Message from the Principal – 8 August 2014

Yesterday Ficino School hosted a visit from Year 6, 7 and 8 students from Kadimah School in central Auckland. They arrived to join our senior students for an excellent talk on online safety and digital citizenship. The talk was given by Brett Lee, who was a Queensland Police officer for 22 years working predominantly in the field of child exploitation. In his last five years of service, he was a specialist in undercover internet child exploitation investigations. He explained to the students that he has spent more time online as a 13 year old girl than any real 13 year old ever has.

The talk was excellent ranging over such areas as digital footprint, personal details and photographs and the importance of parents in keeping yourself safe; but the overriding message was that the internet is a great facility if used properly and safely and the key to that is to compare your actions to those you would do in the physical world. For example, he explained to the students, would you give out your personal details to a stranger who approached you in the street? We hope to be able to offer an information evening for all parents in this increasingly important area of internet safety. In the meantime you might be interested in this clip from Australian television of which a slightly abridged version was shown to the senior students.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPk3pGCKOmw&safe=active . The Kadimah School students were lively company and after the talk, they stayed on and enjoyed a Ficino School lunch.

Peter Crompton

Notices

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Monday 11^th August – From 1.15pm

The Parent/Teacher interviews are taking place on the afternoon of Monday 11^th August from 1.15pm. Please be reminded that all children will need to be collected at 12.45pm on Monday 11^th August, and that there will be no After School Care on this day.

Cross Country Runs – Wednesday 13^th August – Tahaki Reserve – from 1pm

There have been a few changes to the route this year, due to council restrictions. The children need to bring their PE uniforms including polar fleeces, raincoat, drink bottle and any medication which may be needed. If we have heavy rain on the day, the event will take place on the following Wednesday 20^th August.

Photolife School Photos – Friday 15^th August

The prepaid class and portrait photo envelopes have gone home with the children this week. Could these please be completed and returned with the money to class teachers or the school office by Monday 11^th August. Sibling portraits will be taken following completion of all individual portrait photos. Pre-paid sibling envelopes must be completed before photo day. These envelopes are available from the school office.

Sports teams photos are scheduled first, at approximately 9.00am, so please could all parents make sure that all children in hockey, netball and ski teams bring their full team uniform to school. Please could coaches and managers be available (if possible) for the photos. Music ensemble children should also bring their instruments. Children will need to wear their blazers please.

Storylines Festival Week – Children’s Writers and Illustrators -23^rd – 31^st August

There are lots of writers, illustrators, storytellers and performers ready to share the excitement of books and reading with children, their families and communities. There are two family days as follows:

Saturday 30^th August at the Vodafone Events Centre, Maukau, 10am – 3pm
Sunday 31^st August at the Aotea Centre, Central Auckland, 10am – 3pm

Details about the programme, workshops, competitions and the family days can be found at http://www.storylines.org.nz/Events/Storylines+Festival+2014.html

Ficino School Netball

Ficino School Hockey

Ficino After School Care (FASC)

Please remember that all bookings for FASC need to be made through the school office either by email office@ficino.school.nz or by phone 6233385. Thank you.

Assemblies on Friday

All parents are invited to attend the school assembly on Fridays.  See the calendar for Commendation and Good Works assemblies.

Uniform Shop – Open on Tuesdays

The School Uniform shop will be open on Tuesdays from 2.30 until 3.15