Newsletter 16th March 2023
Taradale Primary School
Acting Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou e te whānau,
I wanted to take a moment to express our thanks to those whānau who have been able to attend our Connecting with Whānau hui this week. We hope that the hui have provided you with valuable insights into what teaching and learning looks like in our teams across our kura and will help to strengthen our whānau-school partnership.
As we all know, the last few years have brought about unprecedented changes in the way we live and work. In particular, the role of kaiako/ teachers has become increasingly demanding. Kaiako have had to adapt quickly to new teaching methods, be innovative with the use of technology, and most importantly meet the pastoral care needs of their tamariki.
Today, some of our colleagues across the motu are taking part in strike action, as part of a nationwide effort to highlight the challenges kaiako face in their roles. While we support their decision to do so, our kura has an exemption, based on recent events and our desire to support the needs of our TPS whānau at this time.
Despite considering the government's offers to settle our collective agreements, primary and area school principals and teachers in kindergartens feel that the offers fell short of our expectations and the changes needed for our tamariki to succeed. As a result, kura across the motu made the difficult decision to take industrial action today, March 16th. This decision was not taken lightly, but we believe it is necessary to make the government listen and recognise that supporting the learning and success of our tamariki ultimately benefits whānau and communities.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work towards providing the best possible education for our tamariki. We hope you are behind us!
Ngā mihi nui,
Greg English
Upcoming Events
Team Toru Connecting with whānau Thursday, March 16th - 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Whānau Conferences - April 3rd – 5th, 2023
End of Term 1 - Thursday 6th April - 3pm finish
Teachers Only Day - Monday 24th April SCHOOL CLOSED
Anzac Day Tuesday 25th April - SCHOOL CLOSED
Term 2 Begins - Wednesday 26th April - 9am start
Jibbitz and Pokemon Cards
We want to clarify that Jibbitz may be worn on your Crocs or other shoes, but trading of these items is not allowed at school. We also ask that Pokemon cards are to be kept at home.
While we understand the excitement and fun that comes with collecting and trading these items, they can cause distractions and potential issues for our learners.
We appreciate your support in this matter.
Flood Relief Fundraiser
Dear TPS whānau,
We would like to acknowledge the amazing response we received last week to the Flood Relief Pizza lunch.
As a collective group - we all came together and raised an incredible $2 011.60 via bucket donations on the Friday alone and an additional $3,387 in bank transfer donations throughout the week.
A whopping total of $5398!!!
We are humbled by each and everyone’s kindness and it was very special to see the kids so engaged giving back to the community. Kindness overruled on the day!
A Year 2 tamariki voice said “I hope these donations will help a family build a new home”
In the words of the great Fred Rogers
“Always look for the helpers especially in times of disaster. Because if you look for the helpers, then you know there is hope.”
Kia Kaha TPS!
Thank You
Taradale Primary School PTA
New Entrant Enrolment Notice
Attention whānau!
If you have a 5-year-old child or know of a family in our community who might be starting school this year, please let us know as soon as possible. We want to ensure that we have all the necessary information to make your child's transition to school as smooth as possible. Thank you!
Dolphin Academy Carpark reminder
Waicon are prepping and then laying asphalt over the stoned area in the corner of the carpark on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th March. The fenced area will be extended taking out more carparks on these days.
‘There are 4 marked Dolphin Academy carparks in the back carpark, these are reserved for swimmers who have a 3pm class on that day. Please do not park in these parks to pick up children from school, they are for swimmers only, specifically for 3pm class swimmers!’
Children's Asthma Study (CARE)
Rationale
One in seven children in NZ have asthma. This is one of the highest rates in the world. The impact on children is significant, with asthma accounting for 4.4 days off school, up to 10% of all NZ general practice (GP) consultations for children, and more than 3000 hospital admissions, every year.
Many children only use a short-acting reliever (“blue”) inhaler (“puffer”), such as Ventolin or Respigen, which provides fast symptom relief, but does not treat swelling in the lungs that is often present; this can increase the risk of asthma attacks.
Two recent studies in adults found that Symbicort (an inhaler that combines a long-acting reliever and a weak steroid) taken only when needed was more effective than short-acting relievers at controlling asthma. In particular, Symbicort reduced asthma attacks by more than half. The 2020 NZ adolescent and adult asthma guidelines were changed in response to these findings, recommending that Symbicort be used instead of short-acting relievers.
There have been no similar studies in children; if comparable efficacy of this regimen is shown in childhood asthma, then its implementation would transform international guideline recommendations and has the potential to markedly reduce asthma morbidity globally.
Study design
The CARE study has been designed by a team of international asthma experts and paediatricians. The aim of the study is to find out if there is a difference in the number of asthma attacks between the two treatments.
To do this, we plan to enrol 360 children across New Zealand. All children who take part will be randomly assigned to use Ventolin (a short-acting reliever) or Symbicort Rapihaler (a long-acting reliever with a weak steroid) for 1 year.
During the study, participants will attend five visits, at 13-weekly intervals. Three visits will be conducted either in person at Taradale Medical Centre or virtually using video conferencing software and two via telephone.
Visit procedures include completing asthma questionnaires and performing basic breathing tests (in person only).
Please follow the links below for further information
More information: https://trials.mrinz.ac.nz/surveys/?s=XFL7DL98HD
Our study website: https://www.mrinz.ac.nz/currently-recruiting/care-study
Email: care@mrinz.ac.nz
Telephone: 027 241 1709
