Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 10, Term 3, 2019
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
From Matua Ngatai
Kia ora koutou,
What a beautiful week of weather we had last week. It was great to hear around all the learning that happened in and out of the classroom during this sunny week.
I loved hearing about our learners going to the retirement village as part of their Auaha learning. Ngariki spent time with an elderly man playing drafts while Koda and Raiden taught five elderly women a game.
Emma W and Yelena had made Blueberry muffins and chocolate cookies for them to enjoy also.
For another Auaha project, students made games and organised science experiments that they took over to the kindy.
Contributing to our community is something we always work hard to do and to hear such stories makes me proud of our kura.
Community Korero
Thank you to all the families that came along to our Community Korero.
At our school we are continuing to develop and document the Puketapu curriculum, to better reflect valued outcomes that guide learning programmes. Thanks for putting your ideas, opinions and judgements down onto paper so that the BoT and staff can unpack and find common themes to aid us in developing our curriculum alongside educational research.
The BoT and leadership will be canvassing our learners, teachers and community online to gather more voice to help us in developing our curriculum and strategic plan for the next three to five years.
Below are our current strategic aims:
Currently at school you might have noticed some building work going on. We are doing this so that we can provide quality learning environments for all of our teachers and learners.
The modifications in the hall are going well to turn this into a multi-purpose learning space. We are doing this to accommodate some classes while their roof is replaced.
The plan at present is for Rimu 3 & 4 to be in the ‘hall’ for the start of Term 4 until their roof has been replaced. After that, we will be having Totara 1 & 2 in there while their roof is being replaced. We envisage those classes to be in the ‘hall’ for approximately a month while the building is happening however with this is an approximate time frame as we do not know what the weather will be doing.
Behind the scenes, we are planning with our project manager and architects to minimise the disruption for our teachers, learners and parents.
This is an exciting time for our kura as we are currently in discussions with the Ministry of Education Property team and our architect on the design and building of our four new learning spaces. We are fighting for library space and a large communal space for us to gather and connect.
Everyone here at Puketapu School wishes you and your family a great two weeks with your child over the school break.
Kia Kaha - Do your best, Kia Māia - Be courageous - Kia Manawanui - Have a heart (Be Kind)
Friday is going to be BIG!
Dress up in your LOUDEST shirt, style your hair LOUD too! (A gold coin donation is optional.)
Come along to Student Showcase at Northpoint Church at 9.30am. The whole whanau is most welcome to come to celebrate the end of term with us.
Loud Shirt Day supports children with hearing loss and cochlear implants. You can read some real life stories or donate online at https://www.loudshirtdaynz.org/real-stories
For morning tea, the EMR (group is selling baked goodies, so bring some coins!
KOWHAI RAFFLE WINNERS...
2nd: Jalana Smith
3rd: Ann Dombroski
4th: Myra Teddy
5th: Trish Hicks
6th: Fiona Warring
7th: Nathan Polata
Thank you to everyone who supported our raffle, donating goods and buying tickets. We have raised almost $750 to be put towards our Year 5 & 6 camp!
Congratulations To...
Congratulations to our Puketapu Superstars this week:
- Reece Speedy
- Skye Ramsay
- Kasey Judd
- Horizon Scott
Kia Maia - Be Courageous
- Jakaila Hori
- Liana Birch
Kia Manawanui - Have a Heart
- Madison Webby
Chayse Hodson has read over 200 nights at home!!! Ka pai!
Dinosaur Dash
This Saturday 28 September Mr B will be running in a Dinosaur Dash over at the Racecourse!
Mr B is after a “student handler” to parade me in front of La Mer Lounge, my student handler will need permission from parents to attend and not mind being on television! This event will take place between 1pm and 2.30pm.
Handlers will be given a Bluelight cap to indicate that they are my dinosaur handler.
Express interest by giving me a handwritten note as to why they should be my handler. I will draw out the winner on Friday during Showcase.
Bake Sale this Friday
Kowhai 4 - Our Cleanest Classroom
Thank you to Makalita and the team at CrestClean for the yummy treats they bought in yesterday.
Check out our new playhouse - it's awesome!
For our Auaha project Jahlia, Chyra and I decided to build a playhouse for Rimu to use.
We went through the 'Design of Thinking' process to complete our Auaha project. A huge thank you to ITM Stratford for donating to us the materials to build our project, we couldn't have done it without you. It Looks Outstanding! We had so much fun making it and I bet the Rimu crew will have so much fun playing in it.
Cupcakes for Camp
This Monday and Tuesday, Kowhai akonga held a cupcake stall to raise funds for camp.
Animal Dress Up Day
They wanted to contribute to the community by having a school dress up day where students dress up as animals and donate a gold coin which will be given to the SPCA. They emailed the SPCA and told them what they are doing. The SPCA were delighted to hear about their thoughtful and kind idea. The money will be delivered to the SPCA.
Say hello to...
Kia Ora, I am Avon Lewis. I was born and bred in Taranaki, growing up in Inglewood. From there I went to Massey Uni in Palmy and studied to be a teacher. After that I returned to Taranaki and took up a job at Norfolk School in Inglewood where I worked for 6 years. Outside of teaching I also play rugby. I have pulled on the amber and black jersey for the Taranaki Bulls and Taranaki Sevens teams on numerous occasions. I spent a year living in Ireland in 2016 playing rugby and travelling around Europe. And most recently, I have spent the past year living in Russia playing professional rugby for Kuban RC. But now I am ready to return to New Zealand, and begin a new chapter of my life at Puketapu School. I am looking forward to being a part of the diverse culture and learning at Puketapu, meeting new people and working alongside new students and their whanau. Bring on Term 4!
We are delighted to welcome Avon Lewis to our teaching team in Term 4. Avon will have his own class in 2020 but in Term 4 will be working in all the Kowhai classes getting to know our kura and our akonga.
Thank you Ross and Stumped Tree Solutions
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to Ross Wilkinson for the hours he has put in helping us to spread mulch and his business Stumped Tree Solutions for organising the free mulch.
We are very appreciative of the hard work and services that you have provided us. If you ever need tree or stump removal or tree pruning please contact this local company who have supported us.
Thinking of buying/selling a house?
For every sale from 1 October until 31 December 2019, Joanna is gifting $250 to our school to support children in whatever way they need. Help her to help us.
If you are thinking of buying or selling, contact Joanna or 06 759 8084 or 027 422 9902 joanna@remax.net.nz
Calendar orders
Our learners have been working hard to create some amazing art for this year's Student Art.
Order forms will come out in early term 4 and all orders must be in and paid for by Thursday 14 November.
Choose from: Calendars $12, Diaries $16, Mouse Mats $14, Notebook/Sketch Pad $13 and Cards (x8) $13
Basketball: Puketapu Piranhas
Unfortunately our Puketapu Piranhas lost their final by 1 goal. Kia Kaha team, you played amazingly well and displayed our school values - well done!
Junior Netball
Years 0,1 and 2
Puketapu School will be running their own netball module for this age group. Boys or girls are welcome to play. Parental support will be needed.
We are offering this skills and fun coaching on a Thursday as the Netball Taranaki run theirs on a Wednesday and the feedback from our families was that the clash with touch made it a challenge for families to be in two places at once. Netball Taranaki do have a module running on Wednesdays if you wish to join as an individual. There is information on our school facebook page plus further on in this newsletter. You are welcome to do both if you like.
There is no need to register for Puketapu netball... just turn up :)
Where: Puketapu School netball courts
When: Thursdays at 3.15pm for an hour
Dates: Thursday 31st of October for 6 weeks ( weeks 3-8)
Need: Shoes and a drink. Hair tied back.
Sports Photos - LAST CALL!
At this stage we cannot proceed as there are not enough bookings - unless we get enough orders by this Friday 27 September. Please order and pay by Friday 3pm. Photos cannot be put n your account as we need to pay the photographer upfront. We need 100 photos booked and paid for to make this happen.
If there are enough orders, Sports Photos will be held on Thursday 24th October from 3.30pm til 6pm at Northpoint Church.
This is for all miniball, basketball, netball and term 4 touch teams.
If there there are enough bookings we can include canoe polo too.
Photos will be $5 each and will need to be prepaid.
More information and details will follow closer to the time.
Touch in Term 4
All notices have gone home. If you think your child has missed a notice please let Miss Sowman know.
Every team needs parents on the side line helping to keep the children in the right place and ready to go on when it is their turn. Subbing is a challenging job so thank you to those people who offer to do it.
We ask that everyone else please support them by encouraging the children to stay on the side line and close to the parent doing the subbing. Please let your coach know how you can help.
Please remind children of our school values: Kia kaha - do your best, kia maia - be courageous and kia manawanui - have a heart. Please keep these in mind on and off the field.
If you are unable to take your children to the game, please make contact with another parent to be responsible for your child. As the coach is usually on the field supporting the team it isn’t possible for them to supervise children with no parents on site and isn’t a part of their coaching role.
The draw will be put on Facebook when it is available but first games are on Wednesday 16th October ( week 1 ). See you at Hickford Park!
Duffy Awards:
Congratulations to our Duffy Award winners. Duffy Awards are given to recognise academic achievement or improvement and progress towards learning goals.
- Nova Davies
- Ryan Wharram
- Chloe Welbourn
- Ava Falaniko
- Texira Davenport
- Tamarau Ahu
- Liana Birch
- Tyreece Joines
- Mika Falaniko
- Rynal Prasad
- Claire Asai You
Our Duffy Awards are generously sponsored by First Gas.
Thank you First Gas.
THANK YOU FROM THE BREAKFAST CLUB
What's on in Term 4
Below is an outline of the major activities planned in Term 4. More details and information will follow in early Term 4.
Week 1:
Monday 14 October
- Immunisation HPV #2 (Year 8s)
Thursday 17 October
- ShakeOut 2019
- NANOGIRL at Northpoint
Week 2
Thursday 24 October
- Sports photos - Thursday 24th October 3.30 - 6.00pm Northpoint Church.
- Cricket superstars sessions for junior school.
- EMR Sausage sizzle fundraising
Week 3
Monday 28 October
- LABOUR DAY Holiday
Wednesday 30 October
- Proposed Totara EOTC to Recycle Centre
- Board of Trustees Meeting 5.30pm
Thursday 31 October
- Northpoint Light Party 5.30-7.30pm
Friday 1 November
- 9.00am Year 8 CEM Testing NPGHS
Week 4
Thursday 7 November
- Read-a-thon and whanau day (details to be confirmed)
Week 5
Monday 11 November
- Kowhai Camp Week
- Year 5&6 to Te Wera
Tuesday 12 November
- Year 4 Mystery Fun Day
Wednesday 13 November
- Year 4 Aquatic Centre Day
Thursday 14 Novemmber
- Year 4 Bowlarama
Friday 15 Nov
- Year 4 Science Day
Week 7
Monday 25 Nov
- 2.00pm NPGHS / NPBHS School Visit (Year 8s)
Friday 29 Nov
- Tough Kid Challenge (Hawera, all Y5 & Y6s)
Week 8
Thursday 5 Dec
- Kauri - Meet their 2020 Teacher (2.00 - 2.40)
- Year 8 (Exit Interviews) with Ngatai & Corinne
Friday 6 Dec
- SOMAD Community Concert - 6.00pm
Week 9
Monday 9 Dec
- Kauri EOTC Week
Wednesday 11 Dec
- EMR Trip to Goat Island - Kauri (16 students)
Thursday 12 Dec
- Kowhai/Totara/Rimu Meet their 2020 Teacher (2.00-2.40)
Week 10
Monday 16 Dec
- Final School Assembly (1100) - Northpoint Church
- Year 8 graduation dinner (6.00pm) - Northpoint Church
Tuesday 17 Dec
- School finishes @ 1200
Learning Team Newsletters with more details will be coming out early in Term 4
Looking ahead to 2020
- Tuesday 4 February: Head Start Hui day for all students
- Wednesday 5 February: First day of class
Birthdays
Happy birthday to all those who have Birthdays coming up this week and in the holidays:
- Matthew Crook
- Bella Stainthorpe
- Connor Christian
- Raven Falaniko
- Rhys Warring
- Steven Rupe
- Jahlia Manukonga-Te Uira
- Roman Meijer
- Jade Christmas
- Riley Welbourn
- Trisha Chand
- Alexis Gorrie
- Mikayla Scholtz
- Nova Davies
Community Notices
FOOTBALL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Netball
Cricket
Touch
2019 PRIMARY SCHOOLS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Schools are invited to send players to represent their school at the Taranaki Tennis Association Primary/Intermediate Schools Tennis Tournament. This is an open competition for players up to and including Year 8. There are two grades: Open (7 & 8) and Year 6 & under grade. Each player is guaranteed 2 games.
ON: Wednesday 23rd October (postponement day Friday 25thth October)
AT: Year 6 and Under: Huatoki Tennis Club, Huatoki Street, New Plymouth
Open: Pukekura Park Tennis Club, Upjohn Street, New Plymouth
TIME: 8.45am Players should bring their lunch and drinks, and be prepared to stay for the normal school day.
COST: $5.00 per player to be paid by direct crediting to the Taranaki Tennis Association Junior account; 15-3953-0301439-01. Please use your child’s name and primary as the references.
PLEASE NOTE
The finalists of the Open Grade (boys and girls) and finalists of the Yr 6 and Under Grade (boys and girls) must be prepared to represent Taranaki at the Central Regional Primary Schools Tournament in Palmerston North on Wednesday 13th of November (Friday the 15th of November if wet on the 13th).
Please email entries to: ttatennis2016@gmail.com
Queries to Janet on 0272260947
Entries must be received by Friday the 18th of October 2019. Late entries will not be accepted.
Bell Block Fun Athletics
Bell Block Fun Athletics Club starts on Tuesday 15th October at 6pm at Hickford Park. All children from between the ages of 2-14 years are most welcome. The Cost is $20 for one child and $10 per additional child in your family. Any more information please contact: BBAFC@outlook.co.nz or Karen 0276481019.
We look forward to meeting and seeing you all there.
Taranaki Down Syndrome Association - Information Session Wills, Trusts, Legal Guardianship
Jasmine Morrison (solicitor) from Quin Law will be running the information session
Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Start: 6pm - please arrive a bit earlier for coffee/tea ready to start at 6pm
Venue: Taranaki Disability Centre, 28 Young Street, New Plymouth
RSVP: ASAP Jasmine is based in Hamilton she will be driving down especially so we would like to know numbers attending sooner than later.
The Wills, Trusts and guardianship part of the workshops is aimed towards families whose children are becoming adults and are 18+ but there is value for all age groups especially in regards to trusts, wills, epa's and planning for the future which is relevant for most families whether they have a child with a disability or not. They can and do tailor the workshops to suit the audience.
Please feel free to get in contact if you need further information.
Sandy Slattery
Community Liaison Person
Taranaki Down Syndrome Association
027 604 5786
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973