Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart

Kia ora koutou,

It has been great to see so much singing and dancing this week. So many of our tamariki are working very hard on their learning with SOMAD (School of Music and Dance) and we are all looking foward to seeing the results at the Celebration Evening later in the term.

Congratulations also to our Kapa Haka Roopu at Puanga. The group has many new faces - about 50% of the group are new - so they did very well performing together. Thanks to all whanau who came along to show their support.

Thank you also to all those parents who are making such an effort to use the Drop Off and Pick Up Lane well. It makes a huge difference to our neighbours and each other when drivers are considerate. It is so much safer for all our tamariki and a real demonstration of our value of Kia Manawanui in action.

It is also exciting to see so many new faces at school. We have welcomed learners of all ages so far this term and have also been recruiting new teachers for 2019 too. We look forward to introducing them as the term goes on.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Matua Ngatai

This week, say hello to...

Amanda has been appointed as Assistant Principal for the Senior School & and Learning Leader for Kauri Learning Team.

Tena koutou katoa,

My name is Amanda O'Dowda and I am very excited to become part the Puketapu whānau. I am originally from the windy Manawatu, where my family still lives. We moved to Taranaki 5 years ago for my husband's work. New Plymouth is my husband's home town. We enjoy living so close to the mountain and the sea. We have a daughter who is currently in Year 7 at Highlands Intermediate and two trouble making dogs.

I am excited for the opportunity to share and grow my own knowledge at Puketapu. I have been teaching for 20 years and have taught across all age levels. I am a strong believer in play based environments and students leading their own learning. I am excited to be working with a passionate team to develop an innovative and inspiring curriculum for our senior school. I look forward to getting to know the tamariki and meeting with the community.

Ehara taku toa, te toa takitahi. Engari, he toa takitini.

Kim is currently working here as our ORS teacher and Release teacher and has been appointed as one of our new Year 0-2 teachers in Rimu Learning Team.

Kia ora,

My name is Kim Sowman and I am excited to be joining the Rimu team fulltime in 2019.

I have been working at Puketapu School for the past six and a half years in a variety of roles.

My own three children have all attended Puketapu School as well and I have lived in the community for 15 years.

I am very passionate about play based learning and making sure that the transition from Early childhood to school is a smooth one for children and their families.

I love art, creativity and sharing the outdoors with children.

Birthdays this week:

• Layla Read
  
• Luca Podevin
• Ziana Podevin
• Sifia Fonoti
• Harper Sutherland

Congratulations to our Puketapu Superstars, who have been spotted showing our school values:

Kia kaha - Do your best

• Sahkyla Graham
  
• Tana Ormsby-Turner
• Clayton Leaf
• Megan Frank
• Jahsiah Edwards

Kia maia - Be courageous

• Tirahia Ormsby-Turner
• Oracle Rangi
• Jahliyah McLeod-Chard
• Chloe Pearce
• Reuben Warring
• Shania Duff
• Sifia Fonoti
• Kyra-Jae Paki
• Millah West
• Holley Robinson
• Serennah Hobin

Kia manawanui - Have a heart

• Alexis Lind
  
• Raven Falaniko
• James O'Neale
• Rosheel Prasad
• Amy-Jaide Paki
• Davis Leaf
• Kade Davis
• Noah Keith
• Poutama Murray
• Ryan McGreal
• Rory Lichtwark
• Cohen Allan
• Kayne Adrian
• Chayce Wilson
• Kierah Hosking
• Jeosh Rafal
• Margaret Sioli
• Elijah Keith
• Joseph Stainthorpe
• Tyler Read

Thank you so much to Mr Urbahn and the Countdown team - it was delicious!

This term our learning theme is SOMAD - School of Music, Arts & Dance.

Our Kauri students have been getting into character for Drama...

Today they were delighted to present the straws and know that they have helped make a contribution to reducing plastic in our environment. (They even got to test the straws!)

Well done Kaitiaki!

Arriving late in class is disruptive for everyone, so please do your best to get to school on time.

Tamariki can arrive any time from 8.30am and everyone should be in class by 8.55am (which is when the bell rings) ready for roll call and to start the day.

Anyone arriving to class after the bell needs to please come to the office and sign in.

Choose either of the two questions - or answer both!

Write your answer, along with your name and class, on a piece of paper and drop it in to the office.... and go into the draw! The first draw will take place at showcase this week.

Week 3 Questions:

How far did you travel in your car this week? You could zero the trip meter and see how many km’s are on the counter at the end of the week. *Year 4 and up - using this information and estimate how far you think your family cars travels in a month, a year, not including additional travel in holidays.

What is the product of the numbers on your number plate? (A product is found when you multiply the numbers)

As you may have heard, teachers and principals across the country have voted to strike for a second time.

The NZEI Teachers Union rejected the latest offer from the Ministry of Education and believed that the latest offer did not meet the years of under-funding and under-resourcing that schools have faced over the past few years.

Teacher members and the Union are seeking improvements to some core aspects:

• Additional resourcing to support those children who have learning and/or behavioral needs.
  
• Improved workload conditions to improve learning conditions for students.
  
• Lifting the pay scale to attract and retain teachers. It is getting harder and harder for schools to attract and find staff as less people enter or stay in the profession.
  

At tomorrow night's Board of Trustees meeting, our Board will discuss the situation and confirm what will happen for Puketapu School on Tuesday 13 November.

We will keep you posted.

This Week: WEEK 3

Pizza $4.00 or Pizza and Potato Gems $5.00 or Ham Wrap $3.50

Pasta & Meatballs $4

Chicken Salad $5

This Saturday 10am-1pm. New or preloved goods welcomed. $5 per carload so load up the car and come to turn your unwanted items into cash. Turn up at the school from 9am or call Kim on 755 1871 for more information

There will be coffee, seafood chowder, fry bread, Le Reve, gelato, hot food, pony and truck rides on site.

We will also have a drop off box to support two local charities The Gift and Kai and Aroha:

The Gift are on a mission to put together gift boxes for mums in our community this Christmas ❤️ In 2017 more than 180 mums received a gift box and over 850 children a Christmas present, generously donated by every day people in our community who made a commitment to make someone else's Christmas a little brighter.

To help, bring along toiletries, (shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, deodorant, shavers etc) for a mum or dad. We can combine our items, so even one item will help to make a big difference to someone's Christmas.

Kai and Aroha support local families all year round with food in times of need. Each Christmas they donate food and gifts to people in our community. They are also responsible for setting up the food sharing stands on Nugent Street and Dillon Drive.

To help, please bring along items of non perishable food (cans, dried food etc)

If you would like to donate to either of these charities look for the drop off boxes by the BBQ.

Thursday 1 November:

Last chance for Lucky Book Club orders - get them in before school please.

Junior Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00),

Board of Trustees Meeting 7pm

Friday 2 November:

Student Showcase 9.15am (Kauri)

Pukekura Toastmasters Yr 7 & 8 Speech contest 7pm

Saturday 3 November:

Home & School Car Boot & Market Day

Sunday 4 November:

Two Kauri Students competing in the Lions Speechmaker Contest at the Hawera Community Centre, 10am

WEEK 4

Monday 5 November:

Tuesday 6 November:

Rotary Readers

Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00),

Wednesday 7 November:

9.00 Visit from Spotswood College Y9 Dean

Thursday 8 November:

Junior Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00),

Road Patroller Training (Year 6/7)

No Tech for Year 7/8s this week

Friday 9 November:

Student Showcase 9.15am (Kowhai)

More information about activities will follow:

Sunday 11 November: 4 students will represent Puketapu School at the Taranaki Armistice Centenary Service and Parade at 11am

Monday 12 November:

Tuesday 13 November: ** proposed Teacher Strike Day ** (more information will follow)

Wednesday 14 November: Kaitiaki: Mangati Stream study, Tennis Coaching

Thursday 15 November: Junior Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00)

Friday 16 November:

Monday 19 November: Kauri Camp Week - Finlay Park, Cambridge (all week)

Tuesday 20 November: Rotary Readers, Cricket Coaching, Tennis Coaching, No Kapa Haka, Road Patrollers Appreciation day at Todd Energy Aquatic Centre

Wednesday 21 November: 9.30am Hiwi the Kiwi show ($4 per student), Tennis Coaching

Thursday 22 November: Student Showcase 9.15am (Totara), No tech this week

Friday 23 November: Puketapu School is hosting Longworth Education in the Hall

Monday 26 November: Hearing & Vision testing, 2pm: Year 8s to visit NPBHS/NPGHS

Tuesday 27 November: Rotary Readers - Last one for 2018, Cricket Coaching, Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00)

Wednesday 28 November:

Thursday 29 November: Board of Trustees Meeting 7pm

Friday 30 November: Tough Kids Challenge (Year 5 & 6)

Monday 3 December:

Tuesday 4 December: Helpers' Morning Tea, Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00) - Hall

Wednesday 5 December:

Thursday 6 December:

Friday 7 December: Student Showcase 9.15am (Rimu), NPGHS Orientation for Y8s 1pm, Celebration Evening 6pm

Monday 10 December: Tabloid Sports 9.00-12.30

Tuesday 11 December: Kapa Haka (2.00 - 3.00)

Wednesday 12 December: Meet your 2018 teacher (2.00 - 2.30pm)

Thursday 13 December: Final School Assembly (11am) Northpoint Church, Year 8 Graduation Dinner (6pm) Northpoint Church

Friday 14 December: Last day of 2018. Finish at 12.00 noon

The Light Party 2018

Tonight is the night! Come along and join us at the 2018 Light Party. Wednesday 31 October, 5.30pm at Northpoint Church, Mangati Road.

Lest We Forget

The Waitara Returned and Services Association (Inc.) invites the communities and schools of Waitara and the districts of North Taranaki to join us to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One:

The parade and service be at the Waitara Cenotaph on Memorial Place at 5:00 p.m., Sunday 11th November.

We will have a commemorative parade and unveiling of a plaque to mark this anniversary.

The commemoration of the Armistice centenary gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the loss and trauma of the First World War, and to remember the 127 people who are named on the cenotaph from North Taranaki who did not return home, and to remember those who did return.

It is a time for us to remember all those men and women who have served in conflicts since World War One, from World War Two to today’s conflicts.

For more information contact Paul Gundesen, 022 069 4964 or Charles Hunt, 027 4488 090

We look forward to seeing you there!

They are Opening their Gates...

Fonterra farmers are opening up their gates on Sunday November 11

The whole country cares about what’s happening with the environment That’s why so, some Fonterra farmers are opening their gates to show you what they are doing to help protect it.

Come and visit Bryce and Lee-Ann's Farm in Inglewood. Bryce and Lee-Ann would love you and your family to come and visit our farm and see what we are doing to help care for New Zealand's environment. You can come and have a chat with us and see what really happens down on the farm and where your milk comes from. We've got fun activities for the kids and you can sample our special edition Open Gates ice cream!

Book your free farm visit now at opengate.co.nz

Because Every Parent Needs Some Help Sometimes

Parent Help is a non profit organisation supporting parents to build resilient and positive families/whānau.

We run a free confidential parenting Helpline for parents and caregivers. The Helpline is available from 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week providing advice, support and practical strategies on any parenting challenge.