Kokopu Newsletter

Welcome back, everyone.

I hope you have had a wonderful summer break even though the weather didn’t play ball.

We have had a positive start to the year and students have come back well-rested and ready to learn. You may have seen on our Facebook page this picture of Riley and his excellent writing last week.

It is lovely to have some new students start. A big welcome to Abraham in room 3, Felix in room 2 and Ryan in room 1. We also welcome back Cindy Stafford who is teaching in room 1.

Shortly we will be starting up our tuakana teina buddy system again. It is a fantastic way for our students to support each other in their learning, social skills and building leadership.

We have two whole school topic focuses this term. To start the term, classes will be focussing on building a positive classroom culture based around our school values of Respect for Ourselves, Respect for Others and Respect for our Environment. Last year we learnt these in sign language, so if you ask your child I am sure they will be able to show you.

In the second half of the term, students will continue to use the engaging Science Boxes, which are full of hands-on science activities. Room 6 will also be learning about different career pathways as part of their year 7-8 program.

Our pool has had its upgrade and is looking better than it has in a very long time. Shortly we will be doing some joinery replacements in rooms 1, 2, and the whanau room. Rooms 1 and 2 may have to move out of their classes for a few days while this is being done.

Please feel free to pop in anytime and have a chat. I have enjoyed catching up with many of you already, before and after school.

Kind regards

Yaron Overeem

Principal

Community BBQ/Picnic – Tuesday 14th Feb. We are glad to have our annual school picnic/BBQ on the 14th after COVID cancelled last year’s event. This is an informal get-together here at school from 5:30pm onwards. Bring your own dinner and enjoy an evening catching up with staff and other parents. The school BBQ will be available for anyone that wants to cook some meat.

Today your Year 7 or 8 child will be sent home with an immunisation consent form. Please fill it in and return it by the end of the week. We require these forms to be returned whether you wish them to be immunised or not. Thank you.

For more information on the immunisations please follow the links below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuwcOyMjAzc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNIKS9uQCQU

Room 3 - Year 5 and 6

This year the Year 5 and 6 children are going to Whananaki North Holiday Park on Monday 27 Feb to Friday 3 March. A meeting is scheduled for tonight, Tuesday 7 February, at 4.30pm. An invoice for camp costs will be sent home soon. Prompt payment would be appreciated.

Room 6 - Year 7 and 8

This year the Year 7 and 8 students will be going to Rotorua for their camp from Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March. They will stay at Keswick Christian Camp and do many local activities organised by Education Rotorua. We have secured some funding for this camp from Oxford Sports Trust and Pub Charity. Costs will be finalised and an invoice will be sent home soon.

Room 1, 2 and 4 Camps will be later on in the year.

The pool is now open after the upgrade. For those few people who did purchase a key, you are now able to use the pool on weekdays after 4pm and in the weekends.

On Thursday 16 February we will hold our school swimming sports. Year 1 and 2 children will showcase their water skills and year 3 to 8 children will complete in swimming races. Everyone is welcome to come along and support the children.

Zone Swimming Sports will be held on Friday 24 February. We host Te Horo, Matarau and Purua School's here to finalise who will be eligible to enter the Whangarei District Schools Championship. This is for Year 5 to 8 children only. Everyone is also welcome to come along to this event too.

Please let us know if your child is attending ASC before 12pm on the day of care required. It is preferable if you can email the days your child will be needing ASC at the beginning of the week if you know your schedule.

Paige Thompson represented Northland at the NZPCA Dressage Champs with her horse Stella down in Kihikihi (Te Awamutu).

She did extremely well in the Junior section 14yrs and under, and also won the sponsored prize as well.

Paige had to put forward a CV of her accomplishments over the last 12 months to be eligible for this team and for Northland Area Pony Club to choose her to represent them.

What a fantastic effort Paige!

• Drink Bottles. Our water issues have be rectified but it would be good to send your child with a drink bottle full of water each day.

• Hats. Please remember this term all children will be required to wear a hat when outdoors.

• Carpark and gate. Please come to the gate in the carpark to collect your children at the end of the day. We do not want children walking through the carpark without an adult as it is unsafe with the amount of cars and limited parking. We have a teacher on duty at the gate each day to supervise. Can we ask parents and visitors to make sure they close the gates if you use them? We have a few children that may be prone to walking out an open gate. Thank you. Please don't park by the entrance gate or teachers carpark area. Also please avoid parking by the letterbox at the front of the school. This is a dangerous area with several close calls lately.
  

• Absences. A reminder that it is important to contact the school before 9.30am when your child will be absent. You can either phone, email or let us know via our Skool Loop app. We need to know where your children are so we know they are safe and can mark them correctly on the roll. See details in this newsletter on how to download our Skool Loop App.
  
• Iceblock Sales. Ice Blocks are for sale again to raise funds for the school. Many children who come to school with $2 like to buy their friend an ice block. Please could you send a note to say they are allowed to do this? The Room 6 children do ask but a note would be easier for them.
  
• Term Dates 2023. Term 1 .. 02/02— 06/04 Term 2 .. 24/04— 30/06 Term 3 .. 17/07— 22/09 .. Term 4 09/10— 15/12

Term 1 2023 - Thursday 2nd February 2023 - Thursday 6th April 2023

Tuesday 14 Feb - School BBQ/Picnic

Thursday 16 Feb - Kokopu Swimming Sports

Wednesday 22 Feb - BOT Meeting

Friday 24 Feb - Zone Swimming Sports

Monday 27 Feb to Friday 3 March - Room 3 Camp

Monday 6 March to Friday 10 March - Room 6 Camp

Wednesday 15 March - WPSSA Yr 5 to 8 Swimming Sports

Tuesday 21 March - Bike Day

Wednesday 22 March - Triathlon

Monday 27 March - BOT Meeting

Monday 3 April - ANZAC Service 9am

Wednesday 5 April - House Day

Thursday 6 April - Last day of Term 1

Michelle will be taking bible lessons in the library fortnightly on Fridays, starting tomorrow, at 8.30am for those children who opt in. If you would like your child to attend, please email the school office.

If parents/caregivers want to visit the website https://kokopu.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm to look over our school policies and procedures, please see the following instructions: Enter the username (kokopu) and password (0179). Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

The Board of Trustees are happy to accept regular automatic payments throughout the school year. All of last years debts should have been paid in full. If you need to have a chat about your account, please contact Vicki. We prefer payment by direct credit if you are able to please; Kokopu School Board of Trustees 12-3099-0419154-01.

We’re gearing up for the 2023 Junior Twilight Series to start on Tuesday 21st February here at Hockey Northland!

Junior Twilight Hockey is an awesome summer option for kids of any abilities to get out on the turf and try a new sport, or to continue playing the one they already love.

There are 2 competitions available:

• Year 4, 5 & 6 and Year 7 & 8

If anyone wants to join a team, please email the office at school. If we get enough interest we will try and put a team together.

Parenting Helpline Do you need specific parenting advice you can implement right away? Are you carrying a lot on your shoulders? Speak to our warm and supportive parenting experts. Call us for support on any parenting issue. Call now for free on 0800 568 856. Available from 9am – 9pm 7 days a week.

Girls’ Brigade invites you to join a fun, inclusive group for girls and young women aged 5 to 18 years, who want to make the most out of life. Joining a GB company is a great way for girls to make new friends and enjoy activities that challenge and nurture their growth in a safe and supportive environment. You can find out more at https://www.girlsbrigade.nz

There are two Girls' Brigade Companies in Whangarei, meeting on Thursday nights. Our first enrolment night for the year is 16 February:

1st Kamo Company meets from 6.00 - 7.30pm at St John’s Golden Church,149 Kamo Road,Kensington, contact Kerry 021 0230 4000

OR 2nd Whangarei Company meets from 5.30 - 7 pm at Hope Whangarei Church, Hunt St, Whangarei, contact Sue 021 260 0792

Email: office@kokopu.school.nz
Website: www.kokopu.school.nz
Location: 921 Kokopu Road, Kokopu, New Zealand
Phone: 094346765
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kokopuschool