Kokopu Newsletter

Tēnā koutou Kokopu whanau

A special welcome to our new students that have started this term in room 1; Kayah Black and Esme Benham.

We have had a very positive and learning-filled start to term 2. Our students have already been doing some amazing learning about dinosaurs. Room 2 has a life-size cut out of a T-Rex footprint that is very impressive.

Room 3 and 4 have been learning about ancient geology and fossils as part of using the wonderful Science Box resource that is delivered to school each week.

We have restarted our kapa haka program this term. Matua Darcey is doing a great job and the students have enjoyed the injection of new waiata. It is lovely to hear from my office as they practice especially the effort put into the boy’s haka.

You will be aware that we have a staff only day coming up on the Friday 19th of May. We will be using this Ministry of Education allocated day to explore the new maths curriculum draft document and renew our first aid certificates.

Property

The weather has certainly put a stop to much of our planned property works over the last two weeks. In particular, the cyclone clean-up, which requires a bit of fine weather to dry out the ground. We will be delaying the repainting and joinery work for rooms 1 and 2 until the next holidays.

Regards

Yaron Overeem

Principal

Kokopu School

Last week your children should have bought home a photo order form. School photos will be taken on Tuesday 16th May. Online and prepaid orders must be completed by 15th May. All instructions are on the order form. If you want to order online go to www.lizdaviesphotography.co.nz If you need another hard copy of the order form, please contact the school office.

A reminder that we will be holding our teacher only day on Friday 19th May for staff professional development.

On Monday 22nd of May we will be having our annual Pink Shirt Day. By taking part in Pink shirt Day, your school/kura is a part of a powerful movement to spread aroha, kindness and end bullying. This is an awareness day but if you would like support this awareness program and donate please follow this link. https://pink-shirt-day.raisely.com/donate

The student council, with the help of Lindsey Riley, are putting together a Kokopu School Cookbook. It will be used to fundraise for a new flying fox.

We would like families to contribute to the cookbook by sending in 1 or 2 of your best recipes. It can be any type of cooking or baking.

We would love to have your family’s favourites, most successful, easiest, tried and true recipes.

Along with your recipe, it would be great to have;

1. Some extra notes or tips to make sure it is successful.

2. Why it is special to your family.

3. Each recipe will have the family name on it, so let us know what you would want that name to be.

4. If you have a photo of it, that could be useful too.

The council will also be trying to get some of our local famous community members and past staff and families involved as well.

You can start emailing your recipes to cookbook@kokopu.school.nz

We would like all recipes in by the 9th of June.

12 to 20 hours per week Fixed Term
Closing Date 12th May 2023.

Starting Mid Term 2.

We are seeking a person to join our wonderful teacher aide team and work one-on-one with one of our amazing learning support students.

Applicants should have excellent communication skills, show initiative, be adaptable, patient, and show a relational approach to working with students who have extra needs.

Teacher aide or a history of working with children is an advantage.

Please follow the link below for more information.

https://www.kokopu.school.nz/jobs

We had filled this position and welcomed Natasha Balogh to our team. Natasha was helping Loida when we had high numbers of children in after school care. Natasha has had to take over Loida's position temporarily, as Loida has had to go on unexpected leave. So now we will require someone to help Natasha on a casual basis when we have over 10 children. If you can help out anytime, please contact the school office.

• Friday Assembly. On Friday afternoon we have a sharing assembly at 2.30pm for the whole school. Parents are welcome to come along and see what the children have to share.
  

• School Office. Vicki is in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Bexs is in the office on Wednesday and Friday mornings until 11.35am.

• Drink Bottles. Our water issues have be rectified but it would be good to send your child with a drink bottle full of water each day.

• Carpark and gate. Please come to the gate in the carpark to collect your children at the end of the day. We do not want children walking through the carpark without an adult as it is unsafe with the amount of cars and limited parking. We have a teacher on duty at the gate each day to supervise. Can we ask parents and visitors to make sure they close the gates if you use them? We have a few children that may be prone to walking out an open gate. Thank you. Please don't park by the entrance gate or teachers carpark area. Also please avoid parking by the letterbox at the front of the school.
  

• Absences. A reminder that it is important to contact the school before 9.30am when your child will be absent. You can either phone, email or let us know via our Skool Loop app. We need to know where your children are so we know they are safe and can mark them correctly on the roll. See details in this newsletter on how to download our Skool Loop App.
  
• Iceblock Sales. Ice Blocks are for sale again to raise funds for the school. Many children who come to school with $2 like to buy their friend an ice block. Please could you send a note to say they are allowed to do this? The Room 6 children do ask but a note would be easier for them.
  
• Term Dates 2023. Term 1 .. 02/02— 06/04 Term 2 .. 24/04— 30/06 Term 3 .. 17/07— 22/09 .. Term 4 09/10— 15/12

Please get your child's winter sports permission slips back ASAP and indicate if you can provide transport. Thank you.

Monday 24 April - Term 2 Begins

Monday 8 May - BOT Meeting

Tuesday 16 May - School Photos

Friday 19 May - Teacher Only Day

Wednesday 17 May - Winter Sports Year 7 & 8

Wednesday 31 May - Winter Sports Years 5 & 6

Monday 5 June - Kings Birthday Weekend

Tuesday 6 June - Mathex Children Vs Parents

Thursday 8 June - Mathex

Friday 9 June - Gymnastics Competition

Wednesday 28 June - House Day

Friday 30 June - Term 2 Ends

Michelle will be taking bible lessons in the library fortnightly on Fridays, at 8.30am for those children who opt in. If you would like your child to attend, please email the school office.

If parents/caregivers want to visit the website https://kokopu.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm to look over our school policies and procedures, please see the following instructions: Enter the username (kokopu) and password (0179). Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

The Board of Trustees are happy to accept regular automatic payments throughout the school year. All of last years debts should have been paid in full. If you need to have a chat about your account, please contact Vicki. We prefer payment by direct credit if you are able to please; Kokopu School Board of Trustees 12-3099-0419154-01.

Parenting Helpline Do you need specific parenting advice you can implement right away? Are you carrying a lot on your shoulders? Speak to our warm and supportive parenting experts. Call us for support on any parenting issue. Call now for free on 0800 568 856. Available from 9am – 9pm 7 days a week.

• Deans visits to feeder schools: 18th, 19th, 20th , 21st & 24th July
• Y8 Open Evening: Thursday 3rd August - from 4.30pm
• Y8 Interviews: Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th August - (9am - 5pm)
• Y8 Catch Up Interview Day: Thursday 2nd November - (9am - 5pm)

Email: office@kokopu.school.nz
Website: www.kokopu.school.nz
Location: 921 Kokopu Road, Kokopu, New Zealand
Phone: 094346765
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kokopuschool