Next week we will be launching our new Digital Learning Reports for all parents. This is a very exciting initiative and I am delighted with the finished service. I hope that you will find the service useful and easy to use but please use the feedback option within the system if you have any ideas for improvements. We have created usernames and passwords for each family based on the email addresses that we have listed for you. If we have a separate email address for mums and dads then we have created two separate usernames and passwords. Access to the website is very secure and you can only view the information about your children. The security of the site has been verified by Andrew Horton, an independent internet security expert. Letters containing all the information for logging on to the system will be send home with children as listed below:

• Tuesday 22nd May – All year one and two children (with the exception of children in room 4*)
• Wednesday 23rd May – All year three and four children who do not have younger siblings at the school.
• Thursday 24th May - All year five and six children who do not have younger siblings at the school.

*The parents of children in room 4 will be given access later in the year.

Earthquake update

Yesterday I attended a principal’s meeting where the Ministry of Education set out the draft plans for the future of education in Christchurch. A website has been established called “shaping education” and submissions are invited from interested groups on the proposals being put forward. Although the major impact of the proposals are likely to be to the East of the city, the very clear message from yesterday’s meeting was that all schools in greater Christchurch are going to be facing changes. Property concerns are high on the agenda and Detailed Engineering Evaluations are being carried out at all schools for the next 18 months. The biggest challenge for all schools will be uncertainty surrounding staffing as school rolls continue to drop across the city. The announcement by the Minister of Education that the class size ratios are going to be increased in the upcoming budget will add further complications to the picture for Christchurch schools.

The Ministry have now completed the survey on all swimming pools in Christchurch and have submitted a proposal to Wellington requesting funding to fix 18 school pools across the city. They are expecting a decision and an announcement over which pools will be repaired in the next week or so. I have no idea if our pool is one of the 18 but fingers crossed. We are also awaiting a decision from our insurance company on our claim for the pool so I am hoping that I will have some positive news on the swimming front soon.

Clarity on payments

This year the Board of Trustees changed the way we charge parents for activities that the children partake in at school. To make things simple, we charge a flat $200 a year for all classroom activities and the teachers provide you with information on how that money is being spent via blogs. Money to cover expenses that do not affect all children in the class will be billed separately, for example; sports buses to Hagley Park, Robotics, music tuition, camps and religious education materials. All the activity fees represent actual costs to the school and are not voluntary contributions.

Enrolments

We are currently looking at our classes for the rest of this year. If you have pre-schoolers to enrol please do so now. If you know of in zone children who will be coming to Fendalton this year and have not yet enrolled please let their parents know. We will be advertising for out of zone places for term 3 in the Christchurch Press on Saturday 26th May.

Travel Plan

Thank you to the 76 parents who have so far completed the travel survey online. If you haven’t had a chance to do so yet please follow the link below.

The Junior Disco (Year 1 – 3) 6pm – 7.15pm.
The Senior Disco (Years 4 – 6) 7.30 – 9pm.

Entry $3.00

There will be drinks, chips, lollies and flashing toys for sale. Parents are to collect the children from the Village at the end of each disco.

The PTA still needs more helpers with both the Junior and Senior disco. If you are able to help, please email pta@fendalton.school.nz

Entertainment Books – 7 left – get in now

All books ordered so far have been delivered to your child’s class. There are still seven Christchurch books available for sale. Please order on line through the PTA Blog or complete the forms in the school office.

Rug Sale – Thank you to all the helpers, bakers and entrepreneurs

Thank you to Judy Harford, Paul Sibson, Kevin McKinnel, Deb Davids, Toby Stokes, Megan Lamberg, Liesl Carrodus, Emily Flaszynski, Mark Carrodus, Peter Langham, Mimi Griffiths, Perry, Kimberley Phipps, Kate Mortlock, Penny Swan, Catherine Bushell, Sue Idiens, Lisa Judd, Mandy Hammond, Kat McGowan, Jo Macauley, Brigitte Wells, Anna Western- Bell, Julie Black, Christine and Natalie Hetherington, Debs Farrin, Kris Gallagher, Charlotte Bryden, Julie Watson, and Deanne Burnett.

Thank you to all the rug owners who did such a great job at selling their wares and improving their financial literacy. Together we raised over $800 for the school.

Snow Ball – Friday 22 June – Tickets on sale now

Buy tickets here$60 each. Tickets for the Snow Ball are now on sale. Enter your details in the above link to secure your tickets. Pay either online or by placing money in the drop box in an envelope with your details on it.

See the Snow Ball website pages on the PTA Blog -for regular updates on the Ball.

The Ball is for parents, teachers, staff and friends of Fendalton School. It will be held at the Russley Golf Course on Friday 22 June from 7.30pm. The band the New Entrants will be playing. There will be a cash bar. Nibbles will be served throughout the evening followed by a late supper. There will be spot prizes and a silent auction. If you or your business would like to donate a prize for the silent auction please email pta@fendalton.school.nz. We are also looking for anyone with a holiday home that they are prepared to let out for a weekend as a prize in an auction. Again please email the PTA. All funds raised by the Snow Ball will be channelled back to support the learning needs of the children at Fendalton School.

Prizes donated by:

• AquaGym Swim Club,
• The Roxx – Clip & Climb
• Hair by Nicki
• Just Hockey
• Clyde on Ilam Hair Design
• Alpine Ice
• Cuticle – nail bar ‘beauty’
• Number Works ‘n Words Burnside
• Mocka.co.nz – Zed Pro Scooter
• Hells Riccarton
• Fendalton Mall Pharmacy
• Elgani Fine Foods (2007)Ltd
• Clyde on Ilam Hair Design
• Alpine Ice
• Ferrymead Park
• Crisp Cafe & Bar
• Elegance Beauty Clinic
• Jigsaw Hair & Beauty
• Anytime Fitness
• Christchurch Airport
• Adrenalin Forrest
• Meat @Millers
• Le’Esscience Aromatology
• Grasshopper
• Ewart Douglas Pharmacy
• Chipmunks

Take 5 is open for coffee from 8.15 – 9.30 am weekdays. Kid’s hot chocolates must be ordered by 8.45am.
The main room of the old dental clinic is set up for you to use for a class get-together. Bring some baking, buy a coffee from Take 5 and make a morning of it. Let Debs, the barista know and she can reserve the big table for your group. There are magazines and a box of toys for the children.
Everybody is welcome.
Take 5 is a fund raising imitative and all funds are channelled back to the children of Fendalton School.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support of this venture.

The Old Dental Clinic Renovation Project

A special thank you to Carters for supplying the building material used for creating the cubbie hole in the back room in the old dental clinic, and to Stephen Walker for doing the work.

Thank you to Matt Butterfield for supplying the carpet, furniture and more coffee making equipment. 

Thank you to Amy Haglund and Dynamite Signs for doing the poster work and signage for Take 5.

Subscribe to the PTA Blog and be notified of the latest PTA News.

Have a look above the drop box to see if any of it belongs to you.

I am delighted to be able to say that the security audit on our new digital reporting system has been successfully completed and the Board have given their approval for us to formally launch the system for parents. This means that you will be receiving a letter in a couple of weeks that outlines how you can access your child’s learning report online. The intention behind the online reports is to provide parents with the information that they need to support their children’s learning in a simply and easy to use format. If I have been successful in meeting this goal, you should not need any help or support in using the system. However, I will be running an evening and morning session for parents to come along and learn some more about the system. Watch this space.

Yesterday we held another very successful Cross Country event for all the children. It was wonderful to see everyone involved, especially all our brave five year olds who all (mostly) managed to complete the course despite the cold wind blowing in from the south. Thankfully we managed to finish the event before the rain arrived. A big thank you to Karen Radovonich and all the staff and parents who helped make the day a great success. 

The children are looking wonderfully smart again this term, so thank you to everyone for their efforts in ensuring we all look as we should.

We will be carrying out uniform checks just to help those children who have forgotten or made a uniform error.

Travel Plan

As part of the creation of a school travel plan, we have been asked by the council to conduct a survey of parents about the traffic around the school. The more parents who complete this survey, the better.  I would be very grateful if you could take a moment to complete the form by following the link below. Thank you.

Entertainment Books

Pre-print orders close tomorrow, Friday 4th May. If you have not yet done so and would like to pre-order a book then please either place your order in the Dropbox in the office or click on the link below to order online.

Rug Sale – CHANGE OF DAY – NOW Friday 11 May at 3pm

The Rug Sale has been changed to FRIDAY 11 May from 3 – 4pm. There will be cake, a sausages sizzle and Take 5 will be open for coffee. A bouncy castle will be there for the under 8s. Bring along your old sports gear, books, or toys and practice your sales skills. To rent a rug space put your money in the drop box by 10 am Friday 11 May – Family Rug $20 – Child’s beach towel $5. 

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Fendalton Supervalue Stock Take

Thank you to Megan Lamberg, Emma Bradley, Kellie Rhodes, Rachel Witbrock, Lucinda Pringle, Louise Holmes, Lisa Primi, Jo Glennie, Mike Glennie, Carolyn Inkson, Mellissa Fabiano, Jan Gugich, and Lucy Cochrane for helping with the stock take at Supervalue and raising $500 for the school.

School Disco – Friday 25 May

It is time for the school disco. The Junior Disco (Year 1 – 3) runs from 6pm until 7.15pm. The Senior Disco (Years 4 – 6) will run from 7.30 – 9pm. Entry $3. Parents are to collect the children from the Village at the end of each disco.
If you are able to help run the disco the PTA would love to hear from you. Please email pta@fendalton.school.nz. It is a fun night out.

Snow Ball – Friday 22 June – Tickets to go on sale shortly  

The PTA is organising a Snow Ball for the parents, staff, teachers and friends of Fendalton School. The Ball will be held at The Russley Golf Course. Watch the Ball Page on the PTA blog for further detail.
The Ball Committee is looking for spot prizes and prizes for a silent auction. If you or your business can help in any way please email us at pta@fendalton.school.nz
Prizes donated so far from:

• Willowbank, Antarctic Centre, Black Cat Cruises and Hanmer Hot Springs donated by The Airport
• Adrenalin Forrest
• Meat @Millers
• Le’Esscience Aromatology
• Grasshopper
• Ewart Douglas Pharmacy
• Chipmunks

Sausage Sizzle

Thank you very much to all those that helped out with the last term’s sausage sizzle: Kylee Martin, Mandie Hammond, Kate Mortlock, Tanja Smets, Liz Greenwood, Nicki Bond, Kelly C, Katherine M, Rachel Witbrock, Leon Hendren, Penny Swan, Angela Fairweather, Lisa Judd, Kimberly Phipps, Katherine MCG, Brenda Caseley and Mimi Griffith.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

The Second Hand Uniform Shop has been very busy. Thank you to Brigitte Wells and Rachel Witbrock for running the sales each month. If you are looking for further information on selling second hand uniform please see the uniform page on the PTA blog.

Take 5

Thank yous

Thank you to Ronnie Rhodes for putting on the skirting boards.

Thank you to Hamish Jenkins for preparing the walls ready for painting.

Thank you to Matt Butterfield for donating tables, chairs and some coffee mugs, teapots and other crockery.

Thank you to Stephen Walker and Rachel Witbrock for putting in the cubby hole in the kitchen.

Thank you to Matt Butterfield, Charlotte Bryden, Brigitte Wells, Karyn Butler, Julie Watson, Rachel Witbrock & Emily Flaszynski for painting and cleaning out Take 5.

And thank you to everyone for your continued support of this venture.

Coffee is on sale from 8.15am each day.

PTA Calendar