MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to the PTA and Quiz Night team for the hard work behind such a successful and enjoyable community event last weekend at Alexandra Park. It was meticulously organised with an emphasis on fun, and a great opportunity to re-connect as a parent group.

As you know, the PTA makes a significant difference to what we are able to provide for our tamariki.

Along with other local fundraising, donations and sources of revenue for our school, it allows the Board to plan projects that do not receive government funding and maintain others aspects of school life that can be easily assumed to be fully government funded, including (amongst other things):

• Board-funded staffing (which is how we keep class sizes low)
• A number of the invaluable support staff roles we're fortunate enough to have at school
• A well-stocked library overseen by specialised staff
• Investment in IT and digital tools for learners
• Play areas, sports facilities and outdoor projects
• Enviro initiatives and other special projects

It's by no means an exhaustive list of the many areas of school operations that we don't receive funding for, and - as you'd expect - it all adds up. This is why the hard work of the PTA and your continuing support of the events and fundraisers they organise makes such a crucial difference.

Thanks once again, and I hope everyone manages to stay warm, safe and dry through the terrible weather this week!

Ka kite anō i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

As you'll be aware, the Ministries of Health and Education gave advice to schools that mask policies in Years 4-6 should be put in place for the first 4 weeks of this term.

We are still awaiting an update to this advice, so the Policy is unchanged for now. As soon as updated advice is received, the Board will make a determination on the policy and inform all parents of the outcome.

Wednesday, 24 August: PTA Calendar Art orders close

There are preparations underway for the fair, we need help with a few key roles - this is to help with stalls on the day and in the lead up to the event on November 13th.

We are still looking for help – without you we can’t do it! We need coordinators for the following stalls:

• Face Painting
  Coordinate the helpers before the fair, setting up the stall with equipment.
  
  
• Dunking Machine
  Make sure the machine is in working order before the fair and get it connected to the water supply on fair day. Coordinate helpers before fair day.
  
  
• Mission Impossible
  To contact the supplier and find helpers for the fair.
  
  
• Bouncy Castle coordinator
  To be in contact with the supplier and set up a pricing list to be visible during the fair. Find helpers before the fair
  
  
• Money Golf
  Coordinator on the day with the pricing and material. Find helpers before the fair.
  
  
• Soccer shot
  Collate equipment and find helpers before the fair.
  

Please email us at menpspta@gmail.com for more information.

Following on from the success of March's collection, we will be running another collection in the lead up to Novembers Food & Fun Fair. We welcome all quality items! Simply drive in the MENPS staff car park and onto the Top Courts to drop off any of the following:

• 📚 Books
  

• 🪀 Toys - no soft toys accepted
• 👗Clothing - washed, no underwear or men's clothing/shoes accepted.
• 🐘 Jumble Sale - anything else! - No plugged in electrical items accepted thanks
• 🎁 Sandpit dig prizes - please hunt through your present cupboard, we would gratefully receive any new, unopened, unwanted gifts to give away as prizes in the sandpit dig stall at the fair!
  

Please consider whether you would be happy to pay about $5 for it, and use the clothing bin etc for anything ripped, stained, or broken.

Many thanks in advance for your incredibly generous support of our school community,
The PTA Second-hand Stall teams.

Information sheets have been sent home earlier this month with codes specific to the amazing artwork your child(ren) have created. These are available as beautifully finished cards, mouse mats, sketch pads and 2023 calendars and diaries. Great for sending overseas, perfect for relatives come Christmas and there are only 129 shopping days until Christmas...

Your orders will feature your child's art which can be viewed on the website when ordering.

Prices

• $17 Calendars
• $15 Cards
• $18 Diaries
• $16 Mouse Mats
• $15 Sketch Pads

To view your child's picture and order products:

1. Go to www.kidsartworks.com
2. In the Entrance Code field type in the code on the form sent home with your child this week.If you don't have your unique Code please email menpspta@gmail.com for help.
   
3. Payment can be made via the website using a credit card or directly from your bank account

Order online by 9am, Wednesday 24th August

Thank you all, so much, for your wonderful, generous spirits on quiz night! We hope you enjoyed yourselves for a great cause!

About $7000 was raised, ALL of which will be used to enhance our children's educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom - see below for examples of fundraising in action!

PTA Thank yous

Firstly, we'd like to acknowledge the incredible efforts, and outstanding performances, of our key contributors - those who made it such an enjoyable community night out:

• Aimee Chikunda and Alan Jackson - Our good-humoured MCs who tamed us: the 'rowdy crowd'!

• Ben Varcoe - such a tough quiz for our PTA team but great fun and masterfully well-organised by Ben!

• Hugh Robinson - our talented ‘auctioneer extraordinaire’ who stepped in to entertain us at the last minute!

• Nick Fitzpatrick - our DJ that kept the fabulous music tracks pumping right up until 11.59pm (when we were asked to vacate the venue!)

• All our very generous quiz night sponsors: let’s support these local businesses that have supported us with prizes or auction items:

• Ray White Mt Eden
• Trent Bray Swim School
• Giltrap Audi
• Nailz27
• Yoga Collective
• Eden Park
• Friend & Whau Cafe
• Ben & Jerry's
• The Bridgman
• Clip and Climb
• Farro

Please email menpspta@gmail.com if you would like the link and password to the Your Pixel Photo Booth online gallery of photos.

Chairperson Aimee Chikunda

Deputy Chairperson Pam Clifford

Secretary Jane Cunningham

Treasurer Diem Vo

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner

PTA Advisor Scott Optican

Full team listed here

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.

Support our school by eating a delicious Roast at The Bridgman.

Seems too easy but $10 of every kids meal goes directly to our school funds. All you need to do is book your table and put MENPS into the ‘requests’ box and they will donate the profits of your kids meals back to the school.

Easy right?
Just book here - The Bridgman | Corner of Dominion & Valley Roads | Carefully curated food, drinks & cocktails.

Mike Robson from Ray White Mt Eden is a leading agent in Mt Eden and surrounding areas . In 2021 Team Mike Robson became the Principal Sponsor of MENPS, supporting the school in its fundraising activities including the annual Food & Fun Fair.

Are you thinking about buying or selling?
As part of their sponsorship of MENPS, Team Mike Robson donates $1,000 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.
Website - www.mikerobson.co.nz