Term Four Update

​Kia ora RVS Community,
 
Welcome back to Term 4! 

What's on this term

This is going to be a very busy term as it is our shortest term of the year – only 8.5 weeks long – finishing on Wednesday 11th December. We are packing a lot in this term, including celebrating 250 years since the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pākehā during Captain James Cook and the Endeavour’s 1769 voyage to Aotearoa New Zealand. We will also be participating in the Rural Schools Athletics day.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
                                                                                                                                                Isaiah 26:3
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​COMMUNICATION

Just a reminder that we have a number of ways we communicate with the school community, including:

• Website – www.rvs.school.nz (via ‘News and Events’ and ‘Room News’ pages)
• School calendar (located on the website under ‘News and Events’)
• School App (download School Apps NZ via Google Play or the Apple Store)
  Remember to update your app settings if you haven’t done so already.
• You are always welcome to speak with staff if you have any further questions.

YEAR 6 DINNER

Now that RVS is a Primary, Middle and Senior School, we will begin the new graduation dinner schedule.  This includes a graduation dinner at the end of Year 6, Year 10 and a Formal for Senior students. Information for the Year 6 Dinner will be out shortly.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS (NZACS) ​

Fifteen NZACS Principals met here at RVS on Friday.  We are part of a wide network of Christian schooling in NZ, who support each other sharing both ideas and resources.  The conversation is always topical, informative and often includes discussion around current education reform.

​PRIZE GIVING

This year, Prize Giving will be divided into two whole school ceremonies to which wider family are invited:

• A Certificate Assembly, held on Tuesday 10th December at 1:30pm
  This will be a Whole School Principal’s Assembly where each student receives their graduation certificate.
• An Evening Prize-Giving Ceremony, held on Wednesday 11th December at 6:30pm
  ​This is a compulsory, whole school prizegiving ceremony that will include trophies, speeches and class items.

​SCHOOL REPORTS

School reports will be made available before the end of Week 8 this term.

Buildings

You will notice a lot of activity around the school this term.  It is exciting to see action on the ground after much time planning and designing. Info is available on our website:
https://www.rvs.school.nz/future.html
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KISS AND DROP ZONE

The new ‘Kiss and Drop’ zone is almost complete. We are just awaiting new road markings and then it will be ready for use.  This drive through area will make drop-off times more efficient and safer.  It is also part of the wider plan to slowly move the main entrance to the school to a more central location.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING (C-BLOCK)

​Construction of the new ‘C Block’ has begun at the end of the Room 6. 

This will be a double classroom that will house our Year 9s and Year 10s in 2020. We expect this will be completed by January 2020, in time for the new school year and should look something like the image below:

New School Uniform

​We have now finalised the new school uniform and are excited to announce that it will be ready for purchase in the week before school commences in 2020. We have endeavoured to make this uniform as practical, smart and cost-effective as possible, having taken into consideration your feedback through the uniform surveys held this year. Details of the new uniform are attached to this notice.  The old uniform can continue to be worn next year to allow time to transition into the new uniform.

2020 and beyond

HONOURS PROGRAMME

We are pleased to announce that the RVS Honours Programme will be staffed one full day a week next year and will contain many different opportunities for students including a revitalised ZEST.  Watch this space!

​INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLING

RVS have been working towards applying to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for permission to enrol international students. This is progressing well, and we expect our application to be lodged with the MOE shortly for a hopeful start in 2020.

​MUSIC ACADEMY

The Music Academy will continue tuition for students next year. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Ham via music@rvs.school.nz.

If you have any further feedback or questions you would like to ask concerning either information contained within this update or changes happening within the school, please do not hesitate to contact me either in person or email via principal@rvs.school.nz.

Blessings

Dave Pauling
​Principal