KTS Newsletter
Term 4, Week 2, Tuesday 25 October 2022
Coming up...
What a glorious weekend of summery weather to help us celebrate both Labour Day and Diwali! I hope that you have had some quality family time, whatever you were doing.
Our first week back saw a whole-school gathering to welcome our new students for term 4, the first for a while; our classrooms at the university set up their new routines with success; and we welcomed back Constable Holly to conduct our ballot for out-of-zone places in 2023.
This coming week we begin some of our end-of-year assessments, conduct an earthquake drill, Holly will be in again for the ‘Keeping Ourselves Safe’ programme, and we have a full school assembly, yes, you read it right, we are pausing the Azoomblies while we can.
National Shake Out
We have registered to take part in the Shake Out on Thursday 27 October at 9:30am. Students will Drop, Cover and Hold for 30–60 seconds. There is a Kids challenge which encourages families to talk about their emergency plans – follow the link and join in if you like! Either way, have a chat with your whānau about your family emergency response plan.
Mitey
Our Mitey coach, Kellie, has been working with teachers on the delivery of the Mitey programme, which supports mental health in New Zealand schools. We have consulted with students, staff and the School Board to build a shared understanding statement on what mental wellbeing looks like at Kohia Terrace School.
Our draft statement is recorded below. Please offer any feedback on this google form.
At Kohia Terrace School we are mentally healthy when we feel safe, included, supported and empowered within ourselves, our school and our community.
Our shared language and tools/strategies enable us to communicate openly, achieve balance in our lives and believe in ourselves.
We thrive when as Kohia Kaitiaki we are able to care & respect, persevere to achieve and lead with integrity.
Talent Quest
The dates for each competition have now been organised as follows:
Road Patrol
Information will be going out this week for road patrollers who are interested in training for 2023. Constable Holly will be in school during week 5 to train year 6 & 7 students for this important service to the school. We invite parents of these students and of other younger members of our community to become road patrol supervisors. Each parent that volunteers gives a teacher more time in the classroom to engage with students or prepare for classes. We cannot underestimate how valuable this service is so please consider giving 20 minutes to help out. Get in touch with Catherine (catherine@kts.school.nz) if you are able to join the team either in term 4 or for 2023.
Congratulations to Harper
Harper (Rm 8) took part in the Yr 5/6 zone speech competition on the theme of Te Kete (Discovery). We are delighted to announce that Harper placed third, presenting her spoken word on vegetarianism. Tino pai tō mahi!
Curriculum Update #1
You may, or may not, be aware that the New Zealand Curriculum is having a complete refresh. The Social Science curriculum now has a completely new subsection to focus on Aotearoa Histories; this has been finalised and as a school we have been becoming familiar with it during the year. I will include some information on this in next week’s newsletter.
Te Mātaiaho (the Refreshed NZ Curriculum) has just arrived in draft form and over the next year the board, staff and leadership will develop an understanding of the principles and content of this refreshed NZ Curriculum. We are currently being asked to review the draft and give the development group feedback.
This short vimeo explains how and why the curriculum is being refreshed (in case you need translations: whānau = families, ākonga = students, kaiako = teachers).
Key Changes:
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a central pillar to Te Mātaiaho
There are 3 key shifts:
realising the intent of Te TIriti o Waitangi
broadening our view of what success for everyone looks like
setting high expectations for all
We are moving towards a progression model where ‘phases of learning’ replace the curriculum levels and these are cumulative in nature
Y0–3 is about thriving in environments rich in literacy and numeracy
Y3–6 adds on expanding horizons of knowledge and collaboration
Y7–8 adds on knowing I belong and advocating for self and others
The learning strands of ‘Understand, Know and Do’ (UKD) will be woven together
There will be more to come next week – Alison
Musical Bingo Night this Weekend!
We hope you are all getting excited about the biggest fundraiser of the year coming up this Saturday night and hosted by KTS' own music royalty, Nathan King! We have quite the event planned for you. Doors open at 6:30pm and the evening will start with an exciting aerial performance by Flip n' Fly circus, followed by 4 rounds of Musical Bingo, a gourmet pizza dinner, cash bar, silent and live auctions and dancing. There are heaps of prizes up for grabs as well as prizes for the best musical-themed costumes.
We are hugely grateful for the many sponsors who have helped us put on this event. Please see below for an idea of all the great items up for grab in the auctions, and we hope you will extend your support to these businesses in our community.
Community Notices
Lacrosse for ages 9-13y
This is a fantastic opportunity for kids to try a new sport this summer!
What: A 8-week beginner lacrosse programme teaching the basics of lacrosse for boys and girls including skills, drills and games every week.
Who: Auckland Lacrosse will be running this programme for girls and boys aged 13 and under.
When: Sundays at 11am-12:30pm from 30 October to 18 December.
Where: College Rifles Rugby Club (33 Haast Street, Remuera).
Ages: players aged 9-13 are welcome to register.
Equipment: all equipment provided but players will require a mouthguard and running shoes.
Cost: $5 per training or $35 lump sum for the whole programme.
The link to register and pay is here: https://www.aucklandlacrosse.co.nz/classes/28888/
Email: development@aucklandlacrosse.co.nz if you have any questions.
Free Concert
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra are holding a FREE concert in the Auckland Town Hall this weekend as part of their Community Classic Series.
Jemima, one of our Year 7 students, is delighted to be performing with them. All are welcome to attend!
3:00 - 4:00pm Sunday 30 October
Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
https://www.apo.co.nz/concerts-events/community-classics-central-snow-ice/sunday-30-october/
Contact Us
Email: office@kts.school.nz
Website: https://www.kts.school.nz/
Location: 3 Kohia Terrace, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Phone: 09 630 4525