Kokopu Newsletter

Tēnā koutou Kokopu whanau

Welcome back to everyone. We hope you and your children have enjoyed the term break.

This term is full of exciting learning and activities. We have started with a moving ANZAC service this morning and look forward to joining the dawn parade tomorrow.

For the first half of this term, our students will be studying dinosaurs, which will be a hit for many. In

the second half of the term, the students will be studying countries from around the Mediterranean

as part of our yearly country study. We also have Gymnastics starting this Friday for 6 weeks with

Ashleigh from Active Attitude.

We would like to welcome on board Darcey Rapana who is starting as our Kapa Haka tutor this

Thursday. He brings with him a passion for kapa haka and recently attended the kapa haka nationals himself.

Wanting to reflect our school motto of “Ki te ako me te mahi - To Learn and Serve” we have sent off

some care packages from Kokopu School to some of the hardest hit cyclone schools in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa. The kids have written some cards and posters and we have included a few treats that will hopefully kick their term off on a positive note.

We have had some property work done over the holidays with new windows being installed into the

whanau room and Room 1 and 2 toilets. We have installed sinks in Rooms 4, 5, and 6. They are very

much looking forward to having a place to wash their art equipment and hands without having to go into another room. Some of the work is unfinished so please be mindful of contractors when you

come on-site.

You may also notice the fencing damage from the storm is slowly getting fixed. The trees and stumps are now cleared and we are waiting on the fencing company to fix the rest. There is temporary fencing up around the pool area and there is still some uneven ground to be wary of.

Regards

Yaron Overeem

Principal

Kokopu School

Thanks to whanau who joined us for our ANZAC service this morning. Here are some photos of the children planting the crosses and poppies with their Tuakana Teina buddies.

RSA Town Service: Tues 25th 5:30am

**Meet at Whangarei RSA 5:15am

**Contingent 6-9, Look for Mr O

**BYO Wreath if you wish

Over the next two months, primary principals are undertaking industrial action to

shine a spotlight on important issues in education and our working conditions. The action will not

disrupt school but is aimed at the Ministry of Education. All principals will withdraw from MOE

initiative, working groups and communications for this time. We are fighting for recognition of the

work all principals do and having the staffing to run our school properly. This is especially true in

small rural schools.

You may have seen the recent government announcement about smaller class ratios, moving from

29 students per class to 28. This is a minimal change and makes very little difference to our school.

More disappointing was to hear that this extra staffing is being paid for by a proposed drop in other

staffing. In our school situation, this will result in less staffing than we currently have, putting more

pressure on myself and other staff to pick up the slack.

Our teachers are also working through their current negotiations and I encourage you to get in

behind them and principals in creating the best schooling system for your children.

12 hours per week Fixed Term
Closing Date Friday 28th of April 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

This position has now been filled. We welcome Natasha Balogh to our team. Natasha will help Loida when we have high numbers of children in after school care.

• 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

Monday 24 April - Term 2 Begins

Monday 24 April - ANZAC Ceremony

Tuesday 25 April - ANZAC Day - No School

Friday 28 April - Week 1 to 6 - Gymnastics with Ashley from Active Attitude

Monday 8 May - BOT Meeting

Friday ?? May - Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 16 May - School Photos

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.

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