MORRINSVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Ph 07 889 6629 Fax 07 889 5645 Email office@mi.school.nz

NEWSLETTER
28th June, 2012

We are once again at the end of another school term. Morrinsville Intermediate will break-up tomorrow at the usual time of 3.10pm. Term three starts on Monday 16th July. We hope all students have an enjoyable and restful break ready for another busy term ahead. Thank you to the parents and caregivers who took the opportunity to come along to our Parent-Teacher Interviews held on Monday and Tuesday; it is always great to see families supporting their childrens learning.

Annual Lip Sync finals

During the last three weeks of this term Aotea students have been studying Matariki; this is the Maori New Year which occurs on the 21st June. Matariki is the Maori name for a group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters and the New Year is marked by the rising of Matariki and the sighting of the next new marama (moon). Last week Aotea students celebrated Matariki and, although their planned sleep-over at school to view Matariki in the night sky was cancelled due to bad weather, the students from rooms 8-11 still enjoyed a day of hands-on activities as they rotated around the classes, and had a shared lunch. Families were invited to come in throughout the day. Students took part in the following activities: Room 8: Students learnt how to make putiputi (flowers) and whetu (stars) out of harakeke (flax). Room 9: Students learnt how to make manu tukutuku (kites). Kites were used by Maori and were flown for recreation and were also used as a means of communication between iwi. Room 10: Students created sun catchers and learnt how to play a traditional Maori game called hipitoitoi. Room 11: Students used string and cardboard to make a porotiti which is a Maori musical instrument (taonga puoro).
Our annual Lip Sync Finals will be held tomorrow from 9.15am in the school hall. Parents are more than welcome to come along for some great entertainment! These students have been rehearsing for many weeks. Students involved are listed below: Ben Brownlie and Tyson Blackburn Zara-Jane Spencer, Tylah Wright, Zoe Williams, Tasha Tunnicliffe and Ashleigh Wright Jordyn Mellow and Sophie Hamilton Taliya Chase Eden Adamson, Hayley Coles, Tyla Koppens and Nadia Holdcroft Olivia Williams, Arnika Ruegg and Julia Cronin Danielle Landsberg and Jasmine Singh-Ark Jack Devane Zarnia Herewini, Tiana Parker, Alysha Priestley, Alison Priestley and Wairere-ata Herewini, Hanna Zougarri, Gemma Watson , Ella Wilton and Jack Devane Jamie Willcox Emma Alsemgeest and Hannah Nicholson

Congratulations to the Year 8 students who have been selected for Coast to Coast Camp in September, a full report on Coast to Coast will be included in the first newsletter back next term.
Aotea Students: kite-making, weaving flax flowers and enjoying their shared lunch.

Congratulations on receiving the following M.I.S. Merit Programme Award:

Excellence Awards
Last week we had TVNZ at school filming for the Good Sorts section on the Sunday News!! Students in Room 10 put together a digital book of writing about the Good Sorts in their lives and sent this off to TVNZ who then offered to come to our school. A reminder for families we have had confirmation this will be aired this Sunday at the end of the TV One news just before 7.00pm.

Jordyn Mellow

Civics Civics Civics Civics

Merit Awards
Luke Phillips Dikshya Parajuli Sean Lovelock

Many parents who we have conversations with often talk of their concerns and frustrations around Facebook and their childs desire to have an account. It follows the age old argument of everyone has one so why cant I. The age limit set by Facebook is 13 years old although anyone at any age can log on and create their own page. We support parents who feel it is inappropriate for students of intermediate age to have their own Facebook page as we are well aware of the dangers that students face. We are surprised by those students who do have pages that they are often blissfully unaware of what these dangers are and don't have their pages locked or aren't aware that once they post a picture on the net or details about themselves that they lose control of that information. It is not unusual to talk to parents about issues with Facebook and find they are unaware that their child has a Facebook page. Not having a computer at home or access to the internet is not a barrier they can access their page from a friends house, from the town library, from a cell phone, etc. Another issue with Facebook, and it is currently in the media, is the issue of bullying and the effect that social media is having in widening the opportunities for bullies to continue their attacks on others. In the past students who bullied were limited to school but now with Facebook and texting they can continue their behaviour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In many cases when we are dealing with issues at school Facebook or texting out of school can be at the heart of disagreements and conflict. I know in talking to the local police they are finding the same problem.

Keeping our students safe

Below are links that will help inform you and provide material to show and discuss with your child. Some of this material is used at school when we are talking about cyber safety and personal responsibility. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of us, as parents, talking about social media, its benefits and dangers with our own children. If your child has a Facebook page, have you ever seen it? Some parents are shocked by the content when they do look.

Netsafe: www.netsafe.org.nz
This website has several sections. Parents and Caregivers, Mobile Phone Bullying and Harassment and a Young People section There is a lot of information in the 'Young People' section of this website. It is written for 10-14 year olds and you may find interesting information to share with your children. There are many links to video clips that inform and educate.

Bullying: Cyberbullying.org.nz
This website informs parents and young people and empowers them with a course of actionwhat to do if you are being harassed or bullied via text or online as well as guidelines for what parents or caregivers can do. There are also resources for teachers to use to engage students in online safety conversations. Attention all Farmers Cash for Calves Schemes
Farmers can register their bobby calves with several different bobby calf collection firms and they will make a payment to your nominated primary school for each bobby calf collected. Please note that Intermediate Schools are classed as a Primary School. This is a fantastic fundraising opportunity and our school would appreciate your support!

Oxford Pie Orders

Due to popular demand - another pie order form will be sent home with students on the first day of next term. Morrinsville Theatre Presents

Lucky, Lucky Hudson and the 12th Street Gang

3rd - 7th July, 2012 Tickets $18 single or $52 family. Tickets are on sale now: www.iticket.co.nz or 0508 484 2538 This production includes a cast of appox 20 MIS students and is directed by Jocelyn Mitchell (Room 6 Teacher).
Applications are now open for the public to nominate a volunteer for the Sport NZ Volunteer Awards. Entry forms are available at the school office or online.

Its Four Squares 88th Birthday and to celebrate theyre giving back to the community. Four Square is giving away five prizes of $1,000 Rebel Sport Vouchers to the school of the winning customers choice. This promotion is from 2nd to 15th July 2012 and to enter customers need to spend $25 or more at their local Four Square, go online and vote for their preferred school.