Matapu School Newsletter
Term 3, Week 9, 23rd September 2022
Calendar - Please note some new dates added & further information for events will be sent home closer to the date if required.
- Monday 26th September - Queen's memorial holiday - school closed
- Friday 30th September - Last Day of Term 3
- Monday 17th October - First Day of Term 4
- Thursday 20th October - Pet Day
- Monday 24th October - Labour Day
Principal's Weekly Update
RAISE Goal: to celebrate everything that I have achieved this term
Te reo phrase of the week: hoki atu ki tō tūru (go back to your seat)
Kia ora,
What an amazing day we have had. For the first time in two years we were able to welcome our grandparents and extended whanau back onto our school grounds for Grandparents’ Day! What a turn out! The Matapu Hall was packed and our grandparents were privy to our kapa haka group’s first performance of the year. The students did a fantastic job of remembering their waiata and all of the actions that accompany them.
After assembly the grandparent’s visited their grandchildren in their classes and participated in some wonderful experiences. Rat traps were being built, board games (created by the students) were being played, and there was even some handprint art going on. The morning tea was a big hit, savouries always go down well on a gloomy weather day and plenty of books were bought at the Book Fair.
Thank you so much for organising your family members to attend, everyone I talked to had a wonderful time.
Matapu Preschool Pet Day
On Friday 30th September the Matapu Preschool is holding their annual pet day. They have an action packed day planned, with an animal parade at 10:30 am, an auction at 11:30 am, and a BBQ at 12 pm. The school leaders and I are looking forward to heading over to support them. Please check out the Matapu Preschool Facebook page for further information, including a list of the auction items.
Matapu History Fact
In the early years settlers gathered fungus, known as Taranaki wool, which was dried and sold at sixpence a pound (5c a half kilo) to a well known businessman, Chew Chong of Eltham. The fungus was a delicacy in Chinese cooking and its value was such that in 1885 it earned 75 000 pounds in export income.
Kia pai to wiki (have a wonderful weekend).
Ngå mihi nui
School Notices
Values Awards
Room 2 - Israel for always showing respect and manners!
Room 3 - Kenzie for stepping up to take on responsibilities.
Room 4 - Apanui for an amazing effort learning your doubles facts!
Room 5 - Harvey for showing integrity and always doing the right thing!
Room 6 - Theo for your super effort settling back into school and doing the cross country!
Whakatauki
Ko te whanau.
What is the most important thing in this world?
It is family.
Room 1
In Room One this week we have been celebrating everything we have achieved over the term. The kids have worked really hard on their Maker Projects, solved problems and created some awesome end products along the way.
We are incredibly proud of the students who represented the school in various literary and sporting events throughout the term. They always show our Matapu School values and compete with mana and determination.
In Maths we have been reviewing our learning from throughout the year. You could help at home by working through some column addition, subtraction and multiplication problems with your children.
Have a great, well deserved long weekend.
Room 2
We have loved making and creating this week, as well as learning some important history /world knowledge, about the Late Queen Elizabeth.
We have made catapults, money boxes, periscopes and even a banjo! The engagement and ability of children to problem solve shows how valuable Maker-Space, Aumangea Taima is. It enriches children with real world problems, and then creates opportunities to work collaboratively to find solutions. I have been impressed at how the children have worked and have overcome challenges.
As we farewelled the late Queen, it was timely to learn more about royalty. The children have really enjoyed this opportunity to find out about the late Queen's life and significant events.
Aroha nui, Queen Elizabeth.
Room 3
Room 4
Room 5
Room 6
We have had two birthdays over the last week- Happy Birthday Liam and Beauden, we wish you a great year ahead!
The end of term is a time to reflect on our learning and think about all the great things we have been lucky enough to do. Our changed literacy programme, that has a focus on structured learning, is well underway now and the students are progressing with greater confidence. When writing we are learning to do ‘dictated sentences’ which involves listening, remembering, then recording the sounds we hear and drawing a picture to match. The first few times were hard but the memories are improving and so are the sounds!
Buddies are a highlight for us. We really enjoy the time spent with our big buddies on a Thursday and it helps to build relationships that will be a great memory later on. Thanks for the time you put into this Room 1 and 2. We were introduced to the lego kits today and the seniors helped us to explore and build. Next week we will be creating a simple machine with a motor and we can’t wait.
We also had a visit from Mia’s wee brother. She is an extremely proud big sister and it was lovely to be able to share her excitement with her- everyone was smitten!
Just a reminder to check for readers and library books at home and send them back please!!
Community Notices
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Print Ready - Amanda Sherman, CMK Hawera, Shurr & Ireland Acocuntants, Mark Joblin Concept & Construction Ltd, Sanfords Rural Carriers, Taranaki By-Products, McDonald Real Estate, Eltham Vet Services, ANZCO, Power Farming, Corrigan Electrical, Matapu Bulk Transport, CRV Ambreed, FMG, Mack Transport, Blastways, Nevada, Ballance, Todd Energy, & BCCL (Burgess Crowley Civil Limited) Carrfields Livestock, Rosemount Charolais - Dairy Bull Specialists, PGG Wrightson Livestock, Jack Gray Ltd, Bruce Parry Livestock, Kelsen's Glass & Glazing, Tommo's Tyres Ltd, Chris Perrett Electrical Solutions, Holdem Contracting Ltd, STE (South Taranaki Electrical), Kaponga Four Square, MG Taranaki, JP Refrigeration, Melza’s Customs, Monkeytoe, SepticWorks Limited, FMG.
PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT US
Matapu School
Email: admin@matapu.school.nz
Website: matapu.school.nz
Location: 495 Hastings Road, Matapu, New Zealand
Phone: (06) 272 6764