Week 5, Term 4, 2022
Tauranga Primary School Pānui
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Tumuaki Pānui | Principal's Newsletter
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou katoa - Warm greetings to you all.
What a fabulous week - we are so proud of our students (and teachers). They have worked very hard this term to create a spectacular show for our school community to enjoy. Thank you to the TPS staff for all the hard work that goes in behind the scenes. We sincerely appreciate the extra commitment from whānau and staff to ensure that this fabulous ARTS experience is available to our students.
Parent Survey
Thank you to the parents who contributed to the 2022 Parent Survey. We received 113 responses (33% of our school whānau). We appreciate the feedback; it helps us grow and improve our practice. The following is a summary of responses to our annual questions:
- 92% Agree or Strongly Agree that they feel comfortable and welcomed at Tauranga Primary School.
- 92% Agree or Strongly Agree that Tauranga Primary School provides high-quality education for their children.
- 76% Agree or Strongly Agree that they feel well informed about their child’s progress and achievement.
- 93% Agree or Strongly Agree that Tauranga Primary School provides a safe and nurturing environment for children.
- 57% Agree or Strongly Agree that Tauranga Primary School deals with inappropriate behaviour in an effective and fair manner. Please note that 38% of respondents selected the "neither agree nor disagree" option as they have had no experience with an "inappropriate behaviour" situation.
- 82% Agree or Strongly Agree that their culture and the culture of others is valued and recognised in the school community.
Overall the BOT (Board of Trustees) are happy with the high levels of support for our school procedures and teaching practice.
Through this process we have gained valuable feedback. It has been a tough few years navigating the Covid situation and we certainly hear the feedback about the need to continue to work together to rebuild our sense of community (on site).
- A few parents indicated that they would like more information about their child's progress. Schooling is a partnership between home and school where good communication is essential. Please do take opportunities before and after school to have a quick chat with your child's teacher (classes are open from 8.30 am). If you need to talk through a significant query, it would be best to make a specific time to meet. Please email your child's teacher to book a time with them if this is the case.
- The parent survey provided us with a strong mandate to continue to focus on Literacy and Mathematics as our most important core learning areas.
- Parents indicated that they highly value experiences such as sport, camps, and class trips.
- Learning conferences and parent information sessions were also recognised as valued experiences.
- Strong support was expressed for the Learning Through Play approach that we use in our junior classes (years 1 & 2). Also access to technology, such as iPads, was not seen as an essential element for the junior classes.
- Learner dispositions/values that came through as being the most important to our parent body were:
- Honesty (Integrity - Pono)
- Empathy - Kindness
- Respect for oneself and others (Manaakitanga)
- Resilience
The top strengths of TPS identified were:
- An inclusive community where people feel welcomed and valued
- High-quality teaching and learning practices
- Approachable and caring staff
Areas identified for continued focus, or improvement and growth:
- The most common response to the question "If you could improve one thing about TPS what would it be?" .... was parking and access (busy roads and road works). Unfortunately, there are limited things we can do to influence the parking situation. We have been able to secure timed parking around our school site. We encourage local families to walk and bike where they can. We encourage a 3:05pm pick up for older students and we also offer a 2:50pm early pickup-and-go option for the junior school families to reduce traffic and free up car parking spaces at the end of the school day.
- Smaller class sizes. The staffing of a school is decided by the Ministry of Education (MOE), based on student numbers. Our current class sizes are actually low in comparison to most schools. The MOE staffing allocation, combined with the actual physical classes we have on-site, are the parameters that we work within. We are always mindful to provide the best teacher-to-student ratio that we can, given the resourcing we have available. We are also fortunate to have wonderful and skilled support staff (teacher aides) who provide additional support and learning opportunities for our students in class.
- Comments also encouraged us to continue to work hard to meet the individual needs of students - both with remedial and extension opportunities.
A couple of parents mentioned that they would like the school opening time of 8:20am to be earlier, unfortunately, this is not possible. The school opens 30 minutes before the school day starts (the first bell is 8:50am) to give children time to settle in and prepare for the school day ahead. Prior to 8:30am, when teachers are expected to be available and in their classrooms, teachers are involved in meetings and preparation, therefore unavailable for the supervision of children. Children who are dropped off outside of the school grounds prior to 8:20am are still in the care and protection of their parents until the school gates open.
There were three comments made in the survey that indicated that there could be a specific concern a parent/family may have. Due to the confidential nature of the survey, we have no way of knowing who made these comments and therefore we are unable to effectively follow up. We ask that if you have a concern, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance and then if you feel that it is unresolved speak, with either the Team Leader or Assistant /Deputy Principal. If you feel the matter remains unresolved, please contact me.
Senior Teachers: Jo Howard (Yr 5 & 6), Jason Morgan (Yr 3 & 4) and Pam Wilkins (NE, Year 1 & 2)
Assistant Principal: Robyn Caley
Deputy Principal: Cathy Ediker
Attendance
We have recently received our attendance summary data from the Ministry of Education.
The attendance rate in 2022 has been significantly impacted due to higher rates of absences. Less than half (47% to 48% in Terms 1-3) of our school have an attendance rate of 90-100% this year compared to 2021 data of 79% (T3) and 70% (T4). A 90% attendance rate over three school terms means that a student attended 135 of the 150 school days (absent for a total of three school weeks)
- 66.8% of absences are classified as justified and includes illness and medical appointments or attending a funeral.
- Unjustified absences are for things such as holidays in term time, birthday days off, and notification that a child is away without an explanation. Any absence where there is no contact with the school is coded as truant.
- 15.2% of our absences are holidays during term time.
- 15.5% of absences are unjustified
- 2.5% of absences are truant.
Simply put, attendance = progress and achievement, therefore this data is a concern for us at TPS. We do recognise that Covid isolation periods have influenced this data, however, it will be a goal moving forward to get as many children at school as often as possible.
A very warm welcome to new entrants Cohort 2 starting on Monday: Hunter Stokes, Spencer Yates-Heke, Jaxon Thomson, Mitchell Mackenzie, Marnie Ropati, Sadhana Shri Elango and Sahib Singh. It's great to have you and your family join our TPS team.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school.
He waka eke noa
We are all in this together
Ngā mihi maioha
Fiona Hawes
Teachers' Paid Union Meeting Monday 21st November 2022
We have been given notification of a Teachers’ Paid Union Meeting in the afternoon of Monday 21st November. All teachers in the union are entitled to attend. We ask you to assist us with this organisation by either:
picking up your child(ren) between 12:15pm and 12:45pm (no need to notify us, just sign out your child(ren) with their class teacher on the day)
or
notifying the office if your child(ren) will be staying at school. Any students remaining at school for the afternoon will be supervised by senior teachers and teacher aides.
Please fill in the online form on our TPS website, or use the Kindo link below, if your children will be staying at school. Alternatively, you could email the office: admin@tauranga.school.nz
We thank you for your continued support.
PhotoLife
PhotoLife photos will be handed out next week.
THE T.P.S. WAY
THE T.P.S. WAY
We are very pleased to announce that our book, THE T.P.S. WAY, written and illustrated by 2022 TPS students, has been professionally printed and we are selling these for $15 each at the office and school shop.
Follow the adventures of George, the skateboarding dog,
who has just moved into Arundel Street.
George decides to explore TPS after hours and gets lost.
Some friendly TPS characters come to the rescue and share some skills and strategies that help George to navigate the challenge he is facing
..... because that's the TPS way.
Every class/whānau group created a page/illustration for the book and a core group of senior students researched and constructed the text. A group of senior students, with skills in art, worked on developing the illustrations of the main characters. See some sample pages below. A copy of the book is available to view in the school office. It is a very special memento of the school year and for our school and it would make a great Christmas gift.
Purchase your own copy of our School Production
Year 0/1 Show - By the Sea
Come and join us as we take a trip By the Sea
As the Year 0/1 children are not involved in the school production at Bethlehem College, they will instead perform some songs and dances for you in the school hall on Friday 25th November, 11:45am-12:30pm. Families are welcome to come and watch, then join their children for lunch after the show.
School Lunches Needed
There are occasions that a child may need a lunch provided whilst at school. We currently have a list of school parents who are able to provide additional lunches for children. These requests could be for one or two lunches one day a week for a term, or maybe one lunch for 3 days, to help a school family through a challenging time.
Providing lunches is always very much appreciated by the families concerned and the school. Your contribution is provided anonymously through the school office.
If there are any parents who would like to add their name to the list please contact
dp@tauranga.school.nz or admin@tauranga.school.nz
Equally, if you are experiencing some challenges providing school lunches for your children, please let us know. We are here to help. Talk with your child's teacher or email us.
Scholastic Books and Library Help
As some of you may be aware, our school is able to earn reward points through the Scholastic book ordering system, which then helps us to stock our library with quality books. We are in need of a parent volunteer to oversee this program (it mostly involves sorting books into classes once they are delivered).
We would also love some parent volunteers who are familiar with the alphabetical ordering of books and the Dewey Decimal System to help with shelving library books (any amount of time during the school day is fine).
Please email Jana Smith (jsmith@tauranga.school.nz) if you are interested in either of these volunteer roles. Thank you!
Kapa haka and Pasifika
The Kapa Haka and Pasifika groups have been working hard all year and would like to celebrate and showcase what they have been learning with you. The children will perform on the turf outside Senior Hub 1 (senior side) on Wednesday 23 November 2022. Please be seated by 2:00 pm.
Term 4:
- 16th November - School Production
- 6:30pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 17th November - School Production
- Matinee 12:00pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 6:30pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 23rd November - Year 6 Orientation Day Tauranga Intermediate
- 23rd November - Kapa Haka/Pasifika performance 2:00pm outside SH1
- 23rd November - Year 2 Transition parent meeting in the staffroom, 9:00am-10:00am
- 25th November- Year 0/1 show, in the school hall, 11:45pm
- 30th November - Junior Athletics, 10:30am, Senior side school field
- 2nd December - Junior team Mount trip- all day
- 7th - 9th December - Year 6 Camp - Totara Springs
- 8th December - Middle school end-of-year picnic
- 12th December - School Awards (year 1-5 awards) assembly @ 10:00am at Memorial Hall (QE11)
- 12th December - Year 6 Social Dance, 7:00pm at Memorial Hall (QE11)
- 13th December - Year 6 Leavers Assembly @ 9.30am at Memorial Hall (QE11)
- 13th December - Students meet their 2023 teacher, 2:15pm
- 15th December - Term 4 ends, School closes @ 12:00pm
2023 Ballot Dates:
Enrolment for Term 1 2023 - ballot was on 21st October 2022
Late enrolment applications for Term 1, 2023 will be considered on 20th January 2023
Enrolment for Term 2 2023 - ballot Friday 3rd February 2023
Enrolment for Term 3 2023 - ballot Friday 28th April 2023
Enrolment for Term 4 2023 - ballot Friday 21st July 2023
Enrolment for Term 1 2024 - ballot Friday 13th October 2023
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Community Notices
TBC Homestay families
Tauranga Boys' College is on the hunt for homestay families for their international students next year.
Do you have a spare room or two in your house? Are you willing to open your home to an international student, provide them three meals a day, and treat them as a member of your family?
Families who host our international students talk about the joy of experiencing another culture while proudly sharing our New Zealand way of life. These experiences can be life changes for the international student AND the homestay family.
We need families to host groups for 10 days, 1 term, 2 terms & 4 terms!
If this sounds like you please email on homestay@tbc.school.nz or phone 07-557-9065 to enquire about the generous remuneration and hosting requirements.
Translate function for our newsletter
Contacts:
Principal
Fiona Hawes
Deputy Principal
Cathy Ediker
Assistant Principal
Robyn Caley
Junior Team Leader
Pam Wilkins
Middle Team Leader
Jason Morgan
Senior Team Leader
Jo Howard
International Student enquiries
Cathy Ediker
Business Manager
Susan O'Neill
Enrolment Officer
Barbara Turley