Maungatapere School

Newsletter 19 October 2023

From the principal

Kia ora koutou,


Ag Day

Ag Day preparation and exhibit creation is in full swing within classrooms. The children are feeling really proud of themselves and exited to share their work with me as I venture around the rooms. On Wednesday the school council helped me tidy up the PTA shed in preparation for the big day. Signs are being painted. Our staff meeting involved assigning roles, stewards and general organisation for the day. The Ag Day Parent Group are working hard behind the scenes, coordinating judges, planning the layout and making sure the day runs smoothly.

At school assembly on Wednesday, I spoke to the children about organising what they are bringing on Friday 27th on the Ag Preparation Day for classroom displays, as well as reminding parents to put aside gold coins and cash for Saturday 28th for games/raffles/food/drink.

We will not have eftpos available this year. Cash only.

A detailed Ag Day reminders newsletter will be sent out separately to this school newsletter.

I am personally really looking forward to Ag Day and seeing all of the animals and their student-animal-parents, who have worked really hard caring for, feeding and training either a lamb, calf, goat, chicken or pet. These students will never forget the special times they have had raising these animals. My Romney ‘Gonzo’ who was Champion Lamb lives on in my memory, as well as when we moved from the farm to a 10-acre block and lost ½ the flock to facial eczema. I can still remember his hooves heading down the offal hole. We had many happy times spent together.


2024 Class Lists

In a few weeks’ time, we will start drafting 2024 class lists. Parents of Year 6 students from this year have been sent letters, asking if their child is returning to Maungatapere School next year. At writing time, I had 34 out of 44 letters returned, thank you. We are reminding students to follow up at home. On Wednesday the out of zone process was completed. Over the next few days these letters will go out to inform those involved. These names will be added into our 2024 student lists.

If you are moving from the area or onto another school, please let the office know, so that we can take them off lists and accurately plan the 2024 classes.

All new entrants starting in 2024 should have been in contact with us, by this stage.


Google Calendar – school dates

Last week we found that the school google calendar was not shared with Bridget in the office. I thought she could see all I had entered. We have sorted this glitch, which will allow school dates to be added to the website. This newsletter also lists event dates for this term. Thank you to those parents who have alerted us.


Another busy term lies ahead.

whats coming up!

24 Oct Teacher Only Day

28 Oct Ag Day

2 Nov Central Ag Day, Barge Park

3 Nov Gumboot Day

7 Nov School Athletics (Year 4 - 8)

8 Nov Year 7/8 Cake Stall

9 Nov Mangakahia Cultural Festival

13 Nov Swimming Starts

15 Nov Junior Athletics (Year 0 - 3)

15 Nov Ice Cream Sale

16 Nov Year 5/6 Surf Trip

22 Nov WPSSA Year 7/8 Athletics

23 Nov Year 7/8 Cake Stall

23 Nov Year 5/6 Sports Exchange with Maunu School (at Maungatapere School)

27 Nov Halloween Tunnel

28 Nov Junior Lion Park Trip

29 Nov WPSSA Year 5/6 Athletics

1 Dec Colour Run

7 Dec Pizza Day

8 Dec Year 8 Leavers Dinner

15 Dec School Disco

19 Dec Prizegiving and Last Day

Room 1 Maritime Festival Visit

Room 1 had a fantastic time visiting the Maritime Festival on Friday last week. The children got to climb all over the R. Tucker Thompson and even got to pull up the main sail. Then we went to the camera obscuras and completed the day with lunch at the new Pohe Island playground. This trip was only possible with parent support and Mrs Goodison would like to say thank you.
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Adolescent Dental Enrolments

Last term Adolescent Dental enrolment forms were sent home with Year 8 students. If you have not yet completed and returned your students form please get it back to the school office ASAP.

Central Day Trophies

There are still a couple of Central Ag Day trophies outstanding. If you have these at home can you please return them urgently to the school office.

- School Team Trophy Goats

- School Gaining Most Points

There are still several of our school Ag Day trophies outstanding. Can you please also get them back to school urgently.

Te Manawa Tahi

If you have a concern about your child's language development, learning progress, social and emotional wellbeing, or behaviour, Te Manawa Tahi have specialists available so you can discuss your concerns directly with them.

This is a free service and each site will be identified by a Te Manawa Tahi sign or flag. Drop into a hub or make an appointment by phoning 0800 524 842 or emailing TT.Support@education.govt.nz

MAUNGA MAYHEM 2:0 is back 23rd March 2024

We are back up and running in a great new location at Land of Lotus (Mangakahia Rd)

If you are keen to be involved, we are currently looking for companies to SPONSOR OBSTACLES or to DONATE SPOT PRIZES for the spot prize draw. Please email: MaungataperePTA@gmail.com if you can help.

Keep your eyes peeled for regular updates.

A massive THANK YOU to Hellers for their very generous donation of Sausages for Ag Day!!

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Thank you SJ Reed for supplying and delivering the sawdust for our long jump pit!!!

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Whangarei A & P Show

The Whangarei A & P Society colouring competition entries will be displayed in the Homes Industries section at the A & P Show on the 2nd December. There are some of these available for students to pick up at the school office.

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It’s that time of the year again! The weather is starting to heat up and that means our Junior Twilight Hockey Series is due to start!

Junior Twilight Hockey is an awesome summer option for kids of any ability to get out on the turf with their friends and have lots of fun trying a new sport or continuing one they already love!

There are 2 different competitions available – Year 4-6 & Year 7&8.

Each competition has 3 separate grades tailored to suit all abilities:

COMPETITIVE This grade is for the more experienced hockey players who wish to play competitive games.

SOCIAL This grade is for experienced and some inexperienced hockey players who wish to play more socially.

ULTRA SOCIAL This grade is for the inexperienced and new-to-hockey players who wish to learn hockey and play socially.

START DATE: Tuesday 24th October.

ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday 16th October.

COSTS PER TEAM: $105.50 (Year 4-6)

$137.30 (Year 7 & 8)

Attached are the competition flyers, if you wish to share in your school or with your communities.

For more information, click the online registration link below:

Year 4, 5 & 6 - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe92xRSdZ5-d3sLDzWgPBmzAzM9J7a_WIiuGYI1g_VmYLWyog/viewform

Year 7 & 8 - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZ-0gXK4OdnBpzRIea7W5XDsnWSX96vXri4C10DrYGgtkqlw/vie

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Carpark Reminder

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THANK YOU!! To our generous sponsors

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