Parent Guide to PNPS 2014 | Page 3

YEAR PLANNER With the first newsletter every term, you will receive a three month calendar with all important events and times included. Please put this calendar in a very safe place (attached to the fridge is a good idea), so that you can refer to it all the way through the term. In the first week of each term, school will close at 13:15 every day as the staff are focusing on the curriculum and need extra hours to prepare for the term ahead. Extramurals only start the following Monday. Each term, we have an assessment week in which the Intermediate and Senior Phases write assessments. There are no extramurals during this week, for all grades. The Foundation Phase pupils do not necessarily write their assessments during this time. In the last week of term, school does not close earlier than usual. There are no school extramurals during this week; however, paid for extramurals will go ahead unless other arrangements have been made by the coach. Our quarterly School Community Meeting is usually held on the last Tuesday of each term. We use part of this meeting as a get-to-know-you opportunity, so please don’t miss these meetings. On the second last day of every term at Pinelands North, we have an optional civvies day. On payment of a nominal ‘fine’ pupils can come to school in civvies. This money provides bonuses for our cleaning and maintenance staff at the end of the year. At the end of every term, final assembly is held from 10:15 and pupils are dismissed thereafter, usually at around 11:15. Parents are welcome to attend all assemblies, including final assemblies. Reports will be sent home on the final day of each term and should be returned on the first day of each term. Please discuss the report with your child and set achievable goals for the rest of the year. Please be positive! (Grade 6 & 7 parents – remember to make copies for high school applications.) TERM PROGRAMME IP/SP Athletics Each year, our Grade 4 to 7 pupils compete for their houses on our school field. Pupils spend days preparing their war cries and the hour prior to the athletics meeting is spent dressing up and decorating faces, making for a very festive atmosphere enjoyed by all. Athletics: Foundation Phase Our fun-filled, exciting junior athletics meet is usually held on a Saturday morning from 08:30 to approximately 11:00, early in the year. All grade 1, 2 and 3 pupils are expected to attend in their correct sports uniform. Grade 4 to 7 pupils are welcome to attend, but also need to attend in Pinelands North Primary School 3