Dear Parents
It Can Be Done
The ones who miss all the fun
Are those who say, "It can't be done."
In solemn pride they stand aloof
And greet each venture with reproof.
Had they the power they'd efface
The history of the human race.
We'd have no radio or motor cars,
No street lit by electric stars;
No telegraph nor telephone,
We'd linger in the age of stone.
The world would sleep if things were run
By those who say, "It can't be done."
-Author Unknown
When I read this little poem it made me remember one of my own primary school teachers, Mr Jameson. One day we walked into class and he had drawn a glass with some water in it. He asked us to write a sentence describing what we saw. I can’t remember exactly how old we were but I do recall his message. Nearly everyone in the class wrote down that they could see a glass half full of water. He pointed out to us that children nearly always see just that, where as sadly many adults see the glass ‘half empty’. He told us that the children were right!
Mr Jameson’s story, like many we tell children, was a lesson with a moral…I am sure that we then went on to discuss thinking positively about things or some such but I can’t really recall. The point being, that my classmates and I loved the fact the children were right and the adults were wrong!
Earlier in the term at the Thinking Maps Workshop we listened to Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk (www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY). Many parents later told me that they had watched it again and shared it with friends. In his talk he reminds us that Picasso once said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Mr Jameson, Picasso, Sir Ken Robinson all share the belief that our children are amazing talents. They are positive, creative and often not prepared to accept when an adult tells them “It can’t be done…” Long may they continue think like this!
Red Sock Day
Tomorrow is the day to show your true colours and get your red socks on to show your support for the Sir Peter Blake Trust. Children who bring a donation of $2 or more, will get a pair of red socks which they will be allowed to wear for the day (full school uniform to be worn please).
Sir Peter Blake liked to wear his red socks for good luck, and during the America’s Cup Challenge of 1995 New Zealanders supported the boat by putting on their own red socks. This year, the Trust is bringing them back across the country!
National Red Socks Day is held during National Leadership Week – to encourage schools, organisations and individuals throughout New Zealand to celebrate leadership in action and to remember a great New Zealand leader, Sir Peter Blake.
Books Home
Tomorrow your children will be bringing a selection of their books home for you to look at. We would encourage you to take the opportunity to consider your child’s learning together with them, and use the books to stimulate discussion about your child’s work. Keep in mind that the books only represent a small selection of the learning experiences, which your child has at school so try to broaden out the conversation into other experiences they may have had in the classroom. Year 5 and 6 students will also bring home their personal Learning Summaries.
Please return all books in their plastic wallet on Monday 19th July (the first day of Term 3)
Term 3 Calendar
All events will be available on our website this week and a hard copy will be sent home on the first day back next term. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information. If there are any changes or additional events you will be advised in future newsletter and via the website.
Congratulations
To our senior pupils Alexandra Hacking and Ishan Naik both of whom have been selected for Auckland Representative Hockey teams this week. Well done to you both!
PTS Quiz Night
The Quiz Night is not too far away (Saturday 7th August – End of week 3) This is always a great evening so please support the event, reserve the date in your diary and start getting your team together now!
Kind regards
Allan Short
Principal
