Kia ora koutou,

This spring weather is certainly lifting everyone’s spirits, yet also reminding us that the year is speeding along! We have had another productive couple of weeks since our last Pānui (newsletter) and a busy end to the term coming up.

AIMS Games

The Zespri AIMS Games is one of Australasia’s largest junior sporting events, held annually in Tauranga. Since its inception in 2004, the Zespri AIMS Games have grown from 760 competitors representing 17 schools and four sporting codes, to the 2023 tournament which welcomed 11,733 competitors, representing 374 schools and 25 sporting codes.

We entered two hockey teams this year and we couldn’t be more proud of them all. I had the privilege of going along for two days last week and the level of sportsmanship, resilience, camaraderie and performance was outstanding. The teams had some losses, intense close losses, draws and some wins during the week. Throughout all these results they held their heads high and showed teamwork and resilience. The experience gained from events like this will help shape our students for many future opportunities and the curve balls that life may throw their way.

I cannot express enough the gratitude I have for Stephanie Barr who organises this event each year, the coaches and managers who committed not only a week of their lives but many weeks helping these teams through the hockey season and to all the parent volunteers who cooked, cleaned and supported our students, coaches and managers.

A special thank you must also go to:

Andrew Bigham - Coach

Stephanie Barr - Manager and organiser

Rochelle Spence - Coach

Traci Bevan - Manager

Nicola Silcock

Carla Baird

Tim & Rachael Bailey from Nicholson Surveying - Sponsors

Helaine Lombaard from Brandt - Sponsors

Speech Competitions

We’re looking forward to Hautapu representing us in two Speech Competitions this week. Molly Parker (Year 8) and Alexa Winslade (Year 7) will be competing in the Cambridge Speech Competition on Tuesday evening. Alexa won first place and Molly won second place in our Senior School Speech Competition which was judged by Judi Billcliff. Congratulations to Lucia Taylor (Year 6) who received an honourable mention by Judi Billcliff. Isabella Bond will be competing in the Waikato Full Primary Speech Competition on Wednesday evening; Isabella came third in the Regional Competition on the 30th August. Good luck to them all.

Jump Jam Competition

We have three teams competing in the Strictly Jump Jam Competition at Hamilton Boys High School this Saturday. We have entered a Year 1-4 team, a Year 5 team and a Year 6-8 team. Thank you very much to Nadine Taylor who has been coaching the Year 6-8 team and to Lisa Harvey & Karen Roelofse who have been coaching the other two teams. Thank you to the parents supporting at home too, I have heard some mums and dads have become quite good at the routine! I’m looking forward to seeing them all perform on Saturday.

Whānau Learning Conversations

Thank you to everyone who was able to meet with their child’s teacher a couple of weeks ago; I know this was a highlight for my staff as they have missed the regular interactions and conversations with all our parents. We had 87% of our whānau book in and I know many of you have caught up with your child’s teacher throughout the year. These times are so valued and important for the ongoing success of all our tamariki (children). Please feel free to pop into class so your child can share their learning at the end of the day. We love having all our families on our school grounds and being a part of our day to day interactions.

Good luck to everyone keeping up with the notices and events coming up in our final weeks of Term 3; it is full of opportunities for our students.

Kia pai tō wiki (Have a good week)

Tracey Bennett

Monday 11 September - Book Fair Week

Monday 11 September - Spelling Bee (for registered students only)

Tuesday 12 September - Book Character Day (dress up in your favourite story book character)

Wednesday 13 September - Waikato Full Primary Speech Competition, Ōhaupō School 6:30pm

Thursday 14 September - Senior Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Trip (Years 5-8)

Saturday 16 September - Strictly Jump Jam Competition @ Hamilton Boys High

Wednesday 20 September - Baking Competition & Dress in Red Day to raise funds for the

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Friday 22 September - Celebration Assembly 1:25pm

Friday 22 September - Last Day Term 3, normal finish time

Monday 9 October - First Day of Term 4

Friday 13 October - Hautapu School Ag Day

Tuesday 17 October - HPV Dose 2 Immunisation (Yr 8)

Friday 20 October - Group Day (Kaipaki hosting)

Monday 23 October - Labour Day, No School

Tuesday 26 October - BOT Meeting

Friday 27 October - Agricultural AMP Show

The ballot for a place at our school for OUT OF ZONE enrolments for 2024 will close on Friday 13th October.

We invite all siblings turning 5 in 2024 (regardless of whether you are in zone or not) to complete an online enrolment form. This helps us to plan for next year’s classes.

https://www.hautapu.school.nz/111/pages/38-submit-an-online-enrolment

Multi award winning Master Builders Kit-Markin Homes will donate $5000 to Hautapu School when friends and family of the school choose them to build their new home or commercial building. New decks from the community will result in a $500 donation to the school. Contact Josh on 0279355435 or josh@kmh.co.nz