Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 5, Term 1 2021 - 3 March 2021
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 koutou,
As I was eating a plant-based ice-cream at Little Liberty in Inglewood on Saturday morning I was reflecting on the awesome start to the year from our staff and students.
Some of the things to celebrate as a team from the first four weeks: Hockey, Ukulele, Year 0-6 Design Tech, Ki-o-rahi, Transitioning in new staff and students, Tutu's on Tour Ballet, Swimming, Kapa Haka (over 130 akonga participating), art, singing, Win the Morning...
It has been a busy start to the year!
Matua Ngatai
Tumuaki
Covid-19 update
On Saturday night the Prime Minister advised that Auckland will be heading into Level 3 Covid 19 restrictions and the rest of the country will move back to Level 2 Restrictions. This will currently be in place for 7 days. We will keep the community informed on any further developments as we get information throughout the week.
Puketapu School will maintain its normal routines of teaching and learning during Level 2.
Health & Safety
The key principles for Alert Level 2 are to:
reduce the risk of someone getting infected in the first place
ensure we can identify and contact anyone who becomes infected
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PUKETAPU SCHOOL?
KEY POINTS:
At Alert Level 2 it is safe for all students, children and staff to attend school.
Start of the day - School drop off from 8.30am
End of the day - Students must be off site by 3.15pm
Drop Off & Pick Up - we encourage kids to be dropped off at one of our three drop off/pick up zones (Northpoint Church, Dillon Drive Te Ara o Tuna Entrance or outside of School Drop Off/Pick Up Zone) or if they are feeling confident - walking, biking or scootering
Contact Tracing - all parents that come on-site must use the QR code at their child's class (for drop off / pick up) OR sign in at the Office (if staying longer than 15 mins)
Hygiene - cleaning hands with soap and water is essential before coming to school and while at school.
Students unwell/sick - If your child is sick, keep them at home.
Learning - our focus on learning and wellbeing continues
Water & Food - Students to bring their own morning snack and drink bottle (there will be no sharing food and drink fountains will be closed)
Cherish Afterschool Care - this continues under COVID19 Alert Level 2 Guidelines
Masks - are not required at schools and early learning services at Alert level 2.
POSTPONED - Kauri tent city
Due to Saturday night's Covid 19 alert level announcement, the decision has been made to postpone this event. Unfortunately at this stage, we are unable to give a postponement date because of the changing alert levels. We are looking forward to being able to reschedule this event before the end of the term. We will let all whanau know as soon as we can.
POSTPONED - Year 7 & 8 vaccinations
Visit from NPGHS head students
Caylin Weideman from Kauri shared with us her thoughts on today's talk.
Today the Head students from girls high came to our school to talk to the Kauri students about leadership, the process they went through to get to where they are and become head students. They created a powerpoint for us, to show and explain the process at girls high. They talked about setting goals for yourself and checking them off during the week. Or even setting long-term goals for yourself whether it is learning to surf or about your dream job. If you're thinking how are you going to do that with all of your sports or extracurricular activities at the same time? Well, they also talked about prioritising your work. Say you have netball and a swim meet on the same day but in a different region prioritise what is more important. It was really inspiring and I'm hoping for high school to get even more inspired to try and become a leader for high school.
Yours sincerely
Caylin Weideman
A Picnic at the Pool!
"It was great to see everyone at the poolside picnic last week. We all had so much fun eating sausages, Ice blocks and splashing in the pool. It was awesome to get that in before we changed back to level 2. I know many of you will be disappointed that touch has been canceled once again, but keep being kind, being brave and pushing yourself to your limits. Kia kaha kia maia kia manawanui."
Olivia Corin- Kauri 3
Have you downloaded the new hero app?
Have you checked out the new features in the Hero app?
The Hero app is about what is happening right now, so if you haven't already downloaded the app, now is the time! It's free and gives you access to lots of school information.
You can still check out your finances and keep up to date with your child's learning progress, but now some of the new features include Term Dates and our School Calendar. You can also advise of an Absence direct from the app. The app is also linked to our School website, Facebook page and policies & procedures website (School Docs).
Make sure you turn your app notifications on for Hero to receive all the latest school information. Permission slips will be coming out this way in the future - how easy is that, no kids forgetting their notices!
It is all linked to the email address we have for you on file, ready for you to start using today.
If you need any help talk to Paula or Kerie in the office.
The design tech hub goes bananas
The other week we baked 360 banana chocolate chip muffins, yum!
This week we have been looking at new ways to use the left over bananas and we decided to make smoothies.
We used the ingredients around us and blended up some smoothies. With the leftover smoothie mixture we used silicone moulds and made frozen banana and yoghurt ice blocks and ice lollies, great for these hot humid days!
ki-o-rahi
Ki o Rahi is a ball sport (the ball is known as the “kī”) that is a combination of netball, handball and tag rugby.
What a wonderful time they had, the game is a great activity to promote whakawhanaungatanga within our tamariki.
Our Rimu Waka
This waka symbolizes that we are all in this learning journey together. Whaea Laurie and Whaea Rachel are placed on the ends of the waka facing us to symbolize their guardianship over us during our journey. The bow at the front of the waka is a wave design to represent Bell Block Beach and the tiki on the stern of the waka symbolizes the kaitiakitangi and guardianship from our older kiatiaki of our kura who also foster and support us here at school.
ukulele lessons
Rylei-Jay Dellow and Celestial Roberts of Kauri enjoying ukelele.
SPORTS
TOUCH
We had our first game of touch last Wednesday, it was great to see so many of our students and their whanau there. Big thanks to our coaches and it was awesome to see some of our senior students helping out.
During COVID alert level 2 touch will not be played. We will let our touch community know if there are any changes.
WINTER SPORTS
We have a few spaces left for winter sports. If you have not already done so can you please fill in a sports registration form at the office. We have some parents who have offered to coach but each team will need parental support at game times. If you are able to help can you please let me know via Facebook PM or ksowman@puketapu.school.nz
Netball:
Years 0-2 Played in Waitara on Wednesdays starting on May 5th. 3 Spaces available
Years 3- 4 Played in Waiwhakaiho on Thursdays starting on May 6th. 7 Spaces available
Years 5-6 Played in Waiwhakaiho on Tuesdays starting on May 4th. 6 Spaces available
Years 7-8 Played in Waiwhakaiho on Saturdays starting on April 10th. Teams are FULL
Hockey:
Funsticks years 0-2 This is played in May and children register directly with Taranaki hockey. Watch this space closer to the time.
Years 3-4 Play in term 2 and some of term 3 on Saturday mornings. 4 Spaces available
Years 5-6 Play in term 2 and some of term 3 on Saturday mornings. 4 spaces available
Miniball
Years 0-2 and 3-4 Play at TSB Stadium on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in Terms 2 and 3.
This is confirmed closer to the time.2 spaces available in each
Basketball
Years 5-6 Play at TSB Stadium in Terms 2 and 3. Day to be confirmed closer to the time. 3 Spaces available
Years 7-8 Play at TSB Stadium in Term 2 and 3 day to be confirmed closer to the time. 3 spaces available.
We have had another excellent week with Hockey in Schools. It is awesome seeing the children's skills & confidence develop each day as they learn more about Hockey.
rnzb dance workshop
Delylah Hall & Sophie McGovern had big smiles on their faces.
Our junior dances with Lauren from RNZB
Our Senior dances with Lauren from RNZB
From the playground
We love seeing all the things our students get up to in the playground. Thanks Miss Sowman for your amazing photos capturing these moments & memories.
bees bees bees
Road patrol training
-Alex Morrison, Kauri 2
SUPERSTARS
WOW look at all these superstars from Rimu.
Front Row: Leon Corin, Amira Azad, Armand Spies, Waimirirangi Adams, Zoya Sahrun
Bout time brownies - World famous in Bell Block!
Did you see one of our amazing Puketapu Mums on Seven Sharp last night?
Here is the link incase you missed it https://fb.watch/3_hDvLvySv/
If you are wanting to try Sarah's great tasting, fudgey, decadent, chocolate filled brownie then head over to her Facebook page for more information.
WARNING: These are addictive and you may not be able to control how many you eat in one sitting.
Birthdays
- Isla Johnson
- Gabby Scarlett
- Lucy Hatchard
- Conrad Hobin
- Bonnie Rupe
- Ayaan Azad
- Ethan Cross
- Mika Falaniko
Dates for your Diary
Here are some of the main items on our school calendar for this term. More information will follow closer to the time:
This Week
Thursday:
- Ki-o-rahi for Kowhai Year 5-6
- Kauri Tent City Postponed
Friday:
- TOD Cancelled - this is now a normal school day.
Week 6
Monday 8 March:
- Taranaki Anniversary / School Closed
Tuesday 9 March:
- Year 7 & 8 Vaccinations have been Postponed
- Year 7 & 8 Immunisation Info talk (Angie Fry)
Week 7
Monday 15 March:
- Kapa Haka (yr 4-8) 11.30-12.30
- Building works start in the Admin block
Tuesday 16 March:
- 9.00-12.00 Vision & Hearing Testing
Wednesday 17 March:
- NPBHS Leaders presenting to Kauri 12 - 2pm
Thursday 18 March:
- Year 6 Te Wera Camp Hui with Parents (5.30pm)
Friday 19 March:
- School Swimming Sports
Week 8
Mobile Dental Bus on site
Year 6 Camp Week
Monday 22 March:
- Kapa Haka (yr 4-8) 11.30-12.30
Tuesday 23 March:
- Te Wera Camp (year 6) Day 1
Friday 26 March:
- Year 6s return from Camp
- Bell Block School Gala 5pm-7pm
Week 9
Mobile Dental Bus on site
Monday 29 March:
- Kapa Haka (yr 4-8) 11.30-12.30
Wednesday 31 March:
- Weetbix Tryathlon
Friday 2 April:
- Good Friday / School Closed
Week 10
Monday 5 April:
- Easter Monday / School Closed
Tuesday 6 April:
- Easter Tuesday / School Closed
Wednesday 7 April:
- Interschool Swimming (Bell Block Pool)
Friday 9 April
- Gumboot Friday (Wear your gumboots, gold coin donation optional)
- 10.00 Whanau Wā
- 11:45 Maria Gill Duffy Role Model presentation
Week 11
Monday 12 April
- Kapa Haka (Year 4-8) - 1130 - 1230
Friday 16 April
- 10.00am Whanau Wā
- Last day of Term 1
Term 1 ends on Friday 16 April
Term 2 starts on Monday 3 May
Community Notices
Bell Block United Junior Football club
Keen to play soccer in winter season? Join our football club!
** Register NOW! **
We welcome new and existing members aged 4-12.
To register, please see Facebook - 'Bell Block United Junior Football'.
For any enquiries please message us via facebook or email bellblockunited@gmail.com
BELL BLOCK JUNIOR RUGBY
This year we are offering FREE SUBS for all junior players.
All enquires to Brad 0210656530.
"Love on the Beach" - a comedy by Raymond Hopkins and directed by Stephen Leeks
Playing :- 17 - 27 March 2021
Evening performances :- 7.30pm
Sunday Matinee :- 2.00pm
$24.00 per person OR $22.00 pp prepaid groups of 10 or more
Book Online @ www.cuetheatre.co.nz
Or bookings at FunHo, phone 7567 030
Free Driver Training
Badminton Season is Starting up!
Taranaki Badminton is having an open morning on Sunday 7 March, at the Star Gym (Westown), from 10am till 2pm. Everyone is welcome and we’d love to see some families come along and give the game a go. It’s a great sport for all ages. No cost. Please register your interest by competing the registration form on the Taranaki Badminton Website https://www.sporty.co.nz/taranakibadminton/Register-1/Representative-Player-Registration
Taranaki Quilt Festival
Taranaki Dio Open Day
The Taranaki Dio annual autumn OPEN DAY is on Wednesday 24 March.
Families who are considering Taranaki Dio for their daughter’s secondary education are warmly invited to call in anytime between 10 am and 2pm.
There will be an opportunity to meet our Principal Matt Coleman and tour our school campus and boarding house facilities.
In Term 2 we will be inviting families for enrolment interviews for those students keen to enrol in 2022.
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