Tena Koutou Parents, Caregivers and Whanau.
Hello everyone,
Kia ora e hoa mä.
Welcome to our new student: Ella Johnstone
Dear Parents
Welcome back to Term 3. On Monday the staffroom board looked quite empty, but it is not like that now. We are back into full swing. This week is busy, especially on Thursday, with some classes visiting the Art Exhibition, Kate the Sports Activator here, and John Parsons working with each class. Our Years 7 and 8 children continue to go to Northern Southland College for Technology this term on a Friday morning. I do hope the fabulous winter weather we have had so far continues into calving and lambing for you all.
John Parsons here tonight – 6.30pm till 7.30pm
PLEASE take time to have at least one family member here – parent, teenager, grandparent, aunt, uncle - to hear John. He is an expert on cybersafety and his message is so very important for all of us. Children now spend more and more time on screens, and the research findings about this are not all positive. All community members are welcome, ex-students, parents and caregivers, everyone and anyone can come along. It is here at school, starting at 6.30pm. John will be speaking about Raising Resilient Capable Children and empowering parents to take responsibility for safeguarding their children.
Working Bee – next Wednesday 31st July at 3pm
We would like to get the hedge trimming finished, and some other areas around the school tidied up before you all get too busy with lambing and calving. Please bring along hedge clippers, brooms, rakes, wheelbarrows, spade/shovels, etc. We look forward to seeing lots of folk along to support this.
Notes in the Newsletter
We will publish information that comes from Community Groups e.g. Lions, Plunket, Riversdale Arts etc., but will not publish items that are from individuals. Thank you for your understanding of this.
Board of Trustee news:
At the meeting held on 01 July the following was discussed:
· New members Tyler McKee and Victoria Tremaine were welcomed.
· The new Chairperson was elected and this is Sonia Dillon. Other delegations were decided: Richard Clarkson – Property; Victoria Tremaine – Self Review; Tyler McKee – Health and Safety; Gavin Tayles –
Finance.
· Sonia thanked Emma Smaill and Andrew Allan for the significant commitment in time and energy that
they have put in to the governing of the school. It is very much appreciated and they will both be missed.
· The roll is currently 106 children. The July Roll Return was confirmed at this number.
· Kay took Board members through the progress against the Charter goals for this year. Teachers have written mid-year reviews against each of these.
· Some property work is to be done around the school.
· The Board discussed the ‘Supporting the School’ survey. It was decided that the status quo remain with Board members contacting three people to request help for working bees or events.
· The Board is using Schooldocs for all its policies and procedures. These are being uploaded currently and when completed will be available online to parents and caregivers.
· Emotional Safety Questionnaire results were discussed. Most children have an understanding around bullying and what to do about it should it occur. Results were comparable to other years with the majority of children enjoying school, friendships and their teachers. Any issues of concern are followed up by teachers.
· The next meeting is Monday 19th August at 7.30pm in the school staffroom. All are welcome.
Health Programmes – Healthy Relationships including Sexuality Education
Teachers will begin this unit of work on Monday 5th August and the learning will run for a fortnight to three weeks after this. I have included information about what schools are required to teach in the sexuality education section of Healthy Relationships. Parents are welcome to view the content of the programmes if they wish, and can pop in, as a copy of what will be taught at each level of the curriculum will be held at the office.
Sexuality education is part of Health and Physical Education in The New Zealand Curriculum (2007) and is based on the values, principles, and concepts of the learning area. It is underpinned by the four underlying and interdependent concepts of health and physical education: hauora; a socio-ecological perspective; health promotion; and attitudes and values. "Sex education" and "sexuality education" are different. The New Zealand Curriculum supports a holistic approach to sexuality education as defined by the hauora model, which includes physical, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. This is much broader than "sex education" which relates only to the physical aspects of sexual and reproductive knowledge.
Sexuality education in New Zealand takes a positive view of sexual development as a natural part of growing up. It encompasses learning about physical development, including sexual and reproductive knowledge, gender identity, relationships, friendships, whānau and social issues. It sits within the broader area of relationship education, which also includes social and emotional learning (SEL), and violence prevention education. In sexuality education young people learn about themselves and develop knowledge and skills that will help them to interact in positive, respectful, and supportive ways with others. Through learning about sexuality students also come to understand about the social and cultural influences that shape the way society views gender and sexuality. Sexuality education starts at Level 1 of The New Zealand Curriculum and takes both an inclusive and developmentally appropriate approach. All young people need access to information and opportunities to think about, question, and discuss issues related to relationships, gender, sexual identities, sexual orientation, sexual behaviour, sexual and reproductive health, and societal messages. Sexuality education provides a framework in which this can happen. Sexuality education, as a part of health education, is vital for young people’s development, learning, and overall well-being. Learning in this area also contributes to academic success and positive mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
Junior primary (Years 1 – 3)
At these levels, sexuality education will focus on learning about growth, development, the human body, friendships, and family relationships. Students will describe changes in growth and identify body parts and developmental needs. Students will discuss family relationships and affirm and show respect for diverse family structures. Gender stereotypes and norms will be questioned and discussed, and students will take action to support the well-being of others and learn friendship skills. Students will learn about basic human rights in relation to relationships and identity. Students will learn to express feelings and how they contribute to positive and inclusive environments. It is recommended that discussions about identity, personal health, body parts, and families are woven into learning throughout the year and that appropriate and diverse resources are used to engage students in discussions.
Middle and upper primary (Years 4 – 6)
At these levels, students will learn about pubertal change and body growth and development. This may include human reproduction. They will learn how to support themselves and others during change and develop a positive body image. They will describe how social messages and stereotypes about relationships, sexuality, and gender affect well-being, and will actively affirm the rights of themselves and others. They will reflect on friendships and plan strategies for positive and supportive relationships. They will identify risks and issues in online and social media environments and question messages related to gender, sexuality, and diversity. They will identify how to access health care. It is recommended that specific time is dedicated to learning about sexuality.
Intermediate (Years 7 – 8)
At these levels, students will learn how to support themselves and others during pubertal change and develop a positive body image. Intimate relationships and sexual attraction will be discussed and respect and communication skills highlighted. Processes of conception and child birth will be included and students will identify health care resources in the community. Students will critically explore how gender and sexuality messages affect well-being and plan strategies to support inclusion, diversity, and respect in friendships and relationships (including in online environments). Students will analyse how sexuality is represented in social media and mass media, and critique dominant messages. Students will develop assertiveness skills and recognise instances of bullying and discrimination and question and discuss gender norms.
The Education Review Office has identified that schools with effective programmes spend at least 12–15 hours per year on sexuality education (ERO, 2007b).
The right to withdraw
When the Board of Trustees has adopted the statement on the delivery of the health curriculum, the school does not need to seek parents’/caregivers’permission for students to participate in the programme. (We did the Health Consultation process earlier this year.) According to the Education Act (1989; updated in 2001, section 25AA), parents/caregivers may write to the principal requesting to have their child excluded from any particular element of sexuality education in a health education programme. The principal is required to ensure that the student is excluded from the relevant tuition and that the student is supervised during that time.
Answering students’ questions
Teachers are legally entitled to respond to any questions that students ask in formal sexuality education programmes or at any other time. Some questions may be difficult to answer and teachers may wish to delay their answers and seek advice and support from other health education teachers (or via professional development contacts). One possibility is to set up a process such as a question box (where students can post anonymous questions and teachers can answer them at their leisure, with time for giving thought to the appropriate answers). Discussion about respectful questions is important and teachers are entitled to refuse to answer personal questions.
Coming Up This Term….
Thursday 25 July 6.30pm John Parsons workshop at the school – all welcome. Sports Activator working with all children.
Friday 26 July Years 7 and 8 attend NSC for Technology classes.
B Grade Rugby practice at 1.30pm.
Wednesday 31 July Working Bee here at school at 3pm.
Monday 5 August Healthy Relationships unit starts in all classrooms.
Thursday 8 August School Speeches for Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 children.
Thursday 15 August Sports Activator working with all children.
Monday 19 August Waimea Speech Competition hosted at Balfour.
Board of Trustees meeting 7.30pm at school.
Thursday 22 August Community Assembly 1.30pm in the school hall.
Wednesday 28 August Polyfest for our Kapa Haka children in Invercargill.
Home and School Fundraiser – First Aid Kits
Super handy to have at home, on the boat, in farm vehicles, in the car or at the workplace.
Information and order forms will be sent home with children tomorrow. Please return with orders to the School by Friday 9th August. Contact Wendy Scully on 027 4440438 with any questions.
Riversdale Home and School meeting on Tuesday 23 July, 2019 at the Riversdale Hotel at 7.30pm - Fundraising Meeting
Meeting opened at 7.39pm.
Present: Kylie Tayles (President), Wendy Scully (Vice-President), Jane Lawrence (Secretary),
Kelly-Anne Blatch (Event Co-ordinator), Jenny Wing, Tracey McNamee, Jordan McLeod,
Janine Marshall, Kay Stevens (Principal).
Apologies:
Emily Hawker (Treasurer), Jo Clarkson, Rachael Nicholson, Michelle Houghton, Jo Smith,
Karen McLeay, Emily Mackey, Tiffany Przewieda, Ronee Polglaze, Kimberley Harper.
Moved: Wendy Scully, seconded Kelly-Anne Blatch.
Confirmation of Minutes:
Moved that these are a true and correct record. Moved: Wendy Scully, seconded Jenny Wing.
Matters arising:
Tracksuits. It was suggested that the old school tracksuits could be sold. The school does not require them anymore, as they have new ones. Date and time to be confirmed for the sale of the old tracksuits.
Fun Run. Location for the Fun Run is yet to be confirmed. At this stage we are in the process of finding the appropriate programme to raise funds without using a third party. The Fun run will be held early next term. Approach businesses for prizes. Closer to the time we will be asking for helpers to set the Fun Run course up. Moved: Kylie Tayles, seconded Wendy Scully.
Correspondence: Nil.
Principals Report:
John Parsons is coming to the school on Thursday at 6.30pm. His workshop is about Raising Resilient Capable Children. He identifies the specific challenges children face when using ICT, and how as parent/caregivers we can support our children to use ICT safely.
Kay recommends parents attend this workshop as it is very beneficial for parents to be aware when their children are using ICT.
General:
Baking Mixes. The baking mixes pre-sales will be later in Term 3 for Term 4 delivery. We will clarify if we need a commercial kitchen.
School Production. The school production is going to be held in the last week of Term 4. In Term 4 we will be asking for donations of items for the hampers so they can be raffled on the night of the school production.
First Aid Kits. Wendy is going to send out details to parents if they would like to order First Aid Kits.
The meeting closed at 8.35pm.
