Merger Proposal Community Meetings

Dear Freeville Families

The Minister of Education has given our Board of Trustees until March the 28th to respond to her interim decision to merge Freeville School with North New Brighton.

We will be holding two meetings this week to give you an opportunity to ask any questions about the proposal and to share your views so that the school community can be accurately represented in the Board's submission.

Thursday 28th February 7.00 p.m.

Friday 1st March 9.00 a.m.

Thank you for the many messages of support we have received as we navigate this tricky time. I encourage you to keep talking this through with your friends, work colleagues and families. 

One of our Freeville characteristics is "Critical Thinking". 

The word "critical" has two meanings. 

1. Expressing adverse or disapproving judgments

2. Expressing or involving an analysis of ...

It is the second meaning that is represented in our Freeville characteristic. We have no desire to be adverserial or unthinkingly disapproving. By thinking critically we are analysing the information presented to us and challenging it when there is a lack of logic, truth or fairness.

Keep thinking critically. 

Keep being caring, as you have so very well.

Keep being adaptable in spite of tremendous pressure to say, "too much change!".

Keep being motivated in the face of continuing knock backs.

Keep communicating your thoughts and feelings about all that is placed in front of us.

Try to consider a globalist perspective on these issues. Put yourself in the Minister's shoes.

Keep thinking creatively. Look for creative ways that we can support each other. Look for creative ways of communicating your views. Look for creative ways to present who we are to the Ministry of Education.

Memory rainbows

Bike to school day

What a brilliant turn out. Well done.

Road works coming up.

This is advance notice from the City Council that they will be starting road works on Bower Ave at the end of Sandy Ave some time in mid March. This will close access to Sandy Ave. There will still be pedestrian access but not access for vehicles.

Welcome to 2013

Hello all and welcome to 2013. I trust that everyone has had a relaxing and refreshing holiday. A big welcome to all the families and children who are new to Freeville this year. We are excited about the great year ahead of us. We have a number of new staff to welcome to Freeville in 2013. Welcome to Tracey who is team teaching with Nicole in Room2. Welcome Naomi and Kym who are teaching our bilingual classes in Rooms 12 and 13. Welcome to Kylie who is teaching in Room 10. We hope that you all feel at home at Freeville. The year has started really well. The PLP conferences were excellent. It is great to be able to take that time right at the beginning of the year to focus on learning and setting goals so that we can see great progress. I encourage you to talk with your children throughout the term about how they are getting on with achieving their goals. Thursday and Friday were great. It was exciting to see the children back in to learning so quickly. This is what we are here for and I know that our staff are all really motivated to see learning happening. Week 2 Wednesday 6th February – Waitangi Day – School closed. Sunhats A reminder that sunhats are compulsory for all of Term 1. Please ensure that your child has a named blue bucket or wide brimmed sunhat ready for the first day. We have currently sold out of hats but have more on order. Scooters Children are welcome to bring scooters and skateboards to school. We ask that they walk them inside the school gates in the morning and at 3.00 p.m. The children are allowed to use their scooters during the breaks in the designated area but we don’t want them scooting or skateboarding before or after school because adults don’t like getting run in to. Thank you for helping to remind your children about this. Car park Please could children and parents not walk through the staff carpark to get in and out of school. The carpark is for staff cars. If you have a mobility card you are welcome to use the disability park but this is not a general drop off area. Please respect this. We do understand that parking can be difficult outside school but this is a safety issue that we need your help with. Board of Trustees elections 2013 is the year that we elect a new Board of Trustees. Now is the time to consider whether you would be interested in putting your name forward for this important role. We will hold an information evening for anyone interested in finding out more about being a BoT member (date to follow) Merger Our response to the Ministry of Education was submitted on December 7th last year. We are now waiting for the Minister to make a decision. Once the Minister decides we have 28 days to respond and then a final decision will be announced. This process is supposed to be completed by early April. As soon as we have more information we will communicate it to you. Get in SYNK (Stuff You Need to Know) We have information meetings scheduled for Wednesday 13 Feb (Week 3). Rooms, 2, 10, 11 3.15 - 4pm Rooms 3, 4, 12, 13 4 - 4.30pm Rooms 6, 7, 8 4.30 - 5pm Room 1 5 - 5.30pm These are a chance for you to hear from the teachers important information for the year, a description of the class programme and ways that you can help your child make the most of school. Paul Freeville School