He mihi tino nui ki a koutou, (Warmest greetings to you all)
Our fabulous tuakana (seniors) stepped up again, showing leadership this morning. Chris, Jack, Toby, Topher, and Ihaia (pictured below) helped Meryl and me with weed control in our microforest. It has been a huge job, and what a great way of demonstrating our uara (value) of kaitiakitanga (looking after our environment). They also brought in our teina (juniors) from Mataī and Pōhutukawa and were exceptional leaders, explaining our task well and guiding them to help us. If you have anyone in your whānau who might like to help our ‘weeding mission,’ please come lend us a hand on Friday mornings between 9-11am.
Meagan was at it again, inspiring our tamariki in Tōtara by learning through science yesterday. They studied volcanoes in class and then demonstrated their new knowledge by sharing an experiment with the ākonga (learners) in Rimu. They made volcanoes out of sand in the sandpit, added a solution of red food colouring and baking soda inside, then added the vinegar to show the ‘eruption.’ It was great to see our tuakana leading this learning with our teina, as you can see below.
Hui Ā Kura (Assembly):
We held our second Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) of the new year, and Amelia and Felicity from Kauri took the lead as our kai manaaki (hosts). Felicity shared her musical prowess on the piano, and both girls shared their pepeha (way of introducing yourself in Māori) with pride. We have all been learning E Te Iwi E in class and sang this as our waiata tautoko (song sung in support of them doing this) for them. Some of you may have learnt this waiata when you were at school, as it’s an old school classic, and this new school remix makes it a bit of a banger! We shared those who have modelled the use of our uara (values) consistently, through our fortnightly tiwhikete (certificate) that we give out. Those people were:
- Rimu: Poppy – Kaitiakitanga
- Rātā: Mackenzie – Mātauranga
- Pōhutukawa: Archer – Kaitiakitanga
- Mataī: Stanley – Mātauranga
- Tōtara: Toby – Whanaungatanga
- Kauri: Felicity – Manaakitanga
- Tumuaki: Ariki from Kauri – Whanaungatanga
Kōrero Mai:
Thank you to those who came along to Kōrero Mai this week. We had 70% of parents attend these sessions, and some who couldn’t make these times have booked another time with the teacher. We appreciate you coming in with your child to form some goals for the rest of the term and beyond. We think this is a valuable process. But, as always, whānau, we value your voice and want to make sure we are ‘hitting the mark,’ so we offer you the chance to tell us your thoughts. No judgments about how you respond; we just want to try to be responsive to your needs. Ngā mihi (Thanks)
Rimu to Te Manawa:
On Tuesday, the ākonga from Rimu went on an excursion to Te Manawa Museum to extend their learning around insects, which they have been exploring in class. Matt from Linton Camp School kindly loaned us their community van, so Anna, Dani, and the kids piled in and off they went! They learnt about the different parts of an insect and explored deeper using a special microscope connected to a computer screen and magnifying glasses to get a close-up look. Kei reira katoa! (Awesome everyone)
New Cluster Tumuaki:
There are five fantastic kura that form our Fitzherbert Cluster, and at the end of last year, we lost Jared Rātana from Aokautere to St. Peters College and Tracey Gurney from Ōpiki. Recently, they made appointments for their replacements, so we are delighted to welcome Kirstin McKenzie as the new tumuaki at Ōpiki School, who was DP at Levin Intermediate School, and Alastair Schaw (Yes, this is Cameron’s Dad) to Aokautere School, coming over from Halcombe School. Nau mai haere mai e korua! (Welcome both)
Giant Paukena (Pumpkin) Competition:
For new whānau to our kura this year, you won’t know anything about this Turitea tradition that we started last year. If you have a paukena growing in your garden, please can you nurture it for another two weeks, and we ask you to bring them into kura from the start of Week 10 on Monday 31st March for the prize giving at the end of the week. Remember to check out the Facebook page that Meryl set up with advice and tips.
Blue Line:
Some of you may have noticed the blue line in the quad that runs from outside the Rimu door to the pool fence. We have done this as a reminder to our energetic tamariki that once they pass that line coming towards Mataī, it is a walking-only zone. Returning the other way towards the field, they can run again.
Weetbix Tryathlon:
Next Tuesday is the Weetbix Tryathlon, and Whaea Anneliese will be our teacher in attendance. Look out for the Turitea gazebo in the morning as our meeting spot. We do have a list of all those tamariki attending, but only if they joined the Turitea Group when registering. We would still appreciate knowing if your child is at the event via Hero or an email to Julie, just to double-check not to expect them at kura that day.
From the PTA:
- Easter Raffle Tickets should have come home with your child on Wednesday. We are fundraising for Shade Sails over the playground. Tickets are to be returned to the office with cash by Wednesday 2nd April. Please return these sold or not. We have a few extras; you can ask the office for another sheet. The family who sells the most tickets wins an Easter treat!
- You may have seen the TV Screen mounted in our window as you walk up to school on the right-hand side. We realize the glare at the moment makes it hard to read. Thanks to Ollie (Finn and Lachie’s Dad) for building the casing, Lucain (Katara’s Dad) at Harvey Norman for sourcing the TV, and Bevan (Amelia and Abby’s Dad) for removing the tint. This is set up as our new digital noticeboard to try and give you another reminder about upcoming events when you come to school.
From the Community:
- Aokautere School is having their Country Fair on Saturday 29th March. If you want to check it out, head down there between 10am-2pm for fun activities, market stalls, yummy kai, and much more.
- Whether you’re just starting out, fluent, or somewhere in between, then Te Matoe o te Reo is for you! This is a wānanga for everyone who loves Te Reo Māori, no matter where you’re at. Join us at Fly Palmy Arena on Thursday 3rd April and be part of the kaupapa! It is free, and you can register here.
- Camp Wharerama is a holiday camp for children ages 5-12. They have a ‘Seas the Day’ week-long camp, with information here, and also day camps too, with information here.
- Remember that Lucky Book Club orders are due via the Loop App or online by next Wednesday 19th March.
Ngā tauwhirotanga (With the kindest regards)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz