Te Puru School
Newsletter Term 2 2016 - Week 4
Did someone say Aaron Smith? Here he is with our YR 7/8 Netball Team
A Message from our Principal
Tena koutou katoa, nga mihi nui kia koutou katoa.
Greetings parents, whanau and members of our school community.
Winter has certainly arrived this week here at school and on the coast.
Norfolk Pine Damage
Earlier this week, the northern most Norfolk Pine tree was damaged by high winds and rain over night. Tree Shapes were able to come into school the next day and remove the broken branches and tree litter that had fallen onto the court and fence. Considerable damage was done to the court fence near the water pump shed. This a huge Health and Safety concern for our school as students, staff, parents and visitors often walk in this area. I have consulted with the MOE regarding our concerns and what the options are to minimize the risk for everyone. The immediate risk has been minimized by extending the fence so no-one walks or uses the area where branches could potentially fall.
The two options are:
1. Permanently fence off the area under the trees.
2. Remove both trees.
If we extend the fence, the court area will be a lot smaller, this option won’t lessen the risk for those people who use the footpath or park under the trees. Over time, the trees will continue to drop branches and damage whatever is underneath.
If both trees are removed, the risk of serious harm is eliminated. This option keeps everyone safe from harm, but does remove a large part of our history and identity in the local community. If this is the preferred option, then that would allow us to redevelop this area to improve our school frontage.
I would be very interested in the thoughts of our parents and the wider community, so please ring or drop in for a chat.
Water Supply
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, a new source of drinking water for the school has been investigated. At this week’s BOT Meeting, the board agreed for work to take place at school to source a new water supply. So by the end of the year we should have a duel water supply, servicing the school.
Board of Trustees
This week's BOT Meeting was the last for our current board. We would like to thank all the members of the board for their commitment, time and energy in their governance role. I have very much enjoyed working with you over the last 3 or more years. Together, we have continued to build a fabulous place of learning for all our students. Special mention and thank you to Brendan Baverstock, our current chairperson, and Amanda Purdie, both of whom are not seeking re-election.
Brendan has completed nearly 9 years as a board member, mostly as chairperson. Amanda has had the very important roles in the areas of Finance and Personnel. Thank you, both from the school and school community.
Current members standing for re-election are; Frank Thorne, Chris McTaggart and Murray Taylor who have all worked tirelessly for our school in their governance role.
On behalf of the school and school community, I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment. As a group, our first priority was always “what’s best for all our students and to be supportive of developing future focused learners in an environment that is respectful, with a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy”.
Good luck to all those parents who have put their names forward for election. I look forward to working with you and crafting our collective vision for our school as we move forward into the future.
Rippa Rugby – Thames Valley Finals Day
Our 3 teams that qualified to compete at the Rippa Finals day have travelled over to Paeroa today to play and we wish them all the very best. I will include results in next week’s newsletter.
NYLD
Yesterday, our Y7/8 students travelled up to Auckland to be part of the National Young Leaders' Day. From all reports, the students, staff and parents all enjoyed the day. The speakers were very motivational and the students learned lots about setting and working hard towards achieving their own personal goals. Thanks to Pippa Harry and Emily Darrah for your effort and time to plan this experience for our senior students. Also, huge thanks to Rose Ward for her efforts in successfully applying for funding so our students could attend.
Principal’s Award this week goes to Fleur Wise for the many hours she put into making our Book Fair such a success. Thank you Fleur.
Mike Friis
Principal
TPS's Scholastic Bookfair ends today
Special thanks to Amelia, Helena and Chalise for your amazing customer service skills. You have done a wonderful job.
We have raised an impressive $1400.00 which means our schools gets $420.00 worth of new books for our library.
A BIG thank you to Fleur who has been the main organiser for the fair, you have done a brilliant job.
Board of Trustees Election Update
Headlice
Ear Nurse Schedule for Term 2
Dont be late arrive at school on time
This Week at Te Puru School...
Ruma Kowhai drew pictures and wrote recounts about the Arborists visit this week.
Saxon Knight - What a great artist!
Boys Writing Group
National Young Leaders Day Conference
The speakers were outstanding! Students (and the accompanying adults) gained heaps from the wisdom and inspiration shared from the stage.
Stand out speakers were: Brylee Mills, Billy Graham, Valentine Tauamiti, Emily Muli and Marina Alefosio.
Our students connected with theme and their messages in different ways and have expressed how much they have been inspired.
Valentine spoke strongly of his mother's influence in his life. She told him, when he came home with a leadership badge, that he 'couldn't be a leader at school without being a leader at home.' This resonated with our students and teachers as integrity is so important. Being who you really are in all situations.
We could not have attended this conference without the work of Rose Ward, who made a funding application to the Pub Charities on our behalf. Thank you so much, Rose!! Thank you, too, to the Pub Charities.
What a great event and what a great day! More leadership thoughts and photos from the senior students in next week's newsletter...
TPS Mini Master Chefs!
Our recipes - so you can try at home
Kumara, celery and cheese muffins
2 cups self rising flour
1 kumara grated and washed
50g cheese
2 eggs
4 small sticks of celery chopped up small
small handful chives cut small from the garden
1 cup milk
pepper to taste
Method
1. Combine flour, kumara, cheese, celery in a mixing bowl
2. Lightly beat eggs, milk and pepper and add to the kumara mixture
3. Spoon mix into muffin tins (makes 12 large but we made small ones for the classes) we added extra cheese to sprinkle on top
4. Bake at 180 for 15- 20 mins or until golden.
Bookfair
Beans, Legumes and Lentils
Our Current Focus Virtue is...Honesty!
Te Rerenga o te Wiki
Te rerenga kōrero o te wiki = The
sentence for the week.
Lets go for a walk today? Taea te haere hoki te haere i teie mahana
Office Cell Phone 0277572058
Remember this is a great way to let us know if your child is absent. If you have a change of pick up plans or need to get a message to your child/ren, please let us know as soon as possible.
Have you paid your invoice?
Invoices have been sent out out week for term 2 fees. We would appreciate payment for these as well as any outstanding fees. If you would like to set up an automatic payment, please come and discuss this with Tania. Thank you.
Our Assemblies
This Week: No assembly
Coming Up
Wk 5 Matai
Wk 6 Kowhai
Wk 7 Pohutukawa
Wk 8 Nikau
Wk 9 Whanau Leaders
Wk 10 Kauri (Certificate assembly)
Dates for your diary
27.05.16 Rippa Rugby - Paeroa
31.05.16 ICAS Exam (Science)
06.06.16 Queens Birthday (Monday)
13.06.16 ICAS Exam (Writing)
15.06.16 ICAS Exam (Spelling)
08.07.16 Last Day Term 2
Sport Section
Te Puru School Saturday Netball Draw
9 am - Court 4, 5, 6 - Future Ferns (Yr 3/4)
9 am - Court 2 - Te Puru Panthers vs Parawai Silver Ferns
10 am - Court 6 - Fun Ferns (Yr 1/2)
10 am - Court 2 - Te Puru Fusion vs Tikuai Two Tides
No netball next weekend due to Queen's Birthday weekend.