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Week of 30 March 2016

Pay your School Donation and be in the draw to win 1 of 4 bikes being drawn at the end of Term's 1 & 2. Four chances to win!
All paid donations attract a tax refund of 33%.  Additional to this, you receive 10% reduction on trips, events, camps and uniform sales purchased through the school shop.
To be in for the first draw please ensure you have made your school donation payment by this Friday 1st April, 2016.
Mathletics Subscription for 2016 Year 2 - 6. Final day for payment 31st March - $32.00.  All students who have not paid will have their access removed.
Life Eduction Trust 4th - 15th April, $5.00 per student, please pay through the School shop or at the front office.
ICAS test payments are due Friday 15th April.  Please refer to the School Shop for payments.
End of Term Assembly - Thursday 14th April, 9.30 - 10.30am at Wentworth Sports Complex. Everyone Welcome.

Week of 22 March 2016

Thursday 24th March - Interschool swimming sports Year 5 - 8
Easter Break - School  will be Closed Friday 25th March to Tuesday 29th March
Wednesday 30th March - Swimming certificates will be presented at our morning assembly to all students who were placed in the top 3 in their chosen swimming events for GHS.  Please feel free to attend our morning weekly assembly from 9:00am.
Due to the Easter break there will be no food Fridays until Friday 8th April.

Week of 15 March 2016

Thursday 17th March - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom.
Thursday 24th March - Years 5 - 8 Interschool Swimming Sports. $2.00 to be paid for all those attending.
Friday 25th March - Tuesday 29th March - Easter Holidays, school will be closed.

Week of 10 March 2016

2016 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
At GHS we offer the opportunity for our students to participate in external assessme
nts from the University of New South Wales in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). 
These annual assessments are for skills development in key areas of learning for students in
Years 3 – 8; assessments are available in English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling and Writing.
They are administered at school through a 30–60 minute supervised in-school test on the below dates. The writing test will be completed in between the dates of 13 - 17 June.
The results are available to parents and students online; these online reports and analyses remain available indefinitely.
List of subjects and fees to be paid through our online school shop, any questions please email j.petrie@ghs.school.nz
All fees need to be paid by Friday 22nd April 2016. Pay online through School Shop.
Subject/Paper    School Years     Official Sitting Date   Entry Fee
Science                   3 - 8                          31 May                $11.00
Writing                    4 - 8                     13 - 17 June              $25.00
Spelling                   4 - 8                          15 June               $13.50
English                    3 - 8                         2 August               $11.00
Mathematics           3 - 8                        16 August              $11.00

Week of 1 March 2016

Thursday 3rd March, Years 4 - 8 Annual School Swimming Sports, Leisure Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm. Reminder to all our parents to please come along and support your child. Link to the draw for the day: http://gulfharbourschoolnews.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/gulf-harbour-school-swimming-sports.html
Thursday 3rd March, PTA Meeting, 7.00pm in the Staffroom.  Everyone welcome.
Monday 7th - Friday 11th March Year 5 Camp to Whatipu

Week of 23 February 2016

Friday 26th February - Mufti Day supporting child Cancer Foundation through Kiara's Angel Walk.  Dress up in your favourite bright colours and please bring a donation.
Thursday 3rd March - Year 4 - 8 School Swimming Sports at the Leisure Centre.  Students will travel by bus, please make sure you have returned the permission slip and paid the $6.00 per child. Payment through the school shop or the office.
Thursday 3rd March, 7.00pm in the Staffroom - First PTA Meeting for 2016 - come along and see what exciting ideas we have for 2016.  Be part of a great group of parents supporting our school and making a difference for your children.
School Hats are now available at the Uniform Shop - $18.00. Please make sure your child is wearing the correct hat.

Week of 9 February 2016

Welcome to our first weekly Porthole for 2016.  Hope your children all had a great first week back at school.
Friday 12th February - Whole school picnic down at Okorami Bay from 11.15am to 2.00pm.  Students will be walking to and from the park. We do need your help if you are available.  Swimming will be supervised and only available to those students who have permission by bringing their togs. Separate permission slips will not be sent home for this event. Bring your picnic lunch and enjoy the day with your children.
Wednesday 17th February - Meet the Teacher Evening
5.00 - 6.30pm  Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy family time.  Water slide and bungy castles will be available for students to use.
6.30 - 8.00pm  Parents will be able to visit their child's classrooms.

Week of 24 November 2015

Wednesday 25th November Athletics is postponed until Thursday 26th November.  Unfortunately due to the weather we have had to cancel the Pot Luck Dinner part of the day. School will finish as usual at 3.00pm. The timetable for the day will remain the same.
To view the Athletcis timetable please click on the following link:http://gulfharbourschoolnews.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/blog-post.html
Wednesday 2nd December - Mufti Day to support Starship
We would like our community to suppport Starship, recognising the important role they play with several of our students but also the fact that as National Childrens' Hospital they work hard for all children. The Stadium will also be selling cupcakes for $2.00 during the day. Come dressed up in bright colours and please bring a donation for Starship.

Week of 17 November 2015

Friday 20th November 2015 - TEACHER ONLY DAY - School will be closed.
Monday 23rd - Friday 27th November - Scholastics Book Fair in the library.
Wednesday 25th November - Whole school athletics from 9.00am - 3.00pm.  All students will be involved in fun, filled competitive and non-competitive activities.  A schedule will be posted on our website shortly. 
Athletics Evening POT LUCK DINNER - Our athletics evening will resume from 5.00pm through to 8.00pm.  We would like to start the evening off with a potluck dinner, followed by family games of touch rugby, 2 ball soccer and 10/10 cricket.  To help make this evening a success, could we please ask that families with children in Years 1 - 4 bring a salad to share and children in Years 5 - 8 bring a dessert. The school will provide hot sausages.  Thank you. At 6.30pm our track finals from the day will be held.  We are looking forward to a great day of celebrating the athletic skills of our students.
Thursday 10th December, 7.00pm - Judith Douche Dance Concert, Whangaparaoa Golf Club Year 3 - 6 girls. All family and friends welcome. Donation at the door. Queries ph: Judith Douché, 4243009 or 0276715881

Week of 10 November 2015

Friday 20th November - Teacher Only Day, School will be closed.
Uniform Lost Property - we have a large amount of uniform displayed on the walkway outside Rooms 8 & 9.  Please come and check for any missing uniform items - lots of polar fleeces!
End of Year Important Dates
23rd - 27th November - Scholastic Book Fair - great Christmas presents.
25th November - GHS Athletics Day/Evening - whole school pot luck dinner.
15th December - End of Year Assembly, 9.30 - 11.30am. Wentworth Sports Complex.
15th December - Year 8 Graduation, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club
17th December - Last Day for 2015. 1.00pm finish.

Week of 27 October 2015

Wednesday 28th October - Last day for Lucky Book Club orders. Please bring your orders and money to the office.
Wednesday 28th October - Wacky Wednesday: Dress up in your wacky clothes and please bring a $2 prize per family which will be used as prizes in the games. We are also still accepting bottles of soft drinks and lollies if you forgot to bring those in last week and the previous week. Thank you again for your ongoing support! (I know it’s tiring!)
Thursday 29th October - BOT Meeting in the Staffroom, 6.30pm
Thursday 29th October - Vegetable Sculpture Competition run by Room 23: If your child wishes to enter, they need to bring their vegetables and other paraphernalia they require to build their veggie sculpture on Thursday,  as they will be doing it during the Gala Preparation day, and $1 to enter. More information in the Gala Update emailed out today.
Friday 30th October - BLACK OUT DAY, come dressed in black to support the All Blacks!
Saturday 31st October - Final Gala Drop off by the container on the asphalt. The Alec Craig Way gate will be open for your convenience. If you have spare shopping bags please can you donate them to the gala. Thanks.
Raffle tickets on sale for the school gala from today near the main office at the front of the school and near student reception - $2 per ticket and $5 for 3 tickets. The raffle will be drawn on day of gala at 2pm. Raffle prizes include restaurant vouchers, beauty treatment vouchers, massage vouchers, gym membership vouchers, Jump Family pass as well as various prizes.

Week of 20 October 2015

Tuesday 20th October - Gala meeting, 7.15pm in the Staffroom for all Stall Holders & Volunteers or anyone who would like to be involved but hasn't been in touch with us yet. If you have friends or family or older kids who would like to help, please bring them all along as we need more volunteers!
Monday 26th October - Labour Day, School closed.
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER – Perfect for Christmas!
Personalised calendars, cards, mouse pads, diaries and notebooks!
The children are working on some wonderful artwork in class especially for this fundraiser, so if you’d like one of these with your child’s artwork or even a family photo on it please get your order & payment in by the deadline of 30th October and we’ll have them to you by the end of November, just in time for international post.  These are excellent quality and good value so they make great Christmas presents!
Examples are in the office for viewing.

Week of 22 September 2015

School Closes for Term 3 Friday 25th September, 3.00pm.
Wednesday 23rd September Wacky Wednesday - Dress up to support the ‘All Blacks’. We will be asking for a donation of a $2 toy (eg: stickers, bouncy ball, erasers, frisbee etc) to be used as a prize in the games. This donation is per family and is instead of the gold coin donation that we usually ask for Wacky Wednesday Mufti.
Wednesday 23rd September - Dance Concert, Year 2 girls will be performing their end of term dance concert at the Whangaparaoa Golf Club, 1337 Whangaparaoa Rd, 6.00pm. Girls arrive by 5.15pm. Gold coin donation at the door. All family and friends welcome. Any mums who can help, please phone: Judith Douché 4243009 or 0276715881
Walkathon Thank you - A big thank you to all students and families who participated in our Walkathon this year.  The school raised $7400 towards our environmental projects and outdoor areas.  We would like to acknowledge Sophie Bryhn for raising $282.00.  Well done everyone - top effort!
Message from our Uniform Suppliers - "Argyle Schoolwear wishes to advise that due to high seasonal demand for some uniform items, there can be of outages of garments in some sizes. Please be assured garments will be supplied to the School as soon as they are available. The uniform shop currently has no stock of polo t-shirts in sizes 6 - 12. We apologise for any inconvenience."

Week of 15 September 2015

Wednesday 16th September Gala donation drive.  Please can every family bring a non-perishable grocery item, eg.  pasta, pasta sauce, jam, marmalade or hand made soap, body lotion,etc. These will be used in raffle hampers for the quick fire raffles.
Saturday 19th September: 2.00 - 3.00pm Gala Drop Off of second hand toys, clothes, books, white elephant goods. Clean and in good condition please. Please bring your donations to the container by the netball courts. The Alec Craig Way gate will be open for your convenience.
 
Friday 25th September - Last day for Term 3. School finishes at 3.00pm. 
Monday 12th October - Term 4 starts.

Week of 8 September 2015

Gala Donation Drive...
Wednesday 9th September - Please donate a bottle or can of fizzy drink per family. These are to be used as prizes in the slip and slide bungee game which was so much fun last year.
Saturday 12th September - 2.00 - 3.00pm at the container near the netball courts. Donations of 2nd hand toys, clothes, books, and white elephant goods  - clean and in good condition please, Alec Craig Way gate will be open. Thank you for your support.
The GHS PTA Gala Committee
Thursday 10th September - ​Inside Out​ Festival. (Saving day, due to unsuitable weather, will be Monday 14th September).
  • 4.00 - 6.00pm follow the trail to explore the environmental projects.
  • 4.15pm onwards, enjoy musical items in Room 16. 
  • 5.00pm kapahaka group in Rooms 8 & 9.
  • Work together as a family on a simple piece of art for our front entrance.
  • Sausage sizzle and other food and drinks available for sale. 
Thursday 10th September - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom
Monday 14th September - Mad Scientist Morning. We will be exploring science as a school and students will be asked to dress up as mad scientists.  They will rotate around different teachers and develop a curiosity for how things work.  We are lucky to have senior students from Wentworth College helping us with this.  If there are any parents with a passion for science who would like to be involved and take groups of students for experiments on this day please contact Charlotte Brown,c.brown@ghs.school.nz or phone 4280202.  Thank-you.
Significant Absence due to Illness Last Month
We have had increased absence due to many illnesses over the past month, (gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, strep throat, chest infections and other flu like symptoms). Many of the illnesses this term have been contagious. To avoid spreading, please remind your children of general hygiene and keep them home if they are unwell.
Symptoms to be cautious about are high fever, sore throat, tummy pains and general body aches and pains. If your child develops a rash associated with the previous mentioned symptoms please seek medical advice.

Week of 1 September 2015

GALA UPDATE No. 1
By now you should be aware that the gala is fast approaching. The big day is Saturday November 7th from 11.00am - 3.00 pm. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and we really rely on parent help and support for this. In the run up to our inaugural gala last year, we saw such wonderful support from our school community and our local community. Already in the last few weeks I've been amazed by how generous people are: on that note, I would like to acknowledge Royal Wolf for loaning us a 20 foot container that we will store all our Gala goodies and donations in. This will be arriving shortly. Of course we wouldn't be able to get the container to the school  without the help of Neville Brothers Transport who are kindly moving the container for us at no charge! I would also like to thank local promotional business,iPromote who have donated a large number of brand new items to be sold at the gala. Thank you!
We will be asking for a donation of something every Wednesday for the rest of the term. (eg. bag of lollies, bottle of fizzy drinks, $2 prize etc).  Please keep your eye out for what we are requesting either in the gala update which will be emailed every Monday or in the Porthole on Tuesday's. We will also put it on the school Facebook page.
What's on this week???...
Wednesday 2nd September:  We will be having our usual Wacky Wednesday but instead of the gold coin donation that we usually ask for, this time we request that you donate a bag of lollies or chocolate bar per family. These will be used as prizes at the gala. Thank you for your support!
Every Saturday for the rest of this term we will be at school to collect any 2nd hand goods (toys, clothes, books and white elephant items) that you wish to donate. Please only drop off items that are clean and in good condition or good working order. Much appreciated - thank you!
Saturday 5th September: 10.00 - 11.00am. Please drop off the goods at the big container that will be on the far side of the asphalt/ netball courts.
How you can help???...
There are a number of ways you can contribute to making our gala a success:
We need a lot of volunteers to help on the day and before hand. If you can help or if you would like to be in charge of a stall or game, please contact Nicki on leenickirobertson@me.com or 0211343978. Alternatively, please give your name and contact details to Bronny in the front office.
If your business or the company you work for would like to support us by sponsoring one of our games or stalls, that would be absolutely wonderful. We have already had a number of people who supported us last year, say they will do the same this year. We are very excited to have Ray White Manly on board again this year and Nathan Haulage are sponsoring one of the bouncy castles again. Thank you - we couldn't do this without your generous support.
Again, please contact Nicki or Bronny if you are interested in supporting us.
You could donate something for one of the raffles, be it a service you can provide or goods of some description.
Help please:
We are looking for a large truck with curtains on the side to use as a stage, similar to the one we  used for all our live entertainment last year. If you can help or know someone who can, please contact Nicki on 0211343978.
On the topic of Entertainment, if anyone is interested in their band playing or dance troupe putting on a dance (for example), please contact Tania Brown on 021 1658 557or email: cory.tania@xtra.co.nz.
That's it for this week. Once again thank you for all your wonderful support. The gala will not be possible without it!
The GHS PTA Gala Committee

Week of 25 August 2015

Thursday 27th August - Term 3 Assembly 9.30 - 11.00am, Wentworth Sports Complex.  Everyone welcome. 
Friday 28th August - Daffodil Day - Dress up in YELLOW - gold coin donations please, all go to the Cancer Society. 
Tuesday 1st September - Classroom Photos.  Please return money in prepaid envelopes to the office by this Friday 28th August.
Wednesday 2nd September, 7.00pm in the Staffroom, Speaker Lee Chisholm - Education and Training Specialist at NetSafe will be talking about...
  • Online safety
  • Safe and secure online habits at home and beyond
  • What young people are doing online
  • Some challenges presented by using social media
  • Conversations you might have with children about online practice
  • A chance to ask questions
Wednesday 2nd September - Come dressed in your wackiest spots and stripes! Instead of a gold coin donation, please bring a bag of lollies per family for our Gala Day.

10th September - Inside Out Festival, 4.00 - 6.00pm at Gulf Harbour School.   All classes are participating, please mark this date to come along and see what your child's class has been creating.
Walkathon Sponsorship money is due in please by this Friday 28th August.
Helpers required for Breakfast Club, 8.00 - 8.45am (Monday & Wednesday).  If you are able to help with the setting up and serving of breakfast to our students, please contact Bronny, b.swaffield@ghs.school.nz or phone:  428 0202 Ext: 700.
Digital Citizenship Survey - We are currently reviewing our policies regarding digital citizenship in our school. Your opinions and ideas are important to us so please take time to complete the survey below.  It will help us gauge our community’s knowledge and confidence around digital citizenship. The survey has been designed by Netsafe who work with schools providing support in this area. Thank you.

Week of 18 August 2015

Thursday 20th August - Walkathon, Shakespear Park, (saving day Wednesday 25th August)
Friday 21st August - TEACHER ONLY DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED.
Thursday 27th August - Term 3 Assembly 9.30 - 11.00am, Wentworth Sports Complex.  Everyone welcome.
Friday 28th August - Daffodil Day - Dress up in YELLOW - donations please, all go to the Cancer Society. We will have daffodil items available for a donation from Tuesday 24th August. Please support this cause that affects so many people.
Tuesday 1st September - Classroom Photos, prepaid packs are going home today. Please return by Friday 28th August with the correct money to the school office.
Wednesday 2nd September, 7.00pm in the Staffroom, Speaker Lee Chisholm - Education and Training Specialist at NetSafe will be talking about...
  • Online safety
  • Safe and secure online habits at home and beyond
  • What young people are doing online
  • Some challenges presented by using social media
  • Conversations you might have with children about online practice
  • A chance to ask questions
Wednesday 2nd September - Come dressed in your wackiest spots and stripes! Instead of a gold coin donation that we usually ask for on Wacky Wednesday we (the PTA) request that you please donate a bag of lollies per family. These are to be used as prizes at our Gala on the 7th November.
Look out for the Gala newsletter that will be coming home with your children today. It has all the info you need about our Gala preparation and also a section you can fill in to volunteer your help. Thank you for your support.  The GHS PTA
10th September (please note date change) - Inside Out Festival, 4.00 - 6.00pm at Gulf Harbour School.   All classes are participating, please mark this date to come along and see what your child's class has been creating.
Hibiscus Coast Club Football, Breakfast, Lunch and After School Clubs - spaces still available for this term. Please either collect a form from the office or go to fun@hbcafc.org.nz to enrol.

Week of 11 August 2015

Wednesday 12th August - Head Lice Parent Presentation in the Staffroom, 7.00 - 9.00pm. Come along and find out the best way to treat your children, products available to purchase.
Thursday 13th August - School Cross Country Shakepear Park - all year levels will participate.  Year 0 - 2 students will be travelling by bus to the park, the cost is $3.00.  Please ensure you have paid this amount before the event.
The Snow Queen School Production, Monday 17th, Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th August - Last week to purchase tickets for this amazing show in which 150 of our students are participating. Adults $10, Children $5.  Go online to the School Shop or complete a form at the front office and leave with the correct money, Eftpos, cash or Cheques available for payments. Please come along and support your children, they have worked extremely hard!
Wednesday 2nd September, 7.00pm in the Staffroom, Speaker Lee Chisholm - Education and Training Specialist at NetSafe will be talking about...
  • Online safety
  • Safe and secure online habits at home and beyond
  • What young people are doing online
  • Some challenges presented by using social media
  • Conversations you might have with children about online practice
  • A chance to ask questions

Hibiscus Coast Club Football, Breakfast, Lunch and After School Clubs - spaces still available for this term. Please either collect a form from the office or go to fun@hbcafc.org.nz to enrol.

Week of 4 August 2015

Thursday 6th August - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom.
Wednesday 12th August - Headlice talk and demonstration for Parents in the Staffroom, 7.00pm.
Hibiscus Coast Breakfast Club Football $64.00 - spaces still available for this term 8.00 - 8.45am. Please either collect a form from the office or go to fun@hbcafc.org.nz to enrol.
Wednesday 2nd September Speaker Lee Chisholm - Education and Training Specialist at NetSafe, (time to be confirmed). Lee has a background in counselling, mediation and management, and joined NetSafe in 2005.  Schools and the public contact NetSafe to seek advice on a wide range of online challenges. These are as diverse as online harassment and bullying, offensive and damaging sexual content, malicious software, theft of data and a myriad of scams.
Lee’s experience enables her to share some preventative strategies to reduce the chances of your children being adversely impacted by online challenges. The session will cover:
  • Online safety
  • Safe and secure online habits at home and beyond
  • What young people are doing online
  • Some challenges presented by using social media
  • Conversations you might have with children about online practice
  • A chance to ask questions