Kia ora koutou,

I’d like to thank the whole school community for the response over the last few weeks, and particularly for being so proactive when it comes to precautionary testing, following processes and communication generally.

Navigating the current situation hasn’t been without logistical challenges for any of us, but the collective effort has once again made all the difference in complex circumstances. I’d also like to acknowledge my colleagues on staff for their characteristic positivity and calm professionalism, which has been equally outstanding.

As I‘ve explained previously, the key to our approach at this stage is to do what we can to keep everyone as informed as possible.

This enables all of us to be empowered as we weigh relative risks and focus on those things that are actually within our control. COVID may be a reality, but there are many effective choices we can make to help us stack the odds, and accurate information is the key to this.

As our risk management is now predominantly concerned with mask use and indoor spaces, we have also normalised some of our break protocols this week.

Please also note that, from tomorrow (Friday, March 4), children may return to using any of the school gates, rather than the year-level specific ones they were previously assigned (although we will maintain parent gate drop-off for the time being).

While it’s easy to be caught up in the moment with so much going on each day, life goes on, and looking ahead with optimism is equally important.

In that spirit, I’m pleased to share the Board's 2022 MENPS Strategic Plan and key goals for re-affirming our values and priorities.

As always, our vision places the best interests of the children and their learning at the centre, and the ways in which we can begin to look beyond the pervasive shadow of COVID response as a Board, staff and community to continue delivering for all our learners.

Ka kite anō au i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

• Fri 4 March: Parent Gate drop-off continues for now, but children may use any gate to enter and exit school
• Tues 8 March: Hauraki Gulf Boat Trip R21
• Tues 8 March: PTA Meeting (Staffroom, 7pm)

• Wed 9 March: Hauraki Gulf Boat Trip R33
• Wed 9 March:Term 2 New Entrant Cohort Visit 2
• Thurs 10 March: Hauraki Gulf Boat Trip R34
• Mon 14 March: Hauraki Gulf Boat Trip R35
• Tues 15 March: Hauraki Gulf Boat Trip R36
• Wed 16 March: BOT Meeting (Online, 7pm)
  

This week Room 2 was given the privilege of using our creative freedom to make a display all about our common interest: AOTEAROA! We have used our research skills to learn about various native species, and especially about how they are endangered, and how we can help!

We’ve had so much fun exploring this topic and creating a display we are very proud of.

Here are a few pictures of our masterpiece!

The next meeting is next week- 7pm on Tuesday, March 8 held in the staff room.

Representatives from the Board of Trustees will be attending to discuss the Strategic Plan for 22/23. Here is the agenda for the meeting.

We always encourage parents/caregivers to turn up on the day, but with Covid restrictions please rsvp your interest to attend to menpspta@gmail.com - we will try to provide dial in details for those unable on site.

We need help filling one last role - please email us at menpspta@gmail.com if you can help us with:

• Online Auctions Coordinator - We are hoping to run an auction at our MENPS Quiz Night and are looking for someone to help organize the auction. This is likely to be a role that's needed once or twice a year - we have some great existing community relationships to draw on.
  

Huge thanks to the many parents and caregivers expressing interest in the previously advertised roles - with your help we can increase caregiver engagement and reduce the number of hours each caregiver needs to commit to each month.

We are hoping you've had a big summer clear out and we would welcome all quality items! Simply drive in the MENPS staff car park and onto the Top Courts to drop off donations.

The shop won't be available onsite again until Traffic Light Orange. If you need anything from the second-hand uniform shop, please email us at menpspta@gmail.com with the details and we will try to organise a solution.

Donations needed

Uniforms can be dropped off at the school office by individuals during school hours - adults must wear a mask, scan in and only remain onsite for the drop off to the office.

Chairperson Aimee Chikunda

Deputy Chairperson Pam Clifford

Secretary Jane Cunningham

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner

PTA Advisor Scott Optican

Email menpspta@gmail.com | PTA website

Follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with the PTA on Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA page.

Understanding how important fundraising activities are for schools, Mike and Sarah Robson are delighted to be able to support the local primary school. Residents of Mt Eden for 25 years, they know and love all the neighbourhood and community offers and their two children are both past pupils of MENPS. In 2021 they became the Principal Sponsor of MENPS, supporting the school in its biggest fundraising event, the annual Food & Fun Fair and this support extends to other school fundraising activities.

Are you thinking about buying or selling?
As part of their sponsorship of MENPS, Team Mike Robson donates $1000 back to the school for any property sold within the school zone for MENPS families. Feel free to call Mike (021484288) any time you’ve got a real estate query - he’s always happy to have a chat and answer your questions.

Find out more about Team Mike Robson and why they love living and working in Mt Eden.
www.mikerobson.co.nz