Kia ora parents and whanau

As we enter the summer term, I want to thank all parents and whanau for being so supportive around supplying broad brimmed hats for children in Year 1 to 6.  We have had a great uptake to ensure the children are safe in the sun when they are outside.  We have certainly had some hot days where the UV rays were at their maximum already and it’s early in the term.

Year 8 camp have been on a three-day camp to Kaiteriteri this week and had three days of wonderful weather and camp experiences.  Thank you to Charlotte Campbell and Rebecca Symes for organising and accompanying the students. We also want to thank the parents who travelled with the students and we hope you enjoyed the experience too! Meanwhile, Year 7 students and Mrs Shaw had three days of leadership activities to prepare them for their Year 8 leadership role and I posted some photos of sports coaching to the school Facebook page earlier this week.

We were delighted with another successful Pet Day last Friday.  The children had a wonderful day and it was lovely to meet all the pets, as we do hear quite a bit about them.  We also hear quite a bit about their journey to school on the day and knowing that, we want to thank the parents and whanau who manage to get the pets here on time, in one piece and calm enough for judging! We know it’s an extra job and one that can come with its own challenges! The staff here can’t do this day alone and I want to publicly thank the following people for their time on Pet Day to perform judging duties.  Duncan Rutherford, Jono Reed, Noelle Roberts, Eleanor Youngman, Janine Jack, Lily and Annabel from North Canterbury Vets, Adam Williamson, Matt Black - ex student, Julia Black, Kathryn Langford, Clarie Calderwood and Sarah Reed. 

I’d also like to thank our sponsors – Amuri Irrigation who sponsored prizes for the colouring competition and minor ribbons; LIC who sponsored a prize box and the ribbon for Champion Calf; the PTA and Andrew and Kelly Whittleston from Culverden Four Square who sponsored all of the ice blocks for the children. They were well received on such a hot day!

We are beginning to look at classes for 2025 and we are delighted to welcome Kelsey Woodford and Jade Velmonte back for 2025. We are also excited to welcome back Phoebe Voice from maternity leave. Phoebe will be returning part time. There will be three classes in Te Kooti – Year 0-2, two classes in Tekoa – Year 3/4, two classes in Terako - Year 5/6 and three in Tapaue-o-Uenuku – Year 7/8. 

Numbers are strong in Te Kooti, but as they move through the school and if numbers remain strong, the extra teacher will move with them.  This happened a few years ago with our current Year 7 cohort as they moved through the school.  We have our last two expected new entrants to visit before the end of the year.  Soon we will be running some new entrants visit days for the children who turn 5 over December, January and early February so they are ready to start school next year. Please watch the school Facebook page for more information. If you have a child turning five in those months, please enrol them now so I’m able to get in touch with you regarding these visits.

Ngā mihi nui

Kylee Habgood

Deputy Principal - Primary