FEEDBACK FROM STOKE PRINCIPALS

Today we had some relevant issues for us all to think about:

* Stephen Alder from CYFS came and spoke to us and described the process of referral to case worker. I wont describe all of the comments that came out but needless to say we had a lot of dissatisfaction. The answer we were assured was to contact the head Social Worker Maree Meechang with any concerns anout referrals etc. See Pete for more info.

* Tahunanui is looking at bringing the Science Dome (Blow up Astronomy thingee) to Nelson cost of $8oo a day in 2010 but if we all want it it could be cheaper. What do we think, we are doing it now really??

* Professional Standards: Don't get spooked by bad press wait until the MOE presentation at the end of the term and then we can get spooked.

* A lot of discussion was created around the classification date of children at school entry (this all came about with the Knox family moving to Tahunanui). The Nelson NPA have now all agreed to make the date the 1st of April. This has a huge impact on your classes as about 4 chn in every class will now be re-classified a year lower than they are. See me for the list.

* Schoolwide testing in November has now gone cluster wide with the hope that BIS will use our results to get straight into teaching rather than waiting 6 weeks to test. Discussion was held around what tests most of us use it appears we mainly use PAT and STAR but interest was shown in EAsTTle.

* THE GOOD NEWS: We finish school a day earlier now due to our ICT day being used as a MOE call back ie we now finish on the 17th of December not the 18th. Next year we start with Teacher Only Days on the 2nd and 3rd and start Thursday the 4th and finish December 17th.

* The ICT contract needs requires us to appoint an ICT leader in our school and another teacher who will support development. The leader will be required to facilitate change at Stoke School in our pedagogy and our ICT's. I see the support person changing as we will have Staff development days for the leaders and support teachers and for one term we may send the leader and one teacher and then the next term send another, this way we are giving everyone the opportunity to develop skills during school time. Please register your interest with Pete.

Bits and Pieces

*Pete's Band is playing at the Richmond Sprig and Fern this Wednesday from 7pm-10pm (Not blowing my own trumpet) a few staff members are going to have tea (fish and chips from next door)a drink and a listen. It's at the top end of Queen Street turning left at the round about next to the fish and chip shop and Dairy. Please make sure the support staff are aware of this. CHEERS.

* Photo's for the website please fire photo's to Leeanne to pass on to Alison to update our website, students engaged in activities, Topic work, vibrant classroom displays etc.

* Reminder about the changes to our Duties Roster please check when you are on.

* BOS Meeting Today at 1:30pm in the staffroom. Please help them promote the Art Competition promoting traveling to school safely. Class time would be really appreciated.

* Classroom Presentation: Please keep your classes tidy and well presented, I know a busy classroom can be a messy one but in order to clean them and value the students work we need to present them in an attractive fashion.

* Margaret Stewart is doing a fantastic job around our school, thank you to the staff who are making referrals to her and are linking in with her.

* Longterm Plans: Thank you to the staff who have handed them in, please do so if you have not yet done so.

* Staff Meeting tomorrow is looking at the Maths and Reading Resource spaces, starting in the staffroom.