Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 6, Term 1, 2019
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
Have your Say in our Community Survey
Our survey is designed to offer you, the valued parents and whanau of our school community, an opportunity to be involved in the future direction and development of our school.
Puketapu School Community Survey
Our survey is open until Monday 25 March, so please have your say.
Ko Puketapu Matou
On the 28 Feb Kowhai walked the Mangati walkway from Parklands Avenue to the beach.
We found out about how Bell Block & the Mangati stream got their names:
Bell Block was named after Francis Dillon Bell. He was a surveyor (someone whose job is to measure and examine an area of land.) The Bell Block area was gifted to him by the Puketapu hapu (subtribe).The maori name for Bell Block is Te Hua which means fruit or vegetables because it was a large area known for agriculture because of the soil being good for growing kumara and taro.
The local awa (stream) is called Mangati. Manga = stream and Ti = ti kouka or cabbage tree. A stream is a small narrow river. Back in the day Pa sites were established along the rivers because they were spaces where plants and animals were plentiful because water supports life. The nearest streams to us are the Waihowaka, the Waitaha stream and the Mangati stream. They are all short rivers. The nearest large river is the Waiongana river, situated on the Waitara side of the airport. It comes all the way from the mountain.
We then walked along the rocks to the site of the Puketapu Pa where we found out some more interesting information.
The waka (canoe) for this area is Tokomaru. There were about 30 people that arrived on it. On it there was a man named Rakaeora, he was a tohunga (an expert) who had great knowledge in food. He lived separately from many in the iwi (tribe) to maintain his wairua (spirit, soul). The people of Puketapu asked him to come and help them as they were not able to grow crops or find food to survive. At first he refused to help them. The people returned many times to ask for his help. He finally agreed and came down to Puketapu. He chanted karakia (prayers) and as he did the food grew before their eyes and the water began to bubble and fish came. It is said he had a Mauri (stone) that told of this event. Mauri is an energy, a life force a special nature. They made the hill sacred. Puke = hill and Tapu = sacred
Because of its name, Puketapu was a renowned burial ground where the chiefs of many parts found a final resting place. It is said to have been one of the earliest settlements on this coast.
Say hello to...
I am very excited to be part of such a wonderful team here at Puketapu School. My role here is as a specialist teacher working with students and teachers to set up programs catering for students needs.
I also get the pleasure of working alongside the fabulous students in Kowhai 3 & 4 and Totara 2.
Say Farewell to
She has tidied, cleaned, scrubbed and generally made sure we have been looking ship shape and spotless for a very long time and we think she definitely deserves a rest!
On behalf of past and present students and staff we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Paula for her contribution to our school over the years, but we know we will still be seeing her around!
Learning Through Play... with Ice Cream
Humpty Dumpty Fun
Congratulations to...
Congratulations to the winners of our Values Awards presented at Showcase on Thursday 7 March:
Raiden Rangi
For showing the school values in all learning areas.
Zakhan Faapulou
For consistently helping others and supporting learners within the classroom.
Thank you to The White Pear Cafe for sponsoring our Values Awards.
Superstar Awards
- Jakiah Sutton
Kia Manawanui - Have a heart
- Kyla Dorne
- Justyce Drake
Duffy Awards
- Ryan Duff
- Lajayshea Hori
- Murray Sioli
- Emma Warring
- Alex Morrison
- Brianna O'Keeffe
- Kharlym Gilligan
- Pukauae Kipa
- Kruize Davis
- Emma Hoskin
- Jarvana Ardern
- Kiritopa Veza
- Brylee Mehaney-Johnston
- Kade Davis
- Deja Tohi
- Mika Falaniko
When you have a concern
There may be times when you have a query or concern about your child.
The Concerns Pathway is important to follow as you will generally be speaking to the person who has the most information and knowledge about your child and others in their environments.
We will do our best to work together for manageable solutions.
Please note that classroom teachers are busy and working hard to give your children quality learning time. Should you need to discuss an issue, please make a time to meet, either before 8.30am or after 3pm, so they can give you the attention you need and deserve.
Practice Those Smiles!
Individual order forms have gone home with all students. These need to be back at school with payment, no later than Thursday 21 March.
Junior Maths for Whanau
Parents/ whanau come along and find out how we do maths these days, what’s important and have fun with us.
Monday 18 March, 3.15-4.30pm in Rimu 1 - join our specialist Maths Teacher Shirlene Paterson who will be leading this.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Nits
Please check all the heads in your household and take action if you spot any eggs or lice. Remember, you need to check every day for three weeks as that is the length of the lice life cycle.
The Tech Hub
Last week saw our two Thursday tech groups helping to cater for a hui held at the marae.
The students worked really hard, prepping the food during the week and the serving on the day.
All the students displayed their school values and I was very impressed with all the behind the scenes work they did without complaint! (Washing dishes, cleaning up, mopping the floor!) Thank you to all the students who helped up during the week.
This week we are finishing up our logo designs...
Today's tech class have used their own initiate and found a online design site to design their logos. While it has been causing a few headaches, they have basically taught themselves how to use it! (Someone even decided to use the online user guide, great problem solving skills!)
Rory has managed to recreate his hand drawn design.
Nga mihi
Mrs Wigley
Street Art
Mrs Wigley's Auaha group is looking at street art.
We have been experimenting with chalk art drawings, which you may have seen outside the tech block. Today we went to visit artist Phil Jones aka Suspect, in his studio. This group of girls will hopefully be able to use this new perspective and encouragement when we start our own work next week. Watch this space!
Friday Lunches
Order and pay at the office before 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Friday 15 March
- Beef Sliders and Potato Gems $5.00
- Fruit Salad & Yoghurt $5.00
- Lunch Pack $4.50 (Ham sandwich, fruit, yoghurt, raisins and a mini cookie)
Friday 22 March
- American Hotdogs $4.00
- Ham Wrap $4.00
- Lunch Pack $5.00 (Mini bacon & egg pie, fruit, yoghurt, raisins and a mini cookie)
This week our roll is: 352
Birthdays
- Liana Birch
- Evie Roberts
- Achille de Bruyn
- Chloe Lepper
- Erin Sowman
- Shavorn McLeod-Lackner
What's On: This week and next
Thursday 14 March:
Kowhai Rock Pool Visit (postponed)
Swimming Sports
Family Picnic - 5.00pm-7.00pm (Home & School)
Friday 15 March:
Last day for Cookie orders
Due to WOMAD the Rimu outing has been rescheduled to Tuesday May 7th
Whanau Touch Rugby- Semi Finals (1:20pm)
Monday 18 March:
Junior Maths for whanau information afternoon 3.15-4.30pm
Tuesday 19 March:
Whanau Touch Rugby- Final (1:20pm)
3.15 Girls Touch Academy #4
Wednesday 20 March:
Kowhai Rippa Rugby with Jack Kirifi - 1.30-3.00
Board of Trustees Meeting 6.30pm
Thursday 21 March:
Student Showcase 9.15 (Kowhai)
Swimming Sports,
** Last Day for Photo Orders**
Friday 22 March:
School Photos
What's on: Later this term
As we continue with our planning, more things will be added to our Calendar. Further information will come home regarding trips and outings.
Tuesday 26 March: Weetbix TRYathlon, 3.15 Girls Touch Academy #5
Wednesday 27 March: Kowhai Rippa Rugby with Jack Kirifi - 1.30-3.00
Thursday 28 March: Year 7 & 8 Immunisations (part 1), Netball training (details TBC), Kowhai Te Rewa Rewa Walk (Times TBC)
Tuesday 2 April: League: Tony Kemp Cup @ Clifton Park Waitara, 3.15 Girls Touch Academy #6
Wednesday 3 April: Interschool Swimming Competition
Friday 5 April: Student Showcase 9.15 (Kauri)
Wednesday 10 April: League: Howie Tamati Cup (venue TBC), Girls football Tournament Manukorihi Park. Numbers to TBC
Thursday 11 April: Kowhai Ranui Out & About (Times TBC)
Friday 12 April: Last day of Term 1
Term 1 ends at 3pm on Friday 12 April
Term 2 begins on Monday 29 April
Community Notices
Naki Run Amuck
The Naki Run Amuck, mud run, is on Sunday 14 April this year at the Urenui Domain. This is a fun event for people of all ages with all proceeds going to charity. This year the major beneficiary will be Land SAR Taranaki. A family run of just over 3km for up to year 8 children will be part of this years’ event. A group of 5 of either 1 adult and 4 children or 2 adults and 3 children can enter as a family group and have fun together. Heaps of spot prizes. For more information please visit our website www.nakirunamuck.co.nz.
Taranaki Dio (formerly St Mary's Stratford)
Our first OPEN DAY for 2019 is being held on Wednesday 20 March and posters and invitations will follow soon. All families considering their secondary schooling options for next year and beyond are warmly invited to call in on the day anytime between 10 am and 2pm.
There will be opportunities to tour our school campus and boarding house and meet our Principal Fiona Green, staff, board members and students.
30 Years of Bell Block Childcare
We would like to invite you to our open day to celebrate the past 30 years:
When Saturday, 6th April 2019
Where Bell Block Childcare, 32 Nugent Street, Bell Block, 06 755 2519
Time 1.00pm to 4.00pm
What Blessing, anniversary cake, photo board, lots of stories and memories to share
Come along and see the changes, enjoy a piece of cake and catch up with past and present families, staff and committee.
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973