Tēnā koutou e te whānau,

Thank you very much to the families that were able to join our assembly on Friday. I was very proud of how our House Leaders - Molly, Maddie and Amelia, led our assembly for their first time. I was also super impressed with the courage that our Tōtara class showed when sharing their artwork, ‘Sea Week’ learning and their favourite song with our whole school and community.

You will all have received the official notification of Strike Action from our Presiding Member, Rosanna Dickson this evening. The vote to strike is always a difficult one for Teachers and Principals as ultimately it disrupts the heart of our community that we strive for each and everyday. Thank you in advance for supporting us all to make a bigger difference for the learning of all our tamariki.

A special thank you to Frank Spence, Dion Marchioni and Rebecca Silcock for taking our House Leaders and Student Council on an overnight camp to Maungakawa. I’ve been listening to the many highlights and proud moments from teachers and students since they arrived back last Wednesday.

The Value of Community has been highlighted across our kura (school) these past two weeks, particularly during morning tea and lunch. We have between three and five staff on duty each break and they have all commented on the kind, caring and thoughtful interactions they have witnessed. In particular, they have noticed how our senior students are supporting our junior students in a variety of ways...Art Club, tennis, water play, bike track activities, organised games like the parachute and general care for our learners who need a bit of extra care and support. This is what makes our kura such a special place to be.

Ngā mihi nui

Tracey Bennett

On Tuesday 7th March I had the pleasure of taking the House Leaders and Student Council for an overnight camp on Maungakawa Hills overlooking Cambridge and much of the Waikato Basin. I was accompanied by BOT member Frank Spence and teacher Rebecca Silcock. The purpose of the trip was to explore the local flora and fauna, learn some of the history of the area and participate in camp making. By 9am we left school and parked at the venue. The site is on land owned by the Schick whānau and we are so grateful they have supported us in making this venture for our school leaders possible. After a 45 minute hike into our camp site the students were excited to set up camp and had a chance to utilise their knot tying skills for the fly cover shelters they would be sleeping under. Once set up the students explored the area around our campsite and set to work building huts, exploring the creek and making some kawakawa tea. The students showed the value of challenge and courage when they set off through the bush on a 3 hour hike exploring the native trees and plants and learning their nutritional and medicinal qualities. We also spotted pīwakawaka, tūī and kererū as well as wild deer. Panoramic views of the Waikato were seen from the top points of Maungakawa and mountains such as Maungatautari, Pirongia, Kakepuku, Te Kawa, Hakirimata and the distant Karioi near Raglan were identified. All of the hiking soon brought on a massive appetite and not long after returning to camp we had a group of our students cooking a dinner that was enjoyed by all. As night closed upon us torches came out and spotlight among the trees took place until the call to bed was made. Nothing beats sleeping in the open listening to the sounds of the bush and awakening to native birdsong and light sneeking through the trees. After a hot brew of kawakawa tea the breakfast crew of students got to work and soon had a feast prepared of fried up leftovers along with some bacon thrown in for good measure. This was devoured eagerly before the clean-up and taking down of camp. The final hike out saw the students led through the bush following Frank Spence’s carefully plotted path and soon all were back at the carpark ready to return to school. It was nice to hear what students got from the experience such as learning about the bush, learning how to cook and clean for yourself, working together and also how the calm and peacefulness of the bush can stay with you when times get a little too busy and stressed. Time during our stay seemed to stand still and one could just appreciate being in amongst nature and feeling free and unecumbered from the rest of the world. Perhaps this was the growth we all acheived. Our only reminder of the world we left earlier in the day being the distant hum of the expressway in the still of the night. Our student leaders should remember this experience for a long time to come and hopefully one day they will venture out again to experience what our backyard can offer in the short space of time. A big thankyou to Frank Spence who became our teacher with his vast knowledge of the bush, lots of tips and reminders were given to the children in the name of conservation. Through Frank’s efforts and along with other helpers they have created a space that can be utilised safely each year for our student leaders. Frank’s passion for the outdoors is immense and this was a real asset before and during the camp. Another thank you to Mrs Silcock who apart from burning the toast was another helpful addition to the team. Looking forward to future experiences on Maungakawa.

Mr Marchioni

Wednesday 15 March - Junior School Swimming Display

Thursday 16 March - Strike Action

Friday 17 March - Bulb Fundraiser - order close

Friday 17 March - St Patrick's Day

Monday 20 March - Senior School Swimming Sports

Thursday 23 March - School Photo Day

Thursday 23 March - BOT Meeting

Thursday 30 March-Senior School Attending Science Roadshow

Friday 31 March - Celebration assembly 8:40am

Friday 31 March - WFPSA Swimming

Monday 3 April - Interschool Swimming Yr 4-6

Tuesday 4 April - Boostrix & HPV Dose 1 Immunisation (Yr 7/8)

Thursday 6 April - Easter Raffle Draw

Thursday 6 April - Last Day of Term 1

Our bulb fundraiser is a great opportunity to purchase spring flowering bulbs, money raised will go toward our Enviro Garden.

You can order and pay through Kindo Shop.

Orders close Friday 17th March.

Multi award winning Master Builders Kit-Markin Homes will donate $5000 to Hautapu School when friends and family of the school choose them to build their new home or commercial building. New decks from the community will result in a $500 donation to the school. Contact Josh on 0279355435 or josh@kmh.co.nz