ‘loop’ outdoor seat and the donation of an oak tree as the Year 6 Leavers’ gift to the school. Thank you for your generosity.

Board of Trustees

Thank you to the Board of Trustees, Bob Weston Chair, Nicky Hall, Dave Shields, Bridget Snelling, Anna Scott, Martin Cooper, John Thorman, Alison Laxon. You have all worked very hard to ensure that the school is governed at such a high level. This has ensured that the high standard of education and community involvement has continued.

Farewells

There are many VAS families (of year 6 children) for whom this is the last farewell. Their youngest child is leaving VAS, so their time with us is over. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful contributions to the school over many years. To all the families leaving Victoria Avenue School this year, thank you for your support of the school and I am sure you take away many fond memories.

We have some teachers leaving at the end of the year for various reasons. Nashta Hawke has been pinched off us by Dio where she will be a specialist teacher in Maker Industries. Sam Holderness lives in west Auckland and has found the commute tedious. She has won a position closer to her home. Judy Chao has a particular interest in working with English language learners. She has won a position in a school with a large percentage of Chinese students. Rob King has not been with us very long, but he is secondary trained and has discovered that he really prefers 16 years old to 6 year olds! Huge thanks to the teachers leaving for all their hard work teaching our children. We wish you all well.

Thanks also to Marion Martin, Kate Chisholm, Chris Francis, Libby Hendriksen and Anna McDonald who opened the new entrant classes during this year and have done a fantastic job transitioning the new children into school.

This is not a farewell, but more of a ‘have a fabulous time’. Alison Laxon has been granted a one year sabbatical by the board. She is off to find out about life outside of VAS. We will see Alison back in 2020. Lynette Leggett will be our music teacher for 2019. She is very experienced and comes highly recommended.

Welcome

We have appointed new teachers. Petrea Barker who comes to us from Richmond Rd School. Renee Lee is an experienced teacher who has recently returned to New Zealand. Alice Wohlers is also an experienced teacher who is moving from Wellington to Auckland. We have not yet found a new PE/Sport teacher but I hope we will have someone wonderful by the beginning of the year.

So to all the staff; teachers, teacher aides and admin staff thank you all for your dedication and hard work with our lovely students.

Please have lovely restful holidays, drive safely and enjoy the precious time with your families.

Kind regards

Janice Adamson

2019 Classes

The class notifications will be sent home tomorrow after 11.30am. All parents will get an email with the class their child is in, and you will also get a photo and bio about the new teacher. Children will meet their new teachers tomorrow so you can all have a lovely conversation after school.

2019 Staffing

SENIOR SYNDICATE

 MIDDLE SYNDICATE

 JUNIOR SYNDICATE

SPECIALIST TEACHERS

Councillors and House Captains

The councillors and house captains were announced at the Leavers’ assembly last Friday. Congratulations to the following students:

Councillors:

Emily Fippard-Peacock, Bella Innes, Annabelle Judd, Isobel Pennington, Olivia Wood, Josie Treagus.

Connor Clark, George Clausen, Matthew Cunningham, John Gray, Jonathan Hu, Henry Wilson.

House Captains:

Karaka – Carolyn Yang and Cooper Thomson
Koromiko – Grace Thomson and Kai Wang
Kowhai – Meg Brew and Ethan Binsted
Pohutukawa – Olive Magness-Wignall and William Munro

School finishes next Thursday 20th at 12.30pm.

After School Care

Bizzy Bodz will finish being the provider of After School Care at our school, effective the end of this year. A very big thank you to the Bizzy Bodz team for their great contribution over many years.

We are delighted to let you know that Monique Patient is taking over with her Magnificent Kids Out of School Care – www.magnificentkids.co.nz. Many of you already know Monique who currently provides holiday programmes and clubs at the school. She can be contacted  at [email protected]

Lost Property

Please take the opportunity to come in before Wednesday if your child has mislaid uniform. One of our wonderful parents regularly returns named uniforms to children but there are still a lot of unnamed pieces.

Dates for 2019
Term 1: Monday 4 February to Friday 12 April
~ Waitangi Day Wednesday 6 February
~ Good Friday 19 April
~ Easter Monday 22 April
~ Easter Tuesday 23 April
~ ANZAC Day Thursday 25 April
Term 2: Monday 29 April to Friday 5 July
~ Queen’s Birthday Monday 3 June
Term 3: Monday 22 July to Friday 27 Sept
Term 4: Monday 14 October to Wednesday 18 December
~ Labour Day Mon 28 October

Kind Regards
Janice Adamson