Tena koutou, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Bula vinaka, Ciao, Namaste, Al Salaam a’alaykum, Ni

hao, Merhaba, Konnichiwa, Hola, Annyong hasayo, Greetings

Balmoral Intermediate Newsletter

Te Kura o te Roto a Rangi 19 Brixton Road, Mt Eden Auckland 1024

Phone 638 7960 Fax 630 1944

Email office@balmoral.school.nz

w w w . b a l m o r a l . s c h o o l . n z

Vision

To value diversity and to develop curious, confident and

connected learners.

Friday 15 November 2019

Intermediate Dates to Diary

Kids4Kids Rehearsal Tuesday 19 November 9-1pm

Kids4Kids Performance Tuesday 19 November 7pm

Waterwise Shire 3 Wednesday 20 November

CZ Athletics Wednesday 20 November

Waterwise Shire 1 Thursday 21 November

Waterwise Shire 8 Friday 22 November

Waterwise Shire 5 Monday 25 November

Waterwise Shire 5 Monday 25 November

Waterwise Shire 7 Wednesday 27 November

Orientation Day for Year 7 2020 Wednesday 27 November

Fia Fia Night Wednesday 11 December

Canteen last day for the year Thursday 12 December

Intermediate Prize Giving Friday 13 December 9am

Last day of term 4 Thursday 19 December 1pm

Please check the calendar on our school website (www.balmoral.school.nz ) for up-to-date

events and times.

Intermediate Whanau Blogs

Turanga http://whanauturanga.blogspot.co.nz/

Aparangi https://aparangibalmoral.blogspot.co.nz/

Canteen Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday only

Canteen closes for the year 12/12/2019

Tena koutou e te whanau, he mihi nui kia koutou katoa

Dear Parents, Whānau and Caregivers

One change in our role over the last five years has been the growth of social media and its

influence on children’s and adult behaviour. While there are many positives about the

introduction of technology there are many negatives.

Early last week an app was brought to the schools attention called Tellonym. This app

operates as a texting app but it is more insidious than this in that people can post

anonymously. Some of the things we saw written on this app were certainly unacceptable

and just outright hurtful. There was very little compassion, empathy or dignity shown.

Netsafe is a very useful website to keep the parents informed about what is happening.

Netsafe says this about anonymous sites:

1. BE NICE: If you’re sending feedback on an anonymous feedback app, be constructive

and positive in what you say – honesty doesn’t have to be cruel or mean. Remember to

treat others as you would wish to be treated – and to always think before you hit ‘send’.

2. GET PREPARED: Before you install a new app, think about how the benefits of it as well as

how you’ll deal with negative, mean or abusive comments. Consider whether it’s worth the

potential stress. If you don’t think you’re ready to have to deal with any potential abuse or

negativity, don’t install it.

3. KEEP IT FRIENDS ONLY: Only share the details of your anonymous feedback account with

people that you know and trust. Do not share them publicly – remember that places like

your Insta bio are visible even if your profile is set to private. If the app allows it, set up your

account so that people cannot find your account via the search functionality.

4. BLOCK ABUSERS: If someone has been writing mean or hurtful comments, use the ‘report’

or ‘block’ function (if the app has one) to stop the abuse from happening again.

5. DELETE THE APP: If it all gets too much, and you’re receiving hurtful comments, then

delete the app off your phone. If it’s left you feeling bad then speak to someone you trust.

6. GET HELP: If you are receiving abusive messages and harassment on any app or platform

you can contact Netsafe for help. Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 or make a report using their online

report form.

I would encourage you to regularly visit Netsafe to keep abreast of the latest

developments in technology. Also remember you are entitled to report abusive online

behaviour to Netsafe.

Our school tries to also keep abreast of what happens. We teach our students about cyber

safety. This term our Year 5-8 are participating in sexuality education which has an

important component of safety online.

Kia pai to mutunga wiki (Have a good weekend)   Naku noa 

Malcolm Milner  Te Tumuaki  

Teaching and Learning in a Modern Classroom  Over the last 8 years our staff have worked alongside Dr Murray Gadd in their classrooms to

develop their skill in the teaching of reading and writing. This process has been deliberate

and longitudinal to ensure that we get permanent change. Murray will continue to work in

our school so that we are continually improving what we are doing based on the latest

research.

Last month Murray visited with a Swedish teacher Maarten Koops. Maarten was on a

scholarship to look at writing. He undertook observations of writing lessons in 14 Year 3-10

classrooms and interviewed teachers and students as part of these observations. Here is a

link to his observations and would give you a valuable insight into writing lessons in a

modern environment. Please read this short blog post.

Red Room Poetry Competition

 In 2019, Poetry Object reached more people than ever

before! In 240 schools and 414 classrooms across Australia and New Zealand, students and

teachers discovered new ways to write poems about objects they hold dear.

From over 2350 submissions, two of our pupils reached the shortlist of 51 outstanding

poems. Ashton with his poem 'Shells' and Spencer with his poem 'Cold Air' have both made

it to this level of the competition!

You can now participate in the Peoples Choice Award which closes on Monday 18

November. So you only have two more days to choose your favourite poems from the

shortlist! Spread the word amongst your friends and whanau. The top people's choice

poems will receive special awards from Red Room Poetry in recognition of their work.

Vote in the people's choice award

Read the shortlist

Staff Leaving in 2019  

Staffing at our school, remains very fluid. There continues to be extremely high numbers of

positions advertised which creates a lot of choice for job seekers.  

In the last three months we have received resignations from the following teaching staff.

We wish them all the best for 2020.  

• Congratulations to Andrew who has resigned after fifteen years work at Balmoral to

take up a leadership role in West Auckland. This is a significant number of years work serving

the Balmoral community and we will recognise this appropriately.

Other resignations we have received are

• Michelle Deacon who is looking forward to other teaching career options.

• Emma has resigned and accepted a position in Tauranga

• Madeline Henty has resigned and is travelling to the UK

• Krysten has obtained a teaching position at Meadowbank School

We will farewell these staff over the next month. 

Staffing Changes for 2020  Congratulations to Stephanie Slaven who will be the Whānau Leader leading Hiringa our

Year 5/6 syndicate in 2020.

I would also like to welcome Cynthia Tian (Year ¾), Kylie Hogg (Year

5/6), Dale Mahlagwai  (Year 7).

The school currently has one vacancy in Year 5/6. This position is advertised and closes on

Monday 25th November.

Classroom Organisation for 2020  

The school takes great care in the placement of individual children. 

Class placement cannot be based on friendships or parent requests so please do not ask for

this. This year we are using a computer programme to create our classes for 2020 based on

some strict criteria.   

Each class is formed with careful consideration of the following information:  

• attitudes/work habits  

• relationships  with others

• range of abilities  

• recommendations of previous teacher  

• equity balance  

This structure is so that we can provide the best conditions for children and teachers alike to

ensure learning is maximised.  

All classes will be mixed up to go to the next teacher.  

The Principal or Associate Principal has the prerogative to move a child if the needs of that

child or teacher are not being met.   

Property Update   

Last night we held our Roof Shout for the important milestone of the roof being completed

on the gymnasium. This celebration is an old tradition in New Zealand and it was lovely to

be able to share as a community. Thanks to Kristen and our supportive PTA who managed

to rearrange their lives to make this happen on a work day. They served up over 550

sausages and 750 iceblocks. There were many happy children and parents after

school yesterday.

On Wednesday the BoT informed you that Southbase had notified us that completion of

the Gymnasium is delayed and will not be available for use as temporary classrooms until

March 2020.  Given the delay it is now not feasible to demolish the Primary block over the

Christmas holidays.  Demolition would leave us short of classroom space for Term 1 2020.

We are waiting for an accurate programme of work so that the school can plan

effectively the allocation of classrooms from April 2020.

Sustainability at Balmoral School  

Farmers Market  

On Friday 1 November the Eco Warriors helped organise the Balmoral School Farmers'

Market. A big crowd was treated to an amazing variety of products made by students,

teachers and parents. Together we were able to raise $1755 dollars which we used to

adopt three kākāpō, and make a donation to help bring children to the Zealandia

ecosanctuary. Thank you to everyone who came to the market or helped out. 

Colgate Community Garden Challenge

Vote to win for our school www.Terracycle.com

 

Old toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes were sent off to be recycled this week. This was for

the Colgate Community Garden Challenge. The school now stands the chance to win a

recycled garden. Vote for Balmoral School at www.Terracycle.com to increase our

chances to win.

Health and Safety Request A number of students arrive at our school by taxi, from 8:30am each day. Due to their

mobility, safety and behavioural challenges, the

taxis from Cross Country Rentals, need to park

across, or in, the driveway to allow staff to support

students from the vehicles to their classrooms.

Please ensure you do not park in these places

when bringing your child to school, as access for

taxis as close as possible to the school gate is vital.

Balmoral Team Photos

ORDERS CLOSE 01/12/2019 To view Team Photos:

• Go to www.schoolmemories.co.nz/blt or select Balmoral teams at www.schoolmemories.co.nz

• Click on View proof images in the gallery and browse through images

• Note down the shoot keys of the photos you wish to order

(eg. 101, 114, 127)

To order Team photos:

Go back to www.schoolmemories.co.nz/blt

• Click on Click here to order Balmoral School team photos

• Please note each group photo is $15.00 (do not enter a $ symbol when putting in amount)

• You can combine up to 5 group photos in one order

• (eg. shoot key for 5 different groups: 101, 111, 117, 128, 131)

• (eg. shoot key for 2 copies of same group: 117, 117)

Photos will be delivered to your child at school approx. 2 weeks after close date

Intermediate News

Hockey News

Congratulations to Rosa Fox in Room AR, who made the Auckland Under 13 Hockey team.

The team recently placed 2nd in the Collier Tournament, the national competition. Well

done to them!

Everyday Theatre Workshop

Throughout Term 4, each Year 7 and 8 class was given an opportunity to experience a real

life video game. An interactive drama story hosted, choreographed and scripted by the

Everyday Theatre company. It carried a troubling story of an unsettled family and their

predicaments, it showed us the importance of having a voice and how there’s more than

one way to approach a situation.

The members of the Everyday Theatre Company who guided the sessions were Caitlyn and

Stacey. They helped to express the story in a fun and easy to understand way but still

managed to carry the underlying message: ‘Every child has hopes and dreams.’ This was

the “password” revealed after passing all the levels in the drama game.

Caitlyn and Stacey had phenomenal acting skills which helped us invest in the characters.

This made it easier to put ourselves in their perspectives to understand and empathise with

their position.

The whole of Year 7 & 8 were left with a sensational experience and a message that will

stick beside us for years to come.

Thank you so much to the Everyday Theatre Company.

By Rubie and Misaki, Shire 4

Performing Arts Opportunity

The annual MAGS Junior Bytes concert will take place next Tuesday night. This is a good

opportunity for any of our Year 8 students who are attending MAGS next year to see all that

they can potentially be involved with. Details of the concert can be found below.

Our ‘Junior Bytes Concert’ and presentation of Junior Arts badges will be held at 7.00pm on

Tuesday 19 November at the Centennial Theatre, Auckland Grammar School in Epsom. This

concert will showcase the best performances by our talented Junior students in Dance,

Drama, Music, and this year for the first time, Spoken Word, as well as a display of visual art.

Tickets will be available from Monday 11 November at the MAGS Finance Office - Adults

$20.00, students and pensioners $15.00, MAGS staff and students and children under 12

$10.00. We encourage students and their families to come and support the next generation

of MAGS artists. Enquiries to Director Arts Co-Curricular Jacqui Cesan

at jcesan@mags.school.nz

Community Notices

Book Donations Needed

Please support the #KiwiChristmasBooks

campaign being run by one of our school

parents by donating a book to this worthy

cause:

Kia ora Balmoral friends and family,

I am helping to collect new New Zealand

books for kiwi kids in need of some help this

Christmas and I’d love your support. Next time

you are in a bookshop or online, please buy an

extra book (children’s, middle grade, YA,

picture books, chapter books - all welcome) to

donate.

All books will be delivered to the Auckland City

Mission and the Auckland Women’s Refuge

who will distribute them as Christmas presents

amongst the young people whose families are

using their services this festive season.

Please, no second-hand books; these kids are generally having a pretty rough time and

deserve something shiny and new, and please choose a book by a New Zealand writer or

illustrator if you can so that we can support local authors, publishers and booksellers too.

You can drop your donation into the box at the school office between now and Friday,

December 13th.

No need to wrap the books, as the agencies need to know what books they are

distributing, but if you would also like to donate a roll of wrapping paper, they would very

much appreciate that too!

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Kim O'Hara

(Mum of Ruby in Rm 15 and Eddy in Rm 26)

#KiwiChristmasBooks