13th June 2013

Newsletter Issue 03

Board of Trustees Elections

Thank you to everyone who voted in the BOT parent elections. The new Board, who took ofce from the 6th of June 2013, are as follows: Susan Miller Priscilla Pihema Malo Taai The staff representative on the Board is Dionne Holt-Pedersen. Samuel Tauaa Carla Taylor

NOTE FROM MRS BAXTER

Last Thursday Mrs Sharren Bailey was farewelled at an assembly organised by the senior school. It was a very moving assembly, and Mrs Bailey was, at times, overcome with emotion. On Friday, at morning tea, the staff acknowledged Mrs Bailey for the work she has contributed to the school. She responded with her own thoughts about the eleven years she spent at Manurewa East, bringing laughter and sadness to many staff. We were pleased that Mr Palfrey was in Auckland, and was able to attend this occasion and join us in saying goodbye to Mrs Bailey. We wish Mrs Bailey all the best for her move to Reremoana. Welcome to Ms Casey Kendall, who has taken over B1 for the rest of this year. We know that she will be a great addition to our school. On Friday 21st June we are having a House day. We encourage all students to wear something in their house colours. All staff will be participating, and the staff who are not normally in a house will be adopting one for the day. We just ask for a gold coin donation towards future house activities.

Stories about Fire Safety

Jayden, B2: Fires happen very often. They are so dangerous. They can start from just the littlest of sparks. The safe thing to do is have a smoke alarm in every room. Lolini, B2: Fires are really dangerous because you might get burnt. Never play with re.

Cultural Groups
Our school cultural groups have begun lessons on Friday afternoons, and practice every Saturday. The groups this year are Kapahaka, Cook Island, and Samoan, and are run by teachers and community experts.

MELINDA AND XAVIER - C1 Working on phonics.

THE ENVIRO WARRIORS OF 2013 They strive to keep our environment litter free and see that our schools recycling system works well.

KIYOKO AND LIRVANA - B1 The girls are coming up with reasons why homework shouldnt be banned.

Happy Birthday to...

Sarah (14th), Armania (14th), Lepolo (15th), Jontae (15th), Sione (16th), Chloe (19th), Khalil (22nd), Micah (23rd), Jay

Leilani (17th), Xavier (17th), Latesha (19th), Ezra (20th),

(23rd), Reupena (24th), Lovely (25th), Kelvilyon (25th), and Jamie (27th)

Recycling Challenge
Manurewa East School uses chickens, worms, bantams and composting to reduce our rubbish. This week our school continued to encourage good waste management with an environmental competition between classes and staff. The competition was held around World Environment Day, and looked at which classes could recycle the best. D4 and B1 won best classes, and B block (B1, B2, B3, B4) won best block. The winning classes received books, a certicate, and bragging rights.

Park safely and keep our kids safe

Mrs Baxter presenting the Recycling Challenge awards

Ofcer Glenys
Since last Friday, a police ofcer has been coming to the school and teaching the children about safety. She shows the children safety resources and drills, and helps them come up with ways to keep safe. These include not telling someone their name if theyre home alone or over the phone, walking with buddies, and checking in with family members.

This year our school is participating in Auckland Transports Safety at the School Gate programme. Drivers who stop in the wrong place to drop off passengers put the safety of children at risk. Parking ofcers will be on patrol outside the school this term and will be issuing tickets to drivers who park illegally. The agreed approach is zero tolerance - there will be no warnings issued, you will receive a ticket if you are double parked, parked on yellow lines, or over someones driveway - or for any other vehicle safety offence. Please park legally to keep our children safe and to avoid getting a parking ticket.

Safety at Home - A4 Shared Writing

The number of accidents happening in our homes is increasing day by day. It gives us a strong message that there are not enough safe practices happening in our homes. Stoves go right on top of the list. They are usually left unattended while cooking. Mums talk over the phone and forget about the pots and pans on the stove. They laugh and giggle and even go outside to talk. Little siblings move around in the house unsupervised. As a result these children end up in the kitchen and near the stoves. They try all the means to reach the pots with food. What do you think happens next? Unnoticed body injury from microwaves. Microwaves are handy and easy to use but are equally dangerous. They are left on lower heights for easy access. Therefore, children also go to heat their food in it. Notwithstanding the fact that standing in front of the microwave, especially when they are in use, is dangerous. Children wait right in front of them facing the heat waves escaping through them. Apart from an explosion, anything can also happen. Who is at fault here? In my opinion, we need to keep a constant check on all these hazards at home. We need to remind the caregivers and the parents about such hazards. Safety must be our priority, dont you agree with me?