Toko School Newsletter
Thursday 17th September 2020
Kura Tuatahi Toko
Quality learning for all in a caring community.
Kounga ako mo katoa i roto i te taiao e atawhai ana.
Dear parents and friends of our school Kia Ora/Bora Da/Hello
Kia ora Koutou
This week has been Maori Language Week. This event has been celebrated in New Zealand since 1975. Maori Language Day was Monday September 14th and commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Maori language petition to parliament.
Mahuru Maori is an initiative that begun in 2017 to promote the use of te reo Maori through the month of September.
Why a week?
Because New Zealand is revitalising the Māori language and a part of that is celebration of our success and promoting te reo Māori. Māori language week is an opportunity for concentrated celebration, promotion and encouragement. And every minute of every hour of every day is a Māori language minute – we can choose to use te reo – every time we do, even just a ‘Kia ora!’ contributes to revitalisation.
Te Wiki o te reo Māori is becoming a major fixture on the national calendar providing an opportunity for concentrated promotion, raising awareness and giving an opportunity for expert and advanced speakers to encourage others on their te reo Māori journey.
What can we do?
Everyone can contribute to te reo Māori revitalisation:
- Make te reo welcome at work and in the community
- Encourage others to use and learn te reo Māori; welcome Māori language into your life
- Pronounce Māori words correctly when speaking English
- Learn a little, use a little
- Learn more, and use what you know
- Keep improving your language, and share what you know
Here are lots of ideas to get you started: IDEAS
The theme for Māori Language Week this year is Kia Kaha te Reo Māori - Let's make the Māori language strong, and that is something we can all do, by giving the language the mana it deserves and having a go.‘Kia Kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.
On Monday, at the glockenspeil in Stratford, Romeo and Juliet were recited in te reo Maori. This is a first for Stratford. A number of our Kahui Ako Schools were there to support this. We sent four of our Kapa Haka leaders to join in the celebrations - Arlo, Ben, Justine and Aleah.
WELCOME TO TOKO SCHOOL
SCHOOL PRODUCTION POSTPONED
This is one message we really didn't want to deliver this year...
Sadly, after much discussion as a staff and BOT, we have made the decision to postpone our school production until 2021.
We know this will be upsetting for students and their families but we can not spend the next 14 weeks preparing for such a big event that can not take place under Level 2 and we could go back to level 2 at anytime.
We will still have a focus on the Arts curriculum during Term 4 and as a staff we are rethinking and planning what this will look like.
SCHOOL CHOIR - PERFORMING ON SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER
HAROLD IS VISITING TOKO SCHOOL
Room 1: Uniqueness and friendships
Room 2: Friendships, kindness and how to sort out problems with friends.
Room 3: Team work and what makes a great leader.
Room 4: Healthy food and how to read packaging
Room 5: Friendships and decision making
Room 6: Reputations and decision making.
So have a talk with your child/ren about what Harold has been teaching them.
SCHOOL CALENDAR ART
NEW ZEALAND SHAKEOUT
Here is a great website to go to, and a game for children to play to see if your home is safe. Shake out NZ. ShakeOut is held across the world to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquate - Drop, Cover and Hold.
SHOEBOX CHRISTMAS
We have signed up to a Shoebox Christmas for 2020. More information regarding this will be sent home at the beginning of Term 4 but we are looking for 20 shoeboxes that are in good condition please.
BOT UPDATES
New Toko School T.shirt & Hoodie
Thank you to those families that provided feedback regarding the new designs. Becasue we have no whole school events coming up we have decided that we will not take orders for these until the beginning of the new school year.
2021 Camp
2021 Year 6 - 8 Camp
Next year we will be taking our entire Year 6 - 8 group of students away together.
This camp will be based in Taranaki in the Okoki Valley. If we are in Alert Levels 1 or 2 we will be able to proceed with this camp. The dates have been booked for Tuesday 9th - Friday 12th March. Further information including costs will be sent home before the end of the term.
ENVIRO UPDATES
Garden Items Needed
If anyone has some small 6 cell planter pots hanging around at home the school is looking for some. Please drop off at the school office if you would like to donate them.
Working Bee
PTA UPDATES
At this stage we are still planning to proceed with this event. If we are still in Level Two we may have to make some organisational changes to the day.
Guidelines have previously been sent out via the school app. We have added them here as a reminder: Calf & Lamb Day Guidelines
Hall of Creativity On Friday 16th October all children will create something that will be judged and displayed in the school hall. Please find the attached guidelines for this for each group of classes. This will be discussed in classes and further information will be sent home from each class. Hall of Creativity
CAKE AUCTION Each year after Calf and Lamb Day we run a cake auction. Can all families please supply baking and this can be dropped off at school on the morning of Calf and Lamb day. Thank you in anticipation.
A newsletter will be sent home on the first day of Term 4 with further details.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Central Cross Country
Last Wednesday we had 40 students compete in the Central Taranaki School’s Cross Country. This was a great day. Thank you to the Stratford Athletics Club and Stratford Primary School for organising this and hosting the event.
Placings:
9 and under girls
1st - Caitlin O
2nd - Gabriella F
9 and under boys
1st - Joe S
2nd - Tyler C
Cullum W - 8
Bryn W - 10
10 year old girls
1st - Charlotte H
10 year old boys
1st - Mason C
6 th - Aidan C
11 year old girls
3rd - Sophie L
4th - Holly T
8th - Leah S
11 year old boys
1st - Sam W
2nd - Declan H
9th - Arlo W
10th - Ben S
12 year old girls
2nd - Amy S
4th - Sinead O
12 year old boys
2nd - Zack H
5th- William C
13 year old girls
4th - Lexi M
13 year old boys3rd - Jared T
5th - Slade L
6th - Sam H
Weetbix Tryathlon
Registrations for the 2021 Weetbix Tryathlon are now open. Please use the following link to register under Toko School.
Rich Weir Cup
Yesterday the Yr 7 & 8 rugby and netball team played against Ngaere School for the Rich and Weir Cups. This was a fantastic morning out ( and yay we finally got to go ahead with an inter-school exchange this year). Well done to both teams for bringing the cups home again. A big thanks to Clint and Nicky for coaching the teams and to Rachel for umpiring.
Taranaki Cross Country
Next Wednesday we have 32 children competing at the Taranaki School’s Cross Country in Hawera. Notices were sent home with those involved earlier in the week. Best of luck to everyone involved in this.
Willie Banks Basketball Training
Next week we are fortunate to have Willie Banks coming to our school to run basketball skills sessions with our Year Y3-8. These will take place next Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Suitable footwear on these days is advised.
Touch Rugby
Touch Rugby will be taking place on a Tuesday afternoon after school in Term 4. Children that have indicated that they are interested in this will be bringing home a notice regarding this today.
COLOUR RUN - Postponed - A new date will be set in Term 4.
LIBRARY BOOKS
HELPING YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME
Will you fall for fake news?
Kiwis are getting caught up on what's fact and what's fiction with 52 percent admitting they have fallen for fake news. Netsafe's Survey found 48 percent are concerned about mistakenly spreading fake news and 14 percent have seen misleading stories related to COVID-19.
Because of this, Netsafe have launched the Your News Bulletin campaign to capture people's attention and encourage them to test their fake news spotting skills.
Take the quiz here, and see if you can spot fake news or not.
ORAL LANGUAGE TIPS FOR PARENTS
1. Visit the local library and choose books together both fiction and reference books.
2. Make up a story from your own experiences or from when your children were little. For example: the day you lost your first tooth. Or even better, a time you were in the learning pit and how you dealt with frustration.
3. Turn off the TV and take turns to tell some news from the day. Be careful not to dwell too much on the negative aspects of your busy day. Perhaps offer a topic such as 2 good things that happened in your day.
4. Play talking/memory games such as "I went to the zoo and I saw". How many times do you think you can go around the table before someone gets it wrong?
5. Play cards or boards games. Give the children opportunities to explain the rules and organize the games.
6. Play - Would you rather be a...... or a ...... game.
PHOTOLIFE - School Photos
You are able to order with free delivery until midnight on Sunday 27th September 2020.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
DUCK EGGS FOR SALE
BOOK NOW Term 4
FLYERS SWIM SCHOOL
All ages / all levels.
Please enrol via our Facebook page -
Flyers Swim Squad
or Call/text Aimee 027 283 1733
Holiday lessons
5th-9th October $50 for 5 lessons includes pool entry.
KAPAHAKA - HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
TE REO ENRICHMENT/ BEGINNER LEVEL (12 WEEKS)
Zoom sessions: One class per week, 3 DAYS TO CHOOSE FROM
STARTING 5TH OCTOBER 2020
Monday 6pm to 7.30pm Or Tuesday 6pm to 7.30pm Or
Wednesday 6pm to 7.30pm
VISION: To help teach people of all ages, race, creed, gender, beliefs, and religion to speak the Māori language in a safe user-friendly environment. We want you to be a part of the solution to help rejuvenate, create and staircase those in pursuit of knowledge and skills of the Māori language
MISSION:
· We will help students develop elementary knowledge and skills of the Māori language.
· We will use inclusive methodology within our learning strategies.
· Te Reo Māori will be encouraged and used daily with in our everyday routine.
VALUES:
· The Māori language will help us connect to Iwi, Maori, and Communities
· Deliver Māori language to communities and homes without leaving home
Kupu o Mātauranga (words of wisdom)
· Kia harakoa te ngākau i ngā wa katoa let the heart be merry
· Kia atawhai tētahi ki tētahi be kind to one another
· Maumahara kei te ako tātou katoa remember we are all learning
· Whakamana tātou ia tātou empower one another
· Contact Wharekuka Tongaawhikau on Facebook, email: wharekuka@xtra.co.nz or Cell 0273095338 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Toko School
Email: office@toko.school.nz
Website: www.toko.school.nz
Location: 1057 East Road, Toko, New Zealand
Phone: 06 7622849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokoSchool/?ref=bookmarks