Newsletter - WE 23/06/2023

Kia ora Koutou

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we move towards the end of the term. It’s hard to believe that we had the shortest day of the year earlier this week, but also nice to think that we are now heading back towards summer! You will have received your child’s mid-year report this week. It was wonderful to read through many of these and see the hard work and effort that our tamariki are putting into their school-work, their interpersonal relationships and other opportunities that have been on offer. Our parent interviews have been open for bookings this week and will close today (Friday 23rd June). We look forward to seeing you all for these next week.

Our school value this term has been Excellence and the reports certainly demonstrated that this value has been well represented by many of our students. I again encourage all of our students to strive towards excellence in all that they do. A common issue that we face in society is ‘tall poppy syndrome.’ This is described as criticising or attacking someone because of their success or achievements. This can hold people back from striving for excellence, but I encourage our students to strive regardless and for the culture of our school to be one that acknowledges and celebrates the success of our peers rather than criticising them. If you have time over the holidays, check out www.etutangata.nz. This is a  wonderful movement that seeks to counter the tall poppy mindset. There are some great videos and resources to check out which can lead to fantastic conversations with young people.

I want to take a moment to thank our parent community for your support as we have navigated the recent industrial action. We understand that this hasn’t been easy and that there have been a range of associated impacts. I am hopeful that the arbitration process will see a positive outcome. All industrial action is now withdrawn except for the scheduled paid union meeting next Wednesday 28th June. Please see our previous communications for details in relation to this.

Could I please remind parents / caregivers that if your child is being dropped off late to school, to please ensure that you sign them in via the office. A number of students are skipping this process and as a result are being incorrectly marked in our management system.

As this will be our last newsletter for the term, I want to take the opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break. In particular, we wish our students who are participating in the New Zealand Area School’s Tournament all the very best for your respective events.

Kia kitea toikaka
Matt Barlow
Principal

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Secondary School News

A big thank you to all our senior students who have made the effort to turn up to school in the right uniform, looking smart and showing respect for the school value of ‘Pride’. The new addition of the windbreaker jersey is adding to the overall look and students are feeling the benefit of the warmth the extra layer is providing.

Last week our Year 10 and 11 students undertook the pilot Literacy and Numeracy exams that will become the norm in future years with students needing to pass this in order to gain NCEA. This year we are using the exams to prepare our students and staff for the future. For many of our Year 10 and 11 students it is the first time sitting an external exam under strict supervision. 

The Amuri Area School Formal, is currently in the process of being organised by the senior Year 13 Leadership Team. The venue will be the Hanmer Hotel for 2023 and the theme is ‘Casino’, the evening will incorporate a sit down buffet meal, photographs and a DJ. Tickets are on sale through the school office at $90.00.

Mrs Peterson
Deputy Principal - Secondary

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Primary School News

Kia ora Parents and Whanau

Mrs Nicholls along with Morag Godfrey-Grant are busy preparing a group of students from Tapuae-o-Uenuku for the 2023 Ethics Olympiad. We have two teams, a junior and middle team competing again this year. An Ethics Olympiad is a competition for teams of students to work together to discuss, analyse and present what they think is the right ethical aspect of each case, all things considered. The ability to win comes from being able to think deeply and perceptively about the cases posed and encourages the students to think ethically using their critical thinking skills. We wish both our teams all the very best for their upcoming competitions.

Tomorrow Mrs Voice is accompanying nine students who qualified for the Canterbury Primary School’s Cross Country. The students will be competing in their age groups at Nga Puna Wai sports hub. We wish Lily, Alex, Jake, Caleb, Gwen, Lillie, Tori, Molly S and Sam C good luck for their races tomorrow. Mrs Voice will be updating us with results as they come through.

Jump for June is underway, thanks to Mrs Voice. Some of our students from Year 7/8 have been coming over to the primary side this week at lunchtimes to support our Year 1-6 students with some skipping games. There is a fundraising option which has gone home with each of our students. More information can be found at https://www.jumpingjune.co.nz/

Now that the winter has arrived, please support our team in making sure your children are wearing the correct uniform. If you’re having difficulty finding a suitable option, please come in and speak to your child’s teacher or to me, as we are happy to support where we can. There are a growing number of students who are arriving in Year 1-6 with no second layer. Please ensure they have one as some days are too cold for students to be outside during breaks with only one layer. A black or red polyprop top can be worn under the school polo top, or a jersey can be purchased through the office or at Mainland Uniforms. Currently, the Merino jersey option supplied at Mainland Uniforms is out of stock, with no set date for the arrival of a new order. Some students find the other wool option too itchy and prefer a plain red polar fleece which would also be suitable in the colder months. The school jacket is also there although you may find that it’s not warm enough for the colder mornings on its own. Currently Year 7/8 students have the polyprop top option as well and the thicker school jacket.

The primary assemblies for the remainder of the term are listed below.

Term 2 

23 June – Full School Assembly (Caverhill) 2pm
30 June – Room 5 

A huge and warm welcome to the following students…Taha in Year 7 and Tanveer in Year 4 who have joined us from Fiji and Chloe in Year 1 has joined Mrs Jamieson’s group of school starters.

Welcome to Amuri everyone!

Ngā mihi nui
Kylee Habgood
Deputy Principal - Primary

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Dates for Your Diary

June
27th Children’s University Lincoln trip
27th-29th Parent Teacher Interviews
30th End of Term 2
July
2nd-7th NZ Area Schools Tournament - Rangiora
17th Term 3 Begins
21st Kapa Haka Matariki Performance and Dinner
22nd Senior Formal - Hanmer Springs
25th Yr 1-4 Cricket sessions with Liam
August
2nd NC Cantamaths - Ohoka School
4th Hamilton Assembly @ 10:00am
8th Ethics Olympiad Training Day
14th School Photos
14th 11Ag Field trip to Iverachs Road, Rotherham
16th 7-Aside at Hurunui College
17th NC Kapa Haka festival at Ohoka
18th 7-Aside at Hurunui College Postponement
23rd Mitchell Assembly @ 9:00am

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Roll of Honour
Brooklyn Colebrook
Kenzie Colebrook
Regan Kay
Archie McCone
Kace Perry
Lachie Perry
Myla Roberts
Oskar Schuurman
Miley Scott
Charlie Smith
Ollie Thomas
James Van Arendonk
Marco Yukich
1st Merit
Harper Absalom
James Anngow
Joel Barlow
Max Cater
Ashleigh Clegg
Emily Fenemor-Halsey
Molly McKenzie
Lily Moke
Bella Newall
Kaitlyn Palmer
Kace Perry
Issy Pinckney
Charlotte Schenkel
Fil John Suela
King Tallar
James Van Arendonk
Emma Whittleston
Sarina Woodhouse
Layla Yukich
2nd Merit
Alexandrina Godfrey-Grant

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Piano Lessons with Andrea

Andrea currently has lesson times available. If you would like your child to learn the piano, please get in touch with Andrea either by Phone: 020 4035 8805 or Email: hooperandrea4@gmail.com.

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Congratulations to Bella Godfrey-Grant who has made it into the Senior Representative Choir as a part of the Lions Christchurch Music Festival.

Well done, Bella!

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CPS Cross Country

Well done to the nine Amuri students who competed at the Canterbury Primary Schools Cross Country on Wednesday at Ngā Puna Wai. All students were amazing!

Alex Shaw, Lily Neppelenbroek, Gwen Manifold, Lillie Schuurman, Tori Kelly, Caleb Green, Jake Van der Heyden, Sam Currie, Molly Schuurman.
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Emily Harris won the 15km 7-12 year section of the Bridge to Bridge North Mountain bike race on Sunday. Well done, Emily - you are amazing!

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