Newsletter 28th July 2022
Taradale Primary School
Principal's Prattle
"Empathy is when a person accurately communicates that they see another's intentions and emotional state. It means watching our child's frustration and focusing on how life feels in that little child's body while putting our own anger and agenda into the background." Andrea Nair
Kia ora whānau
Welcome back to Term 3 and what a great start it has been too. I often bang on about the absolute energy that our tamariki bring into our kura as they arrive into school and that was so evident on Monday - a real hum and a buzz about the place! As usual there were smiles aplenty from all of us. It is certainly the case that we missed the tamariki and it seems that they missed us too. I wonder whether there were plenty of parents smiling too, knowing that school was back? As I stated, that absolute sense of vitality was so evident.
That is not the only thing that stands out though, as we also see plenty of examples of that wonderful word empathy. In Maori, we know this as pukuaroha, and it is beautifully captured through the whakatauki, "Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātou katoa", when you cry, your tears are shed by us all. And that is certainly the truth within our playground and the school environs. So often we see a small child being swarmed by bigger and older tamariki to assist them if they fall, if they feel sad or if they just need that kind word. Not often do we see tamariki walking past without noticing and that speaks volumes to their awareness of others and their ability to pick up on the feelings surrounding them. Is empathy inherent or is it learned? Hmmm...I wonder about that, as I am very sure that just as it is with so many other traits, empathy will be stronger in some than in others. However it is also true that if we are surrounded by those who have empathy and if this is role-modelled to us by those that are important in our lives then surely we can learn to be empathetic, or more empathetic than before. If we value empathy then we will be modelling it...and expecting it.
So what does kindness have to do with school success? Actually, a lot. It turns out that in most instances those that are schooled in feelings are often nicer, happier and more resilient than those who are less literate in their emotional wellbeing and Hauora. If we combine those elements then we know that this leads to success. Tamariki who are happy, who are resilient and who are nice, are also settled learners! A settled learner is a learner that makes progress, a learner that can be accelerated. Those that have been shown empathy by others feel supported and less alone. Again, this leads to happiness and resilience, which in turn leads to success. The one thing that stands out hugely in this regard is that we know that those who are in an unhappy, or unsafe, environment can really struggle at school. That is something that none of us want. This also fits ever so nicely within the culture of our kura with our expectation that anyone and everyone is looked after. Everyone!
Here is to those that have empathy, who promote empathy and to those that love helping others out. True legends, people who make a positive difference!
Ngā mihi
Marty Hantz
A Note from the Board of Trustees
The Board and the PTA would like to thank Angela Robinson of Arco Advisory and Accounting Limited for completing the PTA Accounts for the PTA AGM last night.
The accounts have to be presented to the Charities Commission each year and preparing them is a mammoth task for which Arco donate their time.
Angela's boys both attended TPS and her family played a huge role in the PTA during that time. We are very grateful for their continued support.
Upcoming Events
- Term 3 Begins - Monday 25th July, 9am
- Pizza and Cake Day - Friday 12th August
- Spooner Shield - Friday 19th August
- TPS Cross Country - Monday 29th August
- Wig Wednesday - Wednesday 7th September
- TPS School Fete - Sunday 18th September
- End of Term 3 - Friday 30th September
New Entrants
It is that time of the year when we plan for our Term 4 Year 0 intake and our Term 1 2023 Year 1 intake. And before we accept Out Of Zone enrolments we need to know how many In Zone learners we have. Now, as obvious as that might sound, we very often have locals rock up that we were not aware of which is great! We are also mindful though that we do not want to overload our class numbers. So, if you are aware of 4 year olds in our zone that are due to start please remind their parents to ensure that we know. If you have neighbours that are not sure what to do or how the process works then please ask them to contact us.
We may also be looking for one or two Out Of Zone enrolments too! If you have friends and whanau that are looking for a great school then point them in our direction.
Thanks PTA
This week the PTA held their AGM and it was wonderful to see new parents and whanau in attendance. The PTA is very much responsible for supporting the aims of the school and it is just amazing to see them working hand in hand with the Board of Trustees. Their financial support makes such a difference and apart from the magnificent donations given to our library, a classic example of what they can achieve is the way that they very quickly jumped aboard our request for a drone. This piece of technology has been a revelation as it has allowed us to film so many events and which has provided a 'forever' record of all that we do. And, let's be honest, that drone footage gives us perspectives that our own eyes cannot! This has become even more important because of the way that Covid has affected our whanau coming into school to share in our learning.
A massive thank you to all on the PTA.
Spooner Shield
The heat is on! This wonderful day is not too far away and we have had many of our Year 5 and 6 akonga keenly trialling for a spot in one of the teams that we will be taking. For those who are not aware of this day and what it is all about, this is the day when most of our local primary schools do battle across a range of sports vying for a trophy in each of them. The kura that has the most overall points on the day takes home the coveted Spooner Shield, a trophy that has been played for since at least 1969. TPS is the current holder and has held it four times over the last six years. It is fiercely contested but is also a fabulous day as our tamariki get to play against their usual club team-mates! Makes for great banter...between the parents, the teachers and principals too! A real celebration of sport and what it is really all about.
The sports played are...Year 5 Netball. Year 6 Netball, Rugby, Boys Football, Girls Football and Mixed Hockey.
Congratulations to those chosen to represent TPS...a real honour! To those who didn't quite make it, thanks for trialling! Your turn may yet come if you are a Year 5.
KAPAHAKA FESTIVAL
This will be held this year on Wednesday 16th November at the Municipal Theatre in Napier and although the final details are yet to be announced formally it looks as if there will be two sessions on that day with those being 5.30pm and at 7.30pm. There is room at each of those performances for 990 spectators so we hope that this will provide enough opportunity for all to attend. Put the date in your diaries, whether your tamariki are in the TPS Kapahaka or not, as this is a wonderful way that each kura can celebrate their love of Te Ao Maori! Please note that at this stage it may mean that not all schools will perform at the same time and that we may be performing at only one of those times. Watch this space for further developments!
This will be held this year on Wednesday 16th November at the Municipal Theatre in Napier and although the final details are yet to be announced formally it looks as if there will be two sessions on that day with those being 5.30pm and at 7.30pm. There is room at each of those performances for 990 spectators so we hope that this will provide enough opportunity for all to attend. Put the date in your diaries, whether your tamariki are in the TPS Kapahaka or not, as this is a wonderful way that each kura can celebrate their love of Te Ao Maori! Please note that at this stage it may mean that not all schools will perform at the same time and that we may be performing at only one of those times. Watch this space for further developments!
ILLNESSES AND ABSENCES.
A gentle and polite reminder that if your tamariki is ill then they should be kept from school to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. It is important that you all make sure that you let the teacher and the office know if your child is away, and it is equally important to know why they are away.
Tall Poppies
Congratulations to Nico Giddens, Year 5 , who has been selected for the Ngati Kahungunu Under 10's Rugby League team and will play in a national tournament in Whakatane in October! Excellent mahi, Nico.
Library News
Welcome back to term 3 to all our whanau and tamariki! The library is open and in full swing with lots of exciting plans for this term, including the Book Fair in late August.
I was so excited this week to have one of our wee students pop in to see me with a book her Mum had written! It is a gorgeous book with a special message about embracing individuality and what makes each one of us special.
Thank you so much Ida for donating a copy to our school library. The children are going to love this story.
Here is Logan and Luna Corpus proudly showing off their Mums book, Panda and the Magic soap.
Scholastic Book Club - Issue 5 is out now!
To celebrate and spread the love of reading, Scholastic are giving away FREE books to help grow your home library!
Place your Issue 5 order and select up to 3 FREE BOOKS *Conditions apply, see LOOP for more information
ISSUE 5 orders need to be ordered via LOOP by Wednesday 17th August 9am
Scholastic Book Club Issue 5
https://www.scholastic.co.nz/media/6224/bc5.jpg
Teachers Essentials
Te Reo Phrase of the Week
Be quiet-Turituri
Kia tau. Settle down/chill out.
COVID-19 Update
To the left you will find the table showing our current cases and what has happened overall.
At this week's Board of Trustees meeting we passed a policy that requires all Year 4 to 6 learners to wear a mask in class and for when they are in proximity to others. This will be strictly enforced as of Monday next week, and encouraged this week. The exclusions to this will be those learners who already have a mask exemption. The BoT has not taken this step lightly. This was undertaken to keep our tamariki and kaiako safe. Teacher sick days have increased by 50% across Aotearoa this year and many schools have had to compromise the learning by combining classes, sending classes home or closing schools. We are determined not to let that happen to us and determined to not let a second wave of Covid affect us. Please work with us to ensure the safety of all.
Fete Notice 2022
We will be making a different request for each Fete Friday for a bit after the school holidays.
This year we’re asking every family (even teachers) to please bring in your good quality preloved KIDS items on July 29 (or any other day at the office!) for our new PRELOVED stand!
We hope the school holidays will provide you with an opportunity to go through your kids’ stuff.It will be a great way to recycle and the more stuff we have the more $$ we can raise for the school. We do reserve the right to donate unsuitable items to the Op-shops if need be.
We want to use the best of the best stuff!
If it's a rainy day we might just be in the hall collecting. But we will have a box waiting to take donations from this Monday.
Thank you all so much!