May 2023 update

Bottle Lake Forest Trip

On Wednesday 26 April, our first day back for Term 2, our Year 3-6 puna (Kōtare, Kōkopu and Waimairi) went on a trip to Bottle Lake Forest. The focus of the trip was whānaungatanga (making connections), learning about our Haeata cultural narrative, habitat, native and introduced species, bush survival and eating huhu grubs. We had the Park Ranger from the Christchurch City Council facilitate the programme, Learning Through Action. We have met Pete before on a trip to Orua Paeroa (Travis Wetlands). It was great to see our ākonga out and about, learning from the natural environment and especially impressive to hear about the few brave ākonga who tried a huhu grub! Thanks to our kaimahi and parent helpers who made this trip possible. 

Easter Ahu Fun

Last day of Term 1 was a mixture of Easter, Ahu groups, creativity and collaboration. Here are some photos from around the Year 1-8’s.

In Pūtakitaki, students have been learning all about soldiers and nurses as part of our focus on ANZAC Day. We kicked off our unit by setting up some nursing stations in our classroom. Students took turns to act as wounded soldiers, tie bandages, conduct eye tests and fill in medical forms. We also talked about rosemary and its significance on ANZAC Day. 

Performing Arts Clubs - all in Drama Room

Tuesdays:

Block 5 - Choir

Thursdays:

Block 2 - Junior Dance Crew

Lunch - Drama Club

Fridays:

Lunch - Band

Key dates:

• 4 May: Road Warden(Road Patrol) Refresher with Constable Jeff

• 8-14 May: NZ Sign Language Week

• 19 May: Pink Shirt Day

• 24 May: Yr 3-6 Creative and Native Botanical Gardens Trip

• 26 & 29 May: Year 6 Cycle safety

• 28 May - 3 June: Samoan Language Week

• 5 June: Public Holiday - King’s Birthday

• 8 June: NZ Playhouse: Treasure Island Show

• 12 June: Philippines Independence Day

• 14 July (in school holidays): Matariki

Sports for term 2

• 5th May- 9th June (Fridays 12:45-2:30) Yr 3 & 4 Sports Cluster at Rawhiti (Two-Week Rotations of Rugby/Cricket/ Football)

• Wednesday nights - U14s Rugby League

• Yr 7 & 8 Netball on Saturdays - Yr 7 train Mondays, Yr 8 train Tuesdays

• Starting 26 May (Fridays) Yr 5-8 Winter Sports at Hagley - (Netball, Football & Rugby 10s/Rippa)

New kaimahi

Welcome to Vai Tariu, our new Kaiako teaching in Kōtare (Yrs 3 & 4). It is so wonderful to have you join our Hikuawa and Kaunuku hapori.

From Vai:

“Talofa, my name is Vaipaepae (Vai) Tariu. I am married with 8 kids, 6 boys and 2 girls. I was teaching in Samoa at Saina/Toamua Primary for 12 and a half years before migrating to New Zealand. Teaching has always been my passion following in my dad's footsteps as he was a teacher, and I truly love it! Having this many kids of my own has inspired me to keep doing what I love to do and that is embracing our whānau with love, to make them feel safe in a space, making sure that they learn, with respect and treat one another with kindness. Getting back into teaching in New Zealand is a great privilege for me, and I am grateful to be working with the Haeata community, where the staff are amazing and I feel so happy to be working with these tamaiti as they remind me so much of home. I love teaching, and I mostly love working with children and helping them in any possible way that I can.”