Following on from last week's update around this Friday's Planet Day, organised by Katie Rollinson as part of her READY Challenge we are delighted to be able to confirm that Synlait will be presenting 40-80 native plants to our school for planting this Friday on our Bird Highway. Synlait has also generously offered to partner with the school in a more long term capacity through their Whakapuawai Nursery program, and supply more plants over the coming years to the school for the areas around the school farm and the bird highway. What a fantastic outcome from Katie's READY challenge focus! It just proves what can be achieved when we work together in harmony with our school values-Ka mau te wehi Katie! Well done!

Colin Brodie

New Zealand will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth ll with a one-off public holiday on Monday 26th September. This means that all state and state-integrated school and kura will be closed on this day.

Te Wiki o te Te Reo Maori

Mt Winterslow (Opihako) have been very busy making and creating book marks and art work to celebrate Maori Language Week. Students enjoyed making book marks and learning to say simple phrases when giving praise to someone. For example, Tauke! (Awesome) Ka wani ke! (Neat, alright), Koia kei a koe! Good on you!

Kowhaiwhai Patterns

Students have been learning the art of drawing Koru designs and Kowhaiwhai patterns using blended pastel and Indian ink to scratch patterns. Students can use Koru, Moana and Mango Pare patterns to represent themselves and their family. Lines, shapes, spirals, shading and circles are used to add detail to our pictorial narrative. We are currently working on adding koru designs and kowhaiwhai patterns to our Ngahere. We look forward to sharing these with you.

This year Lauriston School is excited to be hosting the very first Opuke Festival of Cultures. Taking place at Lauriston School on Thursday 22nd September, this is an event designed to celebrate not only Te Ao Maori but also to celebrate the rich make-up of cultures that reside across Opuke and Mid Canterbury. We warmly invite all families to come along and watch school performances, take a look at our range of cultural stalls and art displays or purchase foods on offer during the day. At this event, both our Senior and Junior Lauriston Kapa Haka groups will perform.

The festival will begin with a mihi whakatau to welcome participating schools into our school. Throughout the day there will be a range of 20-minute performances on stage, including performances from Mayfield School, Rakaia School, Chertsey School, Our Lady of the Snows and our very own Lauriston students. The Lauriston School Junior Kapa Haka group will be on stage from approximately 9:45am while our Senior Kapa Haka group will perform from approximately 12:45pm. Following the school performances, the festival will finish with a closing ceremony and prizegiving.

At the Festival of Cultures, we have a dedicated area for kai(food) stalls. The Lauriston School Support Group will be running a BBQ at the event and this is an opportunity to get involved with the LSS to offer your support. Equally, we are offering families the opportunity to run a stall of ethnic foods, with all profits made to come back and support the school. If you or your family would like to run a stall of ethnic foods, please contact Laura at laurat@lauriston.school.nz.

I’m Nat, Mum to Big Hudson and Fergus. With more than 13 years of experience in clinical psychology, I’ve worked with a broad range of children, adolescents and adults.

I moved to this community around 11 years ago when I met Simon, with friends wondering how I would adapt to rural living. As those who know me can attest, I haven’t lost all of my “towny” edges and am usually the most dressed up individual at school drop off. I have been known to occasionally help out with shifting stock and going on tractor adventures on the farm. However, my boys praise me for not doing “bunny hops” and I allergic to everything Simon grows, so perhaps my more useful skill set for the BOT is my professional experience in the world of psychology.

​In recent years, I’ve taken an important step into private practice and started Mid-Canterbury Psychology, enjoying the sense of fulfilment in being able to make a difference in other people’s lives. In January 2022, I decided to base my practice in the Methven area so I could further provide to my local community.

Prior to having Hudson (aged 8) and Fergus (aged 6) I worked in Christchurch at the Department of Corrections. I then worked locally for Rural Canterbury Primary Health Organisation in between having the boys. This role has helped me gain an insight on a broad range of needs within our local community.

These professional experiences have equipped me in being a solid member of the BOT in helping Lauriston be the best school it can for our community. I believe my experience as a clinical psychologist can help bring a skill-set to the BOT that will drive Lauriston forward as the best in academia, social skill development, communication skills, and out of classroom experiences.

I believe Lauriston is a unique schooling opportunity for our children as it offers not only Ministry of Education driven learning, but also practical teachings with the school farm and other outdoor opportunities for our children to thrive.

Feel free to say hi next time you see someone wearing a lot of colour at the school gate!

This week we have Aaron Rai turning 9 and Ann-Marie Jones turning 8 on Sunday 18th September - we hope you both have wonderful birthday celebrations!

Classroom Certificates

Mt Alford: Fletcher Stone for showing great determination towards your counting skills

Mt Harper: Dallas for leadership and knowledge shared around our school pig farm and Bruno Cairns for effort progress shown in his reading.

Mt Hutt: Elena McNally and Tessa Sim for super focus and perfectly forming letters during handwriting time.

Mt Winterslow: Ali Palmer showing kowhiri (choices) and Sam Honeywell for a great mindset towards his learning.

Mt Somers: Manaia Foulsham-Dodson for her super effort with spelling and homework.

Kapa Haka Certificates

Junior Kapa Haka: William Harrower and Amelia Moore for having a great smile during Kapa Haka.

Senior Kapa Haka: Grace Jordan and Manaia Foulsham-Dodson for your great effort at learning your waiata.

Monday Morning Meeting Awards

House certificates: Hettie Pike, Wilbur Cairns, Gus Copland, Tom Quinlan

Bus certificates: James McNally, Jack Sim, Ayan Narang, Grace Jordan

Waste Certificate: Mt Harper

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• Snow Sports Programme Session 2- 13th September - Cancelled due to Mountain Closed
• Zone Winter Tournament - 15th September
• Katie's Planet Day - 16th September
• BOT Meeting 7pm - 19th September
• Opuke Cultural Festival - 22nd September with PP 23rd
• QE ll Memorial Day - 26th September - Public Holiday
• Snow Sports Session Back Up Day - Thursday 29th September
• Pet Day - End of Term Three - 30th September
• Start of Term 4 - 17th October
• BOT Strategic Planning Meeting - 18th October
• Area Athletics - 20th October
• School Photos - 21st October
• Labour Day Holiday - 24th October
• BOT Meeting - 25th October
• County Athletics - 4th November (pp 7th November)
• Opuke Staff Only Day - 10th November
• Canterbury Anniversary Day Holiday - 11th November
• LSS Meeting - 23rd November
• Zone Athletics - 30th November
• Firewise Funday - 2nd December
• BOT Meeting - 5th December
• Leavers Dinner - 8th December

Planet Day

Please come dressed in something green or if you don't have something green then mufti will be fine.

Priority for Community Dental Service appointments during the school break will be for immediate dental needs at the following clinics:

Woolston Community Dental Clinic, 11 Hopkins Street, Christchurch

Hornby Community Dental Clinic, 2 Hei Hei Road, Christchurch

Timaru Community Dental Clinic, 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru

To access these appointments, call our Contact Centre on 0800 846 983 noting that priority is given to children with immediate dental needs.

For any dental advice please call the Contact Centre on 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.healh.nz