Newsletter Term 2 Week 4

T2 W4: Friday 19 May 2023

Important Dates
Wednesday 24 May – PTA Meeting in the Staffroom, 7:00 pm
Monday 29 May – Out of Zone Ballot closes
Monday 5 June – King’s Birthday – Public Holiday
Friday 16 June – Everyone Welcome to our Grand Unveiling, 1:45 pm to 4:00 pm

IN THIS ISSUE:
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Spotlight on Year 3 & 4
Grand Unveiling
Better Start Literacy Approach
Crossing Duty Helper Needed
Staff Update
Positive Parenting – After the Disaster
PTA Update: 30 Days of Prizes Raffle
Enrolments at Sunnybrae
Parking Near School
Community Notices

The PB4L focus for Term 2 Week 5 will be on:
Respect: Everywhere –  Use kind words 

The Marine World has been a recent focus for the Year 3/4 students.
Key experiences included science experiments, research, writing information reports and creating 3D art. The delivery of a special crate from Auckland Museum sparked further curiosity and the students enjoyed observing and touching the marine specimens it contained. A highlight of the unit has been the design and creation of marine creatures using recycled materials.

Mrs Scott asked us to do some marine sculptures with trash. I created a flying fish and it turned out great in the end. First we needed to draw a plan. I decided to use a small bottle for its bottle, foamy paper for its fins and googly eyes for its eyes.
An excerpt from the recount of William Hu, Room 14

I created a bottlenose dolphin. The best part was getting all the supplies and making the plan. Using a hot glue gun and trying to put materials on plastic was challenging. I was really proud and happy about how my piece turned out as it looked just like the drawing when I planned it.
An excerpt from the recount of Dhanvi Patel, Room 14

Better Start Literacy Approach 
Thank you to the parents who attended the parent information session on Wednesday on the Better Start Literacy Approach that is currently being used in the Year 1 classrooms. We trust you found this session informative and if you have any further questions about this approach please contact a Year 1 teacher or Helen Rennie-Younger, Deputy Principal.

At Sunnybrae, we have developed a shared understanding with our students and community about Mental Health Education.
At Sunnybrae Normal School, we care for our mental health and our sense of wellbeing by actively recognising and encouraging the best in everyone. We can live and show our school what is important to us by using our values, R.I.C.E. (Respect, Independence, Cooperation and Excellence). This allows all of us at Sunnybrae to grow.  

Crossing Duty Helper Needed 
We would like to thank all of the parents who currently help us before or after school with the crossing on Sunnybrae Road. We are looking for a volunteer to help us on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 – 8:55 am.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Rachel Crooks for supporting the school in this way and keeping the students safe. If you would like to help by doing the crossing duty, please let Katrina Bambury know at office@sunnybrae.school.nz or call 09 443 5058 or stop by the office to say hello. Your help would be appreciated.

STAFF UPDATES:

Natural disasters can be frightening and distressing experiences for children, teenagers and adults. Extreme weather conditions are part of the natural landscape in many countries. These events can be overwhelming and terrifying when they happen. The loss caused by natural disasters can be significant – including the loss of a family member or friend, a pet, a home or belongings.

After a disaster, it is common for children of all ages and stages of development to become distressed. Parents’ own emotional reactions may be complicated by worrying about how their children are coping, what their children’s reactions mean, how serious they are, and how to manage children’s emotions and behaviour. The following information will help parents understand children’s reactions; know how to encourage children to naturally resolve their distress, and answer their children’s questions.

This is Part 2 of a 7 part series…

THE NATURAL COURSE OF CHILDREN’S RESPONSES 
Children commonly experience one or more of the above reactions in the first days and weeks following a disaster. However, most children will return to their ‘pre-disaster’ patterns of behaviour with time and the support of their parents.

However, there are some common triggers that may remind the child of the events and provoke renewed distress. These may include (but are not limited to):

•   Images on the TV of other disasters both local and overseas.
•   The 1-year anniversary of the disaster (with the accompanying media attention).
•   Subsequent bad weather.
•   Birthdays and anniversaries of the deaths of loved ones who died during the disaster.

It is important to know that the recovery from a disaster varies between children, and as families rebuild, there may be a ‘second wave’ of child distress.

If distress persists, the experience of learning to manage their feelings and recover is a powerful lesson for children in terms of their future resilience. Generally, if children’s post-disaster difficulties are still ongoing 3 months after the disaster, we recommend seeking further help.    Article to be continued in Week 5

Out of Zone Ballot for Entry 
Enrolment at Sunnybrae Normal School is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office. Students who live within the home zone are entitled to enrol at the school.

For students who live out of zone, the next opportunity to apply is before Monday 29 May 2023, this will be for students starting between 17 July and 22 September 2023 in Year 0, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 for out of zone students.

There will be an out of zone ballot held on Monday 5 June 2023 for students not living in the school’s home zone. If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

Parking on Campus for Staff Only
Please refrain from parking in the Staff Car Park. We are asking that all parents/caregivers be considerate of our many neighbours by ensuring that you leave their driveways clear when you are dropping off or picking up your child/children. For security, please lock your vehicle at these times.

Rainbow over Sunnybrae – this great shot was taken by Amber de Silva earlier in the week. We are still looking for the pots of gold…

Lunch Boxes
There has been an increase in students asking for cutlery daily at lunchtime to eat their lunch. If you are packing food that requires utensils, please ensure you have included a fork or spoon in your child’s lunchbox.

Please remember to pack some healthy fruit or vegetable options for your child to have at Brain Break time. It is great to have fruit/veggies for morning tea and/or lunch as well.

Kind regards
Lorene Hurd, Principal
SUNNYBRAE NORMAL SCHOOL

REMINDER:
Please note that all children are to be collected from school by 3.00 pm. If you are unable to collect before this time, you may be interested in booking your child into the YMCA after-school club held in the hall.  

CLICK HERE TO BOOK 

COMMUNITY NOTICES:

Brain Play teaches science & technology classes to Kiwi kids aged 5 – 13, right across the country! We offer holiday programmes, online classes, in-person after-school classes, in-school classes, and free events for communities. Our topics include 3D printing, coding, animation, STEM experiments, LEGO & more. Free trials are also available for new students. This term we are in Stanmore Bay, Huapai, Parnell and Hobsonville (as well as online)! Check out our website to learn more about what’s on at Brain Play & book in today – https://www.brainplay.co.nz/.