Puketapu School Newsletter
Term 4 2020 - Wednesday 11 November
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,
Yesterday afternoon I was humbled to hear from all of our Learning Teams (Kauri, Kowhai, Totara and Rimu) around the intentional teaching and learning that has been happening through this unprecedented year.
What I was proud of was the passion and pride all of our teachers have in being a part of your child’s education and how they work hard on developing themselves to be the best teacher they can be.
I believe we have a really caring, professional and knowledgeable group of teachers that do their best for our learners here at Puketapu.
On Friday the 20th of November the End of Year Learning Comments will be released online to all parents and caregivers. We look forward to sharing each child’s learning progress with you.
Kia pai to wiki,
Ngatai Walker
Tumuaki
Puketapu School
Under Construction... again!
This week we welcome builders from Livingstone Construction into our kura.
Work has started to remodel the inside of the Design Technology space. Interior walls are coming down and the whole space is being modernised to create a fresh, modern learning space for our akonga. We are very excited about what this will offer in 2021!
Once the Design Tech space is completed, the builders will be moving straight on to the admin and staffroom area, where they will be for most of the summer break.
Stationery for 2021
For that reason we will not be selling stationery packs at school for 2021, except for New Entrants.
Stationery lists will be provided early so you can shop for your own.
Shop easily using OfficeMax My School - opening in early December
- Order online at myschool.co.nz or by calling 0200 724 440
- Simply select our school, select your year group and it is all done for you
- Orders over $46 have free delivery - and you can choose when you want it delivered
- If you order before Christmas you can layby and pay in installments
- Earn points for our school with every item
More information about stationery will be coming out over the next few weeks.
End of Year Reporting
At the end of next week, our End of Year Learning Comments will be live on Hero. We look forward to sharing each child’s learning progress with you.
At Puketapu School our online school reporting tool is called 'HERO' and it is our new Online Reporting Portal for parents. This real-time reporting tool fits with the depth and breadth of the New Zealand Curriculum. HERO provides a picture of what is happening in your child’s learning and has replaced all written reports that were formally sent home.
As a staff, we began working our new Online Reporting Portal (Hero/Linc-Ed) early in 2019. Through this year and into next year, we are moving to a point where both staff and students will be posting more and more rich learning content on components of our Puketapu Curriculum. As a parent, you will also be able to involve yourself (by posting) with your child’s learning journey (this feature will be available in 2021).
Our aim is to implement a dynamic and robust reporting system that allows teachers, parents, and students to access learning in an online environment that is secure, easy, and effective.
The Online Reporting Portal (Hero) allows teachers to share learning anytime, anywhere which parents on any device can view. The nature of this reporting mechanism is that it is designed to build year on year so that over time you will have access to comments, assessments, images, video and helpful resources all in one place.
How to Access Hero
By now most people will be familiar with logging in to Hero, however if you are not sure, here is an easy reminder for how to access:
- Hero can be accessed using any web browser but we highly recommend downloading the Hero app to your mobile phone.
- Your access is linked to the email address you have registered in your child’s record at the school (so if you change your email address, please let us know.)
- Full instructions can be found here: https://hero.linc-ed.com/parents/.
- If you have any problems accessing Hero, please let us know by emailing office@puketapu.school.nz
We can add multiple email addresses for each child and we encourage all caregivers to create log-ins.
Why report to parents and whānau?
Schools report to parents and whānau for two key reasons:
- Parents and whānau are key stakeholders in education and as such they expect meaningful information about their child’s progress and achievement in relation to learning entitlements set out in The New Zealand Curriculum.
- Parents, families, whānau, and wider community have a valuable role to play in supporting their children’s learning at and beyond school.
Artists Wanted!
We are looking for some creative student artists that have either created some art earlier this year or could create some art in the next few weeks as we are looking at putting some student artworks up around our school on our buildings.
If your budding artist would like to take part, please get them to let their teacher know.
Taku Ara Matauranga o Puketapu - My Learning Pathway at Puketapu
This year our Kowhai team have been developing a great learner pathway system for their akonga.
Students work hard to move along the Puketapu Learner journey.
Each destination on the journey is related to our cultural narrative. Children start at the Puketapu Pa and work their way to the Mangati Awa, Muru Raupatu Marae and then finally reach the Taranaki Maunga.
To reach each destination, children have to prove how they show the key beliefs and school values - that they are learners, can communicate, they are kind, with every aspect linking to our key beliefs and school values.
As they progress, students obtain more privileges and rewards. The children earn arm bands which indicate where they are on their journey. All of the students are motivated and excited about reaching the Maunga.
The steps on our learning pathway are all linked to our Values - Kia kaha - do your best, Kia māia - be courageous, Kia manawanui - have a heart - and our Key Beliefs - I am a learner, I communicate, I belong, I contribute, I am kind, I look after my wellbeing.
SOMADD
We have a little over three weeks until our SOMADD Community Concert (Friday 4th December) and all our akonga are involved.
In Kauri, visual arts students are busy working working on their art from around the world. We are completing a variety of styles of art.
SOMADD Raffles - Donations Please
If you would like to donate towards a raffle, please let the school office know.
A tasty way to do maths!
Don't Forget to Order you School T shirt
$20 each, in a range of colours and sizes. Order and pay at the office by Thursday 19 November.
Can you help in 2021?
Mrs Wigley (Our Design & Technology teacher) is looking for Nanas, Poppas, Mums or Dads who would be interested in working with some of our Kauri students in 2021.
Can you weave, knit, crochet, carve? Then I would love to hear from you!
Please contact me at cwigley@uketapu.school.nz
Sight Words SuperStars!
Sports News
It is always wonderful to receive a message like this one from Bri, the Year 5 and 6 basketball coach, following the end of year break up at Deluxe Diner.
I just wanted to say, I’ve been coaching basketball since I left high school in 2016 & honestly, I have not worked with a better school. Puketapu have done an amazing job at ensuring I have everything I possibly need to help these kids succeed. The kids were absolutely awesome, so committed. I’m so impressed that I would love to offer my coaching services for next basketball season also. Puketapu has some serious basketball talent that I would love to help grow!
Well done to Zion, Tyreece, Kian, Khan, Alex, Caydence, Cora, Harper, Jesse and Kayden for upholding our school values and making Bri feel welcomed and valued.
Year 7 & 8 Rippa
Our mixed team played a great tournament and made the final, narrowly losing to Oakura 4-5.
Thank you to all those parents who helped with transport and were great sideline supporters!
The Year 7&8 mixed Rippa team - runners up in the tournament!
Hockey Heroes
Thank you to Programmed Property Services for their $200 sponsorship towards shin pads and mouth guards
Bell Block Rugby Club MVP's
Keanu and Zion
Tyreece
Instructors Wanted!
Congratulations to our Duffy Award Winners
Duffy Awards aregiven for academic achievement, progress, improvement or attitude to learning.
Congratulations to:
- Noah Gomez
- Cora Wano
- Khade Gray
- Deja Tohi
- Amaia Sherry
- Kyzahn Brill
- Alaize Kake
BIRTHDAYS
- Ava Smith
- Ella Rauputu
- Ariki Brown
- Brooke Balsom
- Layla Hardgrave
- Jurnee Rei
- Rocky Lomano
- Bijou Garcia Cielo
- Skyla Rose Pratt
What's On
- Friday 13th November: Inglewood High School Orientation Day for Year 8s, Round 3 of Whanau Touch
Week 6
- Friday 20th November: Whanau Tabloid Sports Day 9.00-2.30
Week 7
Year 8 Camp Week, Year 7 EOTC Week
- Monday 23rd November: Y8 Camp (Finlay Park), Yr7 EOTC Week begins
- Wednesday 25th November: Totara Whanau Athletics Day
- Thursday 26th November: Y8 return from Finlay Park; Year 7s to Aquatic Centre; Road Patroller Reward Day (Aquatic Centre 10-2pm)
- Friday 27th November: Totara Whanau Athletics Day (Postponement)
Week 8
- Monday 30th November: NPBHS & NPGHS - Students School Visits @ 2pm (@NPBHS and NPGHS)
- Wednesday 2nd December: Board of Trustees meeting 5.30pm
- Thursday 3rd December: 2021 Meet Your Teacher (2.00pm - 3.00pm)
- Friday 4th December: SOMAD Community Concert - 6.00pm
Week 9
Kowhai EOTC Week
- Wednesday 9th December: Totara Ranui Day - Hickford Park
- Friday 11th December: Totara Ranui Day Postponement - Hickford Park
Week 10
- Monday 14th December: Year 8 Graduation Dinner
- Tuesday 15th December: Final School Assembly (10.30) - Northpoint, School finishes @ 12.00
Community Notices
NPDC Safer Speeds Review - Rural Roads
NPDC is calling for feedback on the proposed speed limit changes as part of the district wide Safer Speeds Review. If you would like to have your say, go to NPDC Have Your Say page to complete the feedback survey which closes Friday 18 December 2020.
Noel Leeming Friends & Family
Runs from 2 - 15 November
It's time...
The New Plymouth Event is on Wednesday 31 March 2021
Who can TRY?
Entry to the TRYathlon is open to all Kiwi kids aged 7-15 years. TRYathlete’s can enter an individual, or in a team of two.
6 year olds can TRY too with our special “Splash & Dash” event. Be quick as spaces are limited.
What do TRYathlete’s receive?
• Official Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon T-shirt*
• Champions Finishers Medal
• Event tote bag*
• Event swim cap*
• Goodies from our awesome sponsors*
• Complimentary Weet-Bix Breakfast at event
• PLUS lots of cool giveaways and spot prizes and the chance to meet some of New Zealand’s leading sports stars!
*items included in the TRYathlon Pack
Click here to ENTER - as part of the Puketapu School Team.
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