Parent Conferences

The children have been hard at work this week preparing for the Parent Conferences, which are a fitting culmination to their learning and hard work this term. Along with your child's latest report, we hope this has given you some valuable insight into your child's progress, goals and learning in class.

Staff Farewell

As the term draws to a close, we bid a fond farewell to two members of our teaching team who are relocating overseas. Shereen Edgecombe (Y5) and Maddie Lath (Y3) will be heading for new adventures and new horizons, and will be greatly missed by children, staff and parents. Both Shereen and Maddie have made a positive contribution to their learners and our school, and we wish them all the very best on their travels!

Next term, we welcome Kate Stevens to Y5 and Christine Adamson to Y3, and I know that you will join me in supporting them as they settle into their new roles at MENPS.

COVID Settings

As you will be aware, the signs suggest that we can expect COVID-related measures to continue at Orange setting for some time, particularly as winter illnesses compound the pressures on our health system and a second wave appears increasingly likely.

Our goals will continue the focus on ensuring children learn (at school!) in as happy, safe and successful a way as possible, while mitigating the spread and potential disruption of COVID.

The good news is that we have reason to be confident in our approach, which has paid off and been highly successful so far.

While we've had to contend with the many winter illnesses in the mix, I'm pleased to report that not only have we managed to keep the COVID rate down to around the 1-2% mark throughout the term, but also that our most recent formal assessments in reading and maths have confirmed that student achievement has largely returned to the same high levels we maintained before the disruption of COVID lockdowns and absences.

Most importantly, the children seem as happy and well-adjusted as ever. At no point have we been faced with a widespread outbreak in classes, had to close year levels/the school or had to resort to other measures - such as splitting classes - in order to manage staffing, which has been the experience of many schools.

Overall, this is no small achievement in the circumstances, and a collective effort that parents, teachers (and the children!) should be proud of, so I'd like to acknowledge the contribution and support that's made it all possible.

On that note, I'd like to sign off Term 2 by passing on my best wishes for the term break - we look forward to seeing everyone on the other side!

Ka kite anō au i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

The MENPS Board is seeking your views! Please take some time to tell us about your experience and aspirations as a parent at our school by clicking on the link below to a short survey. To get started and have your say, click here

Friday, 8 July: Term 2 Ends - 3pm

Monday, 25 July: Term 3 Starts - 9am

This is going to be a great night, at a great venue – and with an awesome entertainment crew of dads including Quiz Headmaster Ben and Disco DJ Nick.

Tickets are selling fast - only 5 tables remain so get your table or single tickets today.

More details will be available on the PTA website here over coming weeks.

3pm Frday 8 July
Top courts - $1 cash

Many thanks to Anjana Rele and team for helping run a much love end of term tradition.

Fun at the Fair

There are preparations underway for the fair, we need help with a few key roles - this is to help with stalls on the day and in the lead up to the November event.

We are still looking for help – without you we can’t do it!

It’s not as scary as it sounds – you will have a lot of support, you might make new friends and you will have fun!

• We will help you to co-ordinate
• We will assist with questions
• We will be there to get you set up on the day
  

Our Fair is our pride (big community event) we love the ‘family feel’ on the day.

We need coordinators for the following stalls:

• Lucky and Lollies Jars
• Face Painting
  
• Dunking Machine
• Farm Stall

Please email us at menpspta@gmail.com for more information.

Thanks to those that attended the PTA meeting on Tuesday this week. We reflected on Magic Spells and planned for the return of Calendar Art fundraiser.

We also discussed the final plans for the Quiz night (Saturday August 13) and the work ahead for the Food & Fun Fair (Sunday November 13).

Full minutes are available here.

Chairperson Aimee Chikunda

Deputy Chairperson Pam Clifford

Secretary Jane Cunningham

Treasurer Diem Vo

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner

PTA Advisor Scott Optican

Full team listed here

Email menpspta@gmail.com | PTA website

Follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with the PTA on Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA page.

Support our school by eating a delicious Roast at The Bridgman.

Seems too easy but $10 of every kids meal goes directly to our school funds. All you need to do is book your table and put MENPS into the ‘requests’ box and they will donate the profits of your kids meals back to the school.

Easy right?
Just book here - The Bridgman | Corner of Dominion & Valley Roads | Carefully curated food, drinks & cocktails.

Mike Robson from Ray White Damerell Group is a leading agent in Mt Eden and surrounding areas . In 2021 Team Mike Robson became the Principal Sponsor of MENPS, supporting the school in its fundraising activities including the annual Food & Fun Fair.

Are you thinking about buying or selling?
As part of their sponsorship of MENPS, Team Mike Robson donates $1,000 back to the school for any property sold within the school zone for MENPS families. Feel free to call Mike (021484288) any time you’ve got a real estate query - he’s always happy to have a chat and answer your questions.

Find out more about Team Mike Robson and why they love living and working in Mt Eden.
Website - www.mikerobson.co.nz

Playing chess develops self-confidence, concentration and problem-solving skills. We are really pleased to continue the Chess Coaching Programme at our school and look forward to bringing the excitement, competition and educational benefits of chess to our children.

Why Chess?

• Improve concentration and focus
• Develop important life skills – fair play and decision making
• Tactical & Strategic thinking
• Prepare for Chess Tournaments against other schools
• Develop a love of chess, of learning and of thinking

What happens in a Chess Power Coaching Programme?

Each session starts with a formal lesson; all players will learn a new strategy, idea or skill each week. Then students put those skills into practice with activities and games. All games are monitored and supervised by the coach who provides individual feedback along the way. Throughout the programme, we reward kids that do well and encourage and support kids that are struggling. At completion of the programme we recognise each child with a certificate based on their performance.

Q Where can I learn more?

A Visit our website, www.chesspower.co.nz and click Parents Centre

CLASS DETAILS

This is a 10-week chess coaching program running on Mondays from 25 July 2022 until 26 September 2022 at lunch-times from 1:00 - 2:00pm. The fee will be $170/student for the term.

The sessions will be held in the hall.

REGISTRATION

If your child would like to be part of this please visit our website and register.

www.chesspower.co.nz/class-registration

Cornwall is hosting holiday clinics and winter programmes during July. We would love to see players or kids from your school attend to help grow the sport and to build a relationship with the school for any future adventures.

Holiday Clinic: https://form.jotform.com/221638470357863

July 11th–13th (Under 10/11s)

July 14th-July 15th ( Girls 11-16)

July 18th–20th (Under 12/13s)

Winter Programme: https://form.jotform.com/221637561783866

Sundays - 9 am to 12:45 for various age groups