Puketapu School Newsletter
Term 4 2020 - Wednesday 9 December
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
From our Principal
Kia ora e te whanau o Puketapu,
Welcome to the last 3.5 days of 2020.
As we round out the year, it's the perfect time to look back on what we're grateful for... like the people in our school and community and the memories we’ve made this year. Thank you to Paula and Karen for putting together our school newsletter every week. I read through it every week and am in awe of all the learning and experiences that our learners have and are hugely grateful to be part of an amazing team of educators here at Puketapu School.
I am grateful for our parents and whanau that put their kids to bed each night, that love their children unconditionally and get them up each morning even when it is really tough. I know my kids at the moment are finding it difficult waking up each morning with this weather and with tiredness.
We are grateful to have Corinne here at our Kura being a champion for all of our kids. She is kind and cares about everyone's learning and wellbeing and we want to wish her a happy birthday from Sunday.
We are looking forward to a great last few days here at school and we are excited about our Year 8 Graduation evening on Monday and our Final Assembly on Tuesday.
Kia pai to wiki,
Ngatai Walker
Tumuaki
Puketapu School
From our Head Girl
Hello Whanau.
The end of the year has come around and its time for me to say good bye and pass on my role as head girl to a new student in 2021.
This year has been a year of mixed emotions, from lockdown to camp it has been a roller coaster ride.
While we have missed out on some things, our teachers have worked really hard to make it a year full of fun, laughter and learning.
Some of my highlights from this year are, Camp, netball wasn’t cancelled, beach visits, ranui days, tabloid sports and SOMADD.
I am going to miss all my awesome teachers, a great group of friends and our school community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs J, Mrs O, Mrs Wigley and Mr Martin for all their hard work in planning and teaching us in class. Mrs Sharrock, Mrs Schwieters for my early learning years. Kia ora to Mr Walker and Mrs Sattler for their leadership. And to the lovely office ladies, Mrs Martin and Mrs Astwood, and Mr Quince too.
Best of luck to you all for 2021. I look forward to coming back to visit in the future.
Thanks, Bella.
SOMADD
There were lions, giraffes, zebras, koalas, penguins, world travellers and can-can dancers! We went to Japan and India, Russia and Italy, Australia, the Pacific and the USA!
The performances took us around the world all from the safety of our school quad.
What a wonderful evening!
It was so good to see so many of our community there enjoying the show with us - past students, new students, parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours.
Thank you to all the parents for their support with costumes, choreography and getting the performers to the right place on time. Thank you to all those who donated prizes for the raffles - there were some great winnings! Thank you to all those who donated food items to sell. Thank you to the Home and School volunteers for selling raffle tickets and cooking and selling food. Thank you to the staff for organising a great programme. And most of all thank you to all the students who sang, danced and kept us entertained for another great SOMADD Celebration.
Thank you Countdown
We so appreciate all you have done for us. Thank you very much.
So Many People to Thank...
Throughout the year there are always many, many people who contribute to our school. We would like to take a moment to say thank you to:
Sports team coaches: touch, netball, basketball, hockey, miniball, inline, canoe polo, interschool sports... we could not have sports teams without you. Especially, Bri, Ale, Matt, Brody, Leece, Hayley, Vee, Shannen, Mel, Keri, Caitlyn, Dom, Kim, Teriena, Sebrena, Toni, Michael, Sarah, Shani, Richard, Jamie, David,Avon, Serennah, Kyra, Davina, Ma plus all the others on the sideline helping out
Classroom helpers
Rachel Meijer (Ukelele)
Megan Corin
Winnie Murphy
Glenys Hutchings
Nicola Gorrie
Ian Walthew (Building in Kauri)
Jess Davies
Tansi (Dancing)
Rotary Readers
NPBHS sports and drama students
Kauri Ranui day Masterchefs Shane and Brendon
Camp and EOTCS helpers, cooks, drivers, supervisors, Mr J
For all those who have helped with sorting, washing and reuniting lost property with owners, especially Hayley, Kim, Jay and Paula
For donations of food
Daniel and Fiona at the White Pear Cafe
Stuart and Janelle and Countdown
Tegel
Craig Leathley and family
Kelly Harvey for the beautiful Christmas cake
Kim Sowman for taking the time to photograph and share the performances at SOMADD, sports events and day to day activities at school. We know that whanau who are unable to make it to events really appreciate being able to see these.
Board of Trustees
Home and School
Partners and families of our team for their support
For the many, many people who we have not named but have played an important part in this unprecedented year.
THANK YOU From all at Puketapu School
Did you see our Garden Produce?
Alexander, Mikayla and Taine helping to harvest for the free table at Somad.
Meet Your Teacher
On Thursday we excitedly gatherered in our 2021 spaces... Students got to see where they will be for 2021 and with which teacher and classmates.
In 2021 we begin with 16 classes:
Rimu:
Rimu 1: Year 1 - Mrs Laurie Edwin
Rimu 2: Year 1 - Ms Rachel Slack
Rimu 3: Year 1 & New Entrants - Miss Anna Proffit
Totara:
Totara 1: Year 2 & 3 - Mrs Kellie Minnell
Totara 2: Year 2 & 3 - Miss Aoife Platts
Totara 3: Year 2 & 3 - Miss Louisa Sharrock
Totara 4 & 5: Year 2 & 3 - Mr Alejandro Barrientos & Mrs Kelly Harvey
Kowhai:
Kowhai 1: Year 4, 5 & 6 - Miss Cara Knuckey
Kowhai 2: Year 4, 5 & 6 - Mrs Ana Whelan
Kowhai 3: Year 4, 5 & 6 - Mrs Melissa Bailey-Nowell
Kowhai 4 & 5: Year 4, 5 & 6 - Mrs Nicole Perry & Mr Brody Lindsay
Kauri:
Kauri 1: Year 7 & 8 - Mr Avon Lewis
Kauri 2: Year 6 & 7 - Mrs Amanda O'Dowda
Kauri 3: Year 7 & 8 - Mrs Julia Johnstone
A new face in the office
With Mrs Astwood heading off into the sunset at the end of term, we have had the task of finding a new member of staff in the office.
We were delighted to receive so many quality applications (more than 30 people applied) although this made it a very difficult task for our Appointments Committee. We interviewed four awesome candidates and had a tough challenge choosing just one as they were all so good. But in the end, one stood out above the others...
We are delighted to announce that our new office assistant, starting in Term 1 next year, is Mrs Kerie Smith.
Many of you may already know Kerie - she is Mum to Parker (in Totara) and Brynley (at Puketapu Kindy), has been involved in Netball Taranaki and is a keen supporter of our school. Kerie has excellent skills and experience for the job and her passion, enthusiasm and energy made us sure that she is the one for us.
We are looking forward to welcoming her to our team.
Hockey Champions!
The first Puketapu Hockey team in a long time - and we are the champions! Well done team!
Huge thanks to Matt Ramsay for being an outstanding coach and organiser.
Huge thanks also to Ritesh Chand from Mr Minit in Centre City for his generous donations of trophies and engraving.
Inline Hockey
They only had 4 weeks of games, but they won most of them. They all played really well and have really improved their skating and stick-handling skills, despite the short season.
Inline hockey is played in terms 1 and 4 so watch the newsletter in 2021 if you have a keen player. Thank you Davina Perry for all your organisation.
Touch and Shane Maxwell
We wanted to do a big shout out to Shane Maxwell and his whanau who run City Touch at Hickford park.
Not so long ago all Puketapu players had to trek all the way over to Devon Intermediate, find a park which was not always easy, and be on the field for games starting at 3.30pm This was a real challenge for many families and as a result many chose not to play.
Shane, his wife Toni and their whanau then brought touch to Hickford Park. This was game changing for Puketapu School and we now have more than 150 players plus so many more supporters up there in terms one and four.
I am sure you will all agree that the community spirit on a Wednesday afternoon is amazing!
So thank you Shane.
We appreciate your efforts and fingers crossed for better weather in Term 1.
Merry Christmas from all of us!
Congratulations Pene Sharrock-Maifea
Well done Pene!
#pukeproud
NPGHS Deputy Head Girl Pene Sharrock-Maifea with proud Aunty Louisa Sharrock
Guess who left the building???
Bring your Uniforms Back Please
Please return your top (washed and ready to go) before the end of the school year.
Please settle your bill
Please check if you owe anything by logging in to Hero and clicking the Finances icon.
Please pay your bill. Thank you.
Final Assembly
See you at Northpoint Church, 10.30am on Tuesday as we see out the school year in style.
Can you help our Junior Miss Taranaki?
As part of her entry challenges, she is fundraising for the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust.
If you would like to show your support for both Brianna and the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, look out for Brianna and her donations bucket in the foyer at Northpoint before our final Assembly on Tuesday. Every dollar helps both Brianna and the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust!
Brianna O'Keeffe-Wano of Kowhai is competing in the Junior Miss Taranaki competition.
Back to school stationery – order now!
We’ve teamed up with OfficeMax to make getting school ready faster! Lists for all 2021 classes are available now on https://www.myschool.co.nz/puketapubb
It is easy: Enter your child's name, select which Learning Team they are in (Kauri, Kowhai, Totara or Rimu) and the list of things they need is automatically prepared for you.
Order early to ensure your child has all their stationery requirements ready to go for the start of Term 1. Don’t wait until mid-January when the ‘team of 5 million’ get home from holiday - order now and avoid the back to school rush.
OfficeMax have introduced Laybuy*, so you can pay in six weekly, interest-free instalments - and still get your order right away. Or you can pay by internet banking, credit card or debit card.
When you shop on https://www.myschool.co.nz/puketapubb you’ll receive free delivery on orders over $46*. You will also help our school earn school rewards* that we use to purchase much needed extra resources for our school.
* Terms & Conditions apply, see myschool.co.nz for details.
Book Your Head Start Hui
Bookings are open for Head Start Hui on our first day of school Tuesday 2 February 2021.
Go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the event code u3g9v.
Be quick to get the time you want. After your hui you get the rest of the day together!
BIRTHDAYS
- Ridhaan Chand
- Hayzyn Ruakere
- Liam Gorrie
- Roam Harvey-Smith
- Kingston Benton
- Liam Wilson
- Phoenix Scott
What's On
Kowhai EOTC Week
- Thursday 10th December:
Kowhai EOTC
Kauri - Bell Block Pool Afternoon - Friday 11th December:
Totara Ranui Day (now at School)
Kowhai EOTC - Skate Park
Kauri Bike Day (Hickford Park)
Week 10
- Monday 14th December:
Year 8 Graduation Dinner (6.00pm start) - Tuesday 15th December:
Final School Assembly (10.30) - Northpoint, School finishes @ 12.00
Community Notices
NPBA Basketball Trials
NEW PLYMOUTH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Inviting players to Trial for all
New Plymouth Boys and Girls Rep Teams for Easter (2nd – 5th April) 2021 in Tauranga.
Trials Location: TSB Stadium
Trials Dates:
Wednesday 16th December
11 and Under Boys and Girls: 4:30 –6:00pm
13 and Under Boys and Girls: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Friday 18th December
11 and Under Boys and Girls: 4:30 – 6:00pm
13 and Under Boys and Girls: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Under 13 players must be born in either 2008 or 2009. Under 11 players must be born in 2010 or before. All Trials have a cost of $2.00 per player. Please be early to register on the day.
Enquiries & Questions to:
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973