Dear Parents

We are delighted to announce our Springbank School Prefects for 2010.  The calibre of applicants was outstanding and I know that this special group of senior students will provide enthusiastic leadership this year:

Head Prefect
Jilly Alexander

Deputy Head Prefect
Nicola Felton

Prefects
Kirstie Smith
Jade Larkan
Bridget Garton
James Richardson

Each year our Prefects form a close bond with students in the Junior and Middle School through regular visits to their classes.  They also plan to organise lunchtime sports, clubs and activities, undertake several charity fundraisers and continue the Student Council.

Senior Leaders
We have also appointed nine Senior Leaders who are equally keen to interact with our younger students and to support the Prefects as much as possible:

Northland’s Top Enterprise School
Springbank School has been awarded the trophy for Northland’s Most Outstanding Enterprise School for the fourth time.  It is still a great thrill to receive this award as recognition for the passion and commitment our staff and students have for Enterprise.  What made this even more special was Springbank winning almost all of the possible categories.
Congratulations especially to teacher Michelle Chapman, who is Northland’s Outstanding Enterprise Educator.  Other awards are as follows:

Northland Supreme Enterprise Award (open to all Northland Secondary Schools)
School-Initiated Enterprise Award – Blaze Aid
Student Enterprise Champion – Nadine Amsler

Multisport Club
Ninety one people registered last Wednesday, enjoying a run, walk or jog along the Rainbow Falls track.  It was followed by a family BBQ and picnic – great fun!
Saturday’s run/walk was along the Haruru Falls track from Waitangi.  Even though many people find Saturdays hard to fit into their schedules, we still had over 40 participants.  All Springbank families are invited to join the multi-sport club and if you join now you will still have time to earn your multisport t-shirt before the end of the term.  If you are interested, let Sally know your email address and you will be added to our contact list.

Athletics Club
Deon Wagner and Mike Warren have been coaching a very enthusiastic group of athletes, after school on Mondays and Thursdays.  Already one parent has discovered a new-found talent in the throwing disciplines and another student threw a PB of 5 metres further at the Whangarei meet last week.  If your child is keen, get them to come along.  It’s amazing to see the skills developing already.  Our inaugural school Yr7-13 Athletics Day will be held on Monday 1 March. I am really looking forward to seeing our students shine.   Come along and support your children and enjoy an energetic, convivial family atmosphere.

School Camps
Thank you to all of you for your fantastic support at our camps.  So far the students have had a wonderful time.  The senior Kai Iwi Lakes camp was fantastic as a new venue, and students explored Trounson Park at night, seeing a kauri snail, kura and kiwi. 
Parental feedback from the MERC trip at Auckland included positive comments on the great facilities and professionally-run aquatic activities.
“Everyone worked fantastically together.  No one put anybody else down,.  They all encouraged each other when things were difficult.  Great teamwork.  New kids to school were easily included.”  This parent went on to write, “All of these are a reflection of Springbank values (not necessarily anything to do with MERC) and we love that about school.”  Another parent wrote, “It took at least two days for him to stop talking about the camp.”

The Junior School soon head off for their outdoor experience at Tauranga Bay and Coopers Beach.  This is a great opportunity for teachers to get to know our childrens’ capabilities beyond the classroom; and for the children to build strong friendships for the year ahead.

Pre School
We have had a big increase in new enrolments this year.  Debbie, Claudia, Carrie and Ange are all doing a wonderful job creating a happy, caring little community.  The new large water-play trough is proving popular on these hot days!

Punctuality
Please remember that the first bell rings at school at 8.35am and all students are expected to be at school by then.

Thought for the Week

Week 3:  An excellent character is living by your values and doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.

Week 4:  An excellent leader brings out the best in others.

Kind regards

Sophia Warren
Principal