Puketapu School Newsletter
Term 4 2020 - Wednesday 25 November
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
From our Principal
Kia ora e te whanau o Puketapu,
What an awesome end to the week last week with whanau tabloids. Thank you to Avon Lewis and his team for the organisation and to all the staff for running some really cool events. It was so cool reading the comments on our school Facebook page from whanau who remember the traditional Whanau Circle Relay when they were students and from the previous principal Alan Smith who started it.
EOTC = Education Outside the Classroom
Over the next few weeks we have many groups enjoying EOTC activities, be it at school, in our local community or further afield. Thank you to the many adults who make this possible, both the staff members for organising and parents and whanau for their support on the day.
Our Year 8s are having a great time at Finlay Park this week - even with the wet weather today! It is such an awesome camp based on the Waikato River and in a year with many school camps cancelled throughout New Zealand we are really grateful to still have ours.Thanks to Amanda O'Dowda and her team for their behind the scenes mahi to make this and the Year 7 EOTC week happen for our akonga.
Kia pai to wiki,
Ngatai Walker
Tumuaki
Puketapu School
While the Year 8s are away...
While our Year 8s have been on Camp and our Year 7s out and about with their EOTC Week activities, we have had Year 6s stepping up to do Office Duty.
We have also asked some of them to write a bit about what they are looking forward to over the next few weeks:
Kia ora our names are
Brylee Mehaney Johnston and
Amaia Sherry. We are excited for SOMADD and if you dont know what SOMADD is it is School of Music Art Dance and Drama and we are excited for SOMADD because it is fun and we like dancing and singing and drama. We like to make new friends and we like it because we like participating in things. When we do SOMADD we learn new things and we like making noise.
Kia ora my name is Skylah Hill.
I'm thankful for completing my year of things I wanted to do.
This year has been hard because of covid and stuff but doesn't mean
next year will be bad and we never gave up on this year.
And we have SOMADD to finish the year and that's fantastic.
I’m also grateful for kapa haka because I was always scared of kapa haka because I sucked at it but then I tried for second time and I nailed it I was so happy. And this year has been hard for Noah’s family losing him but just letting you guys know we’re all here for you xx and also what are you thankful for this year??
Next year I’m going to Kauri but the maths might be hard I don't know but I also went up in my reading writing and maths and that’s amazing lots of us have to be honest and its nearly CHRISTMAS woop woop lol but have an amazing christmas and have an amazing year next year.
Kia ora I am Liam Phillips
I'm thankful for completing my year of things I wanted to do.
I am looking forward to go to Kauri next year.
And I’m also looking forward for SOMADD!
SOMADD is next week!
We are practicing and getting everything prepared - we can't wait to show you everything we have been working on!
Thank you to everyone who has already donated for the raffle. Please keep items coming in for the raffles - they will be great!
Year 8 Camp @ Finlay Park
Our Year 8s are enjoying their time away at Finlay Park. Here are just a few pictures of the activities. We look forward to hearing all about it when they get back.
Tabloid Sports
There was Frisbee Football, Rob the Nest, Sponge Relay, Bean bag toss, 3-Legged Race, Gumboot toss, Crab soccer, Naughts and crosses, Obstacle Course Relay, Tug of war, Towers, Basketball Hoop Throw...
There was water fun, running fun, team fun, whanau fun, fun in the sun and a whole lot of competitive fun!
What a great way to end a week!
We made the finals!
Go team! It might be their first year playing, but our Hockey team have made the finals!
Update: This Saturday at 9.45am on Field 1 is the last game of the round.
The final is next Saturday 5th December.
We would love to have lots of Puketapu School support if you can come along.
Sailability
Luka really enjoyed her time at Sailability on the Waitara River last Thursday. Even though it was a bit gusty she showed kia māia and got a 'sailor of the week' award.
Thank you Rod from SLS
A massive thanks to Rod from SLS who kindly donated some ropes, slings and carabiners for Rimu to use during their discovery play sessions. From the looks on those faces they are a great hit.
Meet your 2021 Teacher!
Next Thursday we are holding our
Meet Your 2021 Teacher event.
From 2pm, all students will go to their 2021 classroom, to meet their 2021 teacher and find out who else will be in their class.
It is an exciting time with much anticipation!
The teaching team has worked hard to develop class lists considering the needs of each child, friendship groups, relationships and equity of classes.
Each child will also bring home a written confirmation of their teacher and classroom and a stationery list. From Friday you will be able to book a time for their Head Start Hui on our first day of school in 2021 and purchase stationery online from Office Max MySchool.
Year 7 EOTC Week
Year 7 EOTC week started on Monday. We spent the day making stop motion animation short films. Some extended this by making their background music using Incredibox and Garage band. It was a really fun day.
Year 7 Rogaine
On Tuesday, as part of EOTC week, Year 7 students went to Pukekura Park to take part in Rogaine. Students went out into groups and had to go through the park finding answers to questions. It was a great day. Lots of walking and tired students at the end of it.
Special thanks to Mr Martin for organising and planning our day, and also to all our parent helpers who have up their time to help us out.
What a Dancer!
Parker Smith in Totara is a keen dancer.
This is Parker's collection of trophies from 2020 for her five solo dances. She has competed in competitions all around New Zealand for Ballet, Tap & Jazz.
Well done Parker!
Yummy Stickers = Sports Gear!
Thanks to all the yummy sticker collectors we received a whole lot of swimming gear last week. Please start collecting stickers again as we have our eyes on some cool stuff in the catalogue for next time. Thanks Julia Johnstone for organising
Happy Birthday Mr Walker
Last week was Mr Walker's birthday. Some of the akonga decorated the staff room as a surprise and a group from Rimu sang the Happy Birthday song. What a great way to celebrate a birthday!
Insect Explorer
Bug Boy Nivahn Clarry was out and about investigating the natural environment and found an impressive stick insect!
New Lost Property Box
We have a new Lost Property box! All lost property now goes to the black box in the foyer of the Wharekai (the old Hall). Please check there for any missing items.
If items have names on them it makes them MUCH easier to get back to their rightful owner.
Time to Pay Your Bill?
We have worked very hard to keep costs down in 2020, however we still have quite a lot owing from 2019!
When you log into your Hero account you will see a ‘Finance’ link at the top of the page. Clicking on this will give you a statement of charges for all your children.
Please log in to Hero to check if you owe anything and if you do, please pay at the office or online.
If you are having trouble paying, please contact the School Office.
Art Calendars
Today we received a message: "Your Kids Art Works order has now been shipped" so we are expecting to receive our orders very soon.
If you need your order held at the office and not delivered to your child, please make sure the office or your teacher is aware of this.
BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating Birthdays this week:
- Zoe Wilkinson
- Destin Gallichan-Pearce
- Tayla Gorrie
- Chayse Hodson
- Maddison Gates
- Natalie Corin
What's On
Week 7
- Thursday 26th November:
Rimu 1 Learning & Wellbeing Conferences 8.00-4.00pm (Booking via School Interviews, ref: 8s9r9 )
Year 7 EOTC: Aquatic Centre
Year 8s return from Finlay Park - Friday 27th November:
Totara Whanau Athletics Day (Postponement)
Week 8
- Monday 30th November:
NPBHS & NPGHS - Students School Visits @ 2pm (@NPBHS and NPGHS - parents must accompany their Year 8.) - Wednesday 2nd December:
Board of Trustees meeting 5.30pm - Thursday 3rd December:
2021 Meet Your Teacher (2.00pm - 3.00pm) - Friday 4th December:
SOMAD Community Concert - 6.00pm
Week 9
Kowhai EOTC Week
- Monday 7th December
T4 Road Patroller and Office Duty Pizza Lunch - Tuesday 8th December
Rimu Ranui shared kai
Kowhai EOTC - Inflatables Day - Wednesday 9th December:
Totara Ranui Day - Hickford Park
Kowhai EOTC - Movie and Pools
Kauri Beach Picnic and Clean Up - Thursday 10th December:
Kowhai EOTC - Tabloid Sports
Kauri - Bell Block Pool Afternoon - Friday 11th December:
Totara Ranui Day Postponement - Hickford Park
Kowhai EOTC - Skating and Beach
Kauri Bike Day
Week 10
- Monday 14th December:
Year 8 Graduation Dinner - Tuesday 15th December:
Final School Assembly (10.30) - Northpoint, School finishes @ 12.00
FUN SUMMER SQUASH CAMP!
Would you like to try squash for the first time, or improve your skills over the summer? Jack and Brooke are two of Central Districts' top junior players and they are running a junior holiday programme down at the Kawaroa Park Squash Club (by the Aquatic Centre) for anybody who wants to give squash a go! All ages and grades are welcome, but you don't even need to have picked up a racket before!
Head down to the office to grab some more information, or contact Jack on 0273449773 or at shearerjw@gmail.com.
It's time...
Entries to the 2020/21 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Series are NOW OPEN!
The New Plymouth Event is on Wednesday 31 March 2021
Who can TRY?
Entry to the TRYathlon is open to all Kiwi kids aged 7-15 years. TRYathlete’s can enter an individual, or in a team of two.
6 year olds can TRY too with our special “Splash & Dash” event. Be quick as spaces are limited.
What do TRYathlete’s receive?
• Official Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon T-shirt*
• Champions Finishers Medal
• Event tote bag*
• Event swim cap*
• Goodies from our awesome sponsors*
• Complimentary Weet-Bix Breakfast at event
• PLUS lots of cool giveaways and spot prizes and the chance to meet some of New Zealand’s leading sports stars!
*items included in the TRYathlon Pack
Click here to ENTER - as part of the Puketapu School Team.
