Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 5, Term 1 2020
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
From our Principal
Kia ora whanau
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Mangati te awa
Ko Tokomaru te waka
Ko Rakeiora te tupuna
Ko Puketapu te hapu
Ko Te Atiawa te hapu
Ko Puketapu te kura
KO PUKETAPU MATOU
It has been awesome walking around our learning spaces this last week and hearing from our akonga (learners) all about our Puketapu cultural narrative. Our learners have been telling me all about our Puketapu Pa (Papakainga) and how Rakeiora said a karakia to make the birds, fish and gardens flourish again. They have been telling me about how Rakeiora had red dreadlocks, how the Mangati is named after the cabbage trees and down at the beach they have been designing what the Papakainga would have looked like in their eyes. Along with our Puketapu Cultural Narrative they have been learning about our Taranaki Land Wars and events that happened in our local history.
LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS WITH WHANAU
Our focus for the start of the year is to create positive relationships with our akonga and their whanau. We are delighted with the start of the year and how strong these relationships are becoming.
We are looking forward to Week 9 where we will be holding Learning Partnership Hui with all of our whanau. Your child's teacher will be sharing with you the learning progress of your child, evidence of their learning and what their next steps are.
We also want to have a korero with you around how you can enhance their learning journey outside of school too. At Puketapu School we use Seesaw (Year 1-3) and Linc-Ed (Year 4-8) to communicate with parents and also to share evidence of their learning across the curriculum.
For all akonga (learners) we use Linc-Ed to share where your child is at in Reading, Writing and Mathematics and what learning goals they have achieved and are currently working towards. At our Learning Partnership Hui in Week 9 we will be showing you how to use these.
More details and booking instructions will be coming out next week.
KIA KAHA - KIA MĀIA - KIA MANAWANUI
Matua Ngatai
From the Board
Budget
At the recent Board of Trustees Meeting, the Board approved our 2020 Budget.
The Board is delighted that the way our school is being funded we have more funds to spend on learning as well as more to spend on adding classrooms and improving our learning spaces.
Some of the new government money is being issued to the Learning Teams to fund engaging learning activities for their year groups, while some is being used for school wide things, such as the Life Education (Harold) visit, the New Zealand Playhouse show, Kapa Haka, Seesaw, Linc-Ed. Many of the things that we would have asked for a small contribution from parents for last year (such as buses) are now able to be funded by the school.
Some things will still require part funding from home - such as camps and optional outside of school learning experiences - but we are able to subsidise these much more than we used to.
The Board agreed that it is great to have a budget that backs up our learning goals and shows what’s important to us - money where our mouth is!
Para Kore
This initiative is about reducing rubbish and being aware of how much waste we generate.
Our goal is to be zero waste at school, however this will take some time.
One of the first steps, having students take their lunch rubbish home with them, is already showing a huge change. There is far less litter around the school, which is both better to look at and is much better for avoiding rats and mice. It is also reducing the amount of waste that is going into our skip, which goes direct to landfill.
Thank you to all parents for supporting this initiative.
School Production = SOMAD
Some parents have asked if there will be a School Production this year.
We really value The Arts at Puketapu School and over the past two years we have had SOMAD (School Of Music, Arts & Dance) as our Term 4 learning theme, culminating with the SOMAD Community Concert at the end of Term 4.
As everyone who was at the concert last year will know, we loved that SOMAD gave every student the opportunity to shine in front of people.
So, yes, there is a Puketapu production - it is just now called SOMAD and will be in Term 4.
Staff Only Day This Friday!
Our staff will be on a Professional Learning Trip travelling to the Waikato on Thursday after school. Also, a reminder that there is no school on Monday as it is Taranaki Anniversary Day.
Enjoy the long weekend with Whanau and Friends!
Illness Policy
"To stop illness from spreading, it is important for students and staff to stay away from school when they are ill. How long they should be home depends on their illness."
You can find details and further information about this and other policies on SchoolDocs - where all our school policies are kept - online, searchable and regularly reviewed.
To view them: Go to https://puketapu.schooldocs.co.nz/
Username: Puketapu
Password: whakamanatia
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) – Update for our Puketapu School Whānau.
During the week there has been much media coverage on this topic.
You may be wondering what Puketapu School is doing to plan and prepare for an event like this.
The Ministries of Education and Health have been providing excellent communications to school principals on this issue for the last few weeks.
Our Policy is to follow the daily updates from the Ministry of Education and Health.
Here is the current advice to us all:
Everybody should follow the following basic principles to reduce the risk of getting an acute respiratory infection or passing it on to others:
- regularly washing hands (for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap and dry thoroughly).
- covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.
- staying home if you are sick.
- avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
- if you feel unwell you should avoid public gatherings and events.
Here are two links for those who wish to read more.
Information about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) for learners, caregivers and whānau (Ministry of Education)
http://www.education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/student-and-staff-health/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/novel-coronavirus-information-for-caregivers-and-whanau-of-learners/
COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) – health advice for the general public (Ministry of Health)https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public
From the Tech room
BIO Poems and self portaits in Totara
Liam - I am proud of my hair and my teeth.
Ko Puketapu Matou in Kowhai
Here are some photos from the Kowhai 2&3 sand castle building competition. Criteria was to create something that links to our school story. We had Mt Taranaki, Puketapu Hill, Pa sites, Mangati Stream, Tokomaru waka, marae and wharenui, cabbage trees (which Mangati is named after), the Puketapu logo and even the stories of Pihanga and Taranaki (the photos don’t do them justice). Now to try and judge them 🤔🤗
Thank you to the parents that came along to help!
Super Stars
Kia Maia - Be Courageous
- Channing Rajput
Values Awards
Pacey Wallace
For showing Kia Maia, making new friends and settling in to his new learning environment and Kia Kaha for learning to float in the pool.
Duffy Awards
Congratulations to our Totara akonga who were Caught Being Good this week:
- Charlotte Mangin
- Exodus Ihimaera-Te Waaka
- Tyson Manu-Millar Aldworth
- Georgia-Lee Scrimgeour
- Horizon Scott
- Skye Ramsay
Food Tech
The food tech classes have been making banana piklets with berry sauce. General thoughts so far....."yum", "delicious", "really easy to cook". In the words of Emma " super easy, super yummy, sugared for your tummy!"
After these we decided to experiment and tried making creamed corn fritters too.
Time to Pay your bill
Statements will be coming out soon, or use the Linc-Ed portal to check if you owe.
If you do owe, please pay your bill, or see Paula in the school office to work out a plan.
Colour Your Day
Colour Your Day started in 2019 as a way to respond to the March 15th tragedy in Christchurch. When so many of us felt helpless, wearing colour was a simple gesture to encourage individuals, community groups and business during a dark chapter for New Zealanders.
This year, Colour Your Day encourages everyone to brighten up their world on Friday 13th March (Black Friday) and support St John for equipment and training to continue their responses to emergencies.
So dress up in bright colours on Friday 13 March. (Gold coin donation optional - every cent goes to St John.)
Sports Corner
WINTER SPORTS
Last call for Winter Sport registrations: these need to be in tomorrow!
That is miniball, basketball, hockey and netball. All forms are at the office if you need one.
Each of these sports will need coaches to be able to proceed. Can you help?
Rugby, league and football are all run through clubs. Please watch our Facebook and future newsletters for more information.
Sports Ts - we sill have 12 still not returned from last year so some of our players this term are using tops that don't fit. If you have one at home from last year, please return it or pay for it.
Keeping our Kids Safe on the Road
Have you noticed the newly painted lines outside school? It is a great improvement and so much easier to see now. Thank you NP District Council.
Tips from Roadsafe Taranaki for this week:
Slow down to 20km when passing a stationary school bus – for example, on Parklands opposite the shops - children are unpredictable.
Enjoy the autumn weather while it lasts: Leave the car at home or park at least 250 metres away from the school gates – great time to talk and laugh together
Show our School Value of Kia Kaha - Do Your Best: Always ensure you lead by example – use the correct crossing points, obey speed limits and stay off your mobile phone while driving
House to House
Every month New Zealand families travel an average of at least 210km for their child to receive hospital treatment away from home.
Our Pedagogy Panthers Team has taken up the challenge and are walking 1000kms to raise at least $1500.
Kia ora everyone,
What a great start to the month of March we have had as the Pedagogy Panthers.
At 2.00 on Tuesday afternoon our fundraising efforts has seen us up to $1487 of our $1500 target! Amazing.
A group of us started walking around the bike track yesterday. The track is 400m so we aim to do 5 laps of the track a lunchtime. Its really cool to see a group of kids walking with Mrs J, if only we could count their kms too! Mr B biked around the track today, comfortably racking up an easy 4kms for our team.
Our current total is sitting at 185.55kms out of 1000ks. I am beginning to think that if we keep this up we will smash our 1000kms and we might need to up the game!
You can still sponsor us by going onto our page https://housetohouse2020.everydayhero.com/nz/pedagogy-panthers
Thank you for your support!
Puketapu Tryathlon 2020
Like the Weetbix Tryathlon, this event is about participation and completion - giving it a go and showing kia maia.
Starting at 9.30am, competitors will race in small batches, cycling, swimming and running as individuals or as part of a team.
Students taking part in the cycling will need to wear their helmet and closed in shoes.
All welcome and we hope to see lots of whanau colours too!
Reminder... there is early and too early
School Photos
This year, photo ordering is a little different: You view, order and pay online, so no cash comes to school and you can't use your school account to pay for them.
Your child will bring home a slip with their unique Access Key. This Access Key will display all the photographs of your child. It is then an easy process for you to shop online and purchase the photographs you want.
If you place your order within three weeks of receiving your Access Key you will receive free delivery for your photo orders. PhotoLife sends all these orders back to the school and your child will bring their photographs home.
Any orders placed after this three week period will be sent directly to your specified delivery address and PhotoLife will charge you $6.00 delivery.
If you would like a sibling photo, you must order this in advance for the photo to be taken. Order forms will be available at the office.
Home and School Meeting
White Pear FRIDAY LUNCHES
Order and pay at the office before 3:30pm on Wednesday.
(You can order on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday but Thursday is too late)
The lunch menu for the rest of this term is:
Friday 13 March
- American Hot Dog - $3
- Chicken and Bacon Salad - $5
- Fruit Salad and Yoghurt - $5
- Blueberry Muffin - $3
Friday 20 March
- Mince and Cheese Pie - $4
- Ham and Cheese Croissant - $3
- Fruit Salad and Yoghurt - $5
- Banana and Chocolate Muffin - $3
Friday 27 March
- Sweetcorn and Bacon Quiche - $4
- Cranberry, Chicken and Brie Panini - $4
- Fruit Salad and Yoghurt - $5
- Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffin - $3
Friday 3 April
- Mince and Cheese Pie - $4
- Ham, Cheese and egg Filled Roll - $3
- Fruit Salad and Yoghurt - $5
- Apple and Cinnamon Muffin - $3
BIRTHDAYS
- Conrad Hobin
- Bonnie Rupe
- Ayaan Azad
- Ethan Cross
- Mika Falaniko
- Whitiaahua Korewha-Tuavao
- Exodus Ihimaera-Te Waaka
What's On - This Week and Next
Week 5
Thursday 5 March
- Puketapu School Try-athlon - Kauri and Kowhai, from 9.30am
Friday 6 March
- STAFF ONLY DAY (Waikato Schools Professional Learning Trip)
Week 6
Monday 9 March
- TARANAKI ANNIVERSARY DAY
Tuesday 10 March
- Year 7 & 8 Immunisations (Round 1)
- Dental bus on site (2-19 March)
Thursday 12 March
- Kauri overnighter at Muru Raupatu has now been rescheduled to Monday 6 April (week 10)
Friday 13 March
- Colour your Day! Dress up in bright colours for Black Friday and St John (optional gold coin donation)
Saturday 14 March
- WOMAD
What's On - Later this term
Here are some of the main items on our school calendar for this term. More information will follow closer to the event.
Week 7
Monday 16 March
- Dental bus on site (2-19 March)
- 12.15 Cat Levine talk to Y4-8 ‘Emotional Literacy’ @ Northpoint
- Home & School Pot Luck Dinner 6.30pm
Wednesday 18 March
- School Photos
Friday 20 March
- Puketapu School Swimming Sports (BBK Pool)
Week 8
Monday 23 March
- St John Ambulance - First aid in schools (here all week)
- The Wool Shed - outside the tech block (here all week)
Wednesday 25 March
- Weetbix TRYathlon to register: https://tryathlon.co.nz/
- Duffy Role Model Assembly (@ Northpoint)
Week 9
Monday 30 March
- The Wool Shed - outside the tech block (here all week)
- St John First Aid in Schools (here until Thursday)
Tuesday 31 March
- Year 6-8 Interschool Swimming Sports - Bell Block Pool
Thursday 2 April
- Learning Partnership Hui - 3.30pm - 8.00pm
Friday 3 April
- Learning Partnership Hui - 8.30am - 5.00pm
Week 10
Monday 6 April
- The Wool Shed - outside the tech block (here all week)
- Kauri overnight stay at Muru Raupatu Marae
- Kowhai Ranui Day
Thursday 9 April
- Last Day of Term 1
More information about these events will follow closer to the time.
Community Notices
Brass Instrument Lessons
FOOTBALL
Central Football is excited to announce that we will be offering our Skill Centre programme again for Term 1 2020. These trainings are aimed to compliment any current club commitments as well as offer players the opportunity to continue to develop, improve and gain additional trainings to help them get ready for the club season ahead.
Details are:
Training will commence once a week on Monday 2nd March 2020 and finish on Monday 30th of March 2020 (5 weeks).
Time for training is: 4.00pm – 5.15pm
Location: Manukorihi Park, Waitara Football Club, Waitara
Gear: Please wear your favourite football apparel
This programme will be coached by Central football staff and qualifies assistant coach(es)
To register please click on the following link: https://mycomet-oceania.analyticom.de/en_NZ/login
Please log onto your child’s MyComet account, once logged onto your child’s account please click on the register button (left hand side of the screen).. Change the Club/Fed box to Central Football – Taranaki. Once you have the screen with the items to purchase, please be sure to buy the correct item TKI Term 1 Skill Centre 2020(please note this may be found on page one or two)
The cost of Skill Centre Training Program will be $60
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