Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou, (Warm greetings to you all)
Didn’t Hannah do a great job with the pānui last week? Between her fine linguistic skills and Anna making a video with her cute kids to replace my weekly wrap-up videos, I was starting to feel a bit redundant in my absence! It’s great to know the ship sails so smoothly (maybe too smoothly?) when I’m gone.
This week is Support Staff Week, and we want to recognise our amazing Julie in the office, magnificent Meryl in the gardens, Dani does everything and the outstanding Aimi, Mitzy and Kirstin in our classrooms. We showed them a bit of aroha (love) today with a delicious morning tea spread and Silky Otter vouchers. Our kura wouldn’t be the same without you and we are so lucky to have you on Team Turitea! To borrow a line from 2Pac, “There’s no way we can pay you back, but the plan is to show you that we understand… You are appreciated!”
On Monday morning, we welcomed three new members to Rimu, as it was the first day for Blu, Takutai and Kensley. Blu and Takutai are the first of their family to attend, so a special welcome to your whānau, we know our hāpori (community) will embrace you. Kensley is the last of the Nagera whānau to attend Turitea with her big brothers Kyerin and Kason already at kura. Nau mai haere mai koutou! (Welcome to you all)
This week, we welcomed Andrea from Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO) and Melanie (Tumuaki at Lyall Bay School) into our kura as they were our school evaluative partners. While our report is still preliminary, the feedback they shared was very affirming, especially regarding our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the strength of our Partnerships across our kura. It’s one thing to feel like we’re doing well by our tamariki and whānau, but to have that externally validated as a strength here was pretty special. A huge thanks to our amazing staff, board, and of course our fantastic tamariki.
We always keep our staff well fed, educationally speaking. Yesterday, Whaea Anneliese attended a two-day Writing Workshop to bring back some fresh tools for her classroom and to ‘feed the backs’ by sharing her pearls with the rest of the staff. Faye headed down to Wellington yesterday for the Write Right Symposium. Not only did she attend, but she was invited to present alongside Dr. Chrissie Braid. It is a huge achievement to be asked to share your practice with other educators on such a big stage. We are so proud to have them leading the way and showing that we never stop learning ourselves. Ka rawe korua! (Awesome job you two)
Today there was a noticeable ‘Sea of Pink’ about the place, to recognise the importance of speaking out and standing together by spreading kindness around our school. Pink Shirt Day is all about making sure everyone feels safe, included and respected, something we know our uara (values) showcase.
Hui Ā Kura:
This afternoon, our tuakana (seniors) Munroe, Emelie, Harriet, and Ella stepped up to host our assembly. A big thank you to everyone who came along to tautoko (support) them as it’s always great to have a full house. We celebrated the success of those who took part in Cluster Chess last week. Baxter won the Year 5/6 event. Lachie came third in the Year 3/4 event. Daniel won the Year 1/2 event, with Amelia coming second place, completing the Turitea quinella! Mataī and Kauri did an awesome job sharing their recent learning and as always, we whakanui (celebrate) those who consistently live our uara (values) in and around our kura. Huge congrats to those who earned their tiwhikete (certificate) this week:
Rātā: Isla – Kaitiakitanga
Rimu: Penelope – Whanaungatanga
Pōhutukawa: Poppy – Manaakitanga
Mataī: Azriel – Mātauranga
Kauri: Jacob – Mātauranga
Tōtara: Michael – Manaakitanga
Meagan: Liam C – Manaakitanga
Troy: Quinn GL – Manaakitanga
Whānau Success Day at West End School:
We were honored to be invited by Tony, the tumuaki at West End School to have our Year 3-6 tamariki perform their Kapa Haka bracket at their Whānau Success Day next Sunday 24th May. Drop off is at 10am and they perform on stage at 10.35am. Thank you to those who have indicated that they can bring their tamariki to this through Hero. If you haven’t done so already, please can you do this as this helps Whaea Tūrehu know who will be available for lead roles and line preparation. We understand this event clashes with a few sporting events, which is unfortunate, but it is a great opportunity to get our kids on stage, since Pae Tamariki, which would normally be later this term, is now at the start of next term.
Cross Country:
We look forward to hosting our Cross Country next Friday. You should have seen the event on Hero (in the calendar tab). Next week, our tamariki will be training on the actual course, which is in the paddock next door. This will help get them familiar with the distance and the terrain. Our Year 5/6 will start their race at 11am with the approximate distance of 3km or three laps. Our Year 3/4 will begin at 11.25am, running two laps at nearly 2km. Our Year 1/2 aim to be running at 11.45am doing one lap, a distance of 1km. Thanks to Fraser and Tim for setting up the course and to the parents who have volunteered to help with marshaling.
Afterschool Pick Up:
To manage the lack of parking around our kura, we ask whānau to pick up at either 3pm, 3:15pm or 3.30pm. Music plays each afternoon to signal that any children who haven’t been collected yet to sit and wait on the office porch. It plays at 3:15 pm on Wednesdays, and at 3:30pm every other day. Can you please help us by picking up your tamariki by then? They can get restless sitting and waiting. In the interest of safety, we can’t really have them roaming the school without supervision. We appreciate your support and understanding.
Turitea School Merch:
Today is the last day to order T-Shirts, Crews or Hoodies, so order here if you still haven’t. Winter is coming, so we need to get these off to the printers, so that they will be back by the end of the month.
- Kids OG Hoodies $49 (Old front print design only)
- Kids New Hoodies $58 (New front and back prints)
- Kids New Crew Neck Sweatshirts $55 (New front and back prints)
- Kids New T-Shirts $30 (New front and back prints)
Add $4 to the prices above if you would like adult sizes.
From the Community:
- The Red Kiwi Orienteering Club is hosting a “Have-a-go” Schools Orienteering Day at IPU this Sunday from 11am to 2pm. This fun event is open to anyone. More information here.
- The Palmy Brick Show is hosting a Pokémon building competition with prize packs and the chance to have your creation displayed at the show. Entries must be submitted by May 22nd to palmybrickshow@well-lug.nz and the event itself will take place on May 30th and 31st at Arena 3.
- The 35th Palmerston North Book Sale hits Barber Hall King’s Birthday weekend! Browse 100,000+ books, games, and music with free entry. May 29th – June 1st (opening daily at 10am).
Term 2 Important Dates:
Here are all the dates for the rest of the term.
- Week 5 (Next Week)
- School Cross Country on Friday 22nd May
- Kapa Haka Performance at West End School Whānau Day on Sunday 24th May
- Week 6
- Year 3-6 Tough Guy/Gal Challenge at Massey on Monday 25th May
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Thursday 28th May
- SCHOOL CLOSED for Staff Only Day on Friday 29th May
- Week 7
- SCHOOL CLOSED for Kings Birthday on Monday 1st June
- Year 1-6 Cluster Cross Country at Stewarts Farm in Tokomaru on Thursday 4th June
- Year 5/6 Interschool Cross Country at the Ashhurst Domain on Friday 5th June
- PTA Pool Party at the Lido from 6-8pm on Saturday 6th June
- Week 8
- Tōtara Class Trees For Survival Planting Day at Ballance on Monday 8th June
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Friday 12th June
- Week 9
- PTA AGM in the Staffroom at 7pm on Wednesday 17th June
- Mobile Library Bus Visit at 9.30am on Friday 19th June
- Week 10
- Year 5/6 Interschool Ki O Rahi on Wednesday 24th June
- Hui Ā Kura at 2.20pm on Friday 26th June
- Week 11
- Mid Year Reports Live in Hero on Tuesday 30th June
- Last Day of Term is Friday 3rd July.
Please ensure our Staff Only Day is on your calendar for Friday 29th May, which is two Friday’s from today as school will be closed for instruction.
Kia pai tō rā whakatā (Have a great weekend)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz
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