Newsletter 11th August 2022

Kia ora whanau

Well, here we are heading at a fast rate of knots towards the 2022 Village Fete and many congratulations to the PTA for their courage in ensuring that this goes ahead, and for deciding on a date outside of that which we would usually choose...thanks Covid! Making the best of a situation that we cannot control shows that fortitude and selflessness that those who join the PTA are so able to show. It is that type of attitude that determines the success of such an event though they cannot do it alone.

As a community this is where we stand up. This is the time to add your time and add your mahi, even if it is only for an hour or two. Every little bit helps. As I walk around our kura it is so easy to notice the many items that the PTA provides and for which we should all be grateful. All of our tamariki, and mine too, have benefitted from the mahi and innovation of successive PTA groups and we are so privileged that we have such a strong core. In this day and age where everyone seems to bemoan a distinct lack of volunteers, we can count ourselves lucky that we continue to shine. If the PTA were left to do it 'all by themselves' then that would most likely result in a diminishment of the successes. We can all play our part in this through adding to the volunteer list.

Don't be that person who declines to help because you want to be at the Fete with your whanau. While that is fair enough, by adding your weight to the Fete you are sending a clear message to those around you and your whanau that you value your kura. An hour of your time for the good of all, and your own is not a big ask! For those that may be unavailable on the day of the Fete there are other ways that you can assist us prior to the Fete itself. We intend to hold a working bee in the weekends leading up to the big event, so maybe you could put your hand up for that instead? A kura really is and should be seen to be that place which is one of the community hubs. It cannot be that hub unless we make it that hub, unless we add to the community, unless we give as much as we receive! If we want to provide the best for our tamariki then it is up to all of us to create that and to make a difference.

Lastly, having been a part of all of the Fetes, bar one, since 2011 I can assure you that one of the neatest aspects of being a part of the day is the fun you have. You get to know others within the community so much better and so much more! I love the social importance of the Fete and seeing so many catching up with each other. Pure gold!

Ngā mihi

Marty Hantz

This week is Te wiki whakanui i nga puna matauranga a kura o Aotearoa. (Aotearoa NZ School Library week)

The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa figures show that less than a third of schools have a library space with an adequate collection staffed by a specialist librarian.

The akonga at Taradale Primary School are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Claire, our fantastic librarian, and access to the extensive collection of reading material that she sources.

The PTA fundraisers and the Bookfairs contribute financially to the library and secure the future of this incredible resource. Whanau support for these events is therefore very important and hugely appreciated.

• Pizza and Cake Day - Friday 12th August
  
• Spooner Shield - Friday 2nd September
• Spooner Shield Postponement - Friday 9th September
• TPS Cross Country - Monday 29th August
• Wig Wednesday - Wednesday 7th September
• School Photos - Thursday 8th September
• TPS School Fete - Sunday 18th September
• End of Term 3 - Friday 30th September

We are again overflowing with lost property items and it's only week 3.

Lost property will be placed on the courts outside the office every Friday for you to go through and check.

Please make sure all your child's clothing/items are clearly named.

There has been a spate of hoax bomb threats made to a number of schools around Aotearoa New Zealand over the last week or so. This has meant that we have had to look carefully at our own response procedures in the event of such an incident at TPS. While we certainly do not want to create stress it is important that you know that should this happen then we have very strong procedures in place. This includes taking advice from the police and the likelihood of evacuations. If that was to be the case there would be immediate communications used to keep you informed. We have already pre-populated these as a preparation.

If we were to evacuate then we would most likely head to Taradale Park. From there we will give further instructions based on the potential timeframes involved. If we were to be out of the school for a long period then we would request you assist us by arriving to pick up your child. If we were to request pick-ups then this would be done in an orderly and very controlled fashion ensuring that we know the whereabouts of all tamariki at all times.

Just a gentle reminder that if your child has had diarrhoea or has vomited then there is a definite 48 hour stand-down period of time which will be strictly enforced. Please understand that this is to keep everyone safe and has been a requirement for a very long while.

A really big shout-out to the Road Patrol tamariki who do a fabulous job of keeping all of those crossing the road as safe as possible. They do this in all weathers, show fabulous perseverance, commitment and show great humour as they do what they do. Thanks also to the nine adults who support them each week, your commitment to this is so very much appreciated.

It is also so lovely to hear so many people using their manners as they cross by saying thank you to the Road Patrollers! How neat is that?

We have spaces available for Out Of Zone enrolments for Year 0 (New Entrant) for Term 3 and Term 4 2022. If you have friends and whānau that are looking for a great school then point them in our direction.

Ever so exciting to see that this is once again featuring as part of our Book Week! This is a real highlight of the year and something that is looked forward to by all of us. What could be better than getting all dressed up in our jammies and dressing gowns, slippers on our feet and teddies under our arms? Classic TPS experience and not to be missed. We can only cater for 150 of our tamariki on this night so please be in quick! This is also a great opportunity to spend some time in the library looking at the Scholastic books on offer there.

A challenge to you as parents....are you brave enough to wear your 'onesie' to school?

The permission slips are coming home with your child tomorrow (Friday 12th August). Please keep an eye out for these or check your child's school bag. Please return these forms to the Library either Monday 15th or Tuesday 16th August, before school. Limited spaces available.

We need your help

The Book Fair is our big annual School Library Fundraising Event. TPS families get to purchase books at bargain prices with every purchase made earning our School Library rewards. We want our library shelves overflowing with new resources for our tamariki to enjoy!

The amount of money you spend in sales also determines if we qualify for a BOGO Book Fair later this year, where families of TPS are rewarded with the fabulous deal of buy one book and get one free just in time for Christmas.

We can’t run this Book Fair without your help. It’s parents and caregivers giving up their precious time that enables us to offer this exciting school event. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Please complete the online form by going to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the code 3gem9

We will be in touch as soon as we have finalised the volunteer timetable.

Please note: We ask that the children of our Book Fair helpers are not in the library while the helpers are working, as they can be quite distracting. If the weather is fine, children could play outside, otherwise they are welcome in Room 14.

Thanks in advance! If you have any queries, please ph/txt Stacey on 0273700353 or email Hikeaholic@hotmail.com

Just a reminder it is Pizza and cake day Friday 12th August, for those that have placed their order via lunch online.

Thank you to the PTA for organising this.

To the left you will find the table showing our current cases and what has happened overall.

The Board of Trustees passed a policy that requires all Year 4 to 6 learners to wear a mask in class and for when they are in proximity to others. This will be strictly enforced. The exclusions to this will be those learners who already have a mask exemption. The BoT has not taken this step lightly. This was undertaken to keep our tamariki and kaiako safe. Teacher sick days have increased by 50% across Aotearoa this year and many schools have had to compromise the learning by combining classes, sending classes home or closing schools. We are determined not to let that happen to us and determined to not let a second wave of Covid affect us. Please work with us to ensure the safety of all.

Greendale Tennis Club Junior Opening Day

Saturday 10th September (if wet following week)

Juniors times:

Beginners 8.30 - 9.20am ages 3-8

Intermediate 9.30 - 10.30am ages 9-12

Senior 10.30 - 11.30 ages 10-18 (must be able to serve)

For more info contact Ian Smith 021 131 8433

Ahuriri Basketball are seeking expressions of interest from Maori players who would like to attend the Maori National Tournament in January 2023.

This is a unique opportunity to reinforce the values of whakapapa, Te Reo Māori and Kaupapa Māori in Basketball.