MENPS News
Te Whare Akoranga o Maungawhau, Dec 7, 2023
From The Principal
Kia ora koutou
PTA Thanks
You'll see below that the PTA recently made an annual donation to the school as a final contribution to the popular BOT/PTA funded canopy installed recently.
In fact, the PTA donated 30k more than originally budgeted for the 2023 school year, which has also enabled the Board to extend the project further with the installation of a 2nd turf (on the opposite half of the top court). This is scheduled to take place around April/May 2024.
It's testament to the hard work volunteered by a dedicated group of parents in support of our school, so I would like to sincerely thank the team for their contribution, particularly to those long-standing PTA members who will be moving on from their time with us, and whose contribution over a number of years I would like to gratefully acknowledge.
Download Our New Parent Portal App Now!
An important reminder to make sure you download the HERO parent portal app if you haven't already done so!
Your child's report will be available in the app by 9am on Monday, 11 Dec (in addition to information on next year's class).
An 'About your Child's Report' guide will be included with the report, explaining the ratings and approach we use to make teacher judgements. This forms a summary of where your child currently sits in relation to curriculum level expectations, areas of strength and possible next steps for 2024 and beyond.
If you have any difficulty accessing the report or using the app, please contact the office for assistance.
It's important to also make sure you have enabled 'push' notifications when setting the app up in order to receive other timely information and updates as and when required - see below for further information on how to get started with the app.
Farewells & Introductions
Sadly, it's the time when we farewell departing staff, which this year includes Vanessa Su'a, who embarks on a new role as a specialist Learning Support Coordinator, along with Alvaro Fuente, Angela Mealings, Becky Boyes, Ellen Taylor and Jaya Kalro, all of whom will be relocating out of Auckland. New Entrant teacher, Mandy Quinn, also finishes with us this term, and I know you will all join me in wishing all of our departing staff members a fond farewell, with thanks for their time with us and sincere best wishes for their future endeavours.
Joining us for 2024, I'm pleased to announce some familiar faces returning, including Martina Stevenson, Nicole Bailey and Angharad Cavanagh, in addition to new members of the team Kyla Grant and Zoe Murphy.
We're delighted to having them join us, and looking forward to working with them in 2024!
Ka kite anõ i a koutou
Alan Jackson
Principal
Well Done to Our Y1/2 Athletes This Week!
Events & Reminders
Friday 8th December: Year 6 return from Tui Ridge Camp - estimated arrival time will be posted on the website (please do not call the office)
Monday 11th December: Reports and Class Placements emailed home
Tuesday 12th December: Sports Assembly (2:30pm - 3:00pm)
Wednesday 13th December: Year 6 Graduation (2:00pm - 3:00pm Hall) Year 6 Graduation Disco (6:00pm - 8:00pm Hall)
Friday 15th December: Final School Assembly (12:30pm - 1:00pm) Last Day - Early Finish 1:00pm Non Uniform Day (Donate a uniform or gold coin donation)
How To Get Started With HERO
1. Download the App
- iPhone – iPhone App Store
- Android – Android Google Play
2. Enter your email
3. Check Your Inbox
4. Enter a Secure Password
5) Log In to start using the MENPS App!
6) Enable Notifications
Finally, make sure you click on your account profile and set notifications to "DEFAULT" - this will ensure you receive notifications of any important messages from school.
PTA News
Thank you from the 2023 PTA
As another busy school year comes to a close we want to take a moment to reflect on 2023 and thank you for your support for the PTA initiatives throughout the year – culminating in a $90,000 contribution to MENPS!
MENPS relies on local fundraising efforts (including PTA contributions) to fund vital aspects of school life such as extra teaching staff, support staff, library facilities and upgrades to technology used in classrooms, as well as facility upgrades/additions. A highlight of 2023 has been the construction of the canopy on the top courts - an invaluable addition to the school, which was made possible by the community’s generous donations in previous years and brought to life by the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team.
The overall aim of the PTA each year is to generate funds for the school through fundraising initiatives, as well as to organise fun events that bring the vibrant MENPS community together. In 2023 we have tried a number of new initiatives, as well as running some of the old favourites. Highlights have included: MENPS first Dragon Boat Festival, Magic Spells (online version!), the Casino Night & Auction, Movie afternoon, Halloween Disco, as well as the wonderful Calendar Art, Uniform Shop, Yummy Apples, and ice block sales.
With your support for all of these events, the 2023 PTA is happy to be able to contribute $90,000 to MENPS for the 2024 year! These funds will be put to good use on a range of projects around the school that you will see come to life next year – notably resurfacing the remainder of the top courts with Tiger Turf. Other projects will be announced in 2024.
Thank you to everyone for your support this year! To everyone who helped to organise an event, or volunteered time to help out at any events – we couldn’t have done it without you. To everyone who attended events, supported the initiatives and gave generously – thank you so much.
We say a fond farewell to departing PTA members Scott Optican and Rosemary Li as their children graduate. Scott has been a passionate and dedicated long standing PTA member who has had a hand in every event over the past few years, and provided valuable legal support to the PTA during his tenure. Rosemary has been our Co-Chair for 2023 and worked tirelessly this year to get the first Dragon Boat Festival off the ground – an incredible effort, and one that will no doubt become a regular in the PTA calendar. Thank you both for your time, dedication and enthusiasm. We wish you all the best.
We would also like to acknowledge all Year 6 graduates and their families - thank you for your support and contributions to the school both in 2023 and in previous years - we wish you all the best for the next chapter.
Looking ahead to 2024, we are working on a number of exciting community events and fundraising initiatives – if you would like to be involved or have any feedback for the PTA then we would love to hear from you – please be in touch at menpspta@gmail.com.
We wish you all a very happy holiday and look forward to seeing you again in 2024!
Final Uniform Shop for 2023 - Friday 8th December
- 8.15 - 9.15am
- In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
- Order online by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com.
- Pay via Cash or Bank transfer.
Leaving MENPS ?
Please consider putting your old uniforms into the donation box outside the main office to be sold in 2024! Plus, there's a non-uniform day on the last day of school, Friday 15th December, to make it even easier! Many thanks for your support.
A huge shout out to Jane for her tireless energy organising and running the second hand uniform shop in 2023, thank you Jane!!
PTA - Supporting our school through fundraising & fun events
Co-Chairpersons Pam Clifford & Rosemary Li
Secretary Chelsea Chen
Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran
Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner
Advisor/Coordinator Melanie Woollard
Sponsorships Rayni Chung
Communications Sarah Eason
PTA Advisor Scott Optican
School Representative Hilary Edwards
Email menpspta@gmail.com | Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities.
Follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with the PTA on Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA page.
THANK YOU to RAY WHITE MOUNT EDEN for their generous support for MENPS!