• Tuesday 15th December - Last day of school
• Wednesday 16th December - Teachers Only Day (End of Term 4)
• Thursday 28th & Friday 29th January 2021 - School office open 9am-12pm
• Monday 1st February 2021 - First day of school

Term 4 Week 10

RAISE Goal: to celebrate everything I have learnt this term

Te reo phrase of the week: Meri Kirihimete (Merry Christmas)

Kia ora,

As the 2020 school year comes to close, I would like to celebrate a small selection of the events that we have experienced this year. Kelly Rawcliffe and Georgia Hancock joined our teaching team at the beginning of this year and were quickly welcomed by our supportive community and happy students. We added Dale West to the line up in Term 3, who seamlessly came into Room 4 and supported the students in their learning journey. In the current climate of a significant teacher shortage, it is incredibly pleasing to retain all of our wonderful teachers and support staff for 2021. Please note that all appointments we make comply with our Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) policy.

Covid-19 saw new experiences for students, parents, and teachers alike. Learning from home became an everyday occurrence, as did the need to get up to speed with the Zoom app. When you look at the news from around the world, NZ definitely seems to be in a great position at the moment and to have the current freedom of movement available to us over the holiday period is something to treasure.

It’s amazing to think that despite Covid-19, our school, students and staff have all made huge progress this year. The teachers were able to carry out their inquiries into a number of initiatives to boost student achievement and our students experienced a wide range of sporting activities and events, which was another goal for the year.

Lastly, the year would not be complete, without us achieving another first, which is obviously having our three senior classrooms completing their daily activities in the school hall. We cannot thank our BOT enough, for their tireless efforts in making sure the building project got off the ground and started before Christmas.

To see the progress the builders have made over the past couple of weeks is nothing short of amazing and I know they will be doing their best to stick to the planned time frame. At this stage we are working towards the senior classes being open in early March, which will mean Rooms 1, 2, and 3 will be working in the hall for the first four weeks of Term 1.

Guitar Lessons

We are very pleased to have Ben McLeod continue to teach our students guitar next year. The cost will again be $120 per term per student. Can you please email me at principal@matapu.school.nz if you would like to sign your child up for guitar lessons in the new year. I will pass on payment details in late January, along with dates and times.

On behalf of all of us here at Matapu School, we wish our fantastic families a Merry Christmas and happy New Year! Have a great time over the break and we’ll see you all in 2021.

Ngå mihi nui

James Willson

Our building project is in full swing with a jungle of fencing and scaffolding making normal school life a bit inconvenient. The build is scheduled to be finished by March so we will keep our fingers crossed that things remain on track.

It's been a bit of a hectic year with Covid disruptions and the like however we should all be proud of the way we have adapted and faced the challenges that have come with it.

A massive thanks to all our sponsors. Your continued support is much appreciated.

We would like to thank James and our staff for another amazing year. We hope you all enjoy a well deserved break and get some time out.

To the entire school community have a great break and enjoy some family time and a big thanks for your support throughout the year.

Matapu School BOT

WOW, what a wonderful end to a fantastic year!

Room One has been making the most of this sunshine and spending quality time with friends before we head off on holiday tomorrow.

It brings me such joy to see the amazing Room One team we have created. At the beginning of the year about a third of the class were new to Matapu School. They have worked so hard, built such great friendships and stepped up into leadership roles this year, all while navigating a new and at times, uncertain year. I couldn't be more proud of them.

Best wishes and have a lovely, festive holiday season,

Miss Rawcliffe

We even squeezed in some time with our new entrant buddies today.

The Junior Team went on an outing on Tuesday, shortened due to the weather but nonetheless an absolutely wonderful experience. We had the opportunity to visit Cherie Gleason’s amazingly decorated ‘Christmas House’ in Hawera - and it was absolutely worth the trip! For some the bus ride in was a highlight in itself, but the magic of the lights and decorations that adorned every available space as we entered the house was heaven for kids big and small!

At the end of our tour Santa’s helpers gave everyone a bag of Christmas treats, and we left our gold coin donations for the new St Johns Ambulance station in Hawera.

A big ‘Thanks’ to Katie Parry and her Mum for helping to facilitate the experience, and Cherie for allowing us to share in her Christmas wonderland!

Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Mark Joblin Concept & Construction Ltd, Sanfords Rural Carriers, Taranaki By-Products, McDonald Real Estate, Eltham Vet Services, ANZCO, Power Farming, Corrigan Electrical, Matapu Bulk Transport, CRV Ambreed, FMG, Mack Transport, Blastways, Nevada, Ballance, Todd Energy, & BCCL (Burgess Crowley Civil Limited) Carrfields Livestock, Rosemount Charolais - Dairy Bull Specialists, PGG Wrightson Livestock, Jack Gray Ltd, Hawera Auto Court. Bruce Parry Livestock, Kelsen's Glass & Glazing, Tommo's Tyres Ltd, Chris Perrett Electrical Solutions, Holdem Contracting Ltd, STE (South Taranaki Electrical)

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