Message from the Principal

The highlight of this week at school was the outstanding performance of ‘Bottom’s Dream’, an extract from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, by Class 4.   These eight and nine year olds spoke the Bard’s lines with such clarity and humour, that it was a real treat for those who attended.   One grandparent who has seen many Ficino performances commented that they just get better and better even though it seems each year they couldn’t be improved upon.   Under the innovative direction of Mrs Roscoe, the interplay between the boys and girls added to the humour.

The experience of being part of such a production will be remembered by the students for many years to come.    The words of Shakespeare are rich in meaning and layer upon layer of understanding can be peeled away to reveal a playwright with a deep insight into the nature of man.  As they take on their roles, learn their parts, and immerse themselves in the characters, the students involved get a taste of the immense power of speech and language.  Furthermore they thoroughly enjoy the experience, having pushed themselves in many cases well outside their comfort zone, to achieve something far beyond what they thought they could.  This is one definition of success in education, that a child achieves more than he or she thinks they can.   The continual blowing away of limits is a true education indeed.

Peter Crompton

Notices

Library Opening – Friday 25^th May – 4pm – 5pm
All parents will have received their invitation to the Ficino Library Opening.   Drinks and nibbles will be served from 4pm, followed by an address by our Guest Speaker, Joy Cowley and opening of the library.    As detailed in the recent emails, this event is for parents only, but students from Years 5 – 8 are invited to hear Joy Cowley speak in the hall from 4.30 to 5.00pm.     Please note also that your children may remain at school if you are attending the event.    They will be supervised from 3pm until 5pm, after which time they will need to be collected.  Ficino After School Care will remain open until the usual time of 5.45 for children of parents who are working and require care until then.  Please RSVP by 18^th May.

Oxfam’s Biggest Chocolate Break – Wednesday 16^th May – Gold Coin Donation Day
Oxfam ‘s Fair Trade Fortnight runs from 5^th to 20^th May.  Ficino School is hosting a Chocolate Break on Wednesday 16^th May, on which day the children will hear about Oxfam’s Fair Trade activities.  Their quote is “By choosing Fair Trade Certified TM products you help to create a brighter future for millions of farmers, workers and their families in developing countries.”

A Fair Trade presentation will be given at Assembly, to which parents may come, and then at morning tea the children will drink Fair Trade-certified Kokako drinking chocolate, eat a bit of Fair Trade-certified Whittaker’s chocolate and staff will drink Fair Trade-certified Caffe L’Affare coffee.  We will also have vouchers to give out.

Could all children please bring at least one gold coin to place in the donation box.   Thank you.

No Garden Club Next Week – Tuesday 15^th May
Mrs Ferens will be away next week, therefore the Ficino Garden Club will not meet.

McCains – Barcodes for Garden Equipment
The Garden Club children are collecting McCains frozen vegetable bar codes in exchange for garden equipment.   Please give these to Annabelle Morrision or Scarlet Macdonald in Class 5.    Thank you.

Uniform Shop – Open on Tuesday next week
The School Uniform shop will be open on Tuesday next week from 2.30 until 3.15, instead of Wednesday.

Ficino Ski and Snow Board Programme
Last Sunday we had 39 children on the slopes for the terms ski and snow board programme. The beginners are managing to work out how to stop by using the “pizza” but not without the odd collision!. The more advanced groups are working on controlling their speed while turning and parallel skiing. The snow board groups are all training hard under their new instructor and trying out the jumps. This week is Mothers Day and all Mothers can ski free…..hope to see some of you out there!

Andrea Alston

Ficino School Hockey
Hockey Draw Details for Saturday 11^th May

Hockey Draw Details for Saturday 11^th May

Ficino Seniors vs. Royal Oak at Mt Roskill Grammar School at 10.30am

Ficino Development vs. Mt Eden Leopards St Kent’s Prep School H1 11.15am

Ficino Omega vs. Vikings at Waitakeri QB at 10.30am

Ficino Alpha vs. Dio at Diocesan School QC at 12.00pm

Mini Yellow vs. Sommerville King at AGS QD2 at 11.15am

Mini Blue vs. Sommerville Grinders at AGS QC2 at 11.15am

Mini Yellow vs. Mt Eden Purple at AGS at 11.40am

Mini Blue vs. Sommerville King at AGS at 11.40am

PLEASE NOTE: All Mini games, change of venue and playing times

A reminder to all managers, please email Anand the results before Sunday or text

Good Luck, play hard but fair & have fun!

Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before the game for your warm up, positions and pre team talk.

TURF LOCATIONS

The addresses for the various turf locations may be found at

http://www.akhockey.org.nz/page/facilities.html

Free French Trial Lesson

Tuesday, 14 May 3.15-4.15pm 5-11 year olds

Thursday, 17 May 1.15-2.15pm 2-5 year olds
Contact details for Maroussia through the Ficino School office or:

For more info go to:  www.lcfclubs.co.nz

Ficino Windbuster Umbrellas – Available from School Office – $35
Now that winter is fast approaching, you may like to think about purchasing a Ficino wind-buster umbrella.   They look great on the sidelines of the hockey and netball games.      Umbrellas are $35 each and are available from the school office.

Assemblies on Friday
All parents are invited to attend the school assembly on Fridays – see the calendar for Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

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.

Message from the Principal
This week has been a full one, pivoting around Athletics Day on Wednesday.   The weather gods were on our side and the rain held off for most of the day.    The most heartening aspect of the day was again the way the children conducted themselves; listening well to instructions, giving their best at each and every event and cheering and encouraging the slower runners if they were left behind.

I was explaining to the children in assembly the following day, the importance of giving their best at whatever activity they are engaged in, as they can never know when a talent may develop and with effort, the right attitude, and self belief they will grow in strength and stamina.   Thank you to all those parents who assisted with events.  It was a full day and your steadiness and encouragement helped make it a success.

In our final assembly for the week we welcomed two staff members from Snow Planet, who awarded medals and certificates to all the participants in the Ficino Ski Club which has been running on Saturday mornings for the last six weeks.   Some were experienced skiers, but many were trying it for the first time.  This was followed by the appointment of definite roles for our Year 8 students who now have the opportunity to develop themselves and serve the school in their various capacities.

Peter Crompton

Notices

School Fair – Sunday 25th March – 11am – 3pm
Thank you for all your hard work and donations.      See you all on Sunday!

Athletics Prize Giving – Wednesday 4th April – 8.30am
Parents are warmly invited to the Athletics Prize Giving on Wednesday 4th April at 8.30am.

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Monday 2nd April – from 1.15pm
A reminder that children will need to be collected at 12.45pm on Monday 2nd April, due to the Parent/Teacher interviews.   Parents can make their appointments at the office.
Please Note:      There will be no After School Care available on this day.

Ficino Hockey
Could you please return all outstanding uniforms from the 2011 season, regardless of whether you are going to use them this season and could 2011 Managers please return your bag kits, including balls, cones, folders etc.   All hockey returns should be handed in to Leah at the Ficino office.    Anand would really appreciate it if these could be handed in for reallocation by WEDNESDAY 28th MARCH.    Thank you.

The teams have all been finalized and successfully registered.   An email has been sent out to Hockey parents this morning outlining these details.   If you have not received this email, please contact Anand Patel Tel: 021 88 88 88

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Message from the Principal

Thank you to all of you who are contributing your time, effort and possessions to the School Fair.   There are plenty of quality goods and fine foods accumulating around the Construction Manager’s desk in Room 3.  Fortunately the building project is on schedule to be almost completed by the end of next week, such that we should be able to open up much of the school building for access to the Fair.    The courtyard area outside the new library and staff room is starting to take shape, and looks like it will provide an attractive outdoor space.

The first of two Open Mornings took place yesterday, where the children as always delighted guests with their enthusiasm and love of learning.    The concert was a splendid array of speech, music and song demonstrating hours of practice from both students and their teachers.   Our second Open Day takes place tomorrow which is the first time we have run it on a Saturday morning.  Thank you to those families who are able to bring their children in for the morning, and I hope to see many of you tomorrow.    All are welcome to the Open Morning, so please bring any interested friends and family.

Peter Crompton

Notices

Open Morning – Saturday 17th March – 9.30 – noon
Children who are able to attend the Open Morning need to be at school by 9am please for a short assembly and preparation before the visitors arrive.    Morning tea for the children will be provided at 10.20, and children will need to be collected by noon.  Blazers will also need to be worn.   Thank you.

Hockey Meeting – Monday 19th March – 2.45 – 3.15
Anand Patel, will be conducting a brief (25 minute) meeting to give an overview of the parent roles for school hockey.
He will briefly discuss
1.    Coaches…what is involved, responsibilities and objectives
2.    Managers…your role and responsibilities
3.    Umpire Duties, (Anand will be conducting a simple umpiring course (30 minutes) at a later date.

The meeting will take place in B1 upstairs in the villa, on MONDAY 19th March, at 2.45 – 3.15
All hockey parents are encouraged to come along.

Athletics Day – Mt Smart – Wednesday 21st March
Please ensure that your child brings the following to Athletics Day:-
Lunch and snacks for morning and afternoon tea, school sunhat, sunscreen, plenty of water, school polar fleece, rain coat, good running shoes and any personal medication, e.g. asthma inhalers.   Children need to be collected directly from Mt Smart.     Please note:  There will be no After School Care on Athletics Day.
Anne Corbett

Athletics Day – A note to Helpers
Firstly a big thank you.  Secondly, although I have asked you to all come at 9.15am, I understand that those who are helping in the afternoon may not be able to. So if that is the case please could you look over the rules of your event and ring the office on 6233385  or email office@ficino.school.nz (attn: Mrs Anne Corbett) if you have any concerns.  I may have also had to move your chosen time slightly to fit in with the timetable as well, so again don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.  Thank you – see you there.
Anne Corbett

Ficino Icicles Ski Programme – Awards Assembly – Friday 23rd March
There will also be a prize giving assembly on Friday the 23rd March. I hope to see you all there.

School Fair – Sunday 25th March – 11am – 3pm
Raffles   Could all raffle ticket stubbs and money please be returned to school on Monday 19th.
Ficino Dollars   Could all Ficino Dollars order forms including payment please be returned to school by Tuesday 20th.
Silent Auctions  Check out the school website for the list of silent auction items (updated daily).   Email bids to sponsorship@ficino.school.nz from Monday.
It’s in the Bag  Pre-order your “bag” for $20 by emailing sponsorship@ficino.school.nz

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Monday 2nd April – from 1.15pm
A reminder that children will need to be collected at 12.45pm on Monday 2nd April, due to the Parent/Teacher interviews.   Parents can make their appointments at the office from next week.
Please Note:      There will be no After School Care available on this day.

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Message from the Principal

This week, all students from Year 3 to 8 have been sitting Progressive Attainment Tests (PATs). Any tests or examinations such as these are an opportunity for students to show their knowledge and demonstrate what they have learnt.  Such an opportunity can be welcomed or feared by the students depending on how much they think they know.  However thinking we know is a limiting concept for a learner.   Marsilio Ficino suggests in one of his letters, entitled ‘An Exhortation to Pursue Knowledge’ that “in feeding the mind we ought to imitate gluttons and the covetous who always fix their attention on what is still left”.    Children naturally look forward and want to learn more and this is the value of a good education – that it engenders the thirst for knowledge and encourages life-long learning.   I was talking to a parent recently who challenged her daughter when she said “I know all about that”.   Bravo!   There is always more to learn.

Peter Crompton

Notices

Open Mornings – Thursday 15th March 8.30 – noon & Saturday 17th March 9.30 – noon
Parents, family, friends work colleagues etc., are all warmly invited to attend our Open Mornings next Thursday 15th and Saturday 17th March.    The Thursday morning runs from 8.30am to noon, beginning with an opportunity to see an assembly in action, followed by time to visit classrooms and see and hear the children at work.   There will be a presentation from the Principal entitled ‘The Essence of a Ficino Education’ at 10.30am, followed by a display of singing, dance and speech by the children.    Morning tea will be available in the villa throughout the morning.      The programme for Saturday will be the same, with fewer children at school and will start at 9.30am.    You are most welcome to attend all, or part of the mornings.

Athletics Day – Mt Smart – Wednesday 21st March
Thank you very much to all those who volunteered to help on Athletics Day – it is much appreciated.   A letter will be sent home with the children next week regarding assistance for the day.   We look forward to seeing you all at the Athletics Day.
Anne Corbett

Ficino Icicles Ski Programme – Awards Assembly – Friday 23rd March
The Ski Programme has been running for 4 weeks and most children are now skiing from the top of Snowplanet. Boarders are doing some sweeping turns without any major wipe outs. We even have a newbie dad who took to the slopes for the first time on a board and did pretty well, way to go Mr Morrison! This is our last training session before our race day, the 17th March. This week groups will be finalised for individual races. There will also be a prize giving assembly on Friday the 23rd March. I hope to see you all there.
Andrea Alston

School Fair – Sunday 25th March – 11am – 3pm – Raffle Tickets for 30 Gourmet Baskets
Look out for the weekly Ficino School Fair Newsletters with updates and information about the Ficino Fair.   Every child has been given raffle tickets and flyers to take home.   The flyers are to give to family, friends, neighbours etc.    Could all money, sold and unsold raffle tickets be returned to school by Monday 19th March.     Please make sure that a name and phone number has been written on the raffle ticket butts, which should also be returned.    Tickets are 1 for $2 and 3 for $5.    If you need any more raffle tickets, please contact your class coordinator or email contact Liane Whittaker.

Ficino School Netball
Having collated the Netball enrolment forms, we are able to form two teams for children from Classes 4 and 6, who will play at Windmill Road, Mt Eden.   There is room for one more player for each team, so if you are interested, please let me know.   I am sorry to those children who missed out this year.    If your child is still interested in playing netball, there are always the Auckland Netball teams that they could trial for.    Please visit www.aucklandnetball.co.nz and search ANC Club for more information.
Anne Corbett

Parent/Teacher Interviews – Monday 2nd April – from 1.15pm
A reminder that children will need to be collected at 12.45pm on Monday 2nd April, due to the Parent/Teacher interviews.   Parents can make their appointments at the office (for Years 1 – 5) from the week beginning 19th March, and for Years 6 – 8, on the Appointment sheet at reception.

Ficino Chess Club – Moved to Mondays
The Chess Club has now been moved to Mondays from next week.    Children from all classes are welcome to join.

School Picnic Lost Property
A blue fold up chair in a blue bag was left behind after the recent school picnic, and brought home by one of our parents.   Please let Leah at the office know if this is yours.

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Message from the Principal
If you open this morning’s Herald on page 2, you will see a picture of Tristan Pang, Year 6 student at Ficino School.   What comes through in the article and the photograph, not withstanding Tristan’s outstanding achievements, is a natural openhearted love of life and learning.   This is the birthright of every child and is what we aim to foster in all the students at Ficino School.  This naturalness can only come from within and practices such as the pause and meditation allow students to connect naturally with the essence of their being, which as sure as night follows day, will allow their talents to come most fully to the fore.

The School Picnic on Sunday was a resounding success, thanks again to the Friends of Ficino and the teams of Year 2 and Year 5 parents.    Some parents reported that well over half the school attended and enjoyed the day together.
Peter Crompton

Notices

Traffic
In order not to have queues of traffic running down View Road at the end of the day, please adhere to the following procedures:-
1.    Do not get out of your car for any length of time, eg to speak to other parents or the teacher whilst in the traffic queue.
2.    Do not join the traffic queue until 3pm unless you are a parent of a Year 1 child dismissed at 2.50pm.  If you arrive early you may park either behind the villa or on the street if you can find a place.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ficino School Hockey
Hockey registrations are now closed.    We have had an overwhelming response with 64 students taking part in the school programme.   Ficino will be able to field 8 teams within the various year groups.   We will publish the team names and members before Friday 9th March.   At this stage team commitment is a must, as we are working on 2/3 subs per team, so any withdrawals or changes of mind will pose administrative difficulties.    We still need team managers and parent helpers mostly for the junior year groups, namely Year 1, 2, 3, 4.   If you can help in any way or have any questions, please contact Anand Patel, via the office.  Email: office@ficino.school.nz  Thank you for your tremendous support to date.

Open Morning – Saturday 17th March – 9.30 – noon
Please return any outstanding attendance slips on Monday 5th March.

Athletics Day – Mt Smart – Wednesday 21st March
Athletics Day Consent and Assistance sheets are due now.  Please return these to class teachers on Monday.   Thank you.

Parents Lunch – Friday 9th March – Yrs 6, 7 & 8
Please return your reply slips to the office on Monday if you are able to come.   Thank you.

School Fair – Sunday 25th March – 11am – 3pm
Look out for the weekly Ficino School Fair Newsletters with updates and information about the Ficino Fair.

French Classes for Ficino Students – Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15
French with LCF Fun Languages – starting term 2 – Tuesdays 3.15-4.15pm
$15 per lesson plus $45 for the membership pack which includes a CD, songbook, clearfile, bag and access to Babelzone our fun online games and activities for learning French or Spanish.
For a free trial go to:  http://www.lcfclubs.com/babelzoneNEW/BabelTry.asp.
Contact: office@ficino.school.nz

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Children’s Day – 4 March at MOTAT
To celebrate Children’s Day, MOTAT is offering all children 16 years of age and under, free entry on Sunday 4th March.  There will be truckloads of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, including:
•         Horse and Cart rides and Blacksmith
•         Steam Train rides, Military vehicle rides
•         Face Painting and chalk drawing competition – with spot prizes to be won

Message from the Principal
We began this week with a reminder of the School Rules. Ficino School has only five with the view that it is better to provide a few universal principles which can be understood in stages and remain with the students for life.   I heard recently that New Zealand was one of the most legislated societies in the world.  We seem to have rules for everything.  This has the inherent danger of leading citizens not to consider the righteousness or otherwise of their actions but only to obey the letter of law.   If there are too many laws, our natural sense of freedom rises in opposition and we seek loopholes which inevitably leads to more legislation.   Our five school rules are:-

1.    Speak the Truth
2.    Obey lawful direction
3.    Respect All
4.    Learn to be responsible and be responsible to learn
5.    Practise what is good with resilience and courage

I hope as many of you as possible can make it to the School Picnic this Sunday.   Unfortunately I have another commitment and will not be there this year.   Enjoy!

Peter Crompton

Notices

School Picnic – this Sunday 26th February – Long Bay Site 3 – 10–2pm
Bring your lunch, drinks, sun umbrella, togs, towels, sunscreen and beach games for a great day at the beach for all the family and a fantastic opportunity to meet other parents.

Parents Meeting – Monday 27th February 6 – 7.30 pm – School Hall
Drinks and finger food will be served from 5.45pm.  Entry will be via the Fernery Door and down the hall or across the lemon lawn (there will be no entry through the School door).

Open Morning – Saturday 17th March – 9.30 – noon
We are having two Open Mornings this year, with the second one being on a Saturday.   As many students as possible will be required to attend school on this day.   Details will follow next week.

Ficino Hockey – forms due back
We have had an enthusiastic response to Ficino Hockey with a large number of registrations received.   If you have not returned your child’s registration form, please bring it to school on Monday.   Thank you.

Ficino Netball Enrolments – Classes 3 – 8
The Netball season starts on 9th May.  Netball will be offered to boys and girls from Classes 3 – 6 and girls only from Classes 7 and 8.    Enrolment forms have been given to the children today and are due back at school by Wednesday 29th February.

Athletics Day – Mt Smart – Wednesday 21st March
Athletics Day consent and Assistance sheets are due now.  Please return these to class teachers on Monday.   Thank you.

After School Garden Club – Tuesdays – 3 – 4pm
If your child is interested and able to join the Ficino Garden Club on a Tuesday afternoon from 3pm to 4pm starting on 21st February, please email Margaret Ferens to give your permission via the school office: office@ficino.school.nz

After School Chess Club – Starting on Tuesday 28 February
The after school Chess Club will begin on Tuesday 28th February at 3pm.   Children from all classes are welcome.

Samosas – Fundraising for the Library and Renaissance Trip
These samosas are the best around, so please spread the word to neighbours, friends, family and work colleagues.  The order forms have gone home with the children today and are due back at the school office by Friday 2nd March.    Collection is Friday 9th March.      More forms are available from the office.

Children’s Day – 4 March at MOTAT
To celebrate Children’s Day, MOTAT is offering all children 16 years of age and under, free entry on Sunday 4th March.  There will be truckloads of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, including:
•         Horse and Cart rides and Blacksmith
•         Steam Train rides, Military vehicle rides
•         Face Painting and chalk drawing competition – with spot prizes to be won

Military Weekend – 17/18 March at MOTAT
Military Weekend is the closest you’ll get to being a soldier without actually joining up!    With military vehicle experiences, mock battles, military displays, steam train rides and remote controlled tanks, Military Weekend is a truly awesome experience!  Activities run from 10am – 4.00pm and are all included in your normal entry fees to MOTAT.   For further information or if you have any queries about these events, please contact MOTAT on (09) 815 5800 or email enquiries@motat.org.nz.

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Message from the Principal
Our assembly theme for this week has been contentment. We heard an ancient fable about a group of frogs who are perfectly happy and contented with their lives, but decide one day they want something extra – they think they need a king simply because others have kings and they don’t.  A log is thrown into their pond from on high which at first they are impressed with due to its size.   But soon they discover its lack of effectiveness and let out their cries for a new king once more.    To teach them a lesson the gods send a stork who orders them about and calls them to a great meeting, where he quickly eats a few before the rest scatter as fast as they can.  One frog can be heard saying, “Oh, if only we had been satisfied with the good life we had”.

Thank you for your patience with the building works, which are now moving apace.   The roof should be going on this weekend – weather permitting of course.  The other good news is that the readjusted programme has substantial completion of most of the work in time for the School Fair on 25th March.

Peter Crompton

Notices

Ficino School Hockey – Registrations Close 27th February
Registrations are now open for children who wish to take part in the Ficino Hockey Programme for the 2012 winter season.  Anand Patel will be the coordinator for the school hockey and will be personally involved in coaching a team.   Anand will be available after the normal school assembly on Friday 24th February to outline the programme and answer any questions you might have.    Registration forms have been sent home with the children today and need to be returned to the school office as soon as possible next week.   Registrations close on Monday 27th February.

School Picnic – Sunday 26th February – Long Bay – 10 – 2pm
A notice with further details has been sent home with the children this week.

Parents Meeting – Monday 27th February 6 – 7.30 pm – School Hall
A Notice regarding the Parents Meeting on Monday 27th February at 6 pm in the School Hall, has been sent home with the children this week.   .  The main purpose of this evening is to provide an opportunity for you to hear what is in stall for the year ahead from the class teacher.   There will also be an opportunity for Year 5 and 6 parents to hear about the Intermediate years at Ficino and to ask questions of past pupils and recent graduates about transference to secondary school.   Drinks and finger food will be served from 5.45pm.  The evening will begin with an address by the Principal.  Please return attendance slips to class teachers on Monday 20th February.

Open Morning – Saturday 17th March – 9.30 – noon
Please note we are having two Open Mornings this year, with the second one being on a Saturday.   As many students as possible will be required to attend school on this day.   Details to follow.

Athletics Day – Wednesday 21st March
Athletics Day notices have been sent home this week.    Please return your consent forms and Assistance forms if you are able to help, to class teachers by Wednesday 22nd February.

Ficino Ski Programme
Last Saturday 18 children swapped shorts and t-shirts for thermals and beanies for the inaugural Ficino Icicles programme at Snow Planet. After the initial meet and greet with the instructors it was out to brave the -5 chilly bin. The skiers were split into four groups of various levels. For some the magic carpet was a whole new form of moving.
The 3 snowboarders worked towards control on the slopes before having a go at sliding over the picnic table! The morning was a success, everyone had fun and positive comments were received.        Andrea Alston (Ski Club Coordinator)

After School Garden Club – 3 – 4pm – Starting next week
If your child is interested and able to join the Ficino Garden Club on a Tuesday afternoon from 3pm to 4pm starting on 21st February, please email Margaret Ferens to express your permission at margaretferens@yahoo.co.nz

After School Chess Club – Now starting on 28th February due to MERC Camp
The after school Chess Club will begin on Tuesday 28th February at 3pm, due to most of the children being away at the MERC camp next week.      Children from all classes are welcome.

French Lessons for Children at Ficino School – Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15pm
Make the most of your child’s natural abilities to learn a new language.   This is a professionally designed course with lots of fun activities, drama, music and games.   Contact maroussia@lcfclubs.co.nz to register.

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Message from the Principal

Welcome back to the new school year. We have been blessed with clear skies and warm weather for our first week; which some might have hoped for more of during the holiday period.  We were very fortunate to have around thirty volunteers from the School of Philosophy, who on Waitangi Day, the day before school opened, helped transform parts of the school from a building site back into a school ready to receive the children on Tuesday morning.

In the week prior to school starting, the teachers spent three days together on a residential course, rejuvenating their own love of study and fine material.  We immersed ourselves in studies on the Renaissance, Plato, Sacred Geometry and Shakespeare as well as having some more practical sessions on Learning Styles and the essential precepts of a Ficino School education.   The enrichment from this will help inspire and inform classroom activities for the year ahead.   Our assemblies this week have focussed on the fundamental order and pattern that can be seen all around us in the natural world.   This underlying natural geometry was understood by ancient civilizations, and revived in part by the work of Marsilio Ficino during the Italian Renaissance.  Through his academy, many of the leading artists of the time used these principles and proportions to construct their paintings, sculptures and buildings.

May you find time to connect with the beauty and harmony of the natural world which is so evidently abundant and accessible in this country.

Peter Crompton

Notices

New Parents & Class 1 Lunch – Thursday 16th February – 12.30pm
A finger food lunch for all New Parents and Parents of children in Class 1 will be held on Thursday 16th February in the school villa from 12.30pm.   This will be a wonderful opportunity to socialise with the Principal and other parents.  A notice has been sent home with the children today.   Please would you return the reply slip on Monday if you are able to come.

School Picnic – Sunday 26th February – Long Bay – 10 – 2pm
A notice with further details will be sent home with the children next week.  Meantime, please mark this date on your calendar.

Parents Meeting – Monday 27th February 6 – 7.30 pm – School Hall
The Parents Meeting takes place on Monday 27th February at 6 pm in the School Hall.   Drinks and finger food will be served from 5.45pm.  The main purpose of this evening is to provide an opportunity for you to hear what is in stall for the year ahead from the class teacher.   There will also be an opportunity for Year 5 and 6 parents to hear about the Intermediate years at Ficino and to ask questions of past pupils and recent graduates about transference to secondary school.   The evening will begin with a welcome by the Principal.

Open Morning – Saturday 17th March
Please note we are having two Open Mornings this year, with the second one being on a Saturday.   As many students as possible will be required to attend school on this day.   Details to follow.

Music Lessons
This year we are able to offer individual music lessons in the following instruments:-
Piano, Violin, Cello, Viol da Gamba, Clarinet, flute and guitar.  We would also like to offer the Trumpet but we need more students for Mr Logger to be able to come to school.
All students from the 2011 waiting list have been placed with teachers for 2012.  There is only one lesson slot still available for the violin, but teachers of all the other instruments still have available lesson space.
Mrs Toni Reihana will be taking the Year 4 Recorder lessons and the Recorder Ensemble this year and she is offering Flute lessons for students from Year 5 upwards.  She will demonstrate the flute and speak to the students at the beginning of their Singing Lesson on Monday.
The Recorder Ensemble will be held at Monday lunchtime.   The string Ensemble will continue to be held at Thursday lunchtime.
Our Recorder stock has become rather depleted.  I would be most grateful if families of earlier recorder students might be able to find a stray school recorder or two in their homes and return them to the office.  No questions asked!!
Any interested families for any instrument should collect an application form from the Office.
Margaret Brickland

After School Chess Club
The after school Chess Club will start on Tuesday 21st February at 3pm.   Children from all classes are welcome.

French Lessons for Children at Ficino School – Tuesdays 3.15 – 4.15pm
Make the most of your child’s natural abilities to learn a new language.   This is a professionally designed course with lots of fun activities, drama, music and games.   Contact marousssia@lcfclubs.co.nz to register.

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 Good Works and Commendation assemblies as well.

Uniform Shop
The School Uniform shop will be open on Wednesdays from 2.30 until 3.15.

Term 1 Events, 2012