Week 3 Term 1 2020
Newsletter
TAURANGA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Principal's Message
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou katoa - Warm greetings to you all.
This week is very exciting as the construction works begin on our A Block upgrade. The toilets are the first part of the renovation and we will use a port-a-loo system on the senior site whist this part is completed. We have talked to the children about using the port-a-loos respectfully, and keeping away from the contractors' fencing.
Email is the best way to contact your child's class teacher; these are checked regularly in the working day. We aim to respond to emails within two working days and inside work hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. If it is an urgent matter that requires an urgent response, please ring the office.
Thank you to those Year 1 and 2 families who have been able to take advantage of the 2.50pm pick up and go end of the day option. This does assist with creating carparks for parents of older children. We have monitored the carparks over the last week and carparks do become available on Arundel Street and 5th Avenue from 3:05pm.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Family Picnic on Thursday 5:00-7:00pm. Bring along a picnic dinner to enjoy on the senior site. The Friends of the School have organised free rides for the children and ice blocks at the end of the evening. Throughout the evening each team will be hosting a parent session to talk about the year ahead. These sessions are staggered so that parents with more than one child are able to attend each session.
5:30 pm Year 1 (R15, 16, 17 & 19 ) in Room 19
5:30 pm Year 2 (R11, 12 & 13) in Room 12
6:00 pm Years 3 and 4 in the hall
6:30 pm Years 5 and 6 and Whaea Kat's Year 4/5 class in Senior Hub 1
If it is a wet evening, then the picnic aspect will be cancelled, however the parent information sessions will still run to schedule.
We will notify via email and Facebook if the picnic is cancelled.
We often get asked about what things parents can do to help with their child’s learning. One element that definitely impacts positively on a child’s ability to learn, and cope with school life in general, is getting plenty of sleep. Primary school aged children need at least 10 hours sleep at night. A good night's sleep will help with memory retention, attention span, general well-being and ability to manage emotions, all of which are essential for learning. Top tips for getting your children into a good sleep pattern: no technology at least an hour before bed and keep to a bedtime routine e.g. consistent bed time, bath, brush teeth, story and sleep. You could also ask your child to use their mindfulness techniques to help settle into a ‘calm sleeping mode’. Hopefully as the weather starts to cool in the evenings; it will be easier to get our kids off to sleep, these hot evening are a challenge for us all.
A very warm TPS welcome to Arley Shanhun-de-Mey and Anja Hoggins who started this week at our school. Glad to have you and your family as part of our TPS TEAM.
Hei kõnei rā
Fiona Hawes
Principal
Board of Trustees
Your elected Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the school (Learner outcomes, setting and monitoring school policies and Ministry of Education requirements.) The Principal works with the Board, as the CEO, to manage the school on a day to day basis to ensure teaching and learning programmes are in place for all children. Board meetings are held twice a term. Minutes are available via the school website.
Your Board members are:
Aaron Moores (Chairperson), Anna Bell-Booth (Deputy Chair), Fiona Hawes, Claire Wilde, Elizabeth Smith, Neil McLaughlan, Todd Retter and Kat Tunney (Staff Representative).
The school policy currently under review by the BOT is, Recognition of Cultural Diversity.
If you would like to feedback on this policy:
- Visit the website https://tauranga.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (tauranga) and password (belltower).
- Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
- Read the policy.
- Click the Policy Review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Select the reviewer type "Parent".
- Enter your name (optional).
- Submit your ratings and comments.
- If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
Absentee - sick children or children away from school.
If your child is going to be away for any reason please ensure you let the school office know. We will make contact with parents if a child is marked absent on the school roll and it is not explained.
When you are notifying the school state your name, your child's full name, room number or teachers name and the reason for their absence.
You can let the school know your child will be absent in the following ways:
1. Email the School Office admin@tauranga.school.nz
2. Phone the school and leave a message on the answerphone (075786222).
3. Absentee text: 027 418 7182
Worries and Concerns
At times as parents you may have a worry or a concern about your child's learning or behaviour or how the behaviour of another child is affecting your child.
Please share these worries or concerns early. Your key points of contact are as follows.
- In the first instant make contact with your child's teacher to discuss. You can do this either via email or making a time to meet the teacher.
- If you are not comfortable talking to your child's teacher please make contact with either the Team Leader of the team your child is in (our Team Leaders are Junior School – Pam Wilkins, Middle School – Jason Morgan, Senior School – Jo Howard).
- If you believe your worry or concern to be of a very serious nature, please make contact with Robyn Caley (Assistant Principal with overview of the junior school) or Cathy Ediker (Deputy Principal with overview of the middle and senior school).
Year 1 First Assembly for 2020
Term 1 Important Dates
- Thursday 20th February - Family Picnic 5:00-7:00pm
- Friday 28th February - Go by Bike Day
- Thursday 5th March - Year 4 overnight camp at TPS
- Friday 6th March - Year 3/4 Activity Day
- Monday 9th - Friday 13th March - Walk to School week
- Friday 13th March - Teacher only Day - school closed
- Thursday 19th March - Top Schools Competition - Year 6
- Tuesday 3rd March- Parent information meeting for Keeping Ourselves Safe programme- staffroom 2:15pm
- Monday 23rd March - Keeping Ourselves Safe programme in school
- Thursday 2nd April - Year 5 Waimarino Camp/Noho Marae
- Monday 6th April - Thursday 9th April - Kids Can Ride for Year 5/6
- Term finishes - Thursday 9th April at 3:00pm
FYI - Please note that the 11 and 12th November is our School Production. End of year dates get very busy for families, and all children will be expected to perform on these nights.
13th March - Teacher Only Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Friday, Mar 13, 2020, 08:00 AM
Tauranga Primary School Fifth Avenue, Tauranga, New Zealand
Community Notices
W Dance & Fitness
'A fun Dance and Fitness studio focussed on Contemporary and Jazz dance with incorporation of Ballet technique and physical fitness. Also presents a variety of fitness group classes and private sessions. All ages and levels welcome!' Come join us at our new studio at 367 Cameron Rd right across Tauranga Primary
Contacts
Principal
Fiona Hawes
07 578 6222
Deputy Principal
Cathy Ediker
Assistant Principal
Robyn Caley
Junior Team Leader
Pam Wilkins
Middle Team Leader
Jason Morgan
Acting Senior Team Leader
Jo Howard
International Student enquiries
Cathy Ediker
Business Manager
Susan O'Neill
Office Administrator and Enrolment Officer
Barbara Turley