He mihi tino nui ki a koutou, (Warmest greetings to you all)
My apologies for the disruptions at the end of the street due to the pipeworks being completed along Old West Road. Although this is entirely out of my control, I understand your frustrations at pick up and drop off at the lack of parking and the long wait times. Hopefully this is completed soon and we can get back to normal.
On Monday, we had Beckett start his schooling journey with Anna in Rimu, taking them up to 10. There is nothing like walking into that space in the morning and seeing the energy and excitement that 5 year olds have for learning and being at school, it really does fill my bucket! Next week they are making some fairy houses and would love some bamboo, so if there is anyone who has some at home, please can you send some in to Anna.
We adjusted our lunch break yesterday to watch Whaea Tūrehu and Pā Anaru perform at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga as you can see above. We were in awe of their ngākau whiwhita (state of being ‘fired up’) and our tamariki noticed a lot of things about their performance. They picked up on how they were all in time, how they sang with passion, had lots of ta moko (traditional Māori tattoos) and their ‘beautiful ugly’ pūkana (staring wildly with dilated eyes). This is a term that Whaea Tūrehu uses with them, so pretty neat how they noticed it in her performance and we got to see the level that she and her rōpu (group) compete at.
Our Year 6 students are often given additional responsibilities over the course of the year to grow them as rangatira (leaders) within our kura. Running our fortnightly assembly is one of their roles to give them a taste of leadership. I am also working with a few of them every Friday morning to develop this further. Xavier, Ariki, Harry and Ivor (pictured above) joined me this morning and we spoke about what leadership looks like within our kura and what ‘wearing the red hat’ meant. They told me that it meant they were to be role models, keep others safe and look after our teina (juniors). So our first task I asked them to do was help me make our bike track free of dirt and stones giving our users a safe ride. This also linked to our uara (value) of kaitiakatanga (environment) as I hope we can keep our track clear in the future. I did reward them with having the track to themselves at the end to thank them for their hard work.
Hui Ā Kura (Assembly):
This afternoon we held our first Hui Ā Kura of the new year and Amelia and Riley from Tōtara set the tone for us all, spending a lot of time preparing and doing a great job of this. If you came, you might have noticed that we changed the start of our formalities to put into practice a lot of what we learn in class in the Te Ao Māori space. So, both girls shared their pepeha (way of introducing yourself in Māori) and then we all sang a waiata tautoko (a song to support of them doing this). Ka Pīoioi was chosen as the school waiata because it is one that is widely performed in our rohe (region). It was written by Kereopa Ratapu in 1990 when he attended Teachers College here in Palmerston North. He wrote it to express his feeling about coming back home to his family after serving in the Army. You might have heard this being sung around your house at night as our kids have been learning it. As always, we did share those who have started the year with a bang and have modelled the use of our uara consistently through our fortnightly tiwhikete (certificate) that we give out. Those people were:
Rimu: Keita – Mātauranga
Rātā: Grace R – Manaakitanga
Pōhutukawa: Logan – Manaakitanga
Mataī: Bronwyn – Mātauranga
Tōtara: Kazuri – Whanaungatanga
Kauri: Ben- Mātauranga
Tumuaki: Kason – Manaakitanga
Kōrero Mai:
You should have received a notification on Wednesday afternoon prompting you to make a booking for Kōrero Mai in Week 7. Our kaiako are making themselves available on Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th March in the afternoon for a 15 minute slot. This is to check in with you all about how your tamariki has started the year and to collaboratively set some goals moving forward. If you can’t make the times on offer, please email the teacher to arrange an alternative time.
Jets Basketball:
As you can see above, Mike and Xavier from the Manawatū Jets came on Monday and had their first of our weekly basketball sessions for the rest of the term. Our tamariki responded well to their energy and passion for the game. Interest will hopefully grow, getting ready for basketball registrations to open for our Year 3-6 players later.
Badminton:
On Wednesday, we had Josh from Manawatū Badminton come and take a lunchtime session with our Year 5/6 tamariki to try and get them involved in the sport. He will be coming back again in two weeks to do the same thing as we only had two badminton players sign up this season and would love some more players.
Talent Show:
Mackenzie, Ayla and Sophie ran a talent show last week and it was cute that they acknowledged former students Natalie and Harper from last year who inspired them to continue this legacy. Skyla won first place with a dance, Munroe came second, also doing a dance and Marnie came third with a beautiful drawing she did. Ka pai koutou (Good job everyone). They are all pictured above.
After School Pick Up:
The feedback from you all has been really positive, so thanks again for your tautoko (support) of this. A reminder that the handbell is rung every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon at 3.15pm and on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday afternoon, it will be rung at the later time of 3.30pm. This bell signals all children who haven’t been picked up to sit and wait for you on the office porch.
Triathlon:
The Interschool Triathlon is next Wednesday 5th March. This event is open to our Year 5/6’s and you can register your child for this here by next Monday. The Weetbix Tryathlon is on Tuesday 18th March and you can register your child here if they are 6 or above by then. Don’t forget to join the Turitea School group.
From the PTA:
- We are partnering with Doughboys to bring you yummy Hot Cross Buns and they are making it super simple now with online orders. So order away here and feel free to share this service as you book and pay through them and they will deliver them to school.
- Turitea merch sales are open now with hoodies and our brand new umbrellas available to purchase here. Orders must be in by Wednesday 26th March, which also happens to be the date of our next PTA meeting at 7pm in the staffroom. We’d love to see you there and promise you don’t get a job at your first meeting.
From the Community:
- The Explore Esplanade Day is taking place on this Sunday 2nd March from 10am-3pm. This free family event is packed with magical experiences, including secret gardens, storytelling, over 50 market and food stalls, mini golf, face painting, train rides, live performances and much more.
- Get ready to glow! New Stage Productions presents a Neon Night Disco next Friday 7th March with separate sessions for 5-11 year olds and 11-15 year olds. Tickets are $15 and available here with food and drinks available for purchase.
- Stage enthusiasts aged 8+ are invited to Whakakā Junior, a weekend hosted by Act Three Productions at the Globe Theatre from 14-16 March. Participants will develop their skills in song, dance and acting with industry leads, culminating in a performance at the Saturday Gala Dinner. Costs $100 per student, register here.
Ramadan Kareem (Blessed Ramadan) to all our muslim whānau as today marks the start of the holy ninth month of the Islamic calendar, where they fast from dawn until sunset for 30 days.
Ngā tauwhirotanga (With the kindest regards)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz