Kia ora e te whānau,
Our thoughts are with Trish today as she has had to go back to Hamilton to be by her mother’s side, where her situation has deteriorated quite rapidly. She has appreciated all your messages of support at this challenging time for her and her whānau. Huge thanks to Faye, who has slid across to teach in that space for all of next week to keep the routine for our tamariki in Mataī. We have been lucky to have our Massey Teacher Ash in Rimu for the last seven weeks and today marks her last day with us. The whakataukī (proverb) of ‘Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu’ comes to mind here which translates to ‘Adorn the bird with feather so that it can fly.’ We have loved having Ash as part of our teaching team and we know next year she will make the most amazing teacher as she is ready to fly. This week we welcomed Chichi to Rimu as he joins Hannah and Meagan in that space. He is another first of his whānau to join our Turitea community.
Whānau Consult:
Coming home with your child today is our whānau consult, as we seek your voice in preparation for designing our Strategic Plan for 2023-2026. It is available to fill out online if you prefer that option or even book a time with Julie to pop in and have a chat with me face to face. I feel strongly that this is a really important process to go through with each of you to ensure you have your say about our kura. My goal is to ensure that you can look at this document when it is created and see your own whakaaro (ideas, thoughts) represented in guiding how education might look at Turitea School. Later in the term, we will do a survey with our tamariki to collect their voice too.
Cross Country:
I was a super proud tumuaki (principal) today as I saw all of our kids ‘busting a gut’ during our cross country. What a challenge it was, particularly for our eldest tamariki who ran nearly 3km of tough terrain. Thanks to those of you who came along to support our runners or laugh at me running in my gumboots! Here are the results. The Palmerston North Year 5/6 Interschool Cross Country will be held at Massey on Wednesday 7th June. Our top 5 in each of the Year 5/6 events are eligible to participate in this. The Fitzherbert Year 1-6 Cluster Cross Country will be the day after on Thursday 8th June at Stewarts Farm in Tokomaru. Next week, the notes will go home for this, so keep your eyes peeled for these.
Beautiful Feedback:
On Wednesday, we hosted a Maths Professional Learning Group in Kauri that is open to all schools across the Manawatū. We had our biggest group yet with over 25 teachers and school leaders in attendance. We received an email from one of them today which highlighted for me what a special place Turitea is. “Kia ora, I came to your gorgeous school for the Maths PD and just wanted to say thank you for making us all feel so welcome. The lady at the front desk was just lovely and it was a real privilege to be shown to the meeting by two students and their manners were exceptional. What a smashing way to spend the day!” This reminded me that our value of manaakitanga and treating any guest to our school with care and respect is alive and well here!
Chess Club/Tournament:
Chess Club is on next week from 8am in Cameron’s classroom up until the tournament which is next Thursday 1st June at Ōpiki School. Well done to the following who made our Year 1-6 team: Ada, Eli R, Elias, Esme, Felix, Finn, Henry, Hugo, Iti, Lily M, Nate, Richie, Tahu, Topher and Xavier. We wish you all the best next week.
Morning Drop Off:
A friendly reminder that if you choose to drop your child off between 8am and 8.30am, that they are not to come into the classrooms. This is valuable prep time for our kaiako to get their day sorted. Children are to wait in the quad area until 8.30am. Can you please help us by reminding your child of this expectation.
Tough Guy/Gal Challenge:
It is great to see that we have 25 children signed up for this at Massey next Monday 29th May. Thanks for your support getting the children to/from this cool event. Cameron will be there on the day with the Turitea gazebo cheering on our participants.
From the Board of Trustees:
After 21 years of serving as the staff representative on our Turitea School Board of Trustees, Trish has decided to step down from this role and the staff voted Anneliese to be her replacement. As you all may know, Anneliese is a parent to Kaia and Tahu here at school, so will bring a combination of both parent/teacher lenses to our BoT. We look forward to welcoming her at our next Board hui on Tuesday 13th June.
From the PTA:
- PTA Pool Party is tomorrow from 6-8pm at the Freyberg Pools. The event itself is free but they will be selling sausages in bread, drinks and snacks, so please bring some money to buy these items.
- We are doing a collaborative fundraiser with the ever popular Pepper&Me. If you haven’t already heard of them, they are a NZ based outfit boasting the best seasonings, rubs, pastes, sprinkles, dips, sauces and salts. I can personally vouch for their ‘Man Grind’ as it goes on everything! You get 5% off the retail price and Turitea gets 15% of the total sales made. The link can be accessed here and will be live from this Sunday. Use the code FUNDTURITEAPTA if needed.
- Lots of orders are flowing in for the hoodie run. Please fill out the form here if you’d like to order a kids one for $45 or an adult one for $50. Orders need to be in by next Thursday.
From the Community:
- Rural Homestay opportunity – The ETC (English Teaching College) are looking for hosts for their international students. See the flyer for more information.
- What’s on offer from the Y! At Linton, have a look. The Park Road Y! are getting in early for their July Holiday programme.
- The Women’s Football World Cup are looking for Ball Girls for the Palmerston North games next year.
- Pink Tip Nails – Jeannah is offering a community discount to Turitea whānau. More info click here
- Manawatū Water Polo Club are trying to get new members, check it out here
Hero Finances:
Please check your finances tab in the Hero app to see if you have any outstanding fees to pay. We appreciate those of you who are prompt in your payment of this.
Toys at School:
A few toys have been creeping into school lately and have been causing a few issues in class and the playground, so we have had to have a blanket ban on toys at Turitea School. Thanks for your support on this.
Staff Only Day:
Just another reminder that on Tuesday 6th June (day after King’s Birthday) we are closed for instruction as we visit Newbury and Kairanga Schools for our ‘rural road trip’
Lucky Book orders close on Monday 5th June, so get your orders completed online before then.
Ngā manaakitanga,