Outram School Newsletter

Volume 1 Number 6-11 March 2010

Hello everyone,

With the increasing use of social networking sites like Bebo

and Facebook by even very young children there are
evolving issues for schools and us all as parents as well.
There has been plenty of coverage in the media of the
extreme horror stories but even simple things like bullying
are much ‘easier’ if you are not face-to-face with the
person concerned. Ultimately these are moral and ethical
issues rather than ones to do with the technology –
bullying is bullying whether it is on a cell phone or
physically and in person. As parents we can do a number
of things to keep our children safe however:
• As a parent join the sites and become a ‘friend’ for your
children. Just knowing you may be watching can have
an effect. If they won’t let you be their friend what
things are they doing they don’t want you to know
11 March BOT Meeting 7 pm about?
12 March Electoral roll closes
• Have computers etc in ‘public’ places in the house so if
15 March Call for
needed you can instantly see what is on the screen.
Nominations for
• Ensure cell phones are not in children’s rooms at night.
22 March BOT election
Many children will text at all hours if given the chance
1 April Anniversary Day
and this is documented as having a significant impact
19 April Last day Term 1
on schoolwork for some children.
23 April Term 2
28 April commences • Most importantly TALK with your children about these
7 May Nominations close issues. They will not know all the answers, and you
Voting papers may not either. The Netsafe website is a great NZ
13 May mailed based resource for ideas as well -
14 May Board of Trustees http://www.netsafe.org.nz/ It is well worth a look
voting closes 12 around.
noon
Count closes Technology is a wonderful thing and very much part of our
New board takes children’s lives; much more than it was for any of us
office. growing up. Many devices we carry in our pockets connect
ANZ Banking - Wednesdays to the internet and/or enable us to communicate easily and
National Bank Banking - in different ways with other people. We teach children to
Thursdays be safe on the roads and we need to teach them to be safe
on the internet super-highway as well.
School contact details:
1 Beaumaris Street, Outram. We have an Cyber safety and Acceptable Use Agreement
PO Box 22, Outram 9062. that is signed for all children at school on enrolment. This
Ph 03 486 1733 covers our expectations with respect to the content
Fax: 03 486 2147 children access on the internet from school and how we
Email: office@outram.school.nz behave online and with other technologies.
Web: www.outram.school.nz Do come and see me if you would like more information or
Cell ph to txt absences – support with this as I have a number of other resources
0212517990 that I have found good as well.
ASC Cell phone -
The BoT election is coming up and we are seeking
0275861001 nominations for three parent representatives. Do consider
standing and being part of the BoT. It is a worthwhile and
BoT Parent Reps: rewarding thing to be involved in and a wonderful chance
Alex. Morton: 486 2525 to support our school. Please do check you are on the roll
Su Miller: 486 2348 on display in the foyer so you can vote in the election.
Garth Mitchell: 486 2661
0274457683 Have a safe and happy week!
Murray Kirkness: 479 2573
Richard Darby: 486 2342 Greg Carroll
Principal.
Bargains, birthday presents and the LAST of the
Stilts!
Come to our mini market after assembly on Friday, outside by the Workshop.

We have 1 stilt set left, so if you have any birthday party where you would like
to buy a fun, cheap present, come and grab the last pair of stilts as they are a
wonderful present and a bargain to boot!

We still have untold lollies left over ranging from 50cents bags through to $2
bags. A nice treat for the end of the week.

We also have fizzy drinks - $1 each or $10 for 12.

We still have a few button brooches, hair elastics and hair clips. They are really
cute and make affordable, cool birthday presents for family members, birthday
parties gifts etc. Of course you might just like to buy some for yourself! They
are going for $5 for small brooches to $10 for the larger ones. Hair elastics and
clips are $2 for individuals to $3 for a pair. Make us an offer!

Keep the pizza orders coming in as we still have a few left and they are
yummy! We are at the stage that you get what you are given flavour wise – but
they all taste great, they are very large and they make a cheap, easy tea for
Friday night! They come frozen and are $10 per pizza. Get your order in by
Friday or chance it and see if we have any to sell after assembly. See you there


For those who have given us I.O.U.’s, could you please pay at office so we can
clear them up? Thanks.

Pizza Orders

Please return to school office as soon as possible

Name: Number of Pizzas @ $10 each

Pizzas are to be collected from school after assembly each Friday.

FOS Junior Motocross Fun day - Sunday 28th March at Henley

(Registration forms at Office)
Friends of the School are running this motocross for kids up to the age of 12
years. This is a very good fundraiser for the school, but we do need help to
make it a successful day.
We need Adults with their first aid certificate to be out on the track and we also
need adults to be out on the track as marshals (just making sure kids go the
right way, and if a kid falls off, helping pick up their bike and get back on
again). We will have two shifts e.g. 10am till 12.30pm and then 1pm till
3.30pm. So please if you can help with this please ph me.
Also I am looking for spot prizes to give out to the kids on the day, so if you
know of a company etc that would like to donate a prize (e.g. tee-shirts, hats,
vouchers, stationery, motorbike oils, anything for kids) please ask and get back
to me. Last of all, we would like to run a grocery/Easter hamper raffle on the
day, so if you could donate a prize to this, please bring your item along to the
school office.
Please support this great fundraiser and ph me. Thanks Alison Robertson
4847660 home or 4861777 work.
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS
ASSEMBLY TIME
This is now beginning at 2:20 The electoral roll for the forthcoming BOT elections is
pm, aiming to be finished by now available for inspection in the office foyer. Please
2:50. This will help with the be sure to check that your name is on this and that
tidying of the hall and children address details are correct as you will not receive your
being at bus lines on time.. voting paper otherwise. This roll does not close until 23
Roster: April but school will be closed from 1 April so you will
12.3.10 Room 1 need to check it before then. Nominations will be called
19.3.10 Room 5 for candidates to stand for election on March 15 and a
26.3.10 Room 8 nomination paper will be mailed to everyone on the roll
1.4.10 Room 10 after that date.

Names only will appear on the list as addresses are

SCHOOL DENTAL
SERVICE
The numbers to contact the
dental therapists at
Silverstream School Dental
Clinic are:
489 4225 or 027 2849768
What does Outram mean
to you??
kept confidential – ask at the office to verify address
details. If your children’s’ other parent lives elsewhere,
they are still eligible to vote – please check that we
have a valid mailing address for them.
Remember that your name must be on the roll for you
to be able to vote and also so you are able to nominate
anyone to stand for election to the board.
Pat Beath, Returning Officer

WEDNESDAY'S LUNCH
Whilst the good people of Instead of sausages for next week's sausage sizzle the
Dunedin have been busy FOS will be cooking super supreme Pizzas in the
trying to think of a new workshop.
slogan for the city, the OCT $2.00 a slice
(Outram Charitable Trust) Please make sure your orders are into the office by
9am
have been considering new
signs for the gateways into Thanks FOS
Outram and our thoughts Outram Children’s Athletics night
similarly have turned to a Thursday evenings 6:30 – 7:30 Come along and have
slogan to summarise fun!!
Outram's point of Sub - $5 this term
difference, perhaps Postponements are made before the end of school so
your children will know when they come home whether
highlighting what Outram
or not Athletics are on.
means to those who live
here, or hooking in our
visitors.. School Sores
These are prevalent again. If your child has any weepy
sores please get these checked out at the doctors.
To kick start you, some They are highly contagious and will not heal without
ideas so far are "Get Out to medical treatment.
Outram", "Outram, Home
on the Plain", "Uniquely
Outram"... CHILDREN’S CHOIR
University of Otago College of Education
This choir is open to all children aged 7 - 13 interested
So, put your thinking caps in joining. Weekly rehearsals are held at the Music
on and send ideas to Suite of the college from 4 – 5:15pm . Regular
info@outramcharitabletrust attendance and a commitment to attend arranged
.co.nz - we can then performances are expected. Cost involved is $25 per
compile a shortlist for a child for Term 1, $30 for each of terms 2, 3, and 4.

MUSIC LESSONS
To all new and returning pupils –
the NZ Modern School of Music
welcomes new and returning
pupils to begin classes at Outram
School next week. For all
enrolments please phone: Jason
(guitar) 4554737; Scott (guitar)
4876073; Hannah (guitar) 486
1312; Brenda (keyboard and
piano) 03 4178742.
Any other enquiries please
phone Denise 4880679
denisemusic@xtra.co.nz
MOSGIEL BADMINTON CLUB
Mosgiel Memorial Stadium
2010 Season
Registration Night
– Friday 26th March 7pm – 8:30pm
First Club Night
– Friday 23rd April 7pm – 8:30pm
Boys and Girls Ages 9-18
years
Club Nights: Fridays - 7pm – 8:30pm
2nd & 3rd School Terms
Coaching Lessons available
Subs $30 for 1 child
$50 for family
Weekly Fee $2
Contact David 489 6626
Judy 489 4710
* New members welcome
Meridian Kids’ Bike
Jams
These are a fun participation
based national mountain bike
series for kids aged 5 – 13. Each
child participating receives a
medal, water bottle and
goodies. The Dunedin event
takes part on March 28 and
entry closes on March 22.Fo
more information check it out
on www.kidsbikejams.co.nz or
call at the school office.
To Give Away to a Loving Home…
I have four gorgeous guinea pigs to give away. They will
be four weeks old and ready to leave Mum by Monday
22 March
Come and see them!! – Mika Cottle 486 2348.
FOR SALE
Olympic Gym Membership - $8.95 per week until
December. (you can continue past that date)
Phone: 027 373 5173 or 486 2529 (evenings)
ROBOTS
IN THE ALLEN CENTRE THIS FRIDAY AT
LUNCHTIME!!
LEFT FROM THE MARDI GRAS…
There is a blue gazebo in the office waiting to be
claimed – if this is yours, would you please come and
pick it up. Thank you.
SHAVE FOR A CURE
Raising funds for the Leukaemia and Blood
Foundation
This year we have some male participants very willing
to shave their heads for this worthy fundraiser. We also
have a couple of willing female participants who are
keen to colour their hair school colours – blue and
maroon/red.
To make this event memorable, it would be great to
get more willing participants or even ones that need a
bit of encouraging, both young and old. Maybe you
could nominate someone from your business, family or
friends.
Give your names to Carolyn Timoko, phone 486 1733
or at the school office. You may be approached leading
up to this event for sponsorship. Please support this
worthy cause. Who doesn’t want to see our staff
members bald through choice!
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE DETAILS LATER!
SCHOOL BANKING
So far, only one child has used the school banking
system this year! Unless more interest is shown, we
may have to discontinue these services –it is not
worthwhile us arranging transportation of the banking
to Mosgiel. If you want the school banking to continue,
please use it! Remember – ANZ Wednesdays, National
Bank – Thursdays.
 Science Award Schemes
We are offering students the opportunity to take part in the Science Award Schemes. The Science
Awards Schemes are administered by the Science Award Trust which is a voluntary organisation is
aiming to stimulate student interest in science and technology through participation in a series of
science activities. Students are able to choose to explore areas of science and technology that they
find interesting and work through a series of activities, successful completion of activities results in
the awarding to the student a certificate or badge. It is expected that students will complete most
of the activities at home – some support from parents may be needed. I am available to give
assistance and advice to students if they are experiencing difficulties, help with resources and
information finding, and assess and track students progress in the schemes. There is an expectation
that written work handed in by students is of a high standard.
Year 3-4 students can take part in the Activity Challenge
In Activity Challenge students choose one of four topic sheets – Pondering on Plants, Tantalising Toys,
World of Water, Weather Watch. Each topic sheet has a varied menu of activities for students to
choose from. Certificates are awarded to students on completion of a topic.

Year 5-6 students can take part in the Science Certificate

Students choose eight activities from a total of 32 available. Activities are based around each of the
following areas – The Living World, The Physical World, The Material World, Planet Earth and Beyond.
Successful completion of the activities results in the awarding of a Science Certificate. Students can
then go on and complete an Advanced Certificate.

Year 7-8 students can take part in the Science Badge Scheme.
Students choose a badge to work towards – there are 24 different topic based badges to choose from.
Examples of badges include Conservation, Large Animals, Botany, Geology, Astronomy, Wool Science,
Home Chemistry. Once the student has chosen a badge to work towards they have to complete a range
of activities based around their badge topic. On completion of badge activities the students are
presented with an enamel badge and a certificate.

If your child is interested in taking part in the Science Awards please complete the form below and
return to the school office ASAP. There is a small materials cost for students wishing to take part in
the scheme - $4 each for the Activity Challenge and Science Certificate, $7 for Science Badges. This
also includes the cost of a clearfile for students to keep their work and resources in.
If you require further information on the Awards Scheme please contact me at school or by email
traceyh@outram.school.nz .
Regards
Tracey Hunter
Outram School Science Award Co ordinator
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

My child …………………………………………………….. is interested in taking part in the following Science Award

Activity Challenges (Year 3-4) $4 enclosed

Science Certificate (Year 5-6) $4 enclosed
Science Badges (Year 7-8) $7 enclosed

NETBALL
We still need more coaches, managers and umpires for the upcoming netball season. If you’re
unsure and would like to talk about it please contact Angie Young, Marie Wood or Carolyn
Timoko, either at school or give one of us a call. There are coaching and umpiring courses coming
up and lots of supportive people to give you a hand if you feel you need it – just ask!
Thank you so much to those who have been in contact and offered to coach or manage a netball
team for the upcoming season.
Netball Trials will be held at Outram School on Thursday the 18th of March at 3.30pm. Please
make sure your child has let Angie know if she/he intends to play and we look forward to seeing
you then.
Angie Young - angiey@outram.school.nz
School Accounts:
By now you will have received your school account in the mail. These are due
for payment by the 20th April. Please send your information sheet back to
school as soon as possible to ensure that the information we hold re your
children is as up to date as possible.

In the second week of Term 2, the Life Education bus will be visiting our school.
All children will have a chance to visit the bus during this week and there will
be a charge of $3.40 per child added to your child’s school account. A reminder
that the Nutcracker visit is on 16 March. The $3 charge for this will also be
added to your child’s school account on the day of the performance.

Yummy Girl Guide Biscuits

Choices per packet per carton
Plain 15 packs $3.00 $45.00
If you would like to place an order please phone Joanne – 486 1188
Thank you for supporting Outram Brownies

NATIONAL STANDARDS: Get Informed and Have Your Say

A warm hello to you all. Do you know what National Standards are? If the
answer is no, then you are in the majority! Apparently an Auckland survey has
recently revealed that although 76% of the people surveyed support National
Standards, 88% of these people say they do not know what National Standards
are. Hmm. I have only recently ‘become informed’ and what I have learned has
greatly concerned me personally and as a parent. It has also concerned the
B.O.T. We, the Board of Trustees, do not support National Standards, but rather
the push to trial National Standards.

I believe there are many reasons to be concerned about a introducing a

process into our education system which is created, not by educationalists, but
by politicians. This is something other countries (England, America, Wales and
NSW in Australia) have tried and have since had real issues arise with their
version of National Standards. We have real lessons to learn from their
experiences. I will not go into all my reasons here (far too wordy!) but feel free
to talk to me about it at any time. It is very easy to sit back and believe that
National Standards are coming in and nothing we can say or do will change the
outcome. This is not true. I urge you, as parents, to get informed and have your
say. It is not too late.

My view is obvious! Make up your own mind. There are meetings in Dunedin
presenting both sides of the debate being held at:

1. Regent Theatre 7pm on 31st March Lester Flockton will be presenting a

talk entitled National Standards - the Inconvenient Truth. This meeting is
coordinated by the NZEI the teachers union who are advocating for a
Trial of the Standards before a full roll-out to the whole primary education
sector.
2. 29 March at 7:30 pm in the Port Otago Lounge in the Edgar Centre is a
meeting coordinated by the National Party to give their views on why the
National Standards are necessary and what they believe they will mean
for schools.

Please ring the school (Greg), or myself, if you are interested in attending
either of these meetings and we could consider car pooling if there are a few
going, or if there is more interest we can coordinate an information night AT
Outram School. Please let us know. The information to be presented at the
Dunedin evening is much along the lines of what we would like to present here
at Outram if there is enough interest to hold our ‘own night’.

Regards Su Miller, Parent and B.O.T. representative

Ph. 486 2348 su-paul@xtra.co.nz

Student Council
The student council has started up again for 2010 and we had a very
successful Mardi Gras. The student council raised over 500 dollars on their glow
sticks stall we were very happy with this outcome. The new student council
are… Todd Gorinski (chair person), Nick Darby (back up), Ella Wood (secretary)
and the other members of the student council are April Sutherland, Charlie
Gruppelaar, Megan Clark, Logan Gorinski, Louise Mitchell, Tessa Buschl and
Mika Cottle.
Thankyou

Mouth guards
The student council has decided that each senior pupil should have a mouth
guard during practices and when playing sport for the school such as rugby,
hockey and all other contact sports. We will be selling them at the office for
two dollars and the student council will be paying for a little of the cost. We
encourage all children to have one. We want the money to be in by Friday the
19th at the latest please but these will be available from the Office after that as
well.
Thank you. Todd Gorinski for student council

Rugby Round-up
Lots of things happening this month and next for junior rugby. Please contact Kay
Mercer 486 2322 or themercerfamilynz@yahoo.co.nz for more information on any
of the following:-
Under 7’s Fun Day
Thursday 25th March, 4.30 at Carisbrook.
Kids will need their rugby jerseys for this, so we will be handing them out prior to the
day for U7’s.
**Lunchtime Rugby Practice**
Darryl McKenzie will be running rugby practices at school to give everybody a chance
to get some ball skills going. All kids are welcome, not just Club members:
Tuesday 16th March is Rippa Rugby for years 1 & 2
Wednesday 17th March will be League for years 3 & 4
Thursday 18th March is League again for years 5 and up
See you on the school rugby pitch!!
[if anyone is available to lend a hand at these practices, please contact
Darryl – 021 773108]
Under 5’s Rugby
We are thinking about setting up an under 5’s team, if there are enough littlies who
want to play. If you would be interested in getting your wee ones to join up, please let
me have a note of your name and contact details.
Rugby Coaching Clinic – School Holidays
Leslie Rugby are running a clinic for ages 5-12 years (boys and girls) on Tuesday 13th
April from 9am to 4pm at the Edgar Centre. The cost is $60 per child, and
registrations close Friday 9th April.
ALL JUNIOR COACHES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE COACHING TEAM FOR THE
DAY AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CLINIC.
 Contact me for more information and an application form.

And finally...
REMEMBER! **PRACTICES START THURSDAY 18TH MARCH – 3.30PM AT THE
RUGBY CLUB – DON’T FORGET YOUR BOOTS AND MOUTHGUARDS**

Proud to support Outram School…

 Pleasure Boat Hire
Taieri Technology Limited Otago Ltd
Brent Bisset
O27 417 4166
Computer Sales and Service (03) 417 4167
Network and Server Support brentbisset@yahoo.com
CCTV Surveillance Systems www.pleasureboathireotagoltd.co.nz

Contact Chris Nelson Pick up and take to your favourite

457 Granton Road, Outram, Otago
Ph 03 7421026 Mobile 027 2936637 Fax 03
4861568
Email: chris@taieri-tech.co.nz
Website: www.taieri-tech.co.nz
destination:
Haines Hunter 535 and Stabicraft 509
Priced from $150 per day or $700 per
week.

OUTRAM
CONTRACTING
Registered Weed Sprayer
Boom Spraying
Automatic Hose Reel
Broom and Gorse Spraying
Liquid Fertiliser

Ken and Barbara Cuthill

Cell ph: 027 486 1738
A/H: 03 486 1730

P: 03 4777 473
F: 03 4777 455
67 Stuart St, Dunedin 9010
www.cyclesurgery.co.nz