KIDS FIRST NEWSLETTER

June 23

Kia ora koutou katoa / Dear Parents and Caregivers

Kids First is a group of parents and teachers who support the school primarily through fundraising activities. The committee plays a vital role in supporting our school learning programmes by contributing $15,000 - $20,000 towards the Board of Trustees strategic plan. All funds raised contribute directly to the BOT annual plan to ensure its strategic intent can be met.

Committee Members

The success of the Kids First committee really depends on the number of parents/whanau and caregivers. Committee members vary between 5-10 people, who work very closely together to run a wide range of initiatives.

2022 Kids First Contribution

Thank you to the ongoing support from our community over the years. Once again in 2022 some fundraising was impacted by Covid-19 and we were thankful to have an understanding and generous community. Because of this our contributions to the school included:

• $15,000- $20,000 for BOT strategic plan

• $800.00 Community lunch
• Purchased Chromebooks (via North Fuels)

The annual contributions from Kids First enables the BOT to purchase some key resources or supplement funds for property projects. Kids First wants to thank you for your help to support the BOT so that together we can provide a more enriching learning environment for our tamariki.

BOT Projects 2023

Some of the initiatives that the money raised from Kids First this year will contribute towards but are not limited to:

TigerTurf: Artificial turf was put down in the quad area between Moana and the Admin block. This area has now become heavily used since completion, and especially with the shut down of school fields due to the wet weather

Te Punanga: Te Punanga is a space that has been set up under the school’s Hauora/Wellbeing Plan. This space is well used during lunch breaks, averaging between 30-40 students coming to play a wide range of assorted games. The funds from Kids First have been used to purchase additional resources for the space.

Student Furniture: There was an urgent need to purchase new furniture at the start of the school year. While the Board usually fully funds furniture purchases, it will only receive the next round of funding for furniture later this year.

Trauma Healing: The Board puts significant funds towards Trauma Healing practices at Ngatea Primary School. The need was determined from a range of trends and data sets over the past few years. The Board felt it important to invest in this area so that teachers can prioritise their time on teaching and learning. Funds have been used for additional release time for a Wellbeing Teacher and to subsidise student access to play therapy.

Proposed Future Projects (not funded by the MOE)

Kids First is eager to support the Board with future projects, all of which are not funded by the MOE:

Sensory Garden/Mapson Maze - The sensory garden forms part of the school’s Hauora/Wellbeing Plan. A school sensory garden is of particular use to children with learning difficulties and sensory processing disorders. It can act as a safe space for children who might be easily overwhelmed by the busyness of classrooms and overload of information.

Playground - It has been a while `the Board overhauled a very well-used playground.

Golf Academy - The school is currently in discussions with the Hauraki Golf Club to set up a Golf Academy. The funds will be used to purchase youth golf sets, and to give students access to golf lessons. This will be an opportunity for Year 7 & 8 students, and hopefully benefit all students as the progress to Year 7 & 8.

Fundraising Plan

Did you know?

• Fern Energy (previously North Fuels) has a unique Fuel for Schools sponsorship programme. Customers can nominate a participating school to receive 50 cents for every 100L of bulk fuel that you have delivered. One phone call to set it up will benefit our school.

• Are you an Affcosupplier? If the answer is yes, then get in touch with your local Rep to find out how you can nominate Ngatea Primary through the Affco Cash for Schools programme.
• Keep yourself updated about Kids First events and fundraising on our website
• Kids First will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 10. October 2023 where position holders will be elected.

If you are interested in joining our committee or you can help volunteer throughout the year, but can’t attend our monthly meetings, then email Nikki Garrett at kf.president@ngatea.school.nz with your contact details and we will be in touch.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office for more information, or feel free to speak to any of the current committee members.

Yours Sincerely,

The Kids First Committee