Toko School Newsletter
Thursday 11th November
Kura Tuatahi Toko
Quality learning for all in a caring community.
Kounga ako mo katoa i roto i te taiao e atawhai ana.
Dear parents and friends of our school Kia Ora/Bora Da/Konichi Wa/Hello
Tena Koutou Katoa
The past week has been super busy with:
- Cecile from Swim NZ to work with our school on dry class activities (water safety activities we can do without getting in the water). We focused on what to do if we got into trouble, how to safely help someone in trouble, how to correctly wear a life jacket, use the HELP and HUDDLE position. The most important message was that we need to keep ourselves safe before helping others and we always need to check the swimming area before getting in. Did you know that someone lost their lives to drowning every 6 days in NZ over the 2020-2021 summer, so these are very important messages now that the weather is warming up.
- Cricket coaching with Cricket Taranaki
- Classes are gearing up with learning a variety of dances for the school production.
- And we have been enjoying getting outside and enjoying this beautiful weather.
The organisation has been decided for our end of year events. This year we will still be holding our Year 8 Leavers Dinner. This will take place on Monday 13th December at the Toko Hall. This will be catered and families are asked to pay $20.00 per head. Each Year 8 student will only be allowed two guests. This could be subject to change as we confirm final numbers. If you would like an extra guest(s) to attend you can email: office@toko.school.nz and we will contact you closer to the time. A seperate invitation will be sent home next week to our Year 8 leavers.
We will not be having a final end of year assembly. At the leavers dinner we will hand out the Year 8 awards. We will also present these again the following day in front of the whole school.
Ngā mihi
Kim Waite
BOARD UPDATE
Vaccination Update
We are in the process of digesting the new COVID-19 Public Health Response Order which came into effect at 11.59pm on Monday 25 October. Clearly there are implications for school life, and it is going to take some time to appreciate what all of these are. A school like ours is highly dependent on the support of parents and the community, and this is something that we appreciate a great deal.
The advice that we have received from the Ministry of Education is that everyone who works or volunteers for a school who may have contact with children or students, or will be present at a time when children and students are also present must have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 November and be fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.
This also applies to
* principals
* teachers
* relief teachers and casual staff
* administration staff
* caretakers and cleaners
* contractors and other trades people (if on site when children are around)
* service managers
* caregivers and other staff
The vaccination requirements apply wherever in person schooling occurs, such as on the school site, but also at school camps, swimming pools, museums, or where other education outside the classroom (EOTC) programmes take place.
This means that we are only allowed to allow people to help at school events with children if they have had at least their first dose by 16 November, and are fully vaccinated by 1 January 2022.
If you wish to be involved as a helper in any events after 16 November, please email through or pop by school with evidence of your vaccination/s before that date. When school starts next year, we will need evidence of full vaccination by 1 January 2022 for any school helpers (or evidence of exemption). We will store your information privately in our school database.
In instances where parents and caregivers are not providing work for our school, these parents are still permitted to attend on site after Monday 15 November whether they are vaccinated or not.
Vaccine Register for Students - Information from the Ministry of Education
Following publication of the amended Order, we can confirm that the requirement to maintain the register is through a Direction issued by the Secretary for Education under the Education and Training Act 2020 Schedule 25, Clause 3.
The Direction requires all registered schools who enrol students over the age of 12 years to maintain an up-to-date register with the COVID-19 vaccination status of these (eligible) students, beginning Monday 1 November.
At our next Board meeting we will be updating our privacy statements to ensure we are meeting all requirements with regards to the collection of vaccination information.
I realise that there will be plenty of questions, and it is likely that we will not have answers right away. All schools are in the same boat and working through various situations and scenarios.
Thanks very much for your understanding and support.
School transport
Face coverings on school transport at all alert levels
Students of all ages are encouraged to wear a face covering on all school transport services under all alert levels.
Students aged 12 and over
Everyone 12 years and older legally must wear a face covering on school transport services (both Ministry and regional council-operated) at all alert levels unless they have an exemption.
Strategic Planning - Unpacking the National Education Learning Priorities (NELPS)
At the beginning of each meeting we are reading, understanding and discussing each priority. Then we are noting down what we think we do well, what we think we could work on and noting down anything interesting/worth exploring further.
The NELPs can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
Toko School BOT
SCHOOL PRODUCTION - MOVIE NIGHT
Wednesday 8th December
7.00 pm
Thursday 9th December
1.00pm and 7.00pm
More information about tickets and costumes will be in next weeks newsletter.
FRIENDS OF TOKO SCHOOL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
The Friends of Toko School would like each child in our school to donate at least one item for this raffle. To ensure we get a wide variety of items we are asking that each class bring a different food item. Please ensure items are not damaged or expired. Thank you.
Room 1 Miss Mancer- Cans
Room 2 Mrs Oliver - Packet
Room 3 Mrs Coulson- Bottle
Room 4 Mrs Wyllie and Mrs Fergus- Christmas Item
Room 5 Mrs Fuller - Other
Room 6 Mrs Hancock- Confectionery.
All donations can be dropped off at the office before the end of November please. Thank you in anticipation for supporting this.
A FEW REMINDERS
Friday19th November is our last Ministry allocated Teacher Only Day of the year. The school will be closed while teachers spend the day focused on end of year assessments.
Just a wee reminder that when entering the school grounds you need to sign in using the covid tracer app and the school app/sign in book at the office. If you are just dropping off and picking up this is not required.
Bucket hats need to be worn at school during this term - just a reminder :)
I will be sending accounts out today, and would appreciated if these could be paid by the 1st of December please. We are changing accounting systems for the new year and need accounts to be paid. Many thanks Annette
COMMUNITY NOTICES
RUN/WALK
Keen to run/walk once a week on a Wednesday night, 6pm at War Memorial Hall carpark.
The Stratford Runners and Walkers have just started up a Wednesday night group run/walk/bike, for any age and ability. You don’t have to be a member of the club to join and there is no cost.
If you have any questions please text Tracy 027 318 5673.
Toko School
Email: office@toko.school.nz
Website: www.toko.school.nz
Location: 1057 East Road, Toko, New Zealand
Phone: 06 7622849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokoSchool/?ref=bookmarks