Projects
Most recently the Board of Trustees raised $30000 to upgrade the pool area. Our pool now has a heat pump (28 deg) and thermal covers. A shade sail will go up before the summer season.
The school runs a number of projects for learning, and the development of the site. These include membership in a global weather monitoring project called the GLOBE Program. Children collect data measurements of our local weather and conditions and upload the information to a site run by NASA.
We are also continuously upgrading our Information and Communications infrastructure. Last year we installed a server and increased access to Web based information in the senior school. The network was extended in 2003 to link every computer in the school. Children also design their own Web sites and use PowerPoint and FrontPage as easily as Word, Publisher and Excel. The boards aim is to have a student computer ratio of 2:1. We have achieved 3:1 this year.
At the close of 2003 the finance team won a grant from the ASB to heat our swimming pool. Another part of the grant will go to our library development in room one.
In 2004 the board plans to extend the administration area and staff room. Both are too small for our purposes.
We are also involved in a garden project and have a nursery for young native tree seedlings. We are sponsored for some of our plants from local businesses, but have begun collecting our own seeds for propagation.
In line with a conservation theme in the school we recycle paper and lunch leftovers though a worm farm. Promoting reusable sustainable processes is a key principal in our school.
We have a low tolerance to bullying at Paparimu School. Our parents are confident our active education programs in this area of children's social development really work.
In the Junior school parents run a perceptual motor programme and assist with language groups.
This year the BoT leased a set of Gymnastics equipment. We aim to offer NZ Gynastics badges in 2004.