Rākau Nui Newsletter
Term 3, Week 1
Newsletter 26 July 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa
NZ Playhouse - The Emperor's New Clothes
We are looking forward to having NZ Playhouse come to the school on Wednesday to perform their Emperor's New Clothes play for the whole school. The tamariki thoroughly enjoy these shows, which allow us to bring the experience of the theatre to the children. As this is the first time in a few years that we will be coming together as a whole school, we will be asking children to wear a face mask during the performance.
The cost per student is $6.00 per person. Please pay via Kindo, internet banking or EftPos at the office.
GROW Reward
The GROW basket is nearly full! The next GROW reward will be a movie and popcorn session. The Rākau Nui children have been voting for their favourite movie from a selection we have chosen over the past couple of days. The movie options that are currently in the lead are the Spongebob Squarepants: Sponge on the Run movie and Looney Tunes which are both rated PG. If you are not happy for your child to watch one or either of these films then please email christinel@paparangi.school.nz and an alternative G viewing will be arranged for your child. If we do not receive an email from you then we will assume that you give your permission for your child to watch either of these PG movies.
Health Information Evening
A quick reminder that we are running a parent information evening about this term’s health lessons this evening at 5.30pm. Please come along if you would like to know more about what we will be teaching. Please note that face masks are required to be worn by all adults visiting our school.
Swimming Sports
Rākau Nui swimming sports will be on Friday the 19th of August at Tawa pool. Please check your child’s bag for the notice that was sent home yesterday. All of the students will take part in the swimming sports at various levels. Please can you send this and get it back to me as soon as possible. They are due back on Wednesday the 3rd of August
Term 3 STEAM topics
This term, we will be covering the following STEAM topics:
Ballet - Dance (Trelise)
Space and the Solar System - Science (Ali)
Art History - Social Sciences and Art (Sarah)
Indigenous Cultures - Social Sciences (Jenni and Andi)
Inventors and Inventions: Shark Tank! - Technology (Christine)
School Board Elections - Call for Nominations
It’s board election time! Nominations are open for the election of 5 parent representatives to the school board. The returning officer for the triennial board election is Bernardine Vester. She can be contacted at returningofficer@myschoolelection.nz. Nominations close: Wednesday 3 August
Nominations can be made online through an email link provided in the Call for Nominations: https://myschoolelection.nz/mynomination/ . However, a hard copy nomination form can also be obtained from the school office. If you wish to stand for the board, it is recommended that you provide a candidate statement and photograph. We encourage those of you who are keen to stand for election to start preparing – take a great ‘head & shoulders’ photo of yourself and write 1-2 paragraphs about what you have to offer.
Who can join a School Board?
Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives on the Board. School Boards need people with a wide range of skills but most of all with an interest in education and the well being, progress and achievement of all children. If you would like to know more about the rewards of being a Board Member you are invited to come along to morning tea with the Principal on Thursday 28 July at 9am to hear about becoming a Board Member (RSVP to the office) or contact the current Presiding Member (Chairperson), Helen Ashton, who is available to answer any of your questions - helena@paparangi.school.nz .
Pathway from the Kindy
The kindy has opened their pathway for families to use once again at drop off and pick up times.
Lunch boxes
With the colder weather, we’ve noticed that some students are eating more food and some have finished everything by morning tea. Could you check with your child and add a little bit more if they tell you they don’t have enough please?
Seesaw
Seesaw is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what's happening in the classroom. Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student gets their own journal and will add things to it, like photos, videos, drawings, or notes. Each week more and more learning is being shared there. We highly recommend you check it and engage in conversation with your child about their learning.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing choices…
As the weather starts to change, the type of clothes students will need at school will also change. In order to continue giving everyone the much needed breaks from mask wearing, we will be continuing to spend as much time as possible outside and this will include when it is drizzling and there are rain showers. We would appreciate it if students could have a named rain jacket and, if possible, a change of named clothes in their bag just in case. We will be taking a common sense approach to being outside when it’s wet and won’t be outside when we’re experiencing heavy rain, or if it is very cold and wet, as student well being is important.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything with us, please remember that your first point of contact is your child’s home class teacher. Our email addresses are:
christinel@paparangi.school.nz
Hei konā mai
Jenni, Trelise, Sarah, Christine, Ali, Judy, Kath, Andi, Leah, Kuini, Haley, Min and Angela
Useful Dates - Please note that all dates are subject to COVID restrictions and events may be cancelled or postponed
Tuesday 26 July - Health Information Evening 5.30pm
Wednesday 27 July - NZ Playhouse - The Emperor's New Clothes
Monday 01 August - Cook Islands Language Week
Monday 08 August - Maths Week
Monday 05 September - Tongan Language Week
Friday 19 August - Rākau Nui Swimming Sports @ Tawa Pool
Friday 26 August - Northern Zone Swimming
Monday 12 September Māori Language Week
Wednesday 14 September - Māori Language Day
Wednesday 14 September - DanceSplash (more information to follow)
Thursday 22 September - Interzone Swimming
Friday 30 September - Term 3 ends 3.00pm