Nau mai hoki mai ki te wāhanga tuawha, (Welcome back to Term 4)
It is great to be back and see everyone back looking well-rested and ready for our final term of the year. As we do at the start of each term, on Monday we had a mihi whakatau (informal welcome) in Tāne Mahuta (our hall) to welcome our newest learners to our kura. As you can expect, our tamariki did a brilliant job by setting the tone with a rousing haka pōwhiri (welcoming chant). This also marked the first day of school for Leo, Rehua and Teddy who have joined Anna in Rimu. Nau mai haere mai (Welcome) to you and your whānau.
Our search for a new teacher closes this afternoon, with interviews set for next week and an announcement to be made next Friday. This role came about due to a refresh of our leadership team, as in 2027 Trish is choosing to step down from her Deputy Principal role to return to part-time teaching alongside Bridgit. Following our internal application process, we are pleased to announce that Anna has been appointed as our new Deputy Principal, and Anneliese will step into the Assistant Principal role. Anna’s new position will bring her out of the classroom next year, so we are looking for someone to take over her teaching role.
On Tuesday, Sarah and the team from Clicks Photography came and took all of our class and individual photographs. She does such an amazing job and the sneak peeks I have seen look absolutely top shelf! I know you will love getting to preview them next week when your child should bring home an order form.
On Wednesday, the team from Kelly Sport came in to provide taster sessions for those in Year 1-3 to help get their after-school programme up and running! It’s a fantastic, fun way for kids to try different sports and build new skills. Plus, if we reach 10 bookings, one lucky whānau will win their fees back or receive a credit.
Yesterday and today, we had Ainsleigh from Hato Hone/St John giving all of our students hands-on skills in emergency response, first aid and keeping safe. This programme is provided free to schools to help to build confidence and care within their communities. Make sure to quiz your tamariki to see what they have learnt.
This morning we had a bit of excitement when Fraser brought his big cool tractor to school to remove our wobbly bridge from the rainbow playground ready for the swings to go in. Him and Peter did this at 6am this morning to get it done before everyone arrived. What a bunch of legends we have!
Lamb, Calf and Pet Day:
We look forward to welcoming you next Friday evening for our annual Lamb, Calf and Pet Day from 4pm – 7pm. Julie put out more specific communications with you around the food trucks and timeline of the evening today and more will come next week, so keep an eye on Hero for these.
Hui Ā Kura:
This afternoon’s assembly was led by Ella, Harriet, Emelie and Munroe and as always, they did a great job keeping us entertained. Thank you to those who came along to support. We loved seeing what kauri and Rimu have been up to. Congratulations to those who received a tiwhikete (certificate)
Rimu: Ananda – Manaakitanga
Rātā: Jack – Mātauranga
Pōhutukawa: Aiden – Kaitiakitanga
Mataī: Hazel M – Mātauranga
Kauri: Zali – Mātauranga
Tōtara: Munroe – Whanaungatanga
Troy: Finn – Whanaungatanga
Dates for 2027:
At our last Board of Trustees hui, we set the school dates for 2027. They are listed below and on our website as well. The first day of school is Tuesday 2nd February, but Puna Kōrero (Learning Conferences) will be held the day before on Monday 1st February in classrooms.
Term 1: Tuesday 2nd February – Friday 9th April.
Term 2: Tuesday 27th April – Friday 2nd July.
Term 3: Monday 19th July – Friday 24th September.
Term 4: Monday 11th October – Wednesday 15th December.
There will be no school on the following days:
Waitangi Day – Monday 8th February (observed).
Good Friday – Friday 26th March.
Easter Monday – Monday 29th March.
Easter Tuesday – Tuesday 30th March.
ANZAC Day – Monday 26th April (observed).
King’s Birthday – Monday 7th June.
Matariki – Friday 25th June.
Staff Only Day – Friday 22nd October.
Labour Day – Monday 25th October.
From the Community:
- Palmy Play Fest: Join this free family event tomorrow from 11am–2pm, spanning The Square, Te Manawa and the Central Library. Enjoy global games, origami and paper plane competitions, a free Play Pass with prizes, plus free kai and drinks (rain or shine!).
- LibLab: Palmy City Library is running free LibLab science and book experiments for kids aged 5+ every Thursday this term from 3:45pm – 4:45pm, starting Thursday 15th October. With fun weekly themes like Game On, Ice Age, Robot Wars, and Te Manawa experiments.
- Manawatū Cricket Junior Programmes: Manawatū Cricket is offering Smash Play (Years 1–4) across local hubs and Dual Pitch Smash (Years 3–6) starting Thursday 5th November at Manawaroa Park. Visit the registration QR codes on the flyer or email juniorccc@mca.org.nz to sign up.
- A Gruffalo, What’s a Gruffalo?: You might have seen our post on Facebook about Anthony’s Lego concept for a Gruffalo set. Check out the link and let’s help get him to 10,000 likes to get it made.
Term 4 Important Dates:
I realise this might be a lot of information, but want to make sure you have all the dates covered for the remainder of the term, as we know it will fly on by.
- Week 2 (Next Week)
- Manawatū Rippa Rugby Year 5/6 Competition on Wednesday 21st October
- Mobile Library Bus Visit at 9.30am on Friday 23rd October
- Lamb, Calf and Pet Day from 4-7pm on Friday 23rd October
- Week 3
- Trees for Survival Planting Day – Kauri Class on Wednesday 28th October
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Friday 30th October
- Week 4
- PIRLS Testing Year 5 only on Wednesday 4th November
- General Election on Saturday 7th November. Come vote at Turitea School
- Week 5
- Interschool Table Tennis Year 5/6 on Tuesday 10th November
- Wildbase Fundraiser on Thursday 12th November
- Mobile Library Bus Visit at 9.30am on Friday 13th November
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Friday 13th November
- Week 6
- Senior Fitzherbert Cluster Athletics at Massey Athletics Track on Tuesday 17th November
- Week 7
- Interschool Road Race Year 5/6 on Tuesday 24th November
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Friday 27th November
- Week 8
- Fitzherbert Cluster Touch Year 1-6 at Monrad Park on Thursday 3rd December
- Mobile Library Bus Visit at 9.30am on Friday 4th December
- Week 9
- Year 6 End of Year Leavers Treat on Tuesday 8th December
- Year 6 Graduation at 6pm on Wednesday 9th December
- End of Year Reports and 2027 Class Placement live in Hero on Wednesday 9th December
- End of Year Prizegiving at 12pm on Thursday 10th December
- School Finishes for the Year at 1pm on Thursday 10th December
Ngā manaakitanga (Kind Regards)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz
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