Ngā mihi mahana kia koutou,
That buzz is in the air around our kura this morning in preparation for Lamb, Calf and Pet Day this evening. Although the weather hasn’t been the nicest, the forecast is looking clear for our 4.30pm start. A separate post about all the logistics of the day went home on Wednesday and this was also emailed to you, so hopefully you have had a chance to read so you know what is going on. Massive thanks to Julie, who has just got back from the UK and jumped straight into making sure everything is sorted for this. As promised, here are the photos below of me from one of the many ‘Calf Club’ events that I competed in as a boy. It was always my fondest memories of primary school and the advantage of going to a rural school and having these days.
This week we welcomed Kason to Rimu. He is the younger brother of Kyerin who is in Mataī. Like many younger siblings, Kason has been ready for school for a while as this place is very familiar to him, so has settled into school life very well. I also want to recognise two of our students who have excelled in their passions outside of school: Manawa, who as you might know has a real flair for dance and the performing arts, as he was chosen as a lead role in Matilda to play Bruce in their upcoming stage show.
Felicity is quite an amazing pianist and she often fills me in on her achievements at her piano exams where she regularly gets distinction and high distinction awards. She is pictured below with her recent haul of rosettes and trophies. Ka mau te wehi e korua (Awesome job you two)
Class Placement for 2024:
This week we are finalising our replacements for Shane and Bridgit as we form the picture for 2024. I hope to have this process completed so I can confirm who is teaching where. Just like last year, I will give you all the ability to feed into the process of placing children in classes. While we always do everything we can to honour your requests, it is not always possible. Thank you in advance for your understanding of this.
Term Dates for 2024:
We have made these available on our website here for you to map out holiday plans. The first day of school is Tuesday 30th January. However we will hold Puna Korero (Learning Conferences) on Monday 29th January in classrooms. This is a chance for you and your child to reacquaint or meet with their teacher and set and share some goals and build whanaungatanga (relationships)
Term 1: Tuesday 30th January – Friday 12th April
Term 2: Monday 29th April – Friday 5th July
Term 3: Monday 22nd July – Friday 27th September
Term 4: Monday 14th October – Friday 13th December
There will be no school on the following days:
Staff Only Day – Monday 5th February, Waitangi Day – Tuesday 6th February, Easter – Friday 29th March – Tuesday 2nd April, King’s Birthday – Monday 3rd June, Staff Only Day – Tuesday 4th June, Matariki – Friday 28th June, Labour Day – Monday 28th October, Staff Only Day – Tuesday 29th October.
Parent Meetings:
Please note we have shifted back the time on the next parents evenings to a 6pm start to accommodate those who have kids in soccer teams who often have the later games in the round. Here are the evenings that are still on offer. If you have no one to look after your children, feel free to bring them along to hang out with me in the playground.
- Wednesday 1st November from 6.00 – 7.00pm: Health and Physical Education Evening. You might be interested in how this topic and in particular the Relationships and Sexuality Education component is taught in all schools across Aotearoa. Come along to learn what this looks like in your child’s class. More information can be found here if you are interested.
- Wednesday 22nd November from 6.00 – 7.00pm: Year 5/6 Camp Information Evening. If your child is currently in Year 4 or 5, they will be attending our senior camp at Highland Home in Pohangina from the 5th – 8th March 2024. This evening is designed to talk you through the plan, timetable and facilities etc. It will also inform you on the process if you would like to be a parent helper on camp.
True Hoops:
It is always a treat having my good buddy Coach Miles coming back to work with our kids through his True Hoops Programme. You probably all know I love basketball, but the skills he teaches our kids (and teachers) are transferable across many other sports as well, so what’s good for basketball is good for all! Dunktastic!
Gumboot Friday:
Next Friday is Gumboot Friday and I figured being a rural school, this will be an easy one for us to join in on. This nationwide movement supports mental health and especially counselling for young people. We are asking students to come to school in gumboots on this day and bring a gold coin donation to support this worthwhile event. We will have a coin trail and full school gumboot parade and photo opp after our morning hui and before True Hoops starts. So maybe bring a change of shoes for this as well.
New Car Park:
Peter came and sprayed out some parking lines on our new car park yesterday and he managed to squeeze in 9 parks for our staff to use. We were hoping for a few more, but space is limited as you know, so we hope that frees up a few parks for you to use out the front of the turf and next to our tree line opposite the school.
Giant Pumpkin Growing Competition:
Hopefully you all found a home for your pumpkin seed to grow over the long weekend. Your child should have taken home this for our first ever Giant Pumpkin Growing Competition. Huge thanks to Nathan Mooney from Property Brokers for supporting this. If your seed got lost or doesn’t grow, we have spares at the office as we don’t want anyone to miss out. The competition details are here. Meryl has even put together a Facebook Page to ‘give us pumpkin to talk about…’ Give it a like and share your progress with us.
From the Community:
–Yeah! Girls Cricket – Our team of girls had their first of six Wednesday lunchtime sessions with Sarah and Jess from MCA. They have 10 girls signed up but there were a lot that were keen to join in, but hadn’t signed up. If your daughter is in Year 4-6 and is interested in this programme, please sign them up using the link and they will receive their free Yeah! Girls merch pack.
–Championship Day is on Saturday 11th November at Te Kawau Grounds in Rongotea. See the poster for more information if your child is interested in competing after our school Lamb and Calf Day. Championship Please complete registration through the link, this will close at 6pm on Thursday 9th November.
–Athletics Club. The Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club (PNAHC) is welcoming new members now. Contact George McConachy on 027 231 8016 or email them and give it a go.
–Boost Your Learning – Does your child require further support, over and above what can be offered at school? Visit Boost Your Learning for more info or contact Anna on 020 4031 6035 to book a free consult.
Just another friendly reminder to have our Staff Only Day on your calendar. School will be CLOSED for instruction on Friday 17th November as our entire staff will be getting trained in UBRS (Understanding Behaviour and Responding Safely).
See you all from 4.30pm this afternoon for our Lamb, Calf and Pet Day. Unfortunately, the top paddock is too wet to park on safely, so our friendly PTA members can help you park in the gravel yard by the haybarn on our Massey farm or park safely on Old West Road.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz
PS Let’s hope our ‘Men in Black’ continue their great run in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa on Sunday morning. Up the AB’s!!