Newsletter Term 4 Week 4
Pekapekarau Primary School - 11th November
Principal's Message
Kia ora ē te whānau
What a fortnight! So much excitement with our new murals - these were finished much earlier than anticipated and we had to arrange an impromptu celebration of the rōpu (group) of artists and our lead artist, Joe who shared his journey to becoming an artist and passion with our tuakana students. We love hearing all the positive responses from everyone. Come in and see them if you haven’t had the chance to yet!
Our Kapa haka rōpu have been busy preparing for the festival today where they will showcase their talent and hard work. I want to acknowledge the amazing support these tamariki have had from our team - Ryley Emery, Mikaera Hemara, Hera Healey and Whaea Tash, your commitment and drive to provide this opportunity for our kura and special thanks to Whaea Israel who has not only led this, organised our noho connecting us with Mangatoatoa Marae, but grown the passion and capability of others. We have also been really fortunate to have the support of Shonie Cairns and Hiraina McKay who have done so much mahi in the background in support. The generous donations of kai and offers from whānau are also really appreciated, thank you everyone!
Today I had the privilege of meeting again with Professor Tom Roa and connected with a Master’s student who is going to be continuing to work with us with research into Pekapeka. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to continue to work with a combination of experts - DoC and local iwi to grow knowledge of not only Pekapeka, but who we are as we develop our story and identity. I look forward to sharing more about this with you in 2023.
Ngā Mihi
Tania and Pekapekarau Team
Save the date
Kapa Haka Festival - Whakamana Rangitahi
Friday 11th November
Athletics Day
Friday 18th November
Interschool Athletics Day
Wednesday 23rd November
Hamilton Zoo Trip - Rooms 5, 7, 11, and 10
Thursday 24th November
Potato in the Bucket Day
Monday 5th December
Narrows Park Trip - Rooms 1, 2, and 3
Wednesday 7th December
Year 6 Graduation - Narrows Park
Year 6 only - see information on personal invite
Butterfly Creek and Rocket Ropes Trip - Room 11 and 12
Friday 9th December
Final Assembly for 2022
Tuesday 13th December 9.30am - 10.30am
Reports Go Home
Tuesday 13th December
Last Day of Term 4
Wednesday 14th December 12pm finish
Pekapekarau Mural - Joe McMenamin
Check out this awesome video of Joe and our tamariki painting our mural. https://www.facebook.com/mrjoemcmenamin/videos/869802261100337
Sharing from Room 05
Drama at Pekapekarau
Week 3 & 4
Kia ora whānau! I am very proud of our wonderful performers. Everyone is taking risks in their own special ways.
We have been practising our Slam Poetry lines and having fun creating Drama scenes around Manaakitanga, which is one of our important school values.
I liked seeing some of the kids using different emotions when they practised their Slam Poetry. I also liked seeing the kids working with different people, each lesson.
Did you know the kids will be performing a Showcase at the end of the year? Exciting, isn't it?
Would you like to know more about our Creative class?
Here are some fun questions about our class that you can ask your children:
What did Mrs O’Neill do when she said "the cat sat on the mat"?
What did your group perform on the stage?
What happens in the library every lunchtime?
Wearing a hat in Term 1 and 4 is compulsory. Well done to those tauira that are remembering to wear their hat out to play. It is important to ensure that these are named.
Student Opportunity
We know that we have some amazing singers in our kura. This looks to be an exciting opportunity!
Rerenga kupu ō te rā & Wero ō te rā
This Week's Board Introduction
Introducing Tania Ruki
I am excited to be a board member, representing parents and our community. I join a group of parents and staff who work together, as one, to ensure our tamariki have all the resources and opportunity that ensures they attain the very best of who they can be.
My own children attended Pekerau. Back then I was new to Te Awamutu and establishing my own business, I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to support the school. Now my children’s children attend Pekapekarau.
I trained in the early childhood education field and I now have a career in real estate. I am in a better position to dedicate time to steer and support the many aspects and roles required to grow our tamariki and our valued and skilled teachers.
Community Notices
Do you or someone you know have a child turning 5 before the end of 2022 or during Term 1 2023? Encourage them to contact us and come for a visit. We would love to meet them.
We have some spaces at other year levels as well. Share this with whānau that you know. We have information on our website.
Have you downloaded our School App?
See the link below
Email: office@pekapekarau.school.nz
Phone: +64 7 871 6025