Newsletter Thursday 24th May 2023
Kererū School
Contact Us
Adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly
Email: office@kereru.school.nz
Website: http://www.kereru.school.nz/
Location: 2306 Kereru Road, Hastings 4171
Phone: 06 876 0923
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084298596659
Tumuaki Update
Kia ora e te whānau,
It has been a busy start to the term! We have had lots of exciting learning experiences for our tamariki including; Kī o Rahi training, seedling collecting & planting, a chess competition, a session on road safety & digital safety, Kī o Rahi, Pink Shirt Day, PALs training day & the Tots 'n' Dots visit. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help, supervise or transport our students. Without you, we wouldn't be able to do these cool things!
The end of the school day can be a hive of activity around the front gate and in the carpark/on the road. We have very little 'wriggle room' between the gate and the road. Please help us to ensure all tamariki get home safely by ensuring that no students are to be outside the school gate without an adult supervising.
You will be beginning to notice that some some reporting 'snapshots' are beginning to pop up on Hero. These snapshots will not all come at once, so please keep an eye out for these. We have loved seeing whānau comments back on these posts. Further information in regard to this style of reporting can be read below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to pop in and see me.
At our last Board Meeting, Nikki Henderson resigned from her position on the Kererū School Board of Trustees as Presiding Member (Board Chair). Bryn has recently secured a Managers role in Omakere and the Henderson whānau will be leaving the Kererū Community in the coming weeks. No amount of 'thank yous' will ever be enough to show how grateful I am to have had Nikki steer the ship over the past year. She has been an active board member since 2019, has led with the future of all Kererū students at the front of her mind and has always been there to help in any way she can. Nikki, Bryn, Libby and Molly, you are all such a huge loss to our school and community. Omakere are lucky to have you!
We will be farewelling the Henderson family on Friday 16th of June at 2:30 pm.
Noho ora mai,
Kelsie Allen
Principal
Roll: 26
From the Office
Bus Communication
Unless we have heard otherwise, or you put on your sheet at the beginning of the term, we will assume that your child is on.
You need to contact Sheryn (Mon - Thurs) or Kelsie (Fri) before 2 pm with any changes.
Potential Enrolments
We would love to hear from you if your child is between 1 and 4 years old. To make sure we have you on our 'potential enrolments' list.
Please email office@kereru.school.nz or follow the link to our enrolment section on our website to find out more information.
Sickness
If your child is unwell, please keep them at home to prevent the spread of the illness.
Gastro
- "People with gastro should not go to work, school and early childhood centres until they have been well (symptom free) for 48 hours. There will be viruses in your poos for several weeks after you become well. You should continue to wash and dry your hands thoroughly after you have been to the toilet."
- Here is the link for a brochure: https://www.rph.org.nz/public-health-topics/early-childhood-centres/current-illnesses/gastroenteritis/gastro-brochure.pdf
Covid-19
- If you or someone in your whānau tests positive for Covid-19, please let Kelsie know ASAP and then follow the MOH guidelines: https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-isolation/if-you-have-covid-19/
RA WHĀNAU | HAPPY BIRTHDAY
14/05 - Libby
23/05 - Ms Bentley
14/06 - Hugo
From the Staff
Classroom Name Changes
Our students have been fully involved in this process and we have been listening to their student voice. Students have thought carefully about what makes our local area special and came up with some options including; mountain ranges, plants, trees and birds. We then narrowed the options down and our students voted.
We are excited to announce that the two new classroom names will be; Kākano (NE - Y3) & Totara (Y4 - 8).
Kākano will replace 'Junior Room'. 'Kākano' meaning 'the seed' is inspired by the Māori proverb: Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu – although small, it is precious.
Totara will replace 'Senior Room'. Totara trees are special to us for many reasons, including; it can be found around the Kererū area, Kererū birds feed from their small fleshy red berries and it grows big and strong.
Some of our students shared why they chose Kākano & Totara as our new classroom names;
- "I like the meaning behind the names"
- "I like the names because you grow up but in a plant way"
- "Seeds are good because we can plant them and they help us breathe"
- "Because we planted a Totara tree at our school opening and I've seen lots of seedlings around"
- "Because seedlings are little just like a little junior and trees are big just like a big senior"
- "Because I think these names have more to do with our school and because we have Totara around us."
Launch of Digital Reporting
Last term, we started experimenting with digital reporting on Hero. We wanted to see if this method would work, if it would allow us to report to you better and if it was manageable.
As a staff, we are incredibly excited about the many benefits Hero offers in terms of reporting. By reporting to you digitally, we can share real-time updates on your child's learning progress and next steps, rather than waiting until the middle or end of the year. As parents, you will also be able to comment back on the post shared on your child's page. These reporting posts are only seen by you (parents) and teachers at Kererū School.
The Ministry of Education requirement for reporting is that reporting to whānau needs to be;
- in plain language
- in writing (this can be digital)
- at least twice a year
- across The National Curriculum, including in mathematics and literacy.
There are different ways of meeting these requirements.
We know that this digital reporting method will meet all the legal requirements for reporting and provide you with more up-to-date information about your child's learning, progress & next learning steps.
Last term, you received an ākonga (student) comment and one or two learning posts specific to what was happening in the classroom at the time, which included information about your child's learning and their next steps.
This term, you can expect a few subject-specific posts/photos of your child's learning/next learning steps, a comment from your child's teacher, and a graph showing your child's progress across the curriculum.
In Term 3, you will continue to receive snapshots of your child's learning throughout the term. You will also be invited in to meet with your child's teacher for a parent/teacher interview - 'Collaborative Connect'. As always, we have an open-door policy and welcome you to come and speak with us if you have questions about your child's learning.
We know that this digital reporting method will meet all the legal requirements for reporting and provide you with more up-to-date information about your child's learning, progress & next learning steps.
As we gain more confidence and expertise, we will continue to modify and adapt things to meet the needs of 'Te Mātaiaho - The Refreshed New Zealand Curriculum' and our school.
We want to thank you for your support as we transition to this new way of reporting. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Brain Food
ADORN Values
ACTIVE means more than being physically active. It has its basis in Confucius: I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I DO and I UNDERSTAND. Active students are engaged; they Participate and Contribute (Key Competency) at school and in their community. It implies curiosity, connection, and collaboration - Thinking (Key Competency).
What is coming up?
- Unison Safe Sparks
- Mrs Allen is away from Tuesday until Friday
- Tough Guy & Gal Challenge
- Assembly @ 2:30 pm
Week 7:
- King's birthday Long Weekend
Week 8:
- Totara mahi with our Healthy Active Learning Advisor
Week 9:
- Newsletter 3 & Community Newsletter sent out
Week 10:
- HB Brain Injury Educator Visit
- Omni Gymnastics Trip
- Kererū School Matariki Celebrations
- PJ Day
Link to our Google Calendar - This Calendar updates regularly.
Totara (Y4-8) Learning
Constable Chris - Road Safety Week & Digital Safety
Monday was an exciting day, we had Constable Chrissy come visit us for the morning. She spoke to the whole school about Road Safety and then after that she spoke to the Senior Class about Cyber Safety.
There was a clear message that we all took away from the visit and that was ‘We can control what we do’ to keep ourselves safe.
We looked at how we needed to fit a helmet correctly. Helmets need to be in good condition and should only be able to fit two fingers between your chin and the strap. We need to be wearing helmets when we are on motorbikes, horses and bikes.
We talked about the big trucks on the road which are relevant to Kereru School. Trucks create a ‘wash’ where the air goes out then back in creating a vacuum which can pull you towards the truck.
It is important to remember ‘Stop stop stop’ and go right back, well away from the side of the road.
Crossing the road was another safety component of Constable Chrissy’s messages and that was to:
- ‘Look left, right, left then right again - nice long looks.
- Stop, look and listen, move back if trucks or cars go past.
- When crossing the road, walk nice and quickly, don’t run and do not walk in a diagonal direction if walking to your car on the other side of the road.
- Make sure you are directly opposite your car then cross.
Totara class learnt how to keep themselves safe online. Do not talk to strangers even if you think it is safe. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, you need to talk to someone you trust.
Thank you to Constable Chris for coming to visit us and help keep us safe!
Kākano (NE-Y3) Learning
Tot's & Dot's Visit
These days are so important for the Tot's kids and our own Tamariki who have moved on to Kererū school. It's lovely for the Year 1's to see the staff and younger children again.
"I liked to see my sister Ida / Georgia is my cousin. I liked playing with the playdough." - Paige
"I liked my sister playing with me in the classroom and colouring a squirrel." - Charlie
"Autumn did a great job colouring and making cakes and biscuits out of playdough." - Izzy
"I like being my brother's buddy and I like my Mum being at school." - Isabella
"I got to play with the kids and Hugo, who is my cousin." - Ziggy
What have we been up to?
Field Based Stem with Rachel
Kererū School students geared up and braved the elements to gather seedlings at Mrs Allen's place! Heavy rain, wind and eventually sunshine didn't deter us from contributing to our big school landscaping project. Once big enough, these plants will be planted into our school ngahere - forest.
A huge thank you to Rachel from Field-Based STEM who lead this important mahi and shared her wealth of knowledge with our students and teachers. We are so lucky to have Rachel working within our school.
Thank you to Emily Hunter for her expertise, knowledge, support and transport today! Emily, you are awesome.
Our students were enthusiastic, inquisitive and engaged learners. They worked hard all morning, digging, carrying and discovering.
Some highlights were finding lots of cool fungi, little seedings and rolling down the hill!
Kī o Rahi
A huge thank you to Haisley & Sam for organising this event, and to Vanessa from Bridge Pa School for hosting.
Thank you to Steve and Bryn for helping us with transport and supervision.
Pink Shirt Day
On Friday 19th of May, we acknowledged and celebrated diversity, kindness & inclusion by wearing pink! The Senior Room wrote compliments about each other on self portraits and the Junior Room made paper collage pink t-shirts. Mrs Allen attempted some face painting too!
Senior/Intermediate Chess Comp
PALs Workshop
From the BOT
Board Update
Kate Gaddum will take over the Property profile.
Working Bee - THANK YOU
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who helped and provided utes, tractors, trailers, trucks, tools, gear, a digger & manpower. Your work is hugely appreciated!
So proud of our tamariki who got stuck in and created a pathway in our ngahere - forest. They worked so hard, as a team, to create a special space at our school. AND it was a Saturday!
From the FOKS
Quiz Night Fundraiser - Saturday 22nd July
- Save the date!!
- $15 per head, 6 per table, pre-paid
- Platters available on pre order
- BYO drinks
- Contact Sheryn in the Office on 06 876 0923 or office@kereru.school.nz for more info on how to pay or to enter a team.
Keep an eye out for more information!
Kererū School Policies & Procedures
The school works on a subscription basis with SchoolDocs to maintain, update, and review our policies. SchoolDocs provides us with a comprehensive core set of policies that have been well researched and follow the Ministry of Education National Administration Guidelines. The policies and procedures are tailored to our school, and the school supplies specific information such as our charter, and procedures for behaviour management, reporting to parents, etc.
SchoolDocs updates, modifies, or creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools, and regular reviewing from the SchoolDocs team. Our board of trustees has the opportunity to view changes/additions and comment on them before they are implemented. We will advise you when policies are up for review and how you can take part in the review.
http://kereru.schooldocs.co.nz
Username is “kereru”
Password is “kereru1912”
Upcoming Events
TERM 2:
- Unison Safe Sparks - 29/05
- Tough Guy/Gal Challenge - 01/06
- Assembly - 02/06
- King's Birthday Weekend - 05/06
- BOT Meeting - 14/06
- Brain Injury Educator - 26/06
- Omni Gymnastics - 28/06
- Matariki Celebrations - 29/06
- PJ Day - 30/06
- Last day of Term 2 - 30/06
TERM 3:
- 17/07 - First Day of Term 3
- 02/08 - BOT Meeting
- 08/08 & 09/08 - Rachel from Field Based STEM back
- 22/08 - Science Roadshow
- 24/08 - Cross Country
- 25/08 - Daffodil Day
- 08/09 - Y5/6 Mathletics Competition
- 13/09 - BOT Meeting
- 22/09 - Last day of Term 3
How to help your child at home
These links will give you some ideas on how to help your child's learning at home:
- Ministry of Education Website: https://parents.education.govt.nz/primary-school/learning-and-development-at-home/ideas-to-help-with-reading-writing-and-maths/
- Maths at home: https://nzmaths.co.nz/maths-our-house
- Writing prompts and ideas: https://app.pobble.com/auth/
- Mindfulness: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
- Early letter formation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=609NcinTkGI
Regular Office Reminders
Absences
Hero gives you (parents) the opportunity to send through your child's absence with a click of a button. This is a quick, efficient way and gives our staff a notification and message of the reason your child is away.
This is the way we would like you to let us know if your child won't be here. If there is additional information that the school needs to know, please contact Sheryn directly.
Invoices
Thank you to all who have paid their invoices so far. We understand that recent events have created some difficult times for some of our families. Please let me know if you would like to set up a payment option for your invoices. This is very easy to do.
If you are having trouble with your payments, please come and see either Sheryn or Kelsie so we can make a plan.