MENPS News
Te Whare Akoranga o Maungawhau, March 14, 2024
From The Principal
Kia ora koutou
Colour Run Next Week!
For obvious reasons, one of the key preparations to be aware of is to have a towel and change of clothes for the event as the fun will definitely be of the messy variety on the day!
What may not be as well known to everyone is that Colour Run events of this kind are, in fact, inspired by the ancient Hindu festival of Holi. Originating in India, this is a traditional festival of love, colour, spring, blessings and new beginnings, with the festivities involving the throwing of coloured powders (gulaal). To be clear, our event is not connected to Holi, but it's appropriate to respectfully acknowledge the inspiration for the concept, with warm wishes for all those in our community celebrating this important event.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish Ramadan Mubarak at this time of worship, charity and fasting for those in our muslim community.
Student Goals
Building on the parent/teacher meetings that began the school year, we are planning to roll out a new feature via the HERO app to share information about your child's focus are goals from their teacher. These should be available at the end of next week, with the aim of offering a general overview of what your child is working on in key areas, which we encourage you to discuss with them.
We hope this feature will be a useful addition to our twice-yearly written reports. As at any point in the school year, if you have any questions or would like further information about your child's learning, the best way to arrange this is to email your child's teacher and set up a mutually-convenient time to touch base.
Y5 Camp
Finally, I'd like to thank the Year 5 teaching team, Ms Laufili and all our parent helpers for their hard work making the Year 5 Camp at Carey Park such an enjoyable experience for the children.
Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) Events like this offer unique opportunities for the children to connect socially outside the classroom, develop independence and rise to a challenge, both individually and collectively. It was great to see so many happy (albeit slightly exhausted!) children when they returned, no doubt with many stories and memories to share.
Ka kite anõ i a koutou
Alan Jackson
Principal
Ministry of Education Teacher Only Days 2024
We have been advised that the 2 Teacher Only Days set under the previous government will be going ahead this year, so please make a note of the dates below.
School will be closed for instruction while staff engage in professional development related to new curriculum materials from the Ministry of Education.
Teacher Only Day: Friday 31 May, 2024
Teacher Only Day: Friday 25 October, 2024
Events & Reminders
Friday 15th March:
- Y1-3 Junior Assembly
Wednesday 20th March:
- Zone Cricket (Cornwall Cricket Club, Cornwall Park)
Thursday 21st March:
- Team 3 Maungawhau Hikoi
Friday 22nd March:
- Second Hand Uniform Shop (8:15am - 9:15am)
- Yr 4-6 Senior Assembly
- COLOUR RUN (1:30PM - 3:00PM)
Claim Your Donation Tax Credit!
School donations are eligible for tax credits of 33.33 cents in every dollar donated.
If you pay the school donation of $520 for one student, you can get $173.32 back as a tax credit, as long as your income for the year is more than the donation paid. You cannot claim for school trip fees, or other extras.
If you pay your school donation before 31 March 2024, you will be able to claim your tax credit in this year’s tax return. If you pay after this date the donation can be claimed in your 31 March 2025 return, meaning you won’t receive your credit until next year.
Donation receipts can be easily lodged through your MYIR logon. If you lodge your receipt as soon as you receive it, this saves you having to hunt around for them once year end rolls around.
You can claim from 4 years previously if you haven't already claimed prior year donations paid.
More details can be found at the IRD:
Netball Registrations
MENPS Year 4, 5 and 6 Netball Registrations due Thursday 14th March
If your child is interested in playing Netball for a MENPS team this season please fill in the registration form sent out on Hero. Everyone is placed in a team.
Many thanks
Karen MooreMENPS Sports Coordinator
PTA News
FRIDAY 22nd MARCH,1.30pm - 3pm @ MENPS
Get ready for the most colourful fundraiser of 2024!!!
Friday 22nd March will be a non-uniform day - students are encouraged to wear clothes they don't mind getting messy!! White t-shirts and crazy dress ups encouraged! The PTA second hand shop has some white polos for sale on the morning of the event.
Any questions?? See: https://www.menpspta.co.nz/colour-run
Help needed!
We need help on the day with the obstacles and to throw the colour powder to make this super fun for the kids!! Please sign up to help here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lt2vE-upbmnKsXYtmamebRPUoH9LFl_s/edit#gid=78002035
Can you spare any pool noodles??
Do you have a pool noodle that you don't need anymore? Please donate this for the Colour Run for one of the obstacles. The pool noodle does not have to be in perfect condition just full length. Donations of noodles can be put in a container outside the office on Friday 15th March or Monday the 18th March. Thank you.
Fundraising is well underway.......
Students seek online sponsorship for their participation in the Colour Run. Easily create a fundraising profile now on https://menpsptacolourrun.raiseit.co.nz that you can send out to collect online sponsorship from friends and family, anywhere!!
can we get Ms Edwards and Mr Jackson to run the course?!?
If the fundraising reaches $15,000 Associate Principal Hilary Edwards will run the course. If we can get up to $30,000 Principal Alan Jackson will run the course in a costume!!! Let's go!!
The top 5 classes that raise the most funds will win a Big Ben Pie Lunch at school!!
Check out the current leaderboard:
Keep up to date with the current leaderboard at: https://menpsptacolourrun.raiseit.co.nz/totals
For information about the Colour Run event please see: https://www.menpspta.co.nz/colour-run
Congratulations to our spot prize winners from last week!
James (Rm 5), Saumya Tiseera (Akinsa's Fundraiser) (Rm 24), Zack (Rm 33), Sophie R (Rm 33), Tom Clifford (Rm 23), Geoffrey Hayward (Rm 24), Emily Tan (Rm 31), Charlotte Hannah (Rm 30), Wolfe (Rm 30), Hugo Porter (Rm 26), Chase Lucas (Rm 26), Max Wakim (Rm 32), Isabelle Thomson (Rm 15), Evie Watts (Rm 8)! The office will announce winners & how to collect prizes soon!
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
PTA AGM - Wednesday 20 March 2024, 7-8pm
The PTA AGM will be held on Wednesday 20 March 2024 @ 7pm in the staffroom. All welcome to attend.
If you would like to attend, but cannot attend in person then please email menpspta@gmail.com and we will send you the link to join online.
PTA - Supporting our school through fundraising & fun events
Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook
Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities
Chairperson Pam Clifford
Secretary Chelsea Chen
Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran
PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner
Class Coordinator Leader Svantje Reiber
Advisor/Coordinator Melanie Woollard
Sponsorships Rayni Chung
Communications Sarah Eason
School Representative Hilary Edwards