9th May, 2013 Phone 07 889 6629 Fax 07 889 5645 Email office@mi.schoo.

nz

Ng mihi nui ki a koutou Greetings to you all, Welcome back to Term Two, I hope everyone had a nice break and students are feeling refreshed ready for another busy term ahead. Our production rehearsals are well underway; the performances will be in the first week of July. Board Of Trustees elections are on our horizon with nominations closing at noon on Thursday 16th May. We have a very active Board of Trustees who play a big part in setting the schools strategic direction and monitoring the progress and achievement of our students. The Board receive regular reports from the Principal and Senior Management Team giving them a clear picture of how we are meeting the needs of our students. We have five vacancies with four of our current Board not standing for re-election. Those not standing for re-election are: Gary Tomsett (Chairman), Dave Matthews (Deputy Chairman), Cameron Marshall and Gwen Bonnar. Terry Casey, who is currently the staff representative is also not standing for re-election. One of the questions I have been asked by parents is what do I have to offer? Every person brings their own skills and expertise to the role, and that combined with a passion for the school will make up an effective Board. Trustees are active leaders in their schools and need to work well in a team, ask challenging questions and have good communication skills. Boards need a balance of skills and experiences to ensure effective processes for planning, monitoring, reporting and reviewing the schools performance are in place. (from NZ School Trustees Association). In talking to other people who have been involved in school Boards, they all say that it is a valuable experience, and that making a difference to the education of our children has been important to them. Nominations can be posted to Michelle Cook, Returning Officer, 24 Elizabeth Avenue, Morrinsville or dropped into our school office by 12.00pm on Thursday 16th May. If you have any questions please feel free to phone Michelle, any member of our current Board or myself via the school office on 07 889 6629. Nku noa, na Vicky Marshall (Acting Principal)
Whakatauki mo te Wiki: Proverb for the Week

WINTER UNIFORM
Thank you to families who have organised winter uniform items over the term break. If there are any problems with purchasing the correct shoes etc students are still required to come to school with a note from home to enable them to get a temporary Uniform Pass from Miss Williams or Mrs Griffin. 2nd hand polar fleeces are available from school for $20 each. They are donated to school by families and come in varying sizes and conditions.

Important Dates for Term Two

A major focus this term is our school production. Rehearsals will be held throughout the term. 10th May 16th May 21st May 21st May 22nd May 28th May 28th May 30th May 3rd June 5th June 13th June 17th June 18th June 1st July 9th July 11th July 12th July ANZAC Assembly BOT Nominations close at 12pm II Girls Rugby Competition ICAS Computer Exam BOT Meeting II Hockey Competition II Soccer Competition BOT voting poll closes 12pm Queens Birthday Holiday ICAS Science Exam Visual Arts Day ICAS Writing Exam ICAS Spelling Exam Production Week Gym Sport Competition School Report go home Last day of Term Two

Board of Trustees Elections

Board of Trustees Election nomination forms have been posted to all eligible voters. Further nomination forms can be obtained from the school office. Nominations close at 12.00pm on Thursday 16th May and may be accompanied by a brief candidates statement (of up to 400 words). If there are more nominations than vacancies for parent representatives, eligible voters will be posted a voting paper and candidates statements (where provided). The election poll will close at 12.00pm on 30th May. The highest polling candidates will be elected to the Board of Trustees and results will be made available in the school newsletter and the local newspaper.

MIS Inter-Intermediate Squash Team 1st Place!

On Tuesday the 16th of April Natasha Allen, Jack Devane, Carlin Vollebregt and Tyla Koppens competed in the annual Inter-Intermediate Squash tournament. We all played very well and Morrinsville came out on top; with Natasha and Carlin finishing second in their pool and Jack and Tyla finishing first in their pool. Because all our team members finished the competition with overall placings our school was awarded 1st place over-all! This was a result we were all very proud of. Thanks to Jasmine Armstrong and Quinn Hart for coming down and helping throughout the day as non-playing reserves. Thank you to Mrs Allen for helping with team selection, Mr and Mrs Vollebregt for coming to support us and providing transport, and also thanks to Miss Williams for organising the event. Report by Jasmine Armstrong & Tyla Koppens.

From back left: Natasha Allen, Jack Devane, Carlin Vollebregt & Quinn Hart. Bottom left: Tyla Koppens & Jasmine Armstrong.

Report from our Sports Co-Ordinator

Netball News: The netball season begins tonight and this Saturday. Good luck to all our netball teams; play fair, play as a team and enjoy your games. Thank you to all of the coaches and managers for volunteering your time. A reminder that netball fees are now due please. These can be paid through the office. Netball Umpires: Thank you to those girls who are umpiring on Saturdays. Congratulations on being an active contributor to our netball community. Well done! Sporting Tip: For our children to succeed and enjoy their sports, our players need something to motivate them, and something to inspire them. As role models that something is us. Parents, supporters, coaches and managers of all sports, please encourage our up and coming players with supportive and positive words. Sport Strapping & Injury Management Workshop: If you want to know the basics for strapping/bandaging common injuries to the hands, knee, ankle or shoulder then this workshop is for you. Tuesday 28th May from 6.00pm to 7:30pm. The cost is $5 per person (payable on the night). Morrinsville Events Centre. Presenters: Morrinsville Physiotherapy. Please register by email ruths@sportwaikato.org.nz and include your name, club/school and contact phone number. Register before Friday 24th May. Nga mihi Natalia Taylor (Teacher in charge of Sport)

Important - Change of days for Drum Tuition Lessons

A reminder that we have a new drum tutor this term and the drum lessons which were held on Tuesdays with Phillip are now on Mondays at the same times as last term. Thanks.

Have you ever wondered why schools fundraise so much? Have you ever wondered by parents are asked to pay School Fees and Donations? Like all parents and caregivers we believe education in NZ is and should be free however the reality is that it is not. Schools are funded by the Ministry of Education to meet the costs of running a school such as rates, power, water, pan tax, phone and internet, employing support staff such as office staff, teacher aides, care takers and cleaners. Our schools simply cannot survive on the funding provided by the Ministry of Education alone; the reality is that donations and fees paid keep schools afloat and support our childrens learning. Fundraising is essential for all schools and provides things the schools budget cannot such as extra learning resources, ever increasing ICT costs, new books, sports gear etc. This year MI Mates Fundraising Committee will be helping to fund the upgrade of the school adventure playground and purchasing learning resources to support Reading and Maths. Families are welcome to pay their school fees off in instalments and for those who chose not to pay, perhaps you would like to consider offering some of your time to help support school fundraising instead. Parents are very welcome to come along to any of our MI Mates meetings during the year, families are notified of meeting dates via the newsletter. Great Mothers Day Idea! Books are available at the school office.

MI Mates News
The next MI Mates meeting is being held on Tuesday 14th May at 7.00pm in the staff room - all welcome. A reminder that Pie Order Forms are due back on Tuesday 14th also.

Thanks for your support!