Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 2, Term 3, 2019
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
From the Principal
Auaha - innovation is taking over our school this term.
It is great to see our creative minds seeing how they can contribute to the school and the community. There have been discussions and plans from our akonga (learners) for:
- Pallet vertical vegetable gardens
- Murals around our school
- Pump Track Development
- Painting in our swimming Pool area
These are some of the ideas that our learners want for their school.
Thank you to our community members who have already been in this year helping with such projects and ideas. If you have skills and expertise in a certain area, please contact your child’s teacher and let them know as we love being partners in learning with our community.
Let’s make our school a hub of creativity and innovation.
Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui
Matua Ngatai
ERO Report
Kia ora koutou,
As a Board of Trustees, we wanted to write you a brief letter to accompany the ERO report which was recently released for our Kura.
Firstly, we wish to acknowledge the huge amount of work our staff put in to make Puketapu School the wonderful Kura that it is. In this report, there are some great strengths acknowledged, for example:
- Our principal leading the development of a collegial and collaborative school culture that values students and staff.
- School practices are grounded in positive relationships.
- A respectful and inclusive environment where school values are known and enacted is highly evident.
- Staff who authentically connect to students.
- Leaders and teachers who strongly advocate for and support children to be confident and connected.
- A strong focus on the local Puketapu community.
These strengths along with the others spoken of in the report illustrate the tremendous work which has been undertaken in the past three years to meet key strategic aims and address some basic foundational blocks for our school.
While we wish to celebrate the strengths we also wish to acknowledge the opportunities for growth and development which are highlighted in this report. ERO has very specific guidelines which they report on, their focus is on equity and excellence of learning outcomes for all students. Their focus is primarily on the academic outcomes for our students (specifically Reading, Writing and Maths), and as they have pointed out we have some work to do in these areas. While this has been and will always be something which we prioritise as a school, it hasn't been nor will it ever be our sole focus moving forward.
But as I stated earlier, over the last three years since Ngatai's appointment we have been addressing some foundational blocks for our school, which have now created the platform for us to address some of our deficiencies when it comes to learning outcomes. In the coming weeks, we will communicate with you how we plan on addressing some of the gaps identified by ERO. As a Board of Trustees, we are excited about what comes next and we look forward to working with ERO to make Puketapu an even better school than it already is.
If you wish to discuss the ERO report or how we are going to address the issues identified in it, we would like to invite you to come to our BoT meeting which is on Wednesday 11 September (Week 8) at 5.30pm.
It is a privilege to work alongside Ngatai the management team and the rest of our amazing staff. Can I encourage you to make sure they know what you appreciate about them and the great job they do caring for our tamariki.
Regards
Mike Warring
On behalf of the Board Of Trustees @ Puketapu School
Welcome to...
- Harlem Rangi
- Aurelia Takerei-Young
- Teina Williams
- Nevaeh Cullen
- Lavinia Makaea
- Kendall Perrett
- Fleur Grace
Congratulations To...
Congratulations to our Puketapu Superstars this week:
- Anika Engebretsen
- Alexis Gorrie
- Evie Roberts
- Nabeel Sahrun
- Chayse Hodson
- Sapphire Kuchler
- Malan de klerk
- Harry Smith
- Damon Judd
- Noah Ramsdale
- Roman Meijer
- Summer Wilkinson
- Rayne Morehu
- Jade Christmas
Kia Maia - Be Courageous
- Audraea O'Brien
The Tortoise and the Hare
The NZ Playhouse is back!
After beating the Gingerbread Man in the finals of ‘Who’s the Fastest Of Them All?’ everyone knows The Hare is the undisputed ‘Master of Faster’ and if they don’t they soon will thanks to the Hare’s boasting and gloating about their momentous momentum. In fact, the only creature the harebrained Hare hasn’t beaten in a race is the Tortoise, but why bother when everyone knows it would be a walk-over and a run-over. Or maybe not.
For some strange reason the Gingerbread Man thinks the Tortoise could beat the Hare and for some very strange reason so does the Tortoise! Perhaps it has something to do with the very very strange piper dressed in pied clothing with a German accent who’s just arrived to escape the rat-race…
This adventurous and interactive adaptation of Aesop's beloved fable will have students (and adults) laughing and learning about diversity, kindness and how to be a real winner.
Our Rimu, Totara and Kowhai students will be enjoying this performance at Northpoint Church on Thursday 8 August, 9.10am start.
(Although subsidided by the school there is a $4 per student charge for this show. Parents and whanau are most welcome to come along too, at no extra cost.)
CONGRATULATIONS - TOBY RADCLIFF ROTOKARE YOUTH AMBASSADOR 2019-20!
The Rotokare Youth Ambassador Programme strives to guide and encourage bright and determined senior primary students in wildlife conservation and nurture them into confident, informed, and engaged environmental advocates. Ambassadors attend a series of workshops to gain information on various aspects of NZ wildlife and hone their field and communication skills. They also act as junior volunteers and advocates for Rotokare Scenic Reserve, a fenced ecosanctuary that houses many native and endangered species missing from the Taranaki landscape.
Well Done Toby!
Cross Country Fun run and walk... not dawdle 2019
How great to see all the practice happening - and to hear the discussions about dress up costumes!
Keep an eye out for our Cross Country sponsorship forms coming out soon! All money raised with be used to replenish our PE shed sports equipment.
Huge thanks to Harcourts Team Green for their generous sponsorship of our event. Thank you Harcourts Team Green!
Help Breakfast Club and Win
The winner will be drawn and notified on Friday 2 August.
THANK YOU - QUIZ NIGHT SPONSORS!
A huge thanks to the following companies that helped out by providing the venue, raffles and prizes on the night:
- Plymouth Hotel International
- Countdown The Valley
- Pharmacy Bell Block
- A1 Homes Taranaki
- Wet and Forget The Valley
- OneStaff Taranaki
- Cherish Childcare
- White Pear Cafe
- The Valley Barbers
- Farmlands Taranaki
Also, thanks to all that came along to our Home and School Quiz Night. We had a great night and we made a good chunk of what we will need to fund the new set of swings.
A big thanks to those senior students that helped on the night as well, you did a fantastic job!
Hoodie & T-shirt orders
The June ordered hoodies will be here this week... we hope!
We will be putting in our next order for Tshirts and Hoodies shortly.
These must be paid in advance, so if you would like to order a Puketapu T-Shirt or Hoodie, please order and pay at the office. The order will be placed at the end of August.
Maths Week - 12th-16th August 2019
Arohamai - we had the dates a week out in the last newsletter!
Maths Week is not until Week 4. (Which gives us more time to think up our costumes for Mrs Paterson's challenge to dress up in a math theme costumes on Tuesday 13 August. (Week 4). Home-made creations are recommended.
She is very much looking forward to seeing your creativity shine through. Some ideas if you get stuck can be seen on Pinterest or Google images
There will be a Guess the Number of Jelly Beans in the Jar for Junior School AND a Guess the Fraction and Ratio of Green to Yellow Jelly Beans for the Senior School.
Sudoku club will be on at lunch time on Monday and Tuesday of Week 4
Think of your favourite board game or maths game to teach someone during Maths Week!
Term 4 sports
Touch
Interest for teams will be gathered later this term. If you are considering coaching I will be asking for coaches before the end of the term so that I can make any coaching clinics available to you.
Year 0-1 Netball
This will be held at Puketapu School on Thursdays. We have secured an experienced coach who will run all six sessions. This is free. More info later in the term.
Kim Sowman
BE A TIDY KIWI AT PUKETAPU
Lucky Book Club Order #5
Uniforms to come back in please
Calling all borrowed uniforms from:
- Touch from Term 1
- Year 3&4 Netball
- Rippa Rugby Year 5&6 and Year 7&8
- Year 5&6 Interschool
- NYLD19
Please return your uniform right away to avoid being charged a replacement fee.
Friday Lunches
Friday 2 August
- American Hotdog $4
- Macaroni Cheese with Bacon $5
Puketapu Panthers 7s
We are very excited to share that this year the New Zealand Junior Sevens Tournament is open to clubs and schools from around New Zealand and the world and Puketapu School is entering a team!
The NZ Junior Sevens Rugby Tournament will be held at the end of term, on the 28 & 29 of September 2019 at Yarrows Stadium, New Plymouth.
The objective of the tournament is to give players the opportunity to experience the game of sevens, compete against clubs and schools from around NZ and the world, with an emphasis on sportsmanship & enjoyment of rugby. The tournament will also feature entertainment & food trucks, creating an exciting festival atmosphere for junior rugby players & parents.
So our team and their Coach Mr Lindsay are busy fundraising - including a BBQ at Bunnings last weekend and contacting businesses all around the area.
It's not too late to donate!
If you are interested in donating to the Puketapu Panthers Rugby Sevens team you can do so by either approaching the school office or emailing blindsay@puketapu.school.nz
Signing in and out
What's On - This Week and Next
Friday 2 Aug
LEAD 2019 - “It’s what’s on the inside that counts” - Kowhai Year 6s. A small group of our future leaders will be attending this day next week. Notices will be coming home this week.
Week 3:
Tuesday 6 August:
Students v Teachers Basketball
Wednesday 7 August:
Inter-school rugby friendly vs Lepperton @ home 1:30pm kick off
Board of Trustees Meeting 5.15pm
Thursday 8 August
NZ Playhouse @ 9:10am "The Tortoise and the Hare" @ Northpoint Church (Totara & Kowhai)
NZ Junior 7s Friendly Puketapu v Highlands v FDMC @ Highlands 3:30 pm
Friday 9 August
Year 7/8 Sports Exchange with Omata
What's On - Rest of This Term
Week 4: Maths Week
Monday 12 August
9:30am Inglewood High School Enrollment day @ Puketapu - Year 8s
Tuesday 13 August:
Maths Week Dress Up day
Wednesday 14 August
9:30am Spotswood College enrollment interviews (Year 8s)
Friday 16 Aug
Puketapu School Cross Country
Week 5:
Monday 19 Aug
Day 1Year 7&8 Interschool Sports (Stratford)
Tuesday 20 Aug
Day 2 Year 7&8 Interschool Sports (Stratford)
Wednesday 21 Aug
11.00-12.30 NPBHS / NPGHS Enrollment interviews (Year 8s)
Thursday 22 August
NZ Junior 7s Friendly Puketapu v Highlands v FDMC @ Puketapu 3:30 pm
Friday 23 August
Whole School Student Showcase @ Northpoint 9.30am
Week 6:
Wednesday 28 August
Year 7 & 8 Rugby Sevens @ NP Racecourse
Friday 30 August
Special Breakfast Club with Special Guests
Week 7:
Tuesday 3 Sept
Life Ed Bus on site for two weeks
Week 8:
Tuesday 10 September
Kauri EOTC week
NP Primary Schools Cross Country (Year 4-6)
Wednesday 11 September
Community Consultation Evening with Board of Trustees
Thursday 12 September
Year 7&8 Cross Country (Omata)
Week 9:
Monday 16 Sept
Dental Bus on site for two weeks
Kowhai Yr 5 & 6 ‘Food for Thought’ (TBC)
Week 10:
Wednesday 25 Sept
Taranaki Primary Schools Cross Country Champs (Hawera)
Friday 27 Sept
Loud Shirt Day
Whole School Student Showcase @ Northpoint 9.30am
Last day of Term 3
Team Newsletters
Birthdays
Happy birthday to all those who have Birthdays this week:
- Osborne Grace
- Joseph Tudor
- Shaun Galiste
- Nate Stainthorpe
- Opal Harris
- Patreece Niwa Te Huia
- Rhikyda Pirini
Community Notices
CHILDREN’S MONSTER BOOK SALE!
Frida 20th & Saturday 21st September
Taranaki Toy Library is collecting good quality second hand books now.
Enhance a child’s learning - Please donate your unwanted children’s books so they can be enjoyed by others
Drop off to school by 24th August, or deliver direct to the Taranaki Toy Library at 524 Devon Street E. Fitzroy (beside Knox Church)
More details at https://www.facebook.com/events/993711160799998/
Thank you for supporting your local community Toy Library.
LEARN TO SKATE
Naki Skate Skills Learn to Skate Group Classes recommences Saturday 3rd August, 2019
These run 9.30 – 10.30am at the East End Reserve Skating Arena.
$3 per skater ($2 extra for Hire skates). No bookings required.
Doors open by 9.15am. Please arrive early to ensure ready to start at 9.30am.
Naki Skate Skills is run in a group situation to introduce children to the enjoyment of Roller Skating. Various basic skating skills are taught sometimes using games to give children confidence in skating. All coaches volunteer their time to assist skills development.
For further information Contact Sheryll or Val Ph 7586233
English Conversation Classes
Know someone trying to improve their English?
Bring them along to the Friendship Conversation Classes at Northpoint.
Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am during school termsCost $5 per term to cover the cost of a workbook. Morning tea is provided.
Contact Marlene Beech 022 134 6212 for more information.
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973