Archive for the ‘Term Dates’ Category

Term Dates and Hours for 2015

Posted: 07/01/2015 in General News, Term Dates

Grace Kindergarten starts back for on Monday 26th January 2015, 8.30am for the older children. Younger children start back on Wednesday 28th January, 8.30am.

Remember the new operating hours for 2015 are:

Monday 8.30am – 3.30pm Older Children Session

Tuesday 8.30am – 3.30pm Older Children Session

Wednesday 8.30am – 1pm Younger Children Session

Thursday 8.30am – 3.30pm Older Children Session

Friday 8.30am – 1 pm Younger Children Session

 

Term dates for 2015 are:

– Term 1: Monday 26 January to Thursday 2 April

– Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July

– Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September

– Term 4: Monday 12 October to TBC

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Newsletter February 2014

Posted: 10/02/2014 in Term Dates

Newsletter July 2012

14th February 2014

Dear Parents and Whanau

Welcome back to all of our families. The teachers have had a wonderful holiday but feel very blessed to be coming back to lots of happy smiling children.

We have had an exciting start to 2014 with recognising the Chinese New Year and celebrating Waitangi day and its meaning with the children, this week.

The teachers invite you to be involved in our planning to recognise and celebrate your own family’s culture. What songs, food and traditions do you like to celebrate with your family? Or would you like to bring in something that connects your family with NZ or another country?

Our current programme has been focusing on ‘Maths with Meaning’. We are collecting a variety of learning snapshots that we will put up on our notice board, which will show how we weave maths into the exploration part of the session as well as within our mat times.

If you would like to see other examples of the way we include literacy, numeracy and science into our programme please see the blue learning snapshot board.

Welcome to Isobel Gill (mum Jenny and dad Simon), James Moffat (mum Chrisna and dad John) and William Tye (mum Suzanne and dad Stephen) who have recently started at our kindergarten.

Thank you to Marie and Andrew Butel who organised our rock climbing wall for our outside area over the holidays.

DSCN4931

As Term 1 is a summer term, please remember to include your child’s sunhat in their bag now that we are having some lovely sunny days. We have sunblock available, on the sign-in table, for your use.

If you have any friends who may be interested in enrolling at our kindergarten but would like to visit us beforehand, please encourage them to contact us so that we can arrange this. Word of mouth is a great way of connecting new families to Grace Kindergarten.

The Term Dates for this year are as follow:

Term

 Start End
One Monday 27th January Thursday 17th April
Two Monday 5th May Friday 4th July
Three Monday 21st July Friday 26th September
Four Monday 13th October Friday 19th December

Newsletter February 2013

Posted: 08/02/2013 in Newsletter, Term Dates, Uncategorized

Newsletter July 2012

8 February 2013

Dear parents and whanau

Welcome back to all of our families after a lovely sunny Christmas holiday break.

What a wonderful and exciting time we are having with the arrival of five tadpoles (next to the bathroom). We are already having lots of observations and research being done by the children, which we will include into our literacy focus.

New Hours and other changes

We are very pleased to announce that our change in hours will take effect from this Monday 11th Feb.

The new hours are:

Morning session   8.30am to 11.30am

Afternoon session   11.50am to 4pm

Please note that the news-time / afternoon tea time will now begin at 3.15pm and finish at approx 3.30pm.

We also have one additional child per session increasing the number of children to 25 per session.

New Children and Waiting Lists

We are currently accepting applications for this years enrolment now that we have increased our roll.

Reminder about Children’s Safety

We would like to remind parents that our driveway is one way only. The maximum amount of time allowed for actual parking on the driveway is five minutes.

There is no reversing out of the driveway. This is incredibly dangerous for children

Warning for new parents – turning right into Khandallah Rd means you are turning into a blind corner.

Programme

We have been focusing on the Mãori culture and we will be extending this to other cultures, including yours, if you would like to be involved. Please refer to the handout in your pocket describing how your culture can be included in our planning.

For examples of the way we include literacy, numeracy and science into our above programme please see the blue learning snapshot board.

 Over the next two weeks we will have developed information sheets which will describe what literacy looks like during the morning session and the afternoon session. We will also have developed our ‘transition to school’ sheet. This information will be discussed with parents at either a parent/teacher interview or during parent help time.

Help Needed

Is there a parent who would be willing to add two new pockets of material to our ‘parent’s information pockets’? Would you please see one of the teachers if you are able to help.

We would appreciate any donations of your milk bottle tops, corks and untanalised wood for our carpetry table.

End of term duties 

Thank you to all of the parents who contributed to the parent help roster last term and towards the end of term cleanup.

 Term Dates 2013

Term 1 End Date is 19th April (both sessions)

Term 2 2013 Start date is 6th May (both sessions)

Sun Hats and being sun-smart

With the recent increase of sunny days, we are ensuring that our children now wear a sunhat for all outdoor play. Please see the teachers to purchase a ‘Grace Kindergarten’ sunhat which consists of a full brim. Alternatively please make sure that your own fully brimmed hat is available in your child’s bag for use.

Please remember to apply sunblock to your child before their arrival at kindy. However if you have forgotten we have sunblock available for your use on the sign-in table. Please note the teachers do not apply sunblock to children due to individual skin allergies.

Grace Kindergarten hats and tee-shirts are available for sale. Please see the teachers. They are both $20 each.

Reminders 

We would like to remind you that your child’s portfolio is available for you to look at any time. Also that we value your feedback at any stage either with a meeting, through a phone call or with an email.

Parent Help Roster: Due to the weekly/daily changes in our parent help roster we are unable to email out an accurate copy. Please write down the dates you have chosen in your calendar at the time of your choice. If you cannot make your parent help duty – please contact 3 other parents to try to swap before  your duty date and then let the teachers know you you can’t do it.

Please speak to myself (Pip) or Ange Marklew if you have any financial concerns regarding paying donations. We understand that this can be a tough financial climate for some of our kindergarten families.

Remember to pack an extra set of clothes and named drink bottle for your child.

New Times for Grace Kindergarten

Posted: 22/01/2013 in Board News, Term Dates
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23rd January 2013

To all Grace Kindergarten parents and whanau,

Last year the Kindergarten Board announced that we would be applying for resource consent to change the times of both the morning and afternoon sessions. We are still waiting for this consent to be approved.

Consequently, for the first two weeks of the year (28th Jan to 8th Feb) the session times will be the same as in 2012. Specifically:

  • Morning Session – 8.30am to 11am
  • Afternoon Session – 11.30am to 3.45pm

We expect the consent to be approved shortly and will confirm as soon as possible when the new session times will start.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If you would like to discuss this, please feel free to talk to any of the board.

God bless you

The Grace Kindergarten Board of Management

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Prov 2:11

Term 4 2012 Board News

Posted: 03/11/2012 in Board News, Consultation, Term Dates
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2nd November 2012

To all Grace Kindergarten parents and whanau,

The Kindergarten Board of Management has been setting the budget for 2013. As many of you will know, the funding rate for early childhood services, commonly called ‘20 hours free ECE’, has remained unchanged for two years now. Last year we were able to accommodate our rising costs through a small increase in the recommended donations and by keeping a tight reign on our spending. For 2013 we need to make some fundamental changes to ensure the ongoing financial stability of Grace.

For 2013 the following changes are proposed to occur:

1. The Morning Session will increase in time. It will now run from 8.30am to 11.30am. This is an increase of 30min per session.
2. The Afternoon Session will have a small decrease in time. It will run from 12noon to 4pm. It will still qualify for the entire ‘20 hours free ECE’.
3. Both sessions will increase from 24 children to 25 children.
4. The Morning Session’s recommended donation will increase from $40 per term to
$50 per term.
5. The Afternoon Session’s recommended donation will increase from $60 per term to
$65 per term.
The board has investigated a number of options and believes this combination of options bests meet the need to ensure Grace is financially stable as well as being consistent with our philosophy. We are excited at the opportunities that having additional session time with the morning children brings can bring.

At this stage these changes are a proposal. We will be talking with our neighbours as these changes will require resource consent. As we work through this consent process, please feel free to feedback your thoughts to one of the board members.

A new climbing wall
Onslow Community Church has donated a climbing wall which you will see is in the outside play area. We have been looking at climbing holds and there are a great variety of options. We are seeking someone with experience in climbing to help us purchase and install the right equipment on the wall. If you have any experience in this area, please let one of the teachers know.

Start and Finish Dates for 2013
The following are the term dates for 2013:

Term One: 28 January – 19 April
Term Two: 6 May – 12 July
Term Three: 29 July – 27 September
Term Four: 14 October – 20 December

We do recognize these dates may be slightly earlier, for the beginning of the year, and later, for the end of the year, than some schools. It is not a problem for your child to start and/or finish in sync with your older children(s) school date. However please let the teachers know.

Survey
Thank you to all those who completed the survey. It has provided valuable feedback. This information is being incorporated into our curriculum review, currently underway.

Applications for Places
Places are available for Grace Kindergarten in 2013. We encourage you to spread the word about Grace to your friends and family. Enrolment forms are available from the teachers or off the website http://www.grace.ac.nz under the “Enrol Now!” tab.

God bless you

 

The Grace Kindergarten Board of Management

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Prov 3:13-14

2012 Term Dates

Posted: 28/02/2012 in Term Dates
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These are the 2012 term dates.

Term One: Wed 1st Feb – Thur 5th April (Wed 4th April for morning session children)
Term Two: Mon 23rd April – Fri 29th June
Term Three: Mon 16th July – Fri 28th Sept
Term Four: Mon 15th Oct – TBA

Newsletter February 2012

Posted: 15/02/2012 in Newsletter, Term Dates
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Dear parents
Welcome back! Its lovely seeing all of your wonderful children again with quite a few of them significantly taller. We have had a great start back with the children very interested in the new seedlings that were planted by Carolyn (Anna’s mother). Sym, with daughter Larissa, have had their seeds erupt into chunky dwarf sunflowers which is very exciting

With all of this interest in nature, we are planning lots of science and maths activites to extend the children in their observing, predicting and researching skills. See the Learning Snapshot notice board over the next few weeks.
We will also incorporate the children’s ever growing interest in literacy on the blue and red noticeboards. With so many morning children creating stories, descriptions and labels for their artwork we thought we would create a large display of this interest during the term.

Our budding kindy artists have been very interested to see, Taylor’s mother, painting a firetruck/fire station scene on the slide gate. So thank you Megan!
If you have a special gift that you would like to share, please feel free to demonstrate during a session. Musicians at any level are very welcome.

Professional Development this term… Ashleigh Best has attended a first aid course and Pip McGee will be attending a Supervisors Network Meeting later this term.

SAFETY (to protect your children)
*As from This Thursday, within the kindergarten session times, our driveway will become one way –entrance will be beside the power pole/blue agapanthas (an arrow will be painted).The maximum amount of time allowed for actual parking on the driveway will be five minutes. There will be no reversing.

*Warning for all new parents- turning right into Khandallah road means you are turning into a blind corner. There have been many close calls with Ngatoto st traffic, cyclists and cars at this corner.
Term Dates 2012:
End of Term 1 for the am session is Wednesday 4th April
End of Term 1 for the pm session is Thursday 5th April
Term 2 Start Date is Monday 23rd April (both sessions)

GENERAL Grace Kindergarten hats and tee shirts are available for sale. Please see the teachers. They are both $20 each.
We would like to remind you that your child’s portfolio is available for you to look at any time. Also that we value your feedback at any stage either with a meeting, through a phone call or with an email.
Absences:: If your child is going to be away from Grace Kindergarten please ring us and let us know.
Start times: Please remember to respect the Kindergarten operating hours. Sessions start at 8.30am or 11.30am. If you arrive early it interferes with the time the teachers have for setting up and for exchanging important confidential information prior to children’s arrival.
Parent Help Roster: Due to the weekly/daily changes in our parent help roster we are unable to email out an accurate copy. Please write down the dates you have chosen in your calendar at the time of your choice. If you cannot make your parent help duty – please contact 3 other parents to try to swap before your duty date.
Please speak to myself (Pip) or Ange Marklew if you have any financial concerns regarding paying donations. We understand that this can be a tough financial climate for some of our kindergarten families.
*Please bring in your sunhat as it is now compulsory for all outside play.
**Remember to pack an extra set of clothes and named drink bottle for your child.

Term 4 Board News

Posted: 17/11/2011 in Board News, Term Dates
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17 November 2011

To all Grace Kindergarten parents and whanau,

The Board of Management has recently reviewed the level of donations/fees that we request to assist with covering our operating expenses. Increasing costs and cutbacks in Ministry of Education funding have necessitated the following increases:

For those children aged three or four years, who have attested their free ECE hours to Grace Kindergarten:
Morning children: $40.00 per term (from term 1 2012)
Afternoon children $60.00 per term (from term 1 2012)

The donation for under 3 year olds remains at $5.00 per session.
The fee for non-attested hours for 3 and 4 year olds remains at $9.90 per hour inc gst.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to Pip McGee, Ange Marklew or a Board member.

Start date 2012

Many apologies for any confusion this may cause, but we have revised our start date next year to Wednesday 1 Feb for both sessions. Note that this is a day earlier than previously published. This start date enables us to strike a balance between maximising our Ministry of Education funding and operating as closely as possible to the local schools’ days of operation.

Have you bought your hat and t-shirt yet?

Sunhat and t-shirt weather is here, and we have lovely Grace hats and t-shirts for sale for your child. Be in now – $20 per item – please see Ange to check out sizes and to purchase.

New Board Member

We wish to welcome Michelle Stevens to the Board of Management. Michelle has excellent skills and experience to bring to the team and we look forward to working with her.

God bless you

The Grace Kindergarten Board of Management

Newsletter October 2011

Posted: 05/10/2011 in Newsletter, Staff, Term Dates
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Dear parents

What fun we have had at kindy this term with the excitement of the Rugby World Cup. This has been a great opportunity for us in finding out some of your children’s links to other countries and cultures they feel connected too. While also acknowledging the wonderful world that God has made.

Please remember that we are having our family ‘Fish n Chip’ night on the first Friday of Term 4. It will be the 28th October at 5.30pm. Just bring along your family’s favorite takeaway and a blanket! We will supply the tomato sauce and a wee treat baked by the afternoon children. We will endevour to have all of the children on our powerpoint presentation re dramatic play.

Professional Development completed this term…
Pansy Wee attended a workshop on ICT (Information Communication technology). Ashleigh Best attended a course on ‘schemas’ – visual thought patterns. This will help the teaching team to gain a deeper understanding of how children are making sense of their worlds and ways we can extend and support children’s thinking.

Please do not leave your child unattended in the car. Consider arranging for another parent to bring your child out to your car! – just provide us with a phone call or the collecting parent with a signed note to arrange this.

THANK YOU – to Marie Butel (Matthew’s mum) for organising our ‘CHALK TOY FUNDRAISER’ this term.

Term Dates 2011:
End of Term 3 (both sessions) Friday 7th October
LABOUR DAY holiday Monday 24th October
Start of Term 4 (pm session) Tuesday 25th October
Start of Term 4 (am session) Wednesday 26th October
End of Term 4 (both sessions) Friday 16th December

Term Dates 2012:
Pm session Start Date for Term 1 2012 is Wednesday 1st February
Am session Start Date for Term 1 2012 is Wednesday 1st February

**Each week the teachers pray for your children and their families. Please let us know of any prayer requests that you may need.

Grace Kindergarten hats and tee shirts are available for sale. Please see the teachers. They are both $20 each.

GENERAL
We would like to remind you that your child’s portfolio is available for you to look at any time. Also that we value your feedback at any stage either with a meeting, through a phone call or with an email.

Absences:If your child is going to be away from Grace Kindergarten please ring us and let us know.

Start times: Please remember to respect the Kindergarten operating hours. Sessions start at 8.30am or 11.30am. If you arrive early it interferes with the time the teachers have for setting up and for exchanging important confidential information prior to children’s arrival.

Parent Help Roster: Due to the weekly/daily changes in our parent help roster we are unable to email out an accurate copy. Please write down the dates you have chosen in your calendar at the time of your choice. If you cannot make your parent help duty – please contact 3 other parents to try to swap before your duty date.

Please speak to myself (Pip) or Ange Marklew if you have any financial concerns regarding paying donations. We understand that this can be a tough financial climate for some of our kindergarten families.

Please bring in your sunhat as it is now compulsory for all outside play.
Remember to pack an extra set of clothes for your child.

UPDATE: PM Session Open – 17th August

Posted: 16/08/2011 in General News, Term Dates
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To all of our parents, whanau and caregivers

The afternoon session for Wed 17th August is OPERATING today. Please be aware that if weather conditions change you may be asked to pick up you child early. Please check your emails and our website for any cancellations that may arise, due to weather, for the rest of this week.

Regards from

Pip McGee
Head Teacher for Grace Kindergarten

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