Board of Trustees 2019 Term 4 Newsletter

Kia ora tatou!

Thank you to everyone for contributing to another exciting year at Ridgway. Many interesting, fun and educational activities have taken place this year. Our fair, Matariki celebrations, swimming and athletics, Jump Jam performances, STEM week, kapa haka performance at the National Library, the noho marae, and of course the grand finale, the amazing production last week.

Thank you to our Principal, Mrs Smith, the Ridgway teachers and support staff who make this and much more all happen.

It's been exciting this year to see our school's French class, Ruru La Chouette, establishing itself and flourishing. Next year it will grow to have a second French class.

We have also worked towards updating the school's strategy and vision in a series of workshops which included input from students, parents, teachers and the board. This will highlight where we as a school would like to be in 3 years time. We will share our new strategy documents with you early in the new year.

Next year the much anticipated building works will finally commence. Our architects have recently presented the detailed design plans for the new building to the school community and these have been available for feedback. We will continue to keep you updated using the building diary on the school website.

Finally, to those staff, students and families who are leaving Ridgway this year, best wishes for your next adventure.

Please see the notices below regarding our school's name, vision and next year's donations.

We wish everyone a fantastic break with your tamariki over the summer holidays, and Meri Kirihimete.

Kia manahau!

Ridgway School Board of Trustees

Voluntary school donation for 2020

Ridgway School asks for a voluntary donation from parents each year. This helps pay for things such as art supplies, library books and ICT equipment.

The amount has not changed since 2013 and will remain the same for 2020 as for previous years. The amount for one child is $240 per year (with a 10% for subsequent children of the same family).

The Government recently changed the regulations around school donations in relation to decile 1-7 schools. This does not affect Ridgway School and the rules around voluntary donations for our school are the same as they have always been. As we do not receive this extra Government funding, our school continues to rely on parents to pay the voluntary school donation.

The donation, while much appreciated by the school, is voluntary. If you do not have the means to contribute to the school through the voluntary school donation, please pay as much as you can afford or in instalments. Remember that you can also contribute to the school in non-monetary ways through volunteering your time, skills or otherwise.

There are also other times the school may request specific donations, for example, for technology classes for Years 7&8, mathletics or swimming.

Thank you!

New te reo name for Ridgway School

Our school has a new part to its name! In consultation with the local iwi and the Ridgway Whānau Hui Group we have decided to add the te reo name of Tawatawa.

Tawatawa is the name of the ridge which the school is located on and which runs from Brooklyn to Island Bay. The Tawatawa tree was/is in abundance on this ridge. It is also part of the name of the bike track on the field. We are very pleased that our school's name now includes a reference to the local Māori history.

Help us create a new vision

A vision sums up what we imagine or hope our school and students to achieve (or be like) in the future. This should be one sentence, memorable and uniquely describe our school.

Please email us your suggestions!

Contact us

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or comments, you can email the Ridgway Board of Trustees on ridgwaybot@gmail.com