Ngā mihi o te rangi (Greetings today)
There’s been a definite buzz around our school this week as we get ready for our Lamb, Calf and Pet Evening tonight. The gingerbread decorating began this morning, miniature scenes (below) were created in our junior classes, along with the ‘rock on’ challenge in our middle classes and the scarecrows in our senior classes. Despite some less-than-ideal weather earlier in the week, the day is looking beautiful so far, let’s hope it holds for our 4pm start. A separate Hero post was sent out on Wednesday with the logistical details, so hopefully, you’ve had a chance to read it and know what to expect this evening. We know that our parking situation at school isn’t great with the Massey Farm paddocks unable to be used, so carpooling is advised.
Mihi atu ki a koutou (Thanks to the following people):
–Julie, who shoulders the majority of the work in organizing this event
–Tim, who set up the four rings for all the animals.
-Kerri, Leticia, Christy, Amey, Phoebe, Tatiana and James, our lamb, calf and pet judges and stewards.
–Ange, Cherry and Francie, our indoor exhibit judges coming back for another year.
Unfortunately we cannot open the school for our tamariki next Thursday 23rd October due to the strike action. Just in case our ‘why’ for this is unsure, every three years, our contracts are renewed, which often leads to increased media attention. The changes to these are not aligned with what those of us working in education would consider ‘best practice.’ The absence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi featuring throughout these is a critical omission, especially with our role as educators in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our current curriculum has been rolled out with haste and is being developed for us, not with us. However, I feel our greatest need is for better learning support for our tamariki. A teacher aide in every classroom would make a significant impact. Educators are striving for a better future for all current and future students.
Monday marked the first day of school for Ella, joining Anna and Kristin in Rimu. It must be a bit different having your mother as your teacher, a situation I recall from when I was five and complained to my Dad one night round the dinner table that ‘my teacher doesn’t pick me for stuff.’ Hopefully Ella, you won’t experience the same thing! Nau mai haere mai (Welcome to you)
Thank you to those who supported our Garden to Table Seedling Sale this week that our fantastic ākonga (learners) from Mataī have put on. They have sown, grown and propagated everything that they sold to help fund the Garden to Table programme next year.
On Tuesday, Karen celebrated her last birthday that she will have with us all at Turitea, so we made a big fuss of her, as you can see here. She was very spoiled by many which shows how much she will be missed at the end of the year.
Looking Ahead to 2026:
Next Thursday 23rd October is the cut off to let in any out-of-zone whānau members, so please let anyone you know that might be looking for a school for next year, that this is their chance to secure their spot. Please can you also let us know if your child will not be attending Turitea School next year, if they are currently enrolled. Once we have all of this information, we can start to look at teacher and classroom placement. At this stage, 2026 will be very similar to this year, with the only change being that Karen is leaving and Hannah is coming back from maternity leave to take her place.
School Photos:
Sarah and Louise from Clicks Photography came and took all our beautiful class photos on Tuesday. I had a sneak peek at some of them and am very happy with the quality of these. Unfortunately due to the dicey weather, we had to have them inside Tāne Mahuta. She also took everyone’s individual and sibling photos as well. They will get information about ordering these out to you shortly.
Woodcock Johnson Reading Research Project:
We have been approached by Dr. Mike Sleeman from Massey University to see if they could use our tamariki to help them in developing a reading benchmark assessment tool. If you received a Hero notification and a letter with your child, then they have been chosen at random. If you would not like them to be involved, please let me know ASAP so we can arrange someone else. Testing will start in the first week of November.
From the PTA:
We have a PTA hui next Wednesday in the Staffroom at 7pm. We are always on the hunt for new members and we promise you won’t be given a job if you just want to come and get a feel for what we are all about, which is just a group of parents who want to make Turitea School the best place it can be for our tamariki.
Out of School Sport:
It has been awesome to hear about our recent summer sport codes kicking off this term with touch rugby, soccer and netball on offer. Last week Penelope’s aunty took some amazing shots of our touch players and this was my favourite one of Beckett, our future All Black. Karawhiua koutou! (Give it heaps everyone)
Term 4 Important Dates:
There is always a lot going on in the final term of the year, so I thought I’d compile everything here for you, so you can see what is on at a glance. I will keep this segment on the weekly pānui.
- Week 3 (Next Week)
- Teacher Strike on Thursday 23rd October – School Closed
- Out-of-Zone Ballot on Friday 24th October
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 24th October at 2.15pm
- Week 4
- Labour Day on Monday 27th October – School Closed
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 31st October at 2.15pm
- Week 5
- Camp Info Evening for 2026 Year 5/6 Parents on Monday 3rd November at 3.30pm
- Trees for Survival Potting Day on Tuesday 4th November
- Cluster Touch for Year 1-6 teams on Thursday 6th November
- Oroua Boys and Girls Ag Club Champions Day on Saturday 8th November
- Week 6
- Table Tennis Competition on Tuesday 11th November
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 14th November at 2.15pm
- Week 7
- PTA Mexican Bingo Night Fundraiser at Libre on Wednesday 19th November at 7pm
- Week 8
- Senior Cluster Athletics at Massey on Thursday 27th November
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 28th November at 2.15pm
- Week 9
- Pack the Bus Charity Collection Drive on Tuesday 2nd December at 1.45pm
- Week 10
- Year 6 Leavers Treat on Thursday 11th December
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 12th December at 2.15pm
- Week 11:
- Year 6 Graduation on Monday 15th December
- End of Year Prizegiving on Tuesday 16th December at 12pm
- School ends on Tuesday 16th December at 1pm
From the Community:
- Parentline Manawatū have their services for Term 4 available here for those that are interested.
- Massey Kids Club have spaces in their before and after school care programme. Information here.
Kā kite ano (See you soon)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz