Kia ora and greetings to all

I hope you are all safe and well. Juggling the home learning as well as things such as working from home is a very big challenge, and I would like to acknowledge your efforts in this tricky time. When we were thrust into lockdown last week it was a bit of a juggling act here with 3 kids requiring the use of the sole laptop we have in the house. I had a load of important work to get done but I also had the to keep them focussed and not idle. I had to think of something!

Wellbeing is a big deal at the moment. So I drew up a Whare Tapa Wha (Sir Mason Durie, 1994) and am using it to run 'Tamariki o te ra' our in house. Each child including the adults in the house have to self motivate and consciously achieve all 4 pillars of the whare (see pic above). Tinana (body), Hingengaro (mind), Wairua (spirit), and Whanau (family) which respectively equates to doing: some exercise, something that activates your brain, something that makes you happy, and something that gives back to the whanau. Collectively these 4 dimensions support overall Hauora (wellbeing). Each family member shares their day of hauora at dinner time. For instance my day could be a long run (tinana), hosting a staff zoom meeting (mind), hitting a few golf balls in the paddock (wairua) and making chicken curry for dinner that night (whanau).

My youngest boy (10 years) got a bit stumped when he had to cover off the whanau dimension. "What about stacking the firewood in the shed?" I asked. After a bit of explaining he then understood that this rather mundane job actually helps the whole family and covers off one of the walls of the whare. They are getting clever now, because they understand some things cover off a few of the dimensions.

Anyhow, the child of the day who makes the best effort with their hauora is rewarded with their choice of a movie/ or a 10 minute back tickle.

Take care everybody. Please read the senior and junior team updates as well as the BOT announcement further on in the newsletter. I look forward to seeing you all at some stage in the not too distant future.

Mr Tawhiti

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Amidst all the disruptions and challenges presented by the latest outbreak of COVID-19 the Patumahoe School Board of Trustees would like to signal our commitment and intention towards exploring every option possible to ensure that this year's Calf Club goes ahead.

We will monitor the Alert Level situation, and will plan accordingly. This will likely mean that the day will run differently than it has past as well as potentially being on a slightly later date but before the group day (27th October). We are aware that a number of families have made a commitment with animals and we feel the efforts of both the children and families should be rewarded.

Kia Ora Koutou junior families. As you have seen the Junior teachers have been busy creating lessons and activities for you to complete during lockdown. Please do what you can but if all else fails, reading everyday is what we would like to see with children so their progress over the last 2 and a half terms is maintained. Here is a link to the junior website again it has lots of learning and cool activities for you to try and a daily challenge from Miss Tupai.

https://sites.google.com/patumahoe.school.nz/pattyonlinejunior/home

We hope you are all safe and happy in your bubbles and miss your smiling faces at school. Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with your child's teacher. We appreciate all our families do in these unprecedented times.

Much Love The Junior Team

• 10th September - PTA Grocery Mufti Day
• 20th September - Year 5/6 Girls Basketball
• 21st September - BOT Meeting
• 22nd September - Year 5/6 Boys Basketball
• 25th September - CALF CLUB DAY (T.B.C)
• 22nd October - TEACHER ONLY DAY - NO SCHOOL