Toko School Newsletter
Thursday 15th April 2021
Kura Tuatahi Toko
Quality learning for all in a caring community.
Kounga ako mo katoa i roto i te taiao e atawhai ana.
Dear parents and friends of our school Kia Ora/Bora Da/Konichi Wa/Hello
Tena Koutou Katoa
Our term has rushed by very quickly. Eleven weeks in total and I think we are all ready for a break to recharge our batteries!!!
We are excited to announce that from next term we will be involved in the KickStart Breakfast in schools programme created by Fonterra and Sanitarium to educate kiwi kids on the importance of breakfast.
Each day, from 8:30 - 8:50am our Breakfast Club will operate in the school hall. Student Breakfast Club leaders will run this programme. We supply, via the programme, a free breakfast of Weetbix and milk for any student who wishes to visit the Breakfast Club.
A lot of our chidlren are up early, have breakfast early and are on the bus between 7.30 and 8.00. No matter if you have had breakfast or not, if anyone arrives at school feeling hungry and wanting an extra meal before school starts they can pop into the hall and have a bowl of weetbix.
For more information, please see: https://kickstartbreakfast.co.nz/about
Ngā mihi
Kim Waite
Library Monitors
This year's library monitors: Kirsty, Samara, Amelia, Charis, Alex, Zoey, Maisie, Hollie, Aidan and Leigha.
The library monitors help out in the library during morning tea and lunchtimes. They are rostered on and help with issuing and returning students library books as well as putting them back on the shelves.
Congratulations and thank you for your contribution to our school.
ENVIRO LEADERS
ENVIRO WARRIORS
Sue Rine
Science Roadshow
On Wednesday our Year 6-8 team visited the Science Roadshow at Stratford High School. The children were treated to two demonstrations where they learned about fair tests and watched some cool experiments involving fire and chemicals. Children were then able to wander around the hall and try out a range of different hands on science activities, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
A FEW REMINDERS
SPORTS NEXT TERM AND AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS
We know Term 2 is a busy sporting term. It is really important that you inform your children about after school arrangements before they come to school especially on days where they have sport practices. If the bus comes, and they are unsure we will put them on the bus as per the norm.
Our expectation is that at 3.20 when we ring the second after school bell that all remaining children must go to the bus shelter.
- If they are practicing at school you do not need to call us. They just go to their practice and stay away from the bus shelter.
- If siblings are staying at school but do not have a practice this can be problematic when parents aren't on site because they are unsupervised. If a sibling is staying at school you need to arrange a parent to supervise them and the school office needs to be notified.
- If they are being collected by someone else and are being taken to a practice off site and it is before 3.20 you do not need to call us. They just get collected and head to their practice.
- All children must be collected by 3.20. After this time we need notification of arrangements. Once the bus children leave staff are not expected to be responsible for children remaining at school.
School Answer Machine
If your after school plans change and you need to contact the school please leave a message if we don't answer the phone.
We always check the school answer machine at 3.20 before the duty teacher meets with the bus children. If you leave a message we will get it!
Please do not contact your child's classroom teacher about changes to plans. They will be teaching and will not respond to your message.
Cancellations to Practices
Please do not call the office and ask if a practice is cancelled. As soon as we find out we will place the cancellation via the school app only. Please check that your app selections/ classes/ groups, etc are up to date.
Please discuss with your child/children what happens if their practice is cancelled e.g they go to the bus shelter and catch the bus.
As you can imagine when we have children going in all manner of directions after school in Term 2 for winter sport it can get quite chaotic for staff. If you can help us with the above that would be really appreciated :)
School Accounts
I have today emailed your accounts out to you. If you have any questions please email the school office. Please remember if you have a credit with the school that is deducted off your balance. As most of you will be aware the banks are fazing out cheques, so the school will be unable to accept payment by cheque. The ideal method of payment is direct credit into our account or you may still pay by cash.
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Wicked Wheel
Weather permitting we will be holding Wicked Wheel on the last day of term. Wicked Wheel is a fun sports House event that we try and run at the end of every term. This will be in conjunction with a fundraiser run by the student leadership team. This will be B&P Day(blue and purple) to raise money for people who are affected by epilepsy and/or autism. We would like each student to bring a gold coin donation to go towards the Child Autism Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of NZ. Please dress up in either purple or blue or both :)
Thank you
Student Leadership team.
Y4-6 Girls Soccer Tournament
On Tuesday 13th of April we had 10 girls play in the Y4-6 & 7 aside tournament in New Plymouth. They worked well as a team and came away with 4 wins, 2 losses and a draw. Well done for great sportsmanship and a fun day to all players. A big thank you to Rebecca and Nicola for managing the team and transporting the girls.
Rural Cluster Athletics - Year 5 - 8
Thank you so much to everyone that assisted to make this day a success. A special thanks to all those parents that assisted with the school bbq on this day!!! Your support is very much appreciated.
Congratulations to all our children who participated in this event. You performed with great competitiveness and sportsmanship!
Overall Results:
Year 5 Girl: Poppy White ( Ngaere)
Year 5 Boy: Jaxon Kelbrick ( Ngaere)
Year 6 Girl: London Oxenham ( Nagere)
Year 6 Boy: Mason Caskey ( Toko)
Year 7 Girl: Zoey Coulton ( Toko)
Year 7 Boy: Oliver Watkins ( Rawhitiroa)
Year 8 Girl: Charis Harvey ( Toko)
Year 8 Boy: Kemp Nickel (Ngaere)
A big apology to Oliver Watkins (Rawhitiroa) who was the Year 7 boys Champion on the day. His name was not called out at the end due to a recording error.
As always after every event we run, we carry out a review. If you would like to contribute to this review please email feedback to: shelley.fuller@toko.school.nz and include: athletics feedback in the subject heading
Year 1 - 4 Athletics Day
HELPING YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME
Descriptive Commenting helps children to make sense of their environment and later express their thoughts in more complex ways.
When you are alongside your child talk about what it is you are doing as you are doing it.
For example if you are outside playing you could say: “I’m going to kick the big ball into the net. Oh no I swung my foot too hard and the ball has gone over the fence. Oh no. Now I will have to jump the fence and get the ball back.”
BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPDATE
Thank-you - The Board would like to extend its most grateful thanks to the TSB Community Trust and Contact Energy. Contact Energy has provided funds for the purchase of structured reading texts. We were also successful in our application to the TSB Programme and Events Grant for funding to support our school’s Kapa Haka programme.
Property - The Board met with Ministry of Education representatives to allocate the funding allowance provided to the school under its 10 Year Property Plan for property maintenance. We continue to peruse the plans as we work to finalise the details for the renovations to the main block which will begin with alterations to the staffroom, sick bay and staff toilet area.
Smokefree/Vapefree - With winter sports approaching, there will be an increase in visitors to our school supporting their tamariki from the sidelines. The Board would like to take this opportunity to remind our wider school community that we are a smokefree/vapefree school.
Next Meeting - Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 25th May. Board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend a meeting or to find out more, call into the office or contact a Board member.
Thank you to Charlie our pool custodian for doing a fabulous job of maintaining the swimming pool over the swimming season!!!
THE SCHOOL POOL IS NOW CLOSED!
COMMUNITY NOTICES
HOUSE TO RENT NEEDED
Toko and Eastern Districts Junior Rugby Football Club
Club Muster
When: Saturday the 17th of April @ 10.30am
Where: Toko School
For all those that are registered and also anyone who might not yet be registered but interested in playing junior rugby. This is our day to get together, sort out teams, meet the coaches and get the kids excited about the upcoming rugby season.
Any enquiries to Grant Worthington Ph 0276669970 or grantworthington@hotmail.com
Toko School
Email: office@toko.school.nz
Website: www.toko.school.nz
Location: 1057 East Road, Toko, New Zealand
Phone: 06 7622849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokoSchool/?ref=bookmarks