Week 9, Term 3 Newsletter
Tēnā koutou katoa! Greetings everyone!
Term 3 is typically a quiet term for teachers - not too many events happen, and assessments for reporting are quite minimal. There is time to be settled and focused during learning time. Term 3 wasn’t typical, and neither has the year 2022. There have been many changes, adjusting, flexibility, and negotiating this term and year - it has been hard going. And unfortunately, some of our students have struggled and this has been reflected in their behaviour.
This past week we have seen and heard of students speaking disrespectfully to their teachers, vandalism of our toilets and school property, unkind behaviour toward other students, and generally displaying unacceptable behaviour. We do not and will not tolerate this behaviour. We have high expectations for the behaviour of everyone in our school - students, staff and whānau.
As we draw near to the end of the term before our holiday break, I have asked teachers and staff to tighten up on behaviour. If a meeting with parents and whānau is required, then this is what needs to happen to help with making improvements. If students need to be placed on an accountability system to manage behaviour, then the Assistant Principals will oversee this.
As I’ve kept saying this year, it takes a village to raise a child, and the school is part of the village that raises your child. But we are not the only part, and we do not work alone. The partnership between home and school is an important one, particularly for the growth and development of your child.
The wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 tells us that if we teach and train our children to do the right thing and direct them onto the right path in life, so when they grow up and get older they will continue on this path and still do the right thing. The teaching and training are intentional. It is focused. It is deliberate. It is purposeful. It starts in the home, and it starts with God. When you put Him first, everything else flows and is ordered as it should be.
Blessings,
Mrs. Tina Takimoana
Acting Principal
Verse for the week:
“Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Farewell and thanks, Mr Dow!
This week on Monday was Mr Allan Dow’s last day of teaching with us. Allan came out of retirement and has been teaching temporarily while Mrs du Preez was transitioning from South Africa to New Zealand.
On behalf of the staff and students, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Dow for his work, flexibility and willingness to support us when we needed him. I have certainly enjoyed working with him and I know the students appreciated the work he has done.
Welcome back Mr Tan in Term 4!
Mr Mark Tan, our school’s Principal, will be returning back to school in Term 4 after 3 terms on sabbatical leave. I will move from my Acting Principal position into a supporting role for Mr Tan, while we transition into Term 4 and also prepare for 2023.
‘Study Stay’ not leave - Year 11-13 in Term 4
In the past, our Year 11-13 students have typically gone onto ‘Study Leave’ once it is time to sit external examinations for NCEA. However, since this year has had its fair share of disruptions, we are going to have to change our approach slight. At present, I am working on a plan and a separate newsletter will be sent to parents and whānau next week about the details of what this ‘Study Stay’ will look like for our Year 11-13 students.
Prefect Applications 2023
Applications for Student Prefects are available at the office with Bobbie for those students interested in being a Student Prefect, including Head Boy and Head Girl and their deputies, and also House Captains. This is open to students who are in Year 11 or 12 this year.
The application is due at the school office by 3.30 pm on 28 October.
This will be then followed by our selection process and eventual announcements at the junior Prizegivings in December.
See Mrs Takimoana for further information.
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day - one-off Public Holiday Monday 26 September
New Zealand will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with a one-off public holiday on Monday 26 September 2022. This means that all state and state-integrated schools and kura will be closed on this day.
Term 4 Powhiri Invitation
As we are now no longer under the Traffic Light System, we are super excited for our Term 4 Powhiri.
We would like to invite and give opportunity to those students and their whānau who have not been formally welcomed yet. Though some of your children may have started at our School back in Term 2, please still join us for this Powhiri so that we may officially welcome your children to our School.
Please confirm your attendance with Bobbie in our office by next Wednesday 28 September.
Kaitaia Abundant Life School - BoT Parent Representative Elections
Kia ora Whanau,
Just a reminder that the BoT Parent Representative Nominations close 12pm next Wednesday 28 September 2022.
To date we have received one valid nomination.
If you have any questions or queries or you would like a hard copy of the nomination form or cover letter please don't hesitate to contact me.
Signed: Bobbie Ngauma
Returning Officer
Important Dates to Remember
- Friday 23rd September - Senior Formal Dinner
- Monday 26th September - Queens Memorial Public Holiday
- Wednesday 28th September 12pm - BoT Parent Rep Nominations Close
- Friday 30th September - Last Day Term3
- Monday 17th October - First Day Term 4
- Monday 24th October - Labour Day - Public Holiday
- Wednesday 2nd November 4pm - BoT Parent Rep Voting Close
- Thursday 3rd November 6pm - Senior Prizegiving Y11-13
Student Mobile Phones - at school
Please remember to remind your child to hand their phone in at the beginning of the day to Whāea Bobbie at our front office, and collect them after school.
Any phones confiscated by staff will need to be collected by parents and whānau.
Abundant Life Church Service Details
All Welcome!!!
Evening Service - Wednesday's 5.30pm - Shared dinner, please bring a plate
Sunday Service - Sunday's 9.30am
Please join us, we would love to see you there!!!
Coopers Beach Girls Camp
Registrations open !
Girls 9-13 years old ------------------------ Cost: $70.00
Camp starts: Thursday 6 Oct 4.00pm ---------------------------- Camp ends: Sunday 9 Oct 1.30pm
Camps include lots of indoor and outdoor fun activities, team building activities, bible teaching times, opportunities for girls to make new friends and develop new skills in a safe environment.
To register your child online click here
Once the registration form is received AND payment of $70, an email confirmation will be sent to you along with a list of things to send with your child to camp. No places can be held or reserved. Any instructions in regards to covid precautions will be included in the registration confirmation.
Please pay into the following bank account:
Coopers Beach Girls Camp
06-0350-0119095-00
Reference: Girls 2022 Particulars: Childs surname
This camp is run by a full team of adult helpers and student leaders and is headed up by Lynley Fleming & Felicity Mason.
School App
If you haven’t already loaded our School App to your phone or mobile device - the instructions of what to do is in the poster provided. The App some very useful features such as notifying student absence, calendar events, notifications and more.
Meet our 2022 KALS Prefects - David Vincent - Deputy Head Boy
Hi,
I'm David & I have the pleasure of being the Deputy head boy of Kaitaia Abundant Life School. I also had two cousins who attended, Renee Vincent (Head girl of 2016) & Sean Vincent (Deputy head boy of 2017).
I first started at this school in 2017 which I stayed at till late 2018. I then returned to the school early last year. Since then I have had the privilege of being a part of the student council and helping in various school activities.
I enjoy the outdoors and enjoy activities such as offroading, fishing & hunting. After this year I plan on getting a mechanic apprenticeship and further working my way down the mechanic trade, from petrol/diesel mechanic to bigger equipment such as tractors and diggers and farm machinery.
A scripture that has stood out to me in my tough times is:
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.