TE RM 3
26th Augus t
Nelson Central School
200 9 We e kl y N e ws l e tt e r
Kia ora
The Board of Trustees is ple ase d to share with you the
results of the parent survey that was carrie d out in
June-July. You will find this printe d elsewhe re in the
ne wsle tte r.
I am also pleased to present a summary of our first self
review report for 2009. The review sought and answered
the evaluative question:
How effectively is transdisciplinary learning
being implemented in NCS and with what
effects for student achievement?
Notes: T ransdisciplinary Learning is a learning model
which incorporates ideas from different curriculum areas
in one unit of study. At Nelson Central we use Trevor
Bond’s SAUCE model of Inquiry Learning as our vehicle
for transdisciplinary study. (Each letter of the acronym
refers to a specific stage of the process. S – setting the
scene, A- acquiring the information, U- using the
information to construct new knowledge and
understanding, C- communicate the understanding, E-
evaluate the process.)
To answer this question we looked at levels of student
achievement and engagement, at how consistently Inquiry
Learning is being implemented throughout the school and
how effectively it meets the needs of our students.
We collected information from a range of sources. T eacher
planning and assessment data were viewed, classroom
blogs and displays were examined and classroom
observations and interviews were carried out.
Many areas of good performance were found during the
review.
• Planning throughout the school is specific to each
Syndicate and is followed by all teachers with some
individual variance in activities.
• All planning provides for sequenced learning tasks
within contexts that maximise student engagement.
• Student engagement is seen through high levels of
on task behaviour in classrooms, positive
interactions and student interest and enthusiasm for
Inquiry tasks.
• Inquiry planning incorporates a range of cross
curricular activities that reflect the transdisciplinary
model and allow for development of depth of
understanding.
• T eachers assess student achievement in Inquiry
Learning using a range of tools and techniques.
Our weekly newslett er is kindly
sponsored by –
T HE DOC U M EN T COM P A N Y
7 0 N i l e S t r e et, N el s o n – Pho ne 03 548 4972
Principal: tumuaki@ts.co.nz Secretary: secretary@nelsonc entral.school.nz
Much of what happens in Inquiry Learning in the
classrooms is reflected on classroom blogs and in classroom
displays. T his informs the school community and supports
and encourages learners.
Different learning styles and individual student needs are
successfully accommodated through use of a range of
activities (visual, auditory and hands on tasks) and resources
(hard copy/computer/human). Most teachers use a mixture
of whole class, individual and small group learning
depending on what is seen as appropriate for the task and
class level thus guiding, facilitating and scaffolding students
in their learning.
The ability to use effective questioning is fostered
throughout the school from New Entrant classes to Senior
School with much success.
Some areas where improvement is necessary were also
evident and these areas will provide the basis for on going
professional development amongst staff.
They included inconsistency of assessment types within
syndicates making it difficult to assess achievement levels
across the school and the extent of familiarity with the
SAUCE model of Inquiry Learning amongst children.
Conclusion:
The teaching of Inquiry Learning at NCS has had a positive
impact on levels of student engagement within the school
and helps foster positive attitudes to future learning.
Improvement work will be derived from the substantive
report and will be carried out over the next twelve months.
I would like to thank senior staff members for the effort they
put into the review.
Noho ora mai
Dr Paul Potaka
PRINCIPAL
Nelson Central Achie vers
1. Thomas M (R1), Ella M (R17) – choir achievers
2. Hosu R (R2) for a fantastic elearning presentation of his
science topic
3. Lydia G (Ren 2) fantastic maths
4. Maddy C (Ren 3) fantastic story writing
5. Hyeonbeom (R3) fabulous maths
6. Rohan T , Thomas Z, Sam M, Hayden W, Joe R (R5)
fantastic success with maths
7. Phoenix M (R5) great work on questioning
8. Luke M, Grace M, Ruby B, Logan Clarke, Aiden T,
Charlotte M, Baimon K, (R3) for inquiry work on the
Kroo Bay project
Spe cial congratulations to Ella M (R17) for being awarded
the Shuseki Shihan Andy Barber cup for outstanding
leadership and dedication in karate.
– F ax 03 548 4483 – E m a i l s t a f f @ n e l s o n c e n tr a l . s c h o o l . n z
BOT Chairman: Geoff Clark 545 8010 Website: www.nelsoncentral.school.nz
ICAS Results Ella M )R2) Summary of Parent’s Questionnaire 2009
The first of our ICAS Joshua P (R8)
results are in and the High Hannah P (R2) 70 responses received (up from 55 last year).
Distinction, Distinction Pearl P
and credit passes have Zoe R (R8) Question 1 – how likely is it that you w ould recommend
been printed below. Isaac S (R8) Nelson Central to your family and friends?
Congratulations to • Ratings ranged from 5 to 10.
everyone who took part in ICAS Computer Skills • Average rating w as 9.2 (Same as last year)
the tests. Further results Distinction • Overall good feedback regarding school culture,
will be published when Kyle C (R7) quality of teachers and environment.
they come to hand. Georgia M (R2)
• Appear to have strong advocacy from parent/
ICAS Science Lachlan M (R7) caregivers.
High Distinction Ben R (R7)
Nic P (R1) Jacob S (R1) Recom m end Ne ls on School 2009

Ben R (R7) Isaac S (R8)

40
Cre dit Cre dit
35
Stella C (R2) Toby B (R7) 10
30

No: of parents
Isabelle E (R2) Hannah P (R2) 25
9
Max H (R7) Mai P (R7) 8
20
Grace L (R2) Ella T (R1) 15
7

Georgia M (R2) Ben W (R7) 6

10
Lachlan M (R7) Justin R (R7) 5
5
0
1
Advocacy

Question 2 – how well do you think your child’s learning

needs are being met?
• Ratings ranged from 2 to 10
This week the NCS Blog of the Week Award • Average rating w as 8.3 (slightly dow n from last year
goes to ROOM 3! 8.5)
Room 3 have been learning about our school • Lots of positive feedback regarding teachers &
values. Do you know what they are? curriculum.
Check out Room 3's blog to read about our • Human Rights theme positive.
school values of doing our best, getting along • Some specific direct feedback where needs not met
with others, making good choices and looking in verbatim comments.
after the world. Room 3 students have written
some excellent ideas about how we can Lear ning Needs Met 2009
display these values when we are at school.
25
Well done Room 3. You have some excellent
No: of parents

ideas that all students from NCS can benefit 20 10

from. Thanks for sharing your learning! 15 9
You can view Room 3's blog and read all 10 8
about their ideas for displaying our school 5 7
values and more by going to the school 6
website and clicking on "Classrooms" then on 0
1 2
"Room 3".
Learni ng nee
Leanring ds Met
needs Met

Social Skills
New Zealand Army Band
Term 3: 2009 Weeks 6 and 7 st
On Fri day 21 August s ome mem bers of the s eni or
choi r w ere lucky enough to attend a school concert by
the New Zealand Army Band. Seat allocati ons w ere
For the next two weeks we will focus on
limi ted so w e w ere unfortunately not abl e to take all
will focus on: members. Year fi ves and si xes attended along wi th
some year fours.
I am sure the year 3 m embers of the choi r wi ll have an
“Being in the Right Place”
oppor tuni ty to attend i n the next couple of years.
The concer t w as fantasti c.


Parent’s Questionnaire 2009 cont…. Last year my poppa died on
Question 3 – how do you rate the level of communication Daffodil Day from cancer. My
from the school to you? poppa was important to me and we
• Ratings ranged from 3 to10 loved hanging out together and
• Average was 8.6 (Improved on last year 8.2). reading stories. The Cancer
• A number of people requested more Society supported us so I want to
communications by email. help them by fundraising. My
• The w eekly Newsletter is a popular form of brother Theo and I are having a
stall selling tattoo transfers, stickers & flowers before
communication.
and after school on Daffodil day, Friday 28 th August,
Level School Communication outside the office. Please bring a coin and come see us!
By Zoe, Room 5
30
10
25
9
No: of Parents

20
8
SUPPORT THE CANCER
15 7
FOUNDAT ION
10 6
DAFFODIL DAY
5
5 Friday 28th August
3
0 To fundrai se w e will be
1 havi ng a our annual “Whacky
Communication Rating Hair Day” and a coi n trai l to
make money for the Cancer
Soci ety
Summ ary of other comments
We are hopi ng some of the Tasman Markos wi ll come
• Many, many positive comments re staff and
school culture. along to our school on Daffodi l day to support us
• A number of comments regarding bike cage. The Cancer Soci ety i s offeri ng a pri ze for the
• Drama has been very popular and parents keen pri mary class i n Nelson that bri ngs i n the mos t money
for this to keep going. i n the Nelson area.
• Some comments around amount of homew ork. That class will recei ve an i nvi tati on to Mc Donald’ s
for breakfas t.
The Big Five Remem ber to bri ng a gold coi n for the coi n trai l so
w e can raise money for the cancer soci ety.
The follow ing are 5 priorities the board w ill review this
year based on our parent survey feedback.
So gel up your hair and
We w ill provide regular updates via the school new sletter bring some money.
on progress made on these over the next 12 months: Support staff Supporting
1. Review of bicycle cage facility.
Whacky Hair Day 2009
2. Trial email communication of our w eekly
new sletter. Thank you
3. Continue support of Drama programme. Nelson Central Student Counci l
4. Review number, content and mar keting of Parent We also ask that you support Zoe and
Information Evenings.
Theo in their fundraising efforts (see Zoe’s
5. Confir m location of and build new playground ball
separate article)
wall.
Kia ora!
Nelson Central School Board of Trustees

The follow i ng are some w ords the chi ldren used to descri be
thei r experi ence.
“Aw esome”
“100% bri lli ant”
“Amazi ng”
“Inspi ri ng“
“Fun”
“Fantas ti c“
“Thri lli ng”
“Super” “Great”
“Terri fi c“
 Nelson Ne tball – Saturday, Year 6
Section Three DRAW FOR 29/08/09
Venue/T ime T eam 1 T eam 2
Ct8 9:25am. Mahana Hotrods v Nelson Central S ting
NELSO N MINIBALL DRAW
28 AUGUST 2009
Time COURT 1 - TOWN END
3.45 EG MINI GIANT S – CENT RAL SPURS
FULL CO URT
7.15 NAYLAND BLUE SAINT S – CENT RAL SLAM
Nelson Ne tball - We dnesday , Ye ar 4/5 Draw
Section T wo & Four DRAWS FOR 02/09/09
Venue/T ime T eam 1
Ct7 3:45pm Nelson Central S chool Magics v Birchwood S tars
Ct6 4:25pm Nayland S tar S hooters
WEEKLY SPO RTS RESULTS
Week ende d 23rd August
Netball
Central Sting v Henley Steams. Henley w on.
Player of the day: Isabelle room 8.
Central Magics v Hope. Magics w on 4-2.
Central Stars v Brightw ater.
Player of the day: Isabella, room 1
Miniball
Central Slam v Birchw ood Giants. Slam w on 34-16
Player of the day: Ben R, room 7.
Central Spurs v Birchw ood. Spurs lost 46-30.
Player of the day: Kyle C, room 7.
Soccer
Mapua Tigers 5 v City Cobras 0.
Player of the day: Justin R, room 7.
City Green v City Red. Green lost.
Player of the day: Jack (St Josephs)
City Geckos 4 v Moutere Rangers 4
Player of the day: Arlo (Clifton Tce)
Winte r Sports Tournament – Year 5/6
This Thursday 27 th August
The annual winter sports tournament is being held this
Thursday. Children were issued with information sheets
last week. Please ensure permission slip and bus fare is
returned asap.
We are short of parent helpe rs for the tournament.
We are required to provide a parent supervisor with every
team. If you could spare some time to assist with
We are a local marchi ng team, currently w i th 7 gi rls aged
supervision we would be most grateful. Please let me
betw een 5 and 7 and are on the look out for some new
know on 5484972 x 819/sheryll@nelsoncentral.school.nz
BBQ lunch Friday 28th August
Sausage and bread (onions optional) $2.-00
Fish burgers $3.00
Room 1 camp fundraiser
Future Ferns Netball 2009
The Futur e Ferns fi nals will be held on
Satur day 12th Septem ber, there w ill be no play
on Wednes day 9th September for our
Wednes day players. All our Future Ferns wi ll
joi n i n together on 12th Satur day.
11 SEPTEMB ER 2009
Time COURT 2 – RICHMO ND END
4.15 CENTRAL SPURS – HA MPDEN ST MINI
FULL CO URT
4.45 CENTRAL SLAM – STOKE
T eam 2
v Nelson Central S chool S tars
Lost Property - Last Chance
On Friday 28th August lost property will be put out next
to the Dental Clinic for you to look through.
Please encourage your children to have a final look as
any items left over will be donated to the Burmese
refugee fund the following Monday.
Please remember to label all clothing as this
makes it easier to return lost property.
Re presentative Miniball
The Central boys, along with teammates from Enner
Glynn, Stoke and Victory, continued their great run and went
unbeaten in round two of the Seddon Shields miniball
exchange in Blenheim today (Sunday).
Lachlan McNae, Ben Ripley, Nic Clark and Sam Chapman
each played major roles as the Nelson White team continued
on from its 4-0 start to the season to beat Marlborough Black
by 14 and Waimea Breakers by eight in pool play.
That put Nelson White through to a final against a very
physical and determined Waimea Devils team, a game won
by Nelson by two points.
The attitude and effort of the Central kids -- as part of the
whole team -- were outstanding and a credit to their school.
Three of the boys, Lachie, Ben and Nic will still be available
for the rep team next season and will be keen to build on their
seven-game winning streak.
Maitahi Majors Marching
marchers.
Our marchi ng team i s all about l earni ng, dressi ng up,
travelli ng, maki ng fri ends, di scoveri ng and enjoyi ng musi c
i n a fun, low cost envi ronment.
If you w ould li ke to come along and see w hat marchi ng i s
all about w e w ould love to s ee you!