Welcome to our first newsletter for 2023. The students have had a wonderful two weeks back and we have certainly been able to make the most of the school pool with the hot weather we have been having. Our thanks to our amazing pool committee who work hard to clean and prepare this for our return to school. They also maintain the chlorine and cleaning of the pool during the season. We are extremely grateful for their support. The Pool Committee will be holding three open days (weather permitting) on Saturday 11,18 and 25 February from 12-4pm. Gold Coin donation per person. Children must have an adult to supervise. Any cancellations or updates will be on our Facebook page.

Connection Night: Tuesday 14 February, 5-7pm.  Come along and enjoy the free sausage sizzle from 5pm, run by our wonderful Board of Trustees, mix and mingle with the teachers and families.  From 5:45, teachers will be in the classrooms so that the children can welcome you in and show what they have been learning.  At 6.45, parents of Year 6 students are invited to a brief Camp meeting in Room 8.  We hope to see many of you there. 

Swimming: Our pool has been very popular during these warm days.  Please continue to bring named togs and towels daily (even if the weather looks uncertain in the morning).  We aim to swim for 4-6 weeks depending on the weather. 

Learning Teams: This year, our school has three smaller teams - Tupu (Rm 1,5,6,16,17), Mahuri (Rm 12,13,14,15), Rakau (Rm 7,8,9,10,11). Later in the year when we open additional Year 0-1 space, we will introduce Kakano (Rm 1,2,3,4).  These Te Reo names reflect the growth that a tree goes through as it develops: Kakano (seed), Tupu (seedling), Mahuri (sapling or young tree), Rakau (tree).  We have a photo of each of the teachers in each team below, excluding Miss Sheriff and Mrs Cochrane (Tupu), Miss McIntosh (Mahuri) who were absent for the photo. 

Our Learning:  During Term 1, students will be learning about themselves and what makes them feel at their best and functioning well.  We refer to this wellbeing as Hauora.  We will be looking at "Te Whare Tapa Wha" - The Māori holistic model of health, reminds you to take care of all the different aspects of your life to support your wellbeing. Te whare tapa whā is a model of the 4 dimensions of wellbeing developed by Sir Mason Durie to provide a Māori perspective on health. The 4 dimensions are:

• taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
• taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing)
• taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
• taha whānau (family wellbeing).

With 4 walls, the wharenui (meeting house) is a symbol of these 4 dimensions. The wharenui’s connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation for the other 4 dimensions.

Early Closure: On Wednesday 1 March school will finish at 12.30 and students will bring their Kai for Kids lunches home with them in a paper bag.  This is because teachers have been called to a Union Meeting at the Events Centre. Please let your child's teacher know if your child is unable to go home at the earlier time.  

Every Day at School is a Big Day:  You may have seen in the media there are concerns nationally about student attendance.  We are required to closely monitor our students attendance and report this information to the board and Ministry of Education.  Students perform best when the have good attendance (90% and above).   For that reason, when a child's attendance drops below 90%, we make contact to see what is going on for that child.  We understand children get sick, and we ask that you make contact with the office (3086476 or 0276311142).  

Assembly: This year, we will be holding whole school assemblies on odd weeks and Team assemblies on even weeks.  I attended the Tupu assembly this week to present the Student of the Week award.  Team meetings include Values awards which includes a Duffy Book prize.  There are some photo's below.  

Students of the Week:  Last week we celebrated Khyro of Rm 8 for always settling into work routines quickly, helping others. Always doing her best work. Listening carefully to instructions. Starting off the year in a keen and confident manner. This week we celebrated Addyson of Rm 5 being a conscientious and hard working class member, She is motivated to learn.  She has lovely manners, very polite and always plays and works nicely with all those around her.  Tino Pai Khyo and Addyson. 

Kind Regards
Claudine Campbell (Principal)

Coming Up:

Pool Open Days: Saturday 11,18,25 February (12-4pm) Gold Coin donation
Connection Night: Tuesday 14 February (5-7pm)
Board of Trustees Meeting: Wednesday 15 February 6pm in the Staffroom
Year 6 Camp: 22-24 February
Class Photos: Tuesday 14 March
Science in a Van: Tuesday 21 Mach
End of Term 1: Thursday 6 April 
Staff Only Day: Monday 24 April
Anzac Day: Tuesday 25 April
First Day of Term 2: Wednesday 26 April