Puketapu School Newsletter
Week 2, Term 3 , 2018
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
Over the past few months our union, NZEI - Te Riu Roa has been negotiating with the government for our primary teachers and principals around these three main topics:
Fixing the teacher shortage crisis
Schools are struggling to attract and retain great teachers. There is also a drop in the number of people choosing to train as teachers. This is happening because of years of political undervaluing of the profession. It won't just fix itself.
Time to teach, time to lead
Teachers and principals are facing immense pressure thanks to enormous workloads and more responsibilities without any additional staffing or time.
There aren't enough resources available for supporting children with additional learning needs.
Teachers and principals need time to teach, and time to lead.
Fixing issues with relativities and career development
Options for career development can vary a lot from school to school, which means that teachers aren't getting the same chances to grow in the profession.
At the moment, there are some issues with relativity, and there is limited recognition for teachers and principals with specialist skills.
Both these factors are contributing to the teacher shortage crisis.
On Wednesday 15 of August your child's teacher will be involved in a full day strike meaning the school will be closed on that day. The profession wants the best quality education for children and this strike is letting the government know that we are serious about working together to achieve it.
Here is an open letter to parents to help shed some light on why the teaching profession is moved to action, and why they need your help and support. Open Letter to Parents
Puketapu School will be closed on Wednesday 15 August
Matua Ngatai
Our School Role is... 316
Happy Birthday to...
Birthday's this week:
- Osborne Grace
- Joseph Tudor
- Shaun Galiste
- Nate Stainthorpe
- Rhikyda Pirini
Totara at Puke Ariki
On Monday the Totara Learning Team went to Puke Ariki to learn about the Taranaki Wetlands. It was lots of fun and we learnt heaps of cool information. We explored the museum and hunted for birds, frogs, insects, and ancient Maori Taonga. We identified the differences between a bog, swamp, lagoon and estuary and the different types of gumboots you need when visiting these places. We also got to see and use a predator trap that will help Taranaki become the first predator free province in NZ by 2050.
New in Kowhai 3
Year 5&6 Interschool Semi Finals
Congratulations to...
Congratulations to our Puketapu Superstars this week, who have been spotted showing our school values:
Kia kaha - Do your best
- Nathan Deacon
- Luke Sowman
- Raven Falaniko
- Margaret Sioli
- Chase Wall-Colvin
- Bonnie Rupe
- Layla Read
Kia maia - Be courageous
- Makaia Sherry
- Khorus Ihimaera-Te Waaka
- Tariana Ormsby-Turner
Kia Manawanui - Have a heart
- Tayte Hancock
- Levi Roberts
- Lucas Tudor
Despite a valiant effort, the football students were not able to break the teachers streak of 3 consecutive victories and the teachers claimed a fourth straight win, 2-0.
What could the next challenge be?
School Notices
Asthma
If your child has asthma, please make sure they bring their inhaler to school, especially while we are doing cross country training.
Statements
Statements will be coming out in the next day or two. If you have any questions about your statement, please contact the office.
Uniforms
If you have a borrowed uniform at home, please return it to the office to avoid being charged.
Headlice
They're doing the rounds again. Please check all the heads in your household and treat any you find. Check every day for three weeks to be sure you have them all.
Water at School
Water is best for brains and bodies. Please don't send your child to school with juice/fizzy/energy drinks. Water bottles are very welcome!
It's not too late: We want your voice
Thank you to all those who attended our Community Conversation Evening last term. If you were not able to make it, it's not too late:
Have your say online: Community Conversation 2018
Quiz Night - Thursday 23 August
Home & School are holding a fundraising quiz night on Thursday 23 August at the Plymouth Hotel. Tickets are $10 each or $50 for a team of 6. Tickets will be on sale at the school office or on the door on the night.
New Faces at School
This week we welcomed three trainees from Taranaki Educare Training; Dorothy Lacanaria in Rimu 1, Krystal Ratu Hasler in Totara 2 and Phaidra Bastin-Lindsay in Totara 3, and trainee teachers Liam Blyde in Totara 1 and Corina Faamai in Rimu 1.
On Tuesday we held a mihi whakatau for our new students and whanau. Check out this video of our kapa haka group singing. Beautiful!
Puketapu School Cross Country: Fun Run & Walk
Despite the weather, training is continuing for our cross country. Our Cross Country Fun Run & Walk is only two weeks away - on the morning of Thursday 16 August. It is a fun run and walk, so the expectation is that every child takes part, both in training and on the day. The focus is on health and well being, challenging ourselves and taking part.
Remember: you don't have to be good to start, but you have to start to become good.
It will be a dress up whanau event and there will be sponsorship challenges as well.
The Most Exciting 5 Minutes of My Holiday...
***
Clear water, textured ripples above, shining bright light, so many different colored leds.
I can't choose which colour!
Jets massaging my back, I hear a gentle soft humming sound, hot steam making me sweat.
Now I feel relaxed.
Our family happy place.
A awesome memory that will stay with me forever.
by Caylin
***
I feel pain as I slide, then crash into the sides and when I fail to stand properly.
Seeing everyone fall to the ground so loudly and so fast. Smelling the fresh air when I glide across the floor.
Trying so hard to not hurt anyone with the sharp blades on the bottom of my shoewear.
The ground is not cold but so hard like plastic, as it was. I taste the silver in my mouth as I always do.
But then again, that five mins was a memory that I will always treasure.
by Areiana
Alice and Layla model the reason why a change of clothes is a great idea for adventurous learners...
What's On... the next Two Weeks
(Some dates and activities may be subject to change)
Wednesday 1 August
Choir Cluster Practice - 12:30 - 2:30 at Highlands Intermediate
Lunchtime Sausage Sizzle - order at the office
New Plymouth Girls High School Open Evening
Thursday 2 August
Spotswood College Promo Visit at 10.15am
Totara Rotokare Pre-Visit @ School
Postponed: Board of Trustees Meeting will now be on Tuesday 7 August
Friday 3 August
LEAD Day 2018 (Year 8s)
Student Showcase 9.15am (Kauri)
Totara Rotokare Pre-Visit @ School - 10 - 2pm
Tuesday 7 August
Rotary Readers
Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00) - Hall
Board of Trustees Meeting 7pm, in the Library
Wednesday 8 August
Spotswood College open evening 7pm
What's On... later this Term
Monday 13 August -Totara trip to Rotokare
Wednesday 15 August - NZEI strike day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Thursday 16 August - Puketapu School Cross Country Fun Run & Walk (in the morning, dress up!)
Friday 17 August - Puketapu School Cross country postponement date, Student Showcase (Kowhai), Kauri Science Fair showing - 12.30 - 3pm
Monday 20 August - Life Education Trust Bus arrives
Wednesday 22 August - 11.00am NPGHS / NPBHS - enrolment interviews (Year 8s)
Friday 24 August - Tatarakihi Kapa Haka Festival - The Hub, Hawera
Thursday 23 August - Home & School Quiz Night, 7pm, Plymouth Hotel
Monday 27 August - proposed date for Year 7&8 Interschool netball tournament
Friday 31 August - Student Showcase (Totara)
Monday 3 September - Home & School Meeting 6pm
Tuesday 4 September - Taki Rua Show - 9.15am - Mihi Whakatau, 9.30am show starts - ($2 each) http://www.takirua.co.nz/hine-kihawai)
NP Primary Schools Cross country
Wednesday 5 September - NP Primary Schools Cross country postponement day
Thursday 6 September - Omata Cross Country Years 7/8, Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday 10 September - Keep NZ Beautiful Clean Up week, Ski Trip - Year 8
Wednesday 12 September - Kaitiaki: Wetlands and lagoon visit
Friday 14 September - Student Showcase (Rimu)
Wednesday 19 September - Dental Bus on site until end of term, Taranaki Music Festival
Saturday 22 September - Men in Education - Rugby - Taranaki v Manawatu (Curtain Raiser to Taranaki v Auckland - Mitre 10 Cup)
Tuesday 25 September - Puketapu Road Patrol Reward Afternoon
Wednesday 26 September - Taranaki Cross-Country - Hawera
Friday 28 September - Last day of term! Loud Shirt Day
Community Notices
Spotswood College Open Evening 8th August at 7.00pm in the Spotswood School Hall.
Netball Coaches Wanted - Free shooting session 8th August @ St Mary's Diocesan, Stratford 6pm - click for More Information
Taratahi Institute of Agriculture is running a wide range of Rural Skills Workshops in your community throughout the rest of 2018. Workshop topics include:
- Chainsaws
- LUVs
- Stock water supply
- Cattle handling and health
- Calf rearing
- Fencing
- Quads
- Tractors
- Pasture management
- Sheep handling and health
- Shearing
- Health and Safety
call 0800 taratahi or email info@taratahi.ac.nz
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