25 March 2014 Newsletter No: 04

A panoramic view of Newtown Park on our school athletics day

IMPORTANT DATES

APRIL

Wednesday 1st Tui Syndicate Maths Information Evening 6pm

Thursday 2nd Last Day Term 1

Monday 20th First Day Term 2

Monday 27th Anzac Day Holiday

Tuesday 28 PSW Football Tournament Year 7 & 8 ( postponement 30th )

Wednesday 29th Kiwi Syndicate trip to Zealandia

MAY

Tuesday 5 May BoT Meeting 7pm

Wednesday 6th School Cross Country (postponement 8th )

Wednesday 13th Gardasil vaccination Year 8 Girls

Monday 4th – Thurs 28th Life Education Caravan

Tuesday 19th Central Zone Cross Country (postponement 21st)

Friday 29th Teacher Only Day (school closed)

JUNE

Monday 1st Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Tuesday 2nd School Swimming Sports

Naumai e te whanau o te kura Brooklyn Tena koutou katoa Dear Parents / Caregivers

The term is nearly over, it has been racing by and the children have been busy practising for our School Athletics

which was held last Friday. It was a successful day with all the children trying their best and ‘taking up the

challenge’. Bruno Castle-Maclean from Room 15 has written a wonderful story about the athletics involving the zoo

animals next door. His story is included in this newsletter. Thanks to Clint Brandon and Glen Burdon for the smooth

organisation for the day. Next term we have the school cross country in week 3 and our swimming sports for years 4-

8 in week 7.

We would like to welcome Emma Lane to the teaching staff at Brooklyn School. Emma will be teaching new entrants

next term in Room 1. She has 12 years teaching experience which includes the UK, South Korea, Brazil and New

Zealand. Emma will be in helping with the school visits on a Thursday for the remainder of the term.

Clint Brandon will be taking his sabbatical next term. His focus is on literacy and technology. We look forward to

having him back in Term 3. Bridget Bridgman is teaching in Room 12 for the term and Matt Breach will be Acting

Syndicate Leader. Kirsty Parun will be taking the Classroom Release time on a Tuesday and Thursday.

The Moa and Takahe syndicates had a great cultural experience at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay last week. The

Moa children stayed the night and got up early the next morning to light the fire for the hangi. Apparently they even

managed to get some sleep! The food was delicious and we would

like to thank Matua Matt Breach for his expertise and organisation for

this event.

We have our last Tui Information Evening next Wednesday 1 April 6-7pm in the school staffroom. The focus area is

maths. You are all most welcome to come along.

This week we have different events organised for lunchtimes for ‘Moving March’. The Tui Syndicate had their turn

yesterday. This is to encourage children to walk, scooter or bike to school. The leadership team have decorated the

school gate. While I’m on the topic of transport, can you please refrain from parking on the yellow lines directly

outside the when you are dropping off your children in the mornings. The ‘Kiss and Drop’ team are out monitoring

the drop off area, this is to encourage parents to drop their children and move off leaving a park for the next drop

off. We really appreciate your help with this as we know parking can be a challenge, especially at school drop off and

pick up times.

Lamb, beef & chicken were on the menu for the

hangi lunch

Tui children enjoying a

“Wheels” lunchtime

Luca Riddle

William Moore

Maia Hills

With the recent installation of the solar panels on the Moa block roof – we officially joined the “School Gen”

programme. This programme developed by Genesis Energy to bring solar energy and energy efficiency to life for

children across New Zealand. Maggie Twaddle from Genesis Energy & Councillor Iona Pannett are pictured

presenting the school with an official plaque .

Feedback closes in 2 days (this Friday) for the “Kaka Project: Brooklyn Area Community Planning.” We would like a

shared school and community hall/gym and resource hub in central Brooklyn (i.e. Harrison St or on our school site)

and we would contribute our $630,000 Special Property Grant (which can’t be used for classrooms).

I urge you to have your say by asking for this shared school and community resource hub.

Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KakaProject and help our voice be heard!

Ka kite

Liz Rhodes

Principal

CRICKET NEWS

As cricket is a very much talked about subject at the moment we would like to mention the achievements of ex-Brooklyn school student Aaris Baskaran (Y8 in 2014) who achieved the 'Appreciation and Recognition Award' from the Wellington Boys College Cricket Club.

On Saturday 21st February, Aaris’ opened for the first cricket game of the season. He played 40 full overs and scored 159 runs not out! (that included 23x 4’s and 3x 6’s) The overall team score was 235 needless to say they won the match. An outstanding effort for a remarkable young man and what was even more of a thrill for him. He was watched by the Black Caps - Cricket World Cup Finalists ! Well done Aaris!

Here are a group of Year 7’s who put on a performance in Assembly explaining how School Gen works

WRITERS PAGE

THE GOAT

I was getting my drink bottle from my bag when I saw a tiny four legged creature knocking

people over on the horizon. “Wait a minute…what is that?” I asked rhetorically, pushing

past the crowd. Finally, I got to the bottom. “Mr Brandon?” “yeeesssss??” “um something

has escaped from the zoo and I assume it is a goat” “We don’t make assumptions, we ask”.

Mr Brandon should be one of those youi people on the ads. “What I mean is can I please

have permission to go over there?” “Fine”. As soon as I arrived I saw that I was right after

all: It was a goat! “Aahhhhhh! HELP US!!!!!!!” some citizens screamed. “THERE IS A GOAT

ON THE LOOSE” some others screamed. Suddenly the goat changed direction, aimed at me

and head-butted me. I was knocked out cold. Next thing I knew I was awake and the goat

had thrown a vortex 1km with its tongue, jumped 4m in long jump and was now finishing

his 46th lap around the track. “Get that GOAT!!!!” my friends yelled and altogether

(including a random baby!) they jumped on the goat and in minutes the goat was safely

inside its cage.

THE END by Bruno Castle McLean Room 15

BEING A KIWI

Being a Kiwi means to me being kind and having a lovely personality.

I like going to the beach with family and friends with the barbeque going.

Then we go to the rock pools ”look there’s a crab”, I say.

We go to the dairy and get Tip Top ice creams and eat them until it’s all gone, we

go back to the beach and build sandcastles.

After that we run as fast as our legs can take us.When we feel little splashes of

water we go in further and start swimming. SPLASH SPLASH.

I can see raindrops falling from the sky so we go home and watch tv.

Next I go outside to catch rain drops on my tongue. Meanwhile in Queenstown

there are people skiing and snow-boarding in the snow and making snowman

and snow angels.

But I am tucked up in my bed with a book and a hot chocolate.

By Amy Gasson Room 14

Join the challenge to have fun….at

Pippins, Brownies or Guides

Being a member of GirlGuiding NZ is a very popular choice for 5 -19 year old girls and it is great to be able to offer the opportunity to more girls to join our units in Brooklyn on a Monday night in school terms.

Guiding is about learning, developing self-confidence, making new friends and, of course, having lots of

fun. If you have a daughter who likes to have fun then contact Kathryn on ph: 8025049 or email brooklyn.brownies@gmail.com or visit www.girlguidingnz.org.nz

ASB Holiday Football @ Wakefield Park, Island Bay – April 2015

Island Bay United is running a 6 day holiday programme – Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 April and Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 April, 9am – 3pm. This programme is loved by primary and intermediate boys and girls, aged 5 – 12.

The ASB Holiday Programme is NZ Football sanctioned through the Capital Football Federation. Get in quick to work with our Coaching and Developing Manager, Martin Garcia and enjoy 6 days filled with fun and football.

Registration is on the IBU Junior club website www.ibujuniors.org.nz. Six days is $190, or $35 per day. Email queries to events@ibujuniors.org.nz