Newsletters

Bayfield School

Inspired today, prepared for tomorrow

NEWSLETTER

March 3rd, 2020 - Week 5, Term 1

Upcoming events and dates to remember

3 March - BCG meeting 7pm-8pm in the school staffroom

6 March - BCG meeting 8:45am-9:30am in the school staffroom

12 March - Year 3-6 Swimming Sports @ AUT Millennium Pool, Rosedale

13 March- Assembly - Diversity,Road Patrol Refresher - 10am

Kelmarna Gardens: Kowhai

20 March New Entrant Parent meeting 9:15am in the staffroom

26 March ICSS Softball@ Cox's Bay

A word from Kerri

Kia or katoa, it is so hard to believe we are already halfway through the term already. It has been a very busy fortnight, with swimming and the inner city cricket tournament. We are so proud of the children that represented us at the cricket. The teams displayed excellent fair play and a great overall attitude. A special thank you to Bevan and all the parents who helped with coaching, scoring and sideline support.

School picnic

Thank you to all the parents who attended the school picnic last Friday night, was a great night and was so nice to see so many of our new parents there.

Important Reminders and Notices

Covid-19 update

As a school, we are increasing the focus on handwashing and wiping down tables, computers, iPads, door handles, etc. So that we can get into healthy habits that will help prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and infections. We know you will all get behind good hygiene habits at home too.

Practicing good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defense:

o Wash your hands often with soap and water before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet

o Cover coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or your elbow

o Put used tissues in the bin

We encourage families to keep children at home if they are unwell. Please continue to keep us informed of any concerns, questions or self-isolation.

If you are concerned that someone is showing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, we encourage you to first ring Healthline (0800 358 5453) or contact your GP by phoning ahead of your visit to explain symptoms and travel history.

Thank you for your vigilance at this time and we will continue to update you on the actions the school is taking to keep us all safe.

Tax Rebate Survey Reminder

On the 26th of February at 11am, you would have received an email from the Bayfield School notices. This email directed you to a survey about a new fundraising initiative from the Board of Trustees. Thank you to those who have completed the survey already, we have has some very positive feedback, if you have not managed to complete the survey the Board of Trustees would greatly appreciate you completing the survey by Friday 6 March 2020.

The survey should take you no more than 30 seconds.

Thank you so much for your continued support of the school.

Bayfield Board of Trustees

Bayfield Community Group( BCG)

As you may be aware we have a fantastic group called the Bayfield Community Group, or BCG. This group is a parent group, much like a PTA, that supports the school by running school community events and our annual fundraisers.

This year Craig Priscott (Board of Trustees Chair), Sarah Taverna (Board of Trustees-Community Portfolio) and I are wanting to do a relaunch and have planned two information sessions to share what being a member of the BCG could mean for you. If you interested in learning about the BCG and its role, come along to one of the following information sessions.

Next week we will send out further information about the objectives, roles, and responsibilities of the BCG, so parents can feel fully informed about the overall purpose of the BCG.

Information Sessions for the BCG:

Tuesday the 3^rd of March at 7pm-8pm for the evening session (a kids room will be set up for your children to play in if you require childcare)

Then Friday 6^th of March at 8:45am-9:30am in the staffroom

On Friday the 26th of June we have our incredible Hammertime fundraiser. This is an important community event that helps raise vital funds for the school. At the event, we have live auction items, silent auctions, children's artwork, drinks, dancing, and fun! It is a special part of the Bayfield tradition and we hope to see you all there. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be asking for parents to be part of a Hammertime organizing committee and seeking donations for auction items. So watch this space!!

Recruiting, Recognising and Retaining Teaching and Support Staff at Bayfield

High living costs mean it is becoming harder to attract and retain teachers and support staff to central Auckland schools. Some local schools are now struggling to fill all of their vacant positions. Bayfield is fortunate. We have low turnover and have always had excellent applicants for the roles we’ve advertised. However, as with all local schools, applicant numbers have reduced in recent years.

The importance of attracting and retaining quality staff cannot be overstated. There is a growing body of research that shows the effectiveness of teaching is the most important factor in raising student achievement in schools.

The Board has been working on strategies to recruit, develop, recognise and retain excellent teaching and support staff.

The collective agreements between the Government and teaching and support staff unions are very restrictive. They do not recognize the difference in living costs in different parts of the country and restrict the ability of schools to reward staff or provide any benefits over and above those prescribed in the agreements. Therefore, the Board is focused on what the school and the community can do to foster a working environment that makes Bayfield an employer of choice.

Here are some ways you can help:

Recognition Award – We are launching a recognition award for teaching and support staff. We want to recognize staff members who put in the hard yards and make an outstanding contribution to the school. Towards the end of term, we will be asking the community for nominations for the award, including giving details about why you think your nominee is deserving. The final recipient will be chosen by school management based on community feedback as well as their knowledge of work going on behind the scenes. Kerri will also have the opportunity to pass on your positive feedback to staff members who don’t receive the award that term.

Would you or your business like to sponsor the recognition award? This will not be a large financial commitment and will have a positive impact. Please contact Linda or Kerri if you are interested.

Baches/Holiday Homes – Do you have a bach or holiday home that will be sitting vacant over the school holidays or a long weekend? If you do, please consider making it available to a hardworking Bayfield staff member. If you have a property you can offer, please let [Linda] know, including the dates and any other conditions you’d like to put on the offer (eg. limit number of people, bring own linen, payment of cleaning costs, etc). Alternatively, you may be more comfortable offering your property directly to a staff member with whom you have a relationship.

Thanks

Hannah Crosby

Bayfield School Board of Trustees ( Human Resource and Staff wellbeing)

Values at Bayfield

This weeks value is Diversity- Kanorau
These Year 4 ( Totara) Learners feel that valuing kanorau is treating all other cultures with respect and understanding that we are all different.

Our focus this term

This term we are focusing on Challenge...

Learner of the Week

Honor has been raising funds for the Australian bush fire relief, she has raised $480 so far, thank you to all the children who have supported Honor's challenge by ordering koala's

ICCS Cricket

Our School Sports:

Basketball- contact Sarah Vile for information sarahv@bayfield.school.nz

Netball - contact Natalie Hayes natalieh@bayfield.school.nz

Hockey- contact Michaela Bartholomew michaelap@bayfield.school.nz

Bayfield School

Inspired today, prepared for tomorrow

NEWSLETTER

February 18, 2020

Week 3, Term 1

Upcoming events and dates to remember

28 February - School community picnic 5pm-7:30pm on the field

21 February - Kelmarna Gardens (Year 2)

24 February - 6 March Year 5 & 6 swimming

27 February ICSS @ Victoria Park (save day 05/03)

12 March - Year 3-6 Swimming Sports @ AUT Millennium Pool, Rosedale

A word from Kerri

What a great second week we have had, topped off by a very engaging and enjoyable Meet the Team evening on Thursday evening. Thank you to all who attended and a special thank you Craig Priscott, our board chair, who shared a comprehensive overview of the role of the board, the aims for 2020 and a very clear explanation of the need to raise funds through fundraising, donations, and commercial revenue streams. I know that parents felt very informed and motivated to support the school.

The teachers really enjoyed meeting the parents and we hope to see and meet more of you over the term. A reminder that you can find all the teams Meet the Team information on the school website http://www.bayfield.school.nz/a/4DszfR9

Hope to see you all at the school picnic on Friday the 28th from 5pm-7:30pm. This is a great evening to mix and mingle with other Bayfield families and have a picnic in the summer sun.

Bayfield Community Group( BCG)

As you may be aware we have a fantastic group called the Bayfield Community Group, or BCG. This group is a parent group, much like a PTA, that supports the school by running school community events and our annual fundraisers.

This year Craig Priscott (Board of Trustees Chair), Sarah Taverna (Board of Trustees-Community Portfolio) and I are wanting to do a relaunch and have planned two information sessions to share what being a member of the BCG could mean for you. If you interested in learning about the BCG and its role, come along to one of the following information sessions.

Next week we will send out further information about the objectives, roles, and responsibilities of the BCG, so parents can feel fully informed about the overall purpose of the BCG.

Information Sessions for the BCG:

Tuesday the 3^rd of March at 7pm-8pm for the evening session (a kids room will be set up for your children to play in if you require childcare)

Then Friday 6^th of March at 8:45am-9:30am in the staffroom.

News from Bevan

As part of our ongoing commitment to educational excellence and our legal responsibility - duty of care - to ensure our students’ safety and well-being by providing a safe physical and emotional environment for our students, our school has partnered with Family Zone.

Family Zone provides a broad suite of cyber safety services that help school communities keep kids safe online. They provide tools to further support the school’s monitoring systems and helps families to gain visibility and management over children’s internet access, regardless of internet connection. Their unique ecosystem allows school communities to work collaboratively so students are safe online on all devices and all networks, all the time.

You’ll receive more information regarding Family Zone in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, please read the information below to understand how Family Zone will help the school community to keep kids safe online.

On the School Network

Family Zone School Manager will provide visibility and management when students are connected to the school network during school hours. This will help keep students safe and focussed online. To access the internet via the school network student's devices must be protected by the Mobile Zone application.
Off the School Network During School Hours

Family Zone’s Mobile Zone application can keep kids safe when they choose to use unsafe networks (eg mobile data), during school hours. Mobile Zone will enforce the school’s acceptable ICT usage policy and prevent students from accessing inappropriate content. Any device a student brings to school needs to be protected by the Mobile Zone app.
For Families Outside School Hours

Parents can choose to use Family Zone Insights outside of school hours to monitor internet usage on up to 6 devices with Mobile Zone activated. Insights provides snapshots of usage and detailed reports, along with visibility into installed apps and device location (when activated by parents).

To use Family Zone Insights you need to set up your FREE account, click on the link below.

Family Zone:

https://www.familyzone.com/bayfield-school-nz

Charter cornerstone:

Our community strategic goal is to strengthen our caring collaborative community through our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, and Diversity so that we maximize the potential of our children who will contribute to their community and society

Francesca is challenging herself this term
by reading Harry Potter.

Learner of the Week

I am delighted to share that Eve Moon, from the Kauri team, is now a published author. Tina Biddick and Eve submitted a short story to TOITOI A journal for young writers and artists. We are so proud of Eve! Read Eve's story below.

Head Over Heels

Sliding down the steep dunes, I yell as I soar over the ramp. I make it to the bottom and plunge headfirst into the deep lake. As I bob to the top, I spit out sand, tread water and float back to where I started. With one hand gripping the stiff foam boogie board, I heave myself on to the sand.

The lake lies between the towering sand dunes and the surrounding land. The freshwater is muddy brown. It’s sheltered, but at the top of the dunes, it is very windy.

“Come on,” my brother, Jack, yells from the top. “You said you’d bring it up.”

“Okay, I’m coming,” I call back.

As I clamber to the top, Jack grabs the black braided rope attached to the boogie board. He positions himself, ready to slide down. I leap to the bottom of the dunes.

“Go!” I yell.

I hear the hiss of the boogie board shooting across the sand. Moments later, I’m drenched by the spray Jack has created. He surfaces in the murky water and swims over to me. Scrambling to the top of the dune, I wait once again.

When Jack gets back up, he has a mysterious grin on his face. I grip the board and prepare myself to go again. Halfway down, I realize that Jack has flattened out the ramp, leaving the sand dunes sloping straight into the lake.

I yell as the front of the boogie board slams into the water. I’m thrown off and I flip head over heels into the lake. I kick myself to the top.

“Jack!” I yell as he rolls on the sand, laughing.

I burst out laughing too. My dog, Sorcha, who was at the top with my dad, bounds down and sniffs me. Her long tongue hangs out. Whizzing down the dunes on my next ride, my heart soars with the board. I wish I could do this forever.

Values at Bayfield

This fortnight's value focus is Heipapa- responsibility. Ryan is taking responsibility by choosing a book to read on his own to improve his reading.