Tēnā koutou katoa,
Today I was treated to a full dress rehearsal for our school production and I can tell you that I got quite emotional during their waiata (singing) Our tamariki all sing with such mana (prestige) and passion, I found myself glad I was wearing sunglasses. Unfortunately for me, last year I booked to attend the annual NZ Principals Federation (NZPF) Conference in Queenstown long before the date for production was set and it just so happens that the two events clash. But there was limited availability for hiring the Regent and the date we chose suited everyone best, so sadly I will miss seeing the event on the night. After watching them today, I’m gutted that I didn’t put myself first and not offer that day for the staff to choose LOL. So don’t be like me and miss out, get your tickets today! Nau mai haere mai to Mackenzie who is the first of her whānau to join Turitea School and our last five year old to start for the term. We know Meagan and Hannah and the rest of the team in Rimu will make you feel right at home in there.
Assembly:
We held our fourth assembly of the term this afternoon and each week we have these, I am reminded of how proud I am of our tuakana (senior students) who step up and take the lead in organising and running these. Grace and Hannah from Tōtara took the lead today and did such a fabulous job keeping our crowd entertained and running things smoothly. The perfect example of how we want our tuakana to act at Turitea School. Our values certificate recipients for this week were:
Rimu: Archer – Mātauranga & Scarlett – Mātauranga
Rātā: Isla – Whanaungatanga
Pōhutukawa: Marissa – Mātauranga
Mataī: Lily – Mātauranga
Tōtara: Carmen – Manaakitanga
Kahikatea: Olivia – Mātauranga
Tumuaki: Natalie – Manaakitanga
School Production:
It is now only 3 school days until our tamariki take the stage for the school production Past Present Future next Wednesday 13th September at 6pm at the Regent on Broadway. I’m sure by now, you’ve already got your tickets, but if not go to Ticketek or you can buy them at their ticket office besides the Regent. As I mentioned last week, please can you refrain from taking images/video and putting these on social media as we have families who have made the decision to not have their child on these platforms. Please can you get your child to school by 8.45am morning of the show, as the bus leaves to go to the Regent at 9am sharp. Thank you to those who have indicated they can assist on the day, we would love your help. In the evening, could you please drop your child off at the rear entrance to the Regent (on King Street) at 5.15pm. Please send them in bare feet (unless they need shoes as part of their costume)
DanceNZMade:
Our DanceNZMade team did so well on Monday at the annual event at the Regent. They were second runner up (third place) in the Year 3-6 Event. This was an amazing result. Thanks to all the whānau who came and supported the kids on the day and the night. Whakamīharo! (Outstanding)
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori:
Next week is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori or Māori Language Week. It is our annual campaign led by Te Taura Whiri (Māori Language Commission) promoting Te Reo as New Zealand’s language and a language for all New Zealanders. Their goal is to encourage whānau across Aotearoa to give Te Reo Māori a go. The theme of Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori (Making the language stronger) will continue this year, picking up from where it left off. This is an essential piece of the puzzle to achieving the goal of 1 million speakers of Te Reo Māori by 2040. We encourage you to do your part and ‘Kei te rere Te Reo’ (Let the language fly!) It can be as simple as replacing your ‘Good Morning’ with ‘Kia Ora’ and your ‘Goodbye’ with ‘Ka Kite.’ There are plenty of amazing resources here on the Reo Māori website.
From the Board:
On Tuesday, we had our final Board of Trustees meeting for the term. As always, Anneliese gets our kaiako to provide one slide per class to give the BoT an insight into life in each classroom. These are usually the highlight of the meeting – because it’s why we are here, so we thought you’d appreciate reading them here.
From the Community:
-iBike4Kids is on this Sunday 10th September at the Esplanade. More information online or get tickets here.
-Want a Puppy? You might remember, a fortnight ago we had a wagon load of adorable puppies from the Fletcher household roll into our school. If you’re interested in getting your own little bundle of cuteness, check out the flyer here for more information or register your interest here.
-Craig from Progress Agency who does all our graphic work also runs The Christmas Barn in Kairanga. He was in the other day and let us know that it opens for this year on Wednesday 4th October from 10am-4pm and will be open then every Wednesday – Saturday if you’re interested in taking your kids out for a look.
-Need Firewood? Local firewood business owner Georgie is offering discounted rates to schools in the area. They are doing a mac/pine mix. Contact 0210489768 or georgie.rjscontracting@gmail.com
-Across Te Kotahitanga O Te Wairua are running a ‘Fear-less Anxiety Programme’ which is designed to reduce anxiety in 6-12 year olds. This is a free 6 session course which runs over a term with afternoon and evening options. You can book here.
-Miles from True Hoops is running his usual basketball holiday camps at the CET Arena in October. Information for the Bigs is here and the Littles are here.
-Epic Music Academy also has their Holiday Programme, check out the flyer for more information.
I won’t see you guys next week so I’m leaving Trish in charge. She will be writing the pānui for me as I’ll be at my principal conference for the first half of the week and then I’m working for Massey University for the rest of the week appraising student teachers at Te Kura o Take Kārara in Wanaka and Anderson Bay School in Dunedin.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz
PS. Up The Wahs!