Week 1, Term 4, 2022
Tauranga Primary School Pānui
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Tumuaki Pānui | Principal's Newsletter
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou katoa - Warm greetings to you all.
Welcome to Term 4; it is an action-packed term ahead of us. The Arts are a focus this term and we are looking forward to sharing our learning via a school production in Week 5.
Over the holiday period we worked on two major building projects:
- We repaired and resealed our school pool in preparation for the summer swimming season. The project's second stage is currently underway (painting), and we hope to have the pool up and running in the next couple of weeks.
- The Year 2 toilets have been fully refurbished.
2023 Enrolments
The ballot for Term 1 2023 out of zone enrolments will take place tomorrow (Friday). If you have a four-year-old joining us next year, please complete an enrolment form online or download it (see button below) tonight and email it to the office, marked URGENT office@tauranga.school.nz. If you miss a ballot date you will need to wait until the next ballot to be considered for enrolment.
If you are planning to move or leave TPS in 2023, we would appreciate you notifying us. With people leaving we may be able to offer more spaces in year levels other than New Entrants in 2023.
Class Placements for 2023
Deciding class placements for the new school year is a complex task. As well as considering the number of children at each year level and the number of teachers we are allocated, we need to consider the individual learning needs of each child, gender balance, social skill development and peer relationships. We must ensure that all learners’ needs receive due consideration. Where necessary, staff will discuss with parents, the placement of their children.
At this stage, we plan for most children in Year 3 to remain in the same learning hub they are in this year. The same applies to Year 5 in SH1 and SH2. Wherever possible we aim for a two-year placement, in the middle and senior teams, with the same whānau teacher to maximise learning opportunities and reduce lost learning time as a result of transition. The teachers in each learning hub know their learners; their strengths and the next learning steps, and are able to continue with current learning goals from day one of 2023.
Please note that one or two teachers may change class or year level due to normal annual staffing changes such as career progression.
While we ask parents to allow us to exercise our professional judgement in placing all children fairly, we do appreciate some input from families where specific needs should be considered. It is not possible for senior staff to meet with all parents and listen to individual requests. However, if there are extenuating or special circumstances that we may not be aware of, please put these requests in writing and ensure they are sent to me by the end of Week 2 Term 4, 28th October.
If there has been an issue in the past that we need to be reminded of, it is also worth sending an e-mail or talking to your child’s class teacher, as not all information is carried over from year to year.
Only requests made in writing will be considered
Term 4 reminders
It is a summer uniform term
- Please remember to bring a sun hat every day, either plain or school logo navy bucket, wide brim or legionnaire design. Baseball caps are not school uniform as they do not provide enough sun protection. Plain navy hats can be purchased from local shops such as Kmart and The Warehouse.
- We have TPS logo sun hats available for purchase in the office for $18 as an optional uniform item
- Uniform requirements for hair - white, navy, black or hair-coloured hair ties only. Please keep hair dye, large sparkly, multi-coloured hair ties, headbands, and fluoro hair extensions for after school and weekend wear.
- Please check that your child's uniform is clearly named. Every term we have a mountain of lost property that is unnamed or the name is faded beyond recognition making it impossible to return items to their rightful owners.
Accommodation
At the end of term 3, I went to Korea with Education Tauranga to market our school and region for International Student enrolments. The International Student market is looking very positive for 2023 and beyond. Our agent is looking for rental accommodation options for Korean Mums and their children. These families are excellent tenants, prompt paying, very tidy and respectful. Usually, there is a mum and one or two children who stay for one to three years, the accommodation is then transitioned to a new Korean family moving to Tauranga for an International Student experience. If you have rental accommodation available from January 2023 and are interested please contact me.
Diwali - Festival of Lights:
Diwali is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. Diwali begins on 24 October and will continue for five days.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and renewal of life. Millions of Hindus around the world, including those in New Zealand, celebrate Diwali with gifts, lights, fireworks, and special meals. Major public festivals, along with private and family celebrations, mark Diwali in New Zealand. To those who celebrate Diwali in our school community, we wish you a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you and all your family.
A very warm welcome to Cara Magnusson, Artie Lane, Catalina Arango, Kennedy Beazley, Aluesi Yacakuru, Anhad Dhillon, Maddison Taylor, Liam Torien. Aaylah Burberry, Kayla Davis, Spencer Verkuylen, Donna Alben, Jayden Marsh, Ayman Khan and Elle McQuoid. It's great to have you and your family join our TPS team.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school.
He waka eke noa
We are all in this together
Ngā mihi maioha
Fiona Hawes
2023 Ballot Dates
For out of zone applications
Enrolment for Term 1 2023 - ballot 21st October 2022
- Late enrolment applications for Term 1, 2023 will be considered on 20th January 2023
Enrolment for Term 2 2023 - ballot Friday 3rd February 2023
Enrolment for Term 3 2023 - ballot Friday 28th April 2023
Enrolment for Term 4 2023 - ballot Friday 21st July 2023
Enrolment for Term 1 2024 - ballot Friday 13th October 2023
ICAS Assessments
This year, some of our students took ICAS tests in English, Reading and Mathematics.
In ICAS, the top 1% of students in New Zealand receive a High Distinction. The next 10% of students receive a Distinction. After that, results are categorised into merit, credit and participation.
Well done to any Year 4,5,6, students who challenged themselves by having a go.
We would like to give a special mention to the students who achieved highly this year:
English - Distinction: Lev Tereshchenko
Maths - Distinction: Lev Tereshchenko, Samuel Rose, Ryan Soper, Zarrar Hasan
Writing - DIstinction: Gracie Bell-Booth. High DIstinction : Zarrar Hasan
Poseidon's Tale of the Deep Blue Sea
School Production - Years 2-6
‘Poseidon’s Tale of the Deep Blue Sea’ will be presented on Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17 at the Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre. Parents of year 2 to 6 students please diary these dates in, as students will need to be dropped off (5.30pm) and picked up for the night performances at Bethlehem Arts Centre.
Tickets will be on sale from next week via the school shop (kindo) and the school office. A separate notice will be sent via email to parents when tickets are available for purchase.
Sponsorship packages are available; your business can partner with us to help create an amazing production. The information is attached below as a PDF.
Classes are busy learning the songs and dances with minor roles allocated for each class.
Please note that only classes in Years 2-6 are in the production. The New Entrants/ Year 1's are doing a sharing performance for parents at school on the 25th of November at 11.30 am followed by a picnic lunch.
If your child wants some extra practice:
To access the resources (music, dances) for the Gobsmacked Tauranga Primary School musical go to:
- Go to: www.gobsmacked.nz
- Click 'Sign in for School Productions'
- Enter your details and our school - TGA PRIMARY's - sign up code: TP724
Sponsorship Information
Year 0/1 Show- By the Sea
Come and join us as we take a trip By the Sea
As the Year 0/1 children are not involved in the school production at Bethlehem College, they will instead perform some songs and dances for you in the school hall on Friday 25th November, 11:45am-12:30pm. Families are welcome to come and watch then join their children for lunch after the show.
Homestay students 2023
Next year, we may be able to host students from other countries at TPS, for short educational visits.
As a result of this, we are asking for expressions of interest from TPS families who would be willing to open up their homes to Homestay an international student in 2023. Hosting an international student is a great opportunity for our students to understand the world as a global place, with many different cultures, traditions, values and beliefs.
Some information:
The basic requirements for each student include having a room to themselves and the provision of food.
All members of the household 18 years of age and over, will need to be police vetted (via the school).
There would be an expectation that you share your home and NZ culture with the student.
Families who host an international student are provided with remuneration - $60 per adult, and/or $45 per child, per day. Homestays can vary from 5 days to 2 weeks in duration.
If this is something that interests you, we would provide further support, guidance and more detailed information for potential Homestay families. Please contact Cathy via email: dp@tauranga.school.nz, if your family would consider hosting an International Student for a short stay.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to reply.
Nga mihi nui
Cathy Ediker
Term 4:
- 24th October Labour Day- School closed
- 24th - 28th October - Diwali
- 16th November - School Production
- 6:30pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 17th November - School Production
- Matinee 12:00pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 6:30pm, Bethlehem Performing Arts Centre
- 23rd November - Year 6 Orientation Day Tauranga Intermediate
- 23rd November - Kapa Haka/Pasifika performance 2:00pm outside SH1
- 23rd November - Year 2 Transition parent meeting in the staffroom, 9:00am-10:00am
- 25th November- Year 0/1 show, in the school hall, 11:45 pm
- 30th November - Junior Athletics - 10:30am, Senior side school field
- 2nd December - Junior team Mount trip- all day
- 7th - 9th December - Year 6 Camp - Totara Springs
- 8th December - Middle school end-of-year picnic
- 12th December - School Awards (year 1-5 awards) assembly @ 10:00am at Memorial Hall (QE11)
- 12th December - Year 6 Social Dance (evening)
- 13th December - Year 6 Leavers Assembly @ 9.30am at Memorial Hall (QE11)
- 13th December - Students meet their 2023 teacher, 2:15pm
- 15th December - Term 4 ends, School closes @ 12:00pm
Photolife- Class, individual and class photos
Photolife have emailed families with a code or codes allowing you to access your child's photos. If you have not received these please contact the office. Please also check all the codes you have been sent. Orders need to be placed via the Photolife website before 23 October to get free delivery, orders after that date may incur a delivery fee.
Please contact the office if you have any problems.
MOBILE PHONE APPEAL IN OUR SCHOOL
It would be great if you could rummage around in your drawers and toy boxes and bring into school any unwanted mobile phones you may have. Don't forget to check with other whanau and work colleagues who may have old phones as well.
Phones collected help our school gain valuable rewards and the environment benefits too by keeping our landfills free of mobile phones and their array of hazardous toxic substances.
Please drop any unwanted mobile phones you may have in the collection box in the reception foyer at School.
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Community Notices
Contacts:
Principal
Fiona Hawes
Deputy Principal
Cathy Ediker
Assistant Principal
Robyn Caley
Junior Team Leader
Pam Wilkins
Middle Team Leader
Jason Morgan
Senior Team Leader
Jo Howard
International Student enquiries
Cathy Ediker
Business Manager
Susan O'Neill
Enrolment Officer
Barbara Turley