COMING EVENTS

Tuesday 27 February C11,12 Parent Meeting

Wednesday 28 February Playgroup Parent Meeting

Friday 2 March Athletics Day

Wednesday 7 March Rose Cottage Parent Meeting

Thursday 8 March Class 6 Parent Meeting

Thursday 8 March Class 7 Parent Meeting

Friday 9 March Aotearoa Eurythmy Ensemble Performance

Friday 9 March C1 Mexican Lunch bar

FRIDAY FLYER 23 February 2018

Newsletter 5

Kia ora koutou katoa!

This week has been busy with many meetings as well as the usual

busyness of everyday school life. There have been class meetings,

an induction evening to welcome new parents and celebrations for

Chinese New Year. The Rudolf Steiner Schools Trust met and are

working on their goals and strategic plan with a focus on finding

alumni to invite them to our 40th birthday celebration in

September. Our Board of Trustees also met and approved our

Annual Plan and Charter and this will go on the website for your

information and a shortened version is in this newsletter. The

Annual Plan has 3 main goals:

RELATE: Wellbeing - Inclusive, enthusiastic joyful and caring school

community

CREATE: Growth - Plan future growth strategy

INSPIRE: Special Character - Strengthen, define and improve our

Special Character

Teachers are working together this year with a focus on universal

design for learning. This in essence means, how can we plan

effectively to meet the diverse range of needs in each class? We

are fortunate to have the RTLB (Resource Teachers, Learning and

Behaviour) working alongside us and several teachers have formed

a working group to develop this further and share their ideas with

the whole faculty. If you have time to watch a 3 minute YouTube

clip you will understand what we are working on. https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtUlU8MjlY

I also have some sad news this week, as we have two much loved

teachers leaving us at the end of this term. Our amazing Class 4

teacher, Rob Wigley is leaving class teaching so that he can give his

family more time (though he will be available for relief work which

will be terrific). Also, our talented German/Handwork teacher Frau

Mahr (Kerstin) will also be saying Auf Wiedersehen as she heads

off to new adventures. Kerstin is also our Festival Coordinator, so

we know her unique talents will be greatly missed. It is always a

time of grief when staff leave (and students) as we feel like a big

family, but we also need to respect decisions people make and

trust that new opportunities arise when new people join our

community. We will be seeking the right teachers for both

positions and we have time to plan excellent farewells for Rob and

Kerstin.

Our wonderful Dana Marcroft has revised the parent handbook for

2018 and this can be found here: www.michaelpark.school.nz/

about-us/resources. For further information about our school, or

just to come and have a chat, I invite you to morning tea at Rudolf

Steiner House in Michael Avenue, Tuesday 10th April from

10.30am until 12. I might bring along one of our deputy principals

(Donna Bainbridge or Adam Driver) as well!

We have the Eurythmy group performing for students Friday 9th

March. To cover the cost of $6.50 per student, the Rudolf Steiner

Schools Trust is contributing $2.50 per student, each class account

will contribute $2 per student and we ask every student to bring $2

and give to their class teacher or kaitiaki before 9th March. To

have a eurythmy group perform is not an opportunity that comes

along every day, so come along to the public performance that

evening.

Lastly, please support the teachers by sending your children to

school in line with our dress code guidelines

www.michaelpark.school.nz/media/resources/general/Dress-Code

-2017.pdf. I see too many children wearing jandals, or even coming

to school in bare feet. Teachers have enough to do without being

dress code monitors as well. This really is a parental responsibility

so I urge all of you to make this work together. Thank you.

Theresa Piraccini

Principal

WEBSITE & MARKETING PHOTOS

Our website features beautiful, vibrant photographs taken around

the school that include pictures of children, parents and staff.

Permission to use these pictures has been given by parents at MPS

when they signed the inclusion under the ‘Consents’ section of the

Enrolment Agreement Form.

We hope you will agree that the pictures are a fantastic way to

show the special qualities of our school, but if your circumstances

have changed and you do not wish to have your child’s image used

on the website or for any other marketing purposes (prospectus,

school magazine, newspaper adverts, etc.) then please let us know.

Contact Dana in the school office if you have a

query: danam@michaelpark.school.nz

Strategic Goals 2018

RELATE - Wellbeing Goal 1 – Inclusive, enthusiastic, joyful and caring school community

Wellbeing promoted across all aspects of school community

Health and PE curriculum reviewed to improve social skills and emotional resilience, including review of camp programs and develop Subject Review Plan

Improve engagement in Classes 8,9,10

Review of student code of conduct and pastoral care policies to reflect school values

Wellbeing group to support staff wellbeing

Productive partnerships with Māori whānau, hapῡ, iwi, Māori organisations

Support for international and exchange students

Differentiation applied across all classes to improve student outcomes and engagement

COL Achievement Challenge

CREATE - Growth Goal 2 – Plan future strategy

Define vision for growth of Steiner education in the upper North island Investigate future growth pathway

Research and investigate through a feasibility study which way MPS grows to meet future demand

Plan growth strategy

INSPIRE – Special Character Goal 3 – Strengthen, define and improve our Special Character at MPS

Strengthen Steiner pedagogical practice

Investigate Steiner Certificate

Eurythmy strengthened and supported

Staff and Community have deeper understanding of our Special Character

ANNUAL PLAN 2018

HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Kia ora parents, caregivers, and whānau

High School Parent Meetings

A reminder that Parent Meetings for Class 11 and 12 will be held

on Tuesday 27th February. This is the time to meet with your

child’s kaitikai to scope out the year ahead. I will also be present in

my capacity as the Deputy Principal. We very much look forward to

meeting with you. By now you should have received from your

child’s kaitiaki the agenda. Class 11 parents will meet in Room 10

and Class 12 in the Chemistry Lab. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m.

and should finish no later than 8:30 p.m.

Athletics day

A reminder from the High School Dean and PE coordinator,

Andrew Johnstone:

Our school athletic meet will be held on Friday 2nd March at the

Pakuranga Athletic Club which is situated at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

Students will participate for house points in various athletic events

throughout the day with points contributing towards an overall

house winner.

House Colours

Students are expected to participate in their house colours on the

2ndh March

Rimu is Green, Kauri is Blue, Totara is Red, Kowhai is

Students will be informed of what house they are in and we will

have our first house meeting next week to sort out house entries

into the different events.

Transport

We have organised transport for the day, we envisage starting at

9:15am at the stadium and should be finished by 2:30pm at the

latest. Parents are encouraged to come down and support their

child and to support with the event.

Students will need to ensure that they have drinking water and

lunch available, as well as a hat and sunscreen.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me on 579

3083 ext 723

Ngā mihi

Adam Driver

GLASS BABY FOOD JARS Dear Michael Park Community

If you have any glass baby food jars at home, please could you

kindly donate some to our Art department? We are in need of

these small jars as they are perfect for holding our paint.

Many thanks for your help with this

request - if you can bring these to

reception and I will gladly receive them!

Donna Bainbridge

Deputy Principal LS & MS

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Looking for a half or three quarter guitar (preferably left

handed) to borrow or buy. Call Nerissa 0212169840 or email

nissystardust@gmail.com

Puppy carer wanted. We need someone to come and feed

and play with our puppy for 1 hour per day between

1130am-1230pm. It would suit someone local (Ellerslie), and

small children are welcome to come with their parent.

Ideally we would like someone who

could do 5 days a week, but we may

end up with two people doing a few

days each. We would prefer someone

who would be interested in doing this

for several months. Please contact

Mary on 021783283.

A Steiner student teacher from Australia, Sarah Powers, will

visit MPS to complete her practicum. Tanya Meek has kindly

offered to host her from April 30th to May 5th, would any

other staff or community members be able to host Sarah

between the 5th and the 18th May? Please contact

sarah.seafarer@gmail.com.

Camping Gear for Sale. We have a heap of pre-loved

camping gear for sale. If you would like the full list please

contact Christine at christinef@michaelpark.school.nz

Happy to sell the whole lot with a good offer. Christine 021

574 544

Newly built 2 bedroom self-contained, fully furnished, stand

alone house in Mt. Wellington near Sylvia Park available for

rent from the beginning of April. Ideally for one parent and

maximum two children / teacher from our school. Comes

with off street parking. Rent from $420 per week,

negotiable. Please contact Carol 021 267 4946 for viewing.

Contact the editor fridayflyer@michaelpark.school.nz

Guideline 150 characters please. Deadline Thursday lunchtime.

HOSTING HIGH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL WALDORF STUDENTS

We invite expressions of interest from families within our school

and also families that are part of the wider Michael Park School

community to host international High School Students seeking a

Steiner education.

Right now we are looking for families to host Waldorf High School

Students in 2018.

Hosting an international student provides many benefits for you

and your family; an international cultural experience, expanding

your horizons, supporting a young person to learn at Michael Park

School. If you are interested in finding out more please contact

Brenda Davidson on brendad@michaelpark.school.nz for further

information on this.

Thanks

Brenda

MPS STAFFING VACANCIES

SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER AIDE

Michael Park Kindergarten is seeking a special needs teacher aide.

Hours are 9-12, Mon, Tue, Wed. The ideal applicant is well

organised and practical, is creative, has a good sense of humour

and able to build warm and responsive relationship with a special

needs child.

Please send your CV to admin@michaelpark.school.nz

CLASS 4 TEACHER

We are seeking an enthusiastic, committed Steiner primary school

teacher for our wonderful class 4 (Y5). The ideal applicant would

be artistic, creative, and a good communicator with positive

classroom management skills and a willingness to teach and

organise programmes in accordance with the special character of

the school. A background in Steiner Waldorf pedagogy is essential

and the ability to work collegially. Must have NZ teacher

registration.

Please send your letter of introduction and current CV

to admin@michaelpark.school.nz by 5pm, Monday 12 March 2018.

For any enquiries about this position please contact the principal

at principal@michaelpark.school.nz

GERMAN/HANDWORK TEACHER

Fixed term contract until 14 December 2018.

Michael Park School is an area integrated Steiner school from

kindergarten to Year 13. We seek an enthusiastic German/

Handwork teacher (NZ registered) commencing Term 2, 2018

(German Years 2-6 and Handwork Years 6-9). Experienced teacher

with sound knowledge of NZ Curriculum. Steiner experience

preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

required. A willingness to teach and organise programmes in

accordance with our special character shall be a condition of

employment.

Please send your letter of introduction and current CV

to admin@michaelpark.school.nz by 5pm, Friday 9 March 2018.

For any enquiries about this position please contact the principal

at principal@michaelpark.school.nz

VACANCIES AT OTHER STEINER SCHOOLS

DUNEDIN STEINER SCHOOL - HANDWORK TEACHER

We seek a state registered teacher with skills and knowledge of

the Steiner Handwork curriculum to teach years 2 – 8. The ideal

applicant will have a commitment to Steiner pedagogy, and a

flexibility to suit a smaller school. The position is fixed term due to

its funding stream and is currently for 8 hours per week, with the

possibility of extended hours in other areas of the school. Start

date negotiable, around Easter 2018.

Applications close 4.00 pm, Monday 26 February 2018.

An application form and job description is available by request

from office@dunedinsteiner.nz Telephone: 03 471 2163

PIANO LESSONS ON TUE & WED There are a few more spaces are available for 30 minutes

individual piano lesson on both Tuesday & Wednesday at MPS,

from morning until 12.30pm.

Please send your interest to Jessica’s email address:

jeankim0424@gmail.com or call 0211793920.

Look forward to meeting you soon!

Profile of Jessica Kim

BMus, University of Auckland

Certificate of Teaching Piano Adventure Diploma course

Accompanist at Auckland Men’s Choir & Kwang Myung

Presbyterian church

Head Piano teacher at Cherry Piano Studio in Mt Eden

GOT YOUR HAT?

Remember, sunhats are required during terms 1 &

4 for break, lunch and outdoor lessons.