Home link

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Local ‘Jim’ makes the walk to school safe again for Gulf Harbour School pupils

Thank you so much to Keith Duffin from Jims Mowing and Gary Turton (Dad from school) for making this palm safe for our children to walk past.

Seeing the danger to the Gulf Harbour School children who use the footpath on Shakespear Road just inches from the spikes of this partly pruned palm, concerned Keith Duffin of Jims Mowing so much he had to do something about it.

‘These spikes are extremely sharp and the kids walk, run and ride bikes right past here each day on their way to and from school. Kids don’t realise how dangerous they are, one slip and these spikes will skewer them. So I asked the property owner if I could make it safe – for no charge” said Keith.

Previous attempts to trim the fronds had left the hard sharp spikes pointing straight towards the footpath. ”I’ve brushed against these palms while mowing other customers lawns and got the spikes stuck in me, they are very painful and difficult to remove” said Keith. After a trim and with a trailer full of palm fronds – the children can get past with more space and safely.

Keith has a word of advice to other property owners with palms. “Many people don’t know how to prune palms. If you are going to prune them make sure you cut them right back to the trunk to remove all the hard spikes that are nearer the trunk”. “Wear strong leather gloves and protection from the spikes and be sure to dispose of the fronds immediately as they are still very dangerous if on the ground and someone walks over them.”

Monday, September 12, 2011

Year 8 Parents Camp Meeting

Reminder we have a meeting for parents of students attending the year 8 camp – Tongariro.
The purpose of this meeting is to address and clarify any issues of concern.

Wednesday 14th September 7.00pm  Staffroom

7.00pm – 7.45pm  Parents of students attending camp.
7.45pm – 8.30pm Briefing for parents attending camp.

Monday, August 29, 2011

SPCA MUFTI DAY


Congratulations Gulf Harbour School we raised

$440.00 for SPCA today, thanks for your effort.
From our  GHS House Captains.








Sunday, August 28, 2011

Photolife Class Photos- Prepaid Envelopes

Photos will be taken on Wednesday 7th September starting at 9.00am.  Please make sure your child has the correct Gulf Harbour School uniform, including footwear.  Personalised, prepaid envelopes will be going home today, Monday the 29th August.  Please complete and return with the correct money to the office by Monday 5th September. Payments by cheque or cash only. If you have 2 or more children requiring photos you can make one payment, please place in the oldest child's envelope.

Taking Entries Now for GHS Animation Festival!

Criteria: Your animation must teach others about the importance of one of the GHS school values - Bravery, Resilience, Responsibility, Fun
Must be 2 -5 minutes long
Can be Claymation, Stop-motion, 2D Animation, Flip animation

Hand in to Room 29 in the form of a Quicktime by Friday of Week 8!

Collect a flyer from the School Office or Room 29



Friday, August 19, 2011

SPCA Cupcake/Mufti Day - Monday 29th August

DON'T FORGET!
SPCA Cupcake Day is on Monday 29th August.
Dress up as your favourite animal and bring a gold coin donation.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Incredible Years’ Parenting Programme

This is a 14 week programme, run by facilitators from the Ministry of Education, for parents of children aged around 3-8 years.   It involves weekly sessions of around two hours. 
Over the weeks, parents will develop strategies to build positive relationships with their children and to manage problem behaviours. 
Group sessions will held each week for parents to talk through what has, or hasn’t worked, set goals for what they want to happen and ways to achieve those goals during the following week.
The Incredible Years programme is extensively tested. With a 25 year history, the programme now operates successfully in a wide range of countries. Programmes in New Zealand show reductions in problem behaviour across a range of families and cultures.
For information about the Incredible Years programmes and topics covered please contact Jane Matson j.matson@ghs.school.nz 
Programme Details
Dates:  Monday 29th August – Monday 12th December
Location: Gulf Harbour School
Times 9.30am - 12.00 pm 
Complimentary Morning Tea  & Free Childcare Provided

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Ministry of Health - Measles Outbreak

From the Ministry of Health
By 8th August 2011, 175 measles cases had been reported this year, including 19 who needed hospital treatment. Most cases were in the Auckland region, although 24 cases were reported in Hawke’s Bay.In the past week, 12 cases have been reported in the Waikato region, mainly around Te Awamutu.

Measles symptoms
Measles is a highly infectious disease and is more serious than many people realise. Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes and a runny nose, and then a rash which develops after about three days. Complications can include middle ear infections, pneumonia, and, more rarely, encephalitis or brain inflammation.  About one in ten people infected need to be hospitalised.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Warm welcome to our Korean Students

We are very happy to welcome our friends from our sister school, Samyook School from Korea. They have arrived after an 11 hour flight and even though very tired they still managed to enjoy an assembly, game and afternoon tea with our students before being collected by their New Zealand home stay families.  They will be with us for the next 4 weeks.

Confirmation Placements for Year 6's Students for 2012

Our ideal is to have all our Year 6’s stay at Gulf Harbour right through to the end of Year 8. You have choices and options available. We do however require confirmation of your intentions to manage our enrolments, classes and staffing. 

All Year 6 parents will have received the form by post to be completed and returned to the school office stating your intentions for your child's schooling in 2012.  Please return this form to the office by Tuesday 31st August.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Term 2 Disco Photos - Order your digital copies.

A digital copy can be purchased for $3.00. Order forms are available from the school office, complete and enclose the correct money in the disco photo box.
























Wednesday, August 3, 2011

NED is coming to our School - Tuesday 9th August

The NED show will be visiting our school from 9.15 - 11.00am on Tuesday 9th August.
The show combines a great message with yo-yos, humour and audience participation to teach children how to develop three valuable characteristics involved in becoming champion at school and in life..

Never give up
Encourage others
Do your best

Yo-Yos will be available for sale for 5 school days following the show and also by order form which has been sent home today.  Please place all orders with the correct money (cheques made payable to Gulf Harbour School or cash only) in the box at the school office. Visit their website: http://www.thenedshow.com/

Double our chance to win an iPad

From Monday 8th August we have the chance to double our nominations to win an iPad for our school.  Please help us by registering online http://auckland.yellowlocal.co.nz/schools-leaderboard .  For every person who registers we will be given two nominations.  This offer is only available until sunday 21st August.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Knights & Princesses Ball - 26 August

Girls get your Dad, Poppa or Uncle to bring you to the
Knights and Princesses Ball
                        Desserts, Music, Dancing & Spot Prizes

                                    Date: Friday 26 August 2011
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Venue: Whangaparaoa Golf Club
Ticket: $25 (from front office)
 (Buys entry for 1 Knight & accompanying Princess/Princesses)


Princesses need to be attending Gulf Harbour School & must be accompanied 
by their Knight of choice who is 18 years or older.
Dress up as a Princess for the night
An opportunity for our girls to enjoy a 
special  time with their Knight.

Friday, July 15, 2011

'Guys & Dolls' Centrestage Youth Theatre

Production by local students, Centrestage Theatre, Orewa July 20th - 23rd.
20th July - 7.00pm
21st - 23rd July - 2.00 & 7.00pm
$12.00 per ticket.  Phone 426-7282.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Urgent Help Required for Gulf Harbour School


GULF HARBOUR SCHOOL is calling on the support of families.  We are short of homestays for visiting groups of Japanese students arriving at our school.

Families whose children don't attend Gulf Harbour School can also host, so please ask your friends and neighbours.  This is extremely urgent. Please see further information below.

The Japanese group stays only for 2 weeks.  The homestay fee is $210.00 per week for hosting a student.

The Japanese students arrive on 21st August  and depart 4th September 2011. They will be 14 – 15 years old, both boys and girls. 

Placement Requirements for the students:
  • Each Japanese student needs their own room
  • No other Japanese staying in the home please.  Other nationalities are okay
  • There needs to be a mother or grandmother living in the home.
  • The family needs to arrange transport to and from school each day and ensure the student is accompanied either by a family member, or by a member of one of the other families who are hosting.   Students are to be accompanied on outings.
  • There needs to be a child in the home for the full duration of the student's stay.
  • The students will be placed in families with a child of the same gender.
  • Families are required to speak English while their student is staying
  • Only one Japanese student will be placed per family
  • Families must be able to care for the student for the full duration of their stay
  • Attending the Sayonara/ Farewell Party is part of being a host.
Check out the International Program site for more information or get in touch with Dagmar Goodall: d.goodall@ghs.school.nz

Friday, July 8, 2011

2012 School Term Dates

These dates are our confirmed 2012 school term dates.
Term 1   7th February -  5th April
Term 2   23rd April -  29th June
Term 3   16th July - 28th September
Term 4   15th October -  20th December

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

School Donation Thank you

Thank you to the 29% of our parents who have paid their school donaiton.  The impacts of this is a major concern for the school and a topic of Board attention.  For the details and latest report of this please click here: http://www.gulfharbour.school.nz/index.php?page=school-donations-and-fees

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Whangaparaoa Plaza Scholar Dollars - help us to win!

We are currently coming 3rd place in the Scholar Dollars race for a grand prize of $5,000.  Please help us to win by taking in all your receipts from the Plaza (even those back dated to 1st June).  Tell your friend and relatives.  Drop your receipts off at the Kiosk next to BB's (by Countdown).
  • First Prize:         $5,000
  • Second Prize:    $2,500
  • Third Prize:        $1,000
Please support Gulf Harbour School and help us to win by presenting your vouchers.