Matapu School Newsletter
Term 1, Week 6, 13th March 2020
Calendar - Please note some new dates added & further information for events will be sent home closer to the date if required.
- Monday & Tuesday 16th & 17th March - Room 2 Vertical Horizons and Room 1 Konini Lodge.
- Thursday 19th March - Mt SPA Swimming Sports @ Opunake.
- Friday 20th March - Room 3 & 4 Camp.
- Monday - Wednesday 23rd - 25th March - Life Education.
- Wednesday & Thursday 25th & 26th March - Parent/Teacher Interviews.
- Thursday March 26th - Mt SPA Triathlon.
- Friday March 27th - School Junior Triathlon.
- Thursday April 9th - Last day of Term 1.
- Friday April 10th - Good Friday.
- Tuesday & Wednesday 2nd & 3rd June - Teacher only days.
- Thursday & Friday 20th & 21st August - Teacher only days.
Principal's Weekly Update
Term 1 Week 6
RAISE Goal: to celebrate the success of others by cheering on my classmates
Te reo phrase of the week: whakanui i te angitu ma te koa
Kia ora,
What a wonderful week we have had! With their amazing vocals and friendly nature, Tuuletar was a hit on Wednesday. Our staff and students were really impressed with how they encouraged our students to get involved and be a part of the performance at the end of the day. A massive thanks must go to Todd Energy who enabled the event to take place in our community hall, put on an amazing BBQ, and even provided staff to serve the food. We wish Tuuletar all the best for WOMAD and know that they’ll blow their audience away in the weekend.
Yesterday we held our school swimming sports. The weather really played its part and all of our students had a fantastic time. It was great to see so many of our junior students displaying confidence in the water and showcasing skills that we know will help them to become capable swimmers in the future. After lunch we moved on to the races, where you could clearly see our students exhibiting our school values of effort and respect. Every student was giving their best and it was neat to hear so many of their classmates cheering them on.
Parent/Teacher Meetings
On the 25th and 26th March we will be holding parent/teacher meetings. This is an opportunity for teachers and parents to meet for ten minutes to discuss and support your child’s start to the school year. In preparation for these meetings we invite parents/caregivers to give thought to sharing information about your child - their strengths, skills, interests and anything else that may be relevant to helping them be successful and enjoy their school year. School will finish at 2 pm on both Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March.
Camps
Next week we have a number of our classes involved with school camps. Room 1 is off to Konini Lodge, Room 2 is going to Vertical Horizons, and Rooms 3 and 4 are having an overnight stay at the school. It looks like they’ll have some wonderful weather and no doubt the students will make some lifelong memories. Please remember to check the gear list and your child’s bag to make sure that they have everything they need. To the families involved, thank you for returning the forms, organising payment, and offering parent help. It really helps us out.
Ngå mihi nui
James Willson.
COVID-19
Kia ora
You may have seen that the World Health Organisation has now declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. As noted by the Minister of Health, this doesn’t change what New Zealand is doing to respond to coronavirus.
The Ministry of Health has been working through its pandemic plan since January. You will also know the Government has already implemented a range of measures to minimise the impacts to New Zealand. This includes border restrictions, a requirement to self-isolate on arrival in New Zealand from China, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea and immediate and detailed contact tracing of any confirmed cases. It is important to note those four countries account for more than 90% of cases globally and China and the Republic of Korea have significantly declining numbers of new cases.
We have 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand and it is pleasing to know they are all doing well and are at home. Their children, four students at Auckland schools, continue to be well and show no symptoms. While we expect that more cases will arise, the Ministry of Health says that with continued vigilance the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low in New Zealand. We all have a role to play in this.
For our school, our pandemic plan is also ready to be implemented if needed. In the mean time we will continue to focus on good hygiene practices. Hand washing and good cough etiquette are very important tools in preventing the spread of illness including colds, flu and COVID-19.
With that, there is a good video clip from Nanogirl that will help your children to better understand the virus - YouTube clip - Nanogirl
You may have also seen the Prime Minister sat down with Dr Michelle Dickinson (aka Nanogirl) and the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Juliet Gerrard, to talk about coronavirus:
One other action we can all take is to be vigilant about our own health and the health of our children. I will be encouraging my staff to stay away from school if they are showing signs of illness such as coughs and colds. I ask that you please do the same with your children. Colds and flus are common in schools and by staying away, seeking medical attention and practicing good hygiene, we can all keep any spread of illness to a minimum.
Ngā mihi nui,
James Willson
Principal
Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
Well done everyone from Room 3 who participated. You all put in your best effort! Thank you parents for your support!
Room 4
Room 5
Room 6
Values Awards Week 6 Term 1 2020
Room 2 - Koby-Tre for using your initiative at tech to finish off an absent students work. Ka Pai!
Room 1 - Mattia for stepping up and working excetionally hard at swimming sports. Thanks for all your help.
Room 3 - Katelyn for challenging yourself to compete in lots of races at swimming sports.
Room 5 - Alisha-Rose for showing great school values at our swimming display.
Room 4 - Kordy for writing almost two pages by yourself.
RAISE Playground Awards - Week 6
Manaakitanga Leaders
Well Done!
Enviro Leader
Matapu School Parents Association
Could families please hand donations in to the office, don't have to be chocolate as anything is much appreciated.
Tickets will be sent home with students soon, and the raffle will be drawn in the last week of term.
Reminder - Spring Bulb Fundraiser notices have been sent via the school app, if you require a hard copy of the sales form please see the office.
For more information contact the office or Angela Burke (SPA Chairperson), 0212570095
Reminders
Contact Updates: - If your details have changed please let the office know.
Absentees - If your child is going to be absent please let the office know by leaving a message on the absentee line 062726764 or via the school app.
Lost Property - There are still a number of school uniform items in the lost property.
Whakatauki
Waiho ma te tangata e mihi
Leave your praises for someone else
Again referring to humbleness.
Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Taranaki By Products, Mobbs Contracting Ltd, McDonald Real Estate, Eltham Vet Services, ANZCO, Power Farming, Corrigan Electrical, Matapu Bulk Transport, CRV Ambreed, FMG, Mack Transport, Blastways, Nevada, Ballance, JP Refrigeration, & BCCL (Burgess Crowley Civil Limited) Carrfields Livestock, PGG Wrightson Livestock, Jack Gray Ltd, Hawera Auto Court. Bruce Parry Livestock, Kelsen's Glass & Glazing, Tommo's Tyres Ltd, Chris Perrett Electrical Solutions, Holdem Contracting Ltd, STE (South Taranaki Electrical)
PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT US
St Patrick's School Kaponga - Garage Sale
Friday 27th March at 5PM
Come and get yourself a bargain.
- Sausage Sizzle
- Grocery Raffle
Northfuels Fuel for Schools Programme
Fuel for Schools is a school sponsorship programme aimed at supporting rural schools throughout New Zealand.
As a Northfuels customer you can nominate a participating school who will receive 50 cents for every 100 Litres of bulk fuel that you have delivered.
NOMINATING YOUR SCHOOL
When you sign up with Northfuels, just nominate one of the participating schools in your area.
If you are an existing Northfuels client and want to jump on board call your Account Manager or 0800 4 THE KIDS today to nominate a participating school.
Freephone 0800 999 986
Matapu School
Email: admin@matapu.school.nz
Website: matapu.school.nz
Location: 495 Hastings Road, Matapu, New Zealand
Phone: (06) 272 6764