MENPS News
Te Whare Akoranga o Maungawhau, May 11, 2023
From The Principal
Kia ora koutou
I know I won’t be the first (or the last) to comment on the current societal climate and the ongoing impact it has had on individuals, families and communities.
Whether extreme weather, COVID, global conflict or the economic climate, all our lives have been touched by an underlying sense of generalized anxiety that inevitably surfaces during troubling times.
Clearly, we’ve had our fair share in recent years and months, and it’s important to be mindful of the impact this can have on everyone. In particular, children can be extraordinarily well-attuned to the slightest sense of worries or difficulties that may be on the minds of the adults around them.
A number of prominent psychologists have commented more broadly on the signs of elevated discontent, protest, political polarisation, anxiety and societal unrest. Indeed, we see and hear regular examples of an increased sense of impatience or ‘micro-aggressions’ in many walks of life.
Often, it seems as disproportionate as it is troubling. Much of this would appear to stem from the ongoing fatigue experienced when we feel one challenge just seems to come after another (even if this is ultimately an explanation rather than an excuse).
As with any public job, this impacts on school employees as much as for anyone else, particularly during a time of controversial teacher industrial action. Set against a media backdrop filled with stories of educational decline and election manifesto pronouncements, it can have a culmulative effect.
Work in education demands significant emotional investment as much as it does professionalism and hard work. In my experience, teachers and school staff not only take their responsibilities extremely seriously, but care on a deeply personal level about the children they teach. Teaching, above all, depends on positive relationships and the sense of whanaungatanga we aspire to in our Touchstones.
It’s for this reason that it’s important for us to intentionally look beyond the negative headlines sometimes to notice and celebrate those things we value, and it's easy to underestimate the difference it makes when any member takes the time to get involved, acknowledge or thank others for their contribution.
I believe in the current era, it’s more important than ever that we continue to model this for our tamariki. Above all, we each have a responsibility to remember that sometimes it is the smallest courtesy, moment of kindness or act of patience and understanding that can make the biggest difference to someone’s day, which is so important for our community and the children who look to us for the positivity and reassurance that helps them thrive.
Pink Shirt Day - Friday 19 May
Next week brings the perfect opportunity to promote this on ‘Pink Shirt Day’, with the theme of ‘lifting others up’ – surely something we should all aspire to every day of the year!
Road Safety Superheroes
Also next week, we''ll be acknowledging our Road Patrollers during Road Safety Week, so don't be surprised if you see few local 'Superheroes' when on crossing duty, and please join us in saying a huge 'Thank You!' for their hard work next time you use the crossing!
Ka kite anõ i a koutou
Alan Jackson
Principal
Events & Reminders
Monday 15th May: Road Safety Week, Magic Spells Testing
Tuesday 16th May: Zone football
Wednesday 17th May: Term 2 New Entry visit
Thursday 18th May: (zones football save day)
Friday 19th May: Pink Shirt Day
Magic Spells 2023 is well underway, thank you for all of your hard work and support! GOOD LUCK to all students for the spelling challenges next week!!!
Easily set up a fundraising profile for your spelling wizard HERE and share the link with friends and family to collect online sponsorship!!
PRIZES UP FOR GRABS!!
Sign up by tomorrow and receive at least one donation to go into the draw to win some more awesome spot PRIZES including these wireless earphones!! Winners announced tomorrow at school!
Key dates:
- Mon 15 - Fri 19 May - Magic Spells challenges held in class
- Fri 26 May - Fundraising website closes
Congratulations to our spot prize winners from last week - Aileen Nooney, Jenna Patel, Jaxon Rudolph-Allen, Clara Toulmin, Rocco, Charlotte O'Conner and Waimarama!!
Pizza Lunch for top fundraisers!
The class that raises the most funds for MENPS from each year level will win a Sal's Pizza Lunch!! Thanks Sal's!
Second Hand Uniform Shop OPEN FRIDAY 12th MAY
8.30am - 9.30am
- PTA Room: Follow the signs from Valley Road
- Cash or Bank transfer only. No EFTPOS.
- Order online by emailing Jane at: menpspta@gmail.com
- Donations needed - particularly trousers!! Please put items in the office or in the box outside our shop. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE - 17 June - Dragon Boat Festival
Please mark your calendar - on Saturday 17 June we will have a Dragon boat festival at school for the first time.
Details to be shared soon.
PTA - Supporting our school through fundraising & fun events
Co-Chairpersons Pam Clifford & Rosemary Li
Secretary Chelsea Chen
Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran
Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner
Advisor/Coordinator Melanie Woollard
Sponsorships Rayni Chung
Communications Sarah Eason
PTA Advisor Scott Optican
School Representative Hilary Edwards
Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here
Email menpspta@gmail.com | Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities.