TE PĀNUI O TE KURA O PUKETAPU

From Our Principal

Kia ora whānau and community

How welcome Spring is with the fine days to enjoy outside, perfect for our interschool sports this week. Congratulations Kōwhai and Kauri for going out and representing our school, showing our values and making us proud. Thank you also to our adults who organise and support these events

Recently we have had quite a few visitors to our school and so many have commented about the lovely wairua of our school - how calm and beautiful our children are and how they are all individuals, not afraid to show their own colours. We know this, but it is lovely to have others from outside our school notice it too!

A special acknowledgement to all the beautiful men in our community who are part of raising the tamariki of Puketapu School. Always know how important you are in the lives of the children and that your love, care, sense of fun and way of being make every difference to your tamariki and those around them. Have fun and enjoy this weekend dedicated to Dads (of all kinds)!

Here is a very special song "for all the kids in the world" - a heartfelt song about a father's love for his daughter. Enjoy.

Staying Safe at School

This term we are teaching and learning about our Safety Drill procedures and having a practice at all of them.

This week we learned about the Fire procedures and how to evacuate safely and assemble on the courts to check we are all safely out of the buildings.

Next week we will practice the Lock Down procedures using our new alarm system. Lock down is used for any reason that requires everyone to stay inside - for example, a wandering dog or an angry child in the playground with a stick.

A heads up for those who live close to the school - our new alarm system is loud and uses words. Please don't be alarmed, these are planned drills so we all know what to do.

Teachers will be preparing children so they know what to expect and what to do.

This might be a great time to talk about what your plans at home could be and practice these at home too.

Staying safe at the gate

The safety of all our children as they leave school each day is very, very important.

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at how we can make our front gate safer at the end of the school day, with some help from Parking Wardens from the Council and Police.

Earlier this week we coned off the drop off bay for a returning bus and the congestion around the gate disappeared!

Therefore, from next week we will be coning off the drop off bay in the afternoon until after the bell has rung.

Please talk with your children about alternative places to meet or if, now that the weather is starting to improve, they could walk, scooter or bike to school.

TE MAKO MATAWHERO AWARDS

Our fortnightly Te Mako Matawhero award winners get to enjoy a special morning tea today.

RIMU- Aiden Terrill, Lily Ponting, Matayce Martin & Liliana Hodson

TOTARA- Lucita McNarama, Kohen Harvey, Hanale Adams, Phoenix Scott & Connor Scholtz

KOWHAI- Brooke Balsom, Isla Johnson, Tylah Taitoko & Navanah Meston

KAURI- Jade Grocock, KIngston Benton, Tayla Gorrie & Khade Gray

WEEK 6 SUPERSTARS

This week we had so many super super super stars! Our Kauri team had some Leaders showing school values at Student Showcase, Totara was on fire with tamariki coming to the office with certificates most days, Rocky Lomano from Kowhai has been doing a great job showing our school values and one of our school Miniball teams all received a certificate for showing amazing school values on the Basketball court.

home & school

CALENDAR ART

Calendar Art Order forms were handed out this week. If you have misplaced yours or need an extra one we have spare copies in the office.

This year Calendar Art order forms are to be handed into the Home & School box in the office. You can pay online directly to Home & School (not school) or bring cash in a zip lock bag or envelope and place in the box with your order form.

CROSS COUNTRY

Thank you to all the kids who got sponsorship for the cross country and returned their forms. We are excited to announce you helped us raise just over $5300 to go towards some current projects which consists of sandpit, resurfacing the pool, bringing colour and fun games to our concrete areas.

HOME & SCHOOL QUIZ NIGHT

Email Home & School to register your team - homeandschool@puketapu.school.nz

Check out the Facebook event here - https://fb.me/e/1KnHI2zV7

Let's Get Wiggy With it!

Every week in Aotearoa, three families are told the heartbreaking news that their child has cancer. The treatment these children undergo often means they need to brave the world with no hair.

We are showing our support by joining in Wig Wednesday!

Wear a wig, style a funky hairdo or even shave your head, all while raising money for Child Cancer Foundation.

Gold coin donation optional or you can donate online.

Wednesday 7 September 2022 - let's get wiggy!

sport

TOUCH - TERM 4

If you are wanting your child to play touch next Term you must register through Hero.

Simply tick the appropriate reply in the Hero post and it is done!

If you are having trouble getting onto Hero please see Paula or Kerie in the office.

This will be played on Wednesday afternoons at Hickford Park in Bell Block.

Grades available are Under 6, 8,10, 12 and Intermediate.

Each team will need a coach and a person to do the subbing.

PUKETAPU THUNDER

On Sunday Puketapu Thunder took part in the Closing Day Netball Tournament. They were lucky enough to meet Silver Fern & Pulse player Whitney Souness who has recently returned from Birmingham where she represented NZ in the Commonwealth games. There were a few happy smiles!

lucky book club issue 6

Issue 6 is out... Please bring orders back to school by Friday 9 September.

Did you know you can order online through The Loop? Download the app and order at your leisure!

Puketapu Sports ts

Did you know you can purchase Puketapu Sports T-Shirts from the School office for $45.00 and even better once your child has grown out of it we will buy it back off you for $20.00.

We have lots of sizes available and your child will own their top instead of borrowing one, so they can wear it any time they want.

Child sizes 6 - 14 and Adult sizes XS - XL

Last call for votes!

Voting closes at noon on Wednesday next week.

This is your chance to have your say about which five parents become our Board of Trustees for the next three years.

Once you have made your choice, please use the yellow voting form to select up to 5 people, then pop it in the return envelope and drop it back to school. (If you want to post it back that's fine, but you will have to buy a stamp.)

Voting papers MUST be in the return envelope and must be back at school no later than noon on Wednesday 7 September 2022.

Time to Enrol!

Enrolment at our school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office.

The school has determined that it is likely that up to TWO places for Year 4-5 students and up to THREE places for Year 0-1 students are likely to be available for out-of-zone students next term. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

This enrolment period runs from Monday 17 October until Friday 4 November. For students seeking enrolment within the third enrolment period, the deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Sunday 2 October 2022.

Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend enrolling their child at any time during the year should notify the school to assist the school to plan appropriately.

Applications are made online at https://enrolments.linc-ed.com/apply/NZ/2223

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on Monday 3 October 2022. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

Details relating to the enrolment period for 2023 will be published later this month.