Term 2 starts on Monday, 2 May.  As I pointed out, it is important for students to return to school on Monday, not Tuesday or Wednesday as many classes start new units of work on the Monday and if they are away they are on the back foot from the beginning of the Term.

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There will be a short lunchtime on Tuesday and school will finish at 2:00p.m.  This is to enable Professional Development in Social Studies to occur during the afternoon and early evening.

Our school is working with School Supports Service (Waikato University) during the year to ensure that quality school programmes in Social Studies and Science are being delivered to the students.

Most of the Professional Development is in out of school time, however, on occasions we need to finish school early to enable a reasonable block of time to be set aside for staff training.

Bus students can remain at school until the buses arrive at approximately 3:30p.m., but if parents are able to pick the students up it would be appreciated.

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Last Tuesday two girls, Kelly Nicholas and Amy Nicholson, were selected to represent our school in the Waikato Intermediate Schools Tennis Competition held at Fairfield Intermediate School in Hamilton.  The girls made it to the finals to play for fifth and sixth place, but sadly they lost the match and got sixth place.  Both girls did very well achieving sixth place out of nine teams.  A big thank you to Mrs Beale for organising the team and to Mr Brian Nicholas for taking the girls to Hamilton.

On the Friday before last, the House Captains received their badges.  Last Friday it was the Class Councillors turn to be acknowledged and receive their badges.

The Deputy Councillors and Councillors are elected by their class peers.  Congratulations to the following Class Councillors and Deputy Class Councillors for 2005.
 

Winners in the 2005 ANZAC Competition were announced recently.  The winner in each section will be presented with their prize at a Civic Ceremony in the South Waikato District Chambers at 9:30a.m. on ANZAC Day.

I would like to thank all the students from our school who put in entries.  The winners in the Year 7 and 8 section of the competition all came from Tokoroa Intermediate School.

Miss Hayley Tamati who is employed as a Long Term Reliever in Mrs Tania Carlson’s position moves to Auckland to teach at the end of this Term.  Miss Deborah Saddler will be taking over Room 18.
I would like to thank Hayley for her commitment to her job during the two terms she has been with us and wish her all the best for her time in Auckland.  We also welcome Deborah onto our staff.

As we have pointed out to parents at meetings and through newsletters, we have a strong focus on literacy.  We have three school targets (Charter requirement) on literacy, which we set early in the year with the aim of lifting achievement levels throughout the school.

Last year we held a Teacher Only Day and had Harry Hood, a highly respected educationalist from Otago University in our school, assisting teachers improve literacy levels.

It was pointed out by Harry that parents also have an important part to play in helping students improve their reading skills.  The following piece is from one of last year’s newsletters that parents might be interested in.

One of the research findings Harry Hood provided us with was if we want students to be proficient readers, reading at school is not sufficient to reach this level.  They need to read at home – even if it is only 10 – 15 minutes per night.  They need to practise the skills covered in class.

Is your child a proficient reader?  What can you do to help him/her?  Get them into the habit of reading every night.  It doesn’t matter what it is.  Girls are more likely to “get into reading” than boys and there are plenty of magazines and fiction books that appeal to them.  As boys are more likely to be reluctant readers – non fiction books and magazines are often a way to get them started, especially on rugby, league, skateboarding, hunting and fishing, cars, etc.

If you are interested, I have a list of books that appeal to boys that you can get by phoning the office or getting your child to see me.

Tokoroa Soccer Club are holding a school holiday Soccer Coaching Programme for 5 – 13 year olds from Tuesday 19th to Thursday 21st April at Strathmore Park.  Each day starts at 9a.m. and finishes at 3:00p.m. (Children bring their own food and drink).  Cost is $40.00 per player for the whole course.  All enquiries to Mark Cooper, Phone 886 8700.

Tokoroa A.F.C. are holding a Coaches’ Education Course for all junior Soccer Coaches at Strathmore Park on Saturday, 16th April from 9 – 10:30a.m.  This course is free. All enquiries to Mark Cooper, Phone 886 8700.

Tonight at 7:00p.m. followed by the monthly Board Meeting. (Board Room, Administration area of the school).

If your child is away from school we would appreciate a phone call as we carry out absence checks every day and use the services of Tokoroa Truancy Service.

It is important parents/guardians are familiar with the policy of medication at school.

1. All medicine required to be taken at school must be in the original container stating type, dose and frequency, name of patient and doctor.
   
2. All parents/guardians supplying medication to be taken at school must fill out a form stating that they have requested the school to administer it on their behalf.
   
3. All medicine must be taken in the Sick Bay under the supervision of a ‘specified staff’ member and it must not be taken away by the student.
   

At the beginning of Term 2 students are required to be in winter uniform. There is a two-week “change over period”.
Winter uniform is as follows:
Boys

• White roll neck skivvy
  
• Grey summer shorts or grey woollen shorts
  
• Black or brown lace up shoes (not track shoes) and grey socks with two red bands
  
• Red V neck woollen or acrylic jersey
  

• Grey skirt or culottes in same pattern as the summer uniform
  
• White roll neck skivvy
  
• Black or brown lace up shoes (not track shoes) and white ankle socks / grey woollen walk socks
  
• Red V neck woollen or acrylic jersey or cardigan
  

• Red and grey wet weather track suit – available from the school for $115.00 (jackets - $75.00, pants - $40.00, can be purchased separately).