Kia ora rā e hoa mā (Hello friends),
You might have heard on the news that our Prime Minister and Education Minister talked to the ‘shocking state of maths’ and ‘chronic underachievement’ across our country. They claim data from the Curriculum Insights and Progress Study (CIPS) shows just 22% of Year 8 students were working at the expected curriculum level for mathematics. However, what they didn’t inform us is the data they are referring to relates to a trial of only 853 Year 8 students across 42 schools who took part in this study. This data is also based on a new curriculum that hasn’t even come out yet. A curriculum that was being developed in collaboration with teachers, educators and academics over the past two years. This is now being completed for us (not with us) to implement at the start of next year.
At Turitea, we are always looking to improve outcomes for ākonga (students) not only in Maths though, but in all curriculum areas. Rest assured that our achievement data (Our July 2024 data informed us 82% are meeting the expected maths curriculum level) is not like the figures stated above. Your tamariki benefit from our experienced kaiako who apply modern teaching practices and have quality learning programmes. We see this news as ‘weird, but perfect timing’ as next week is in fact Maths Week and we always celebrate the important part it plays in our curriculum and our kura. We have lots of ideas for how we plan to do this, so keep an eye on Hero and Seesaw to see what we get up to.
I have a small kōwhai outside my office that is flowering right now, so it is attracting lots of Tūī as you can see above and they have been feasting every day. We have such amazing flora/fauna in Aotearoa and once the Tāne (Hall) roofing project is completed, we will be planting $4K of native trees in our microforest area behind the hall. This is courtesy of Meryl securing one of eleven Growing for Good grants, run by Woolworths. Isn’t she amazing? We know that once we plant these trees that are being held at Awapuni Nurseries, it will attract more native wildlife to the area for our tamariki to learn about. Our senior students are currently researching native birds at the moment in anticipation of the upcoming Bird of the Year awards at the end of the term.
Mathex:
Yesterday Karen took our Year 5 team of Elisa, Leo, Ivor and Toby and our Year 6 team of Ada, Antonio, Ryleigh and Natalie to the Manawatū Mathex Competition at the Awapuni Racecourse. Our Year 6 team received a gold medal (came in the top third of 16 schools) and the Year 5 team got a silver medal (the middle third of the 16 schools) so their brains were really stretched with some challenging maths problems kind of like this: ‘Manawa scores 48 points in a rugby game and in his previous three games he scored a quarter, a sixth and a third of this. In total, how many points did he score in all the four games?’ Can you work out the answer? Thanks Janelle and Janina for their support on the day too.
Speech Finalists:
On Monday, we were treated to hearing the finalists in our poetry recital/speech competition for the school. We were lucky to have David and Mark come back and be our judges (they’ve been doing this for our kura for a long time now). They are both budding thespians so gave our participants feedback, as did our tamariki after each speech, which was amazing to witness. Whakanui mihi ki a koutou (congratulations) to Carmen who came first place, Kazuri in second and Sophia in third for our Year 5/6’s whose topic was sharing ‘The Wisdom of Kids’. Our Year 4’s learned their poems off by heart and recited these beautifully. Munroe came in first place, Mikhail in second and Joe in third. Special mention to Kyerin who wrote and recited his very own poem – Kei runga noa atu koe! (You’re awesome)
Cluster Speech Competition:
Today we were kai manaaki (hosts) of the Cluster Speech Competition in Tanē Mahuta inviting Year 5-8 students from Aokautere, Linton Camp, Tokomaru and Ōpiki Schools. Some very talented speakers were on show. We were extremely proud of Kazuri and Carmen who represented us with mana (prestige). The Year 5/6 event was taken out by Harriet from Ōpiki, our Carmen was runner up and Ryzel from Ōpiki came third. A fantastic event with special thanks to judges Victoria and Mel and those parents who came to support.
Kind Hearts:
On Wednesday, Trish and Aimi took Mataī to the Kind Hearts Conference at the Awapuni Racecourse as you can see below. Lots of kura across the rohe (region) came along and listened to NZ icon Suzi Cato, Paratriathlete Shaz Dagg, the Police and a Puppeteer/Magician. Lots of great takeaways, entertainment and natural links to our school uara (value) of manaakitanga.
DanceNZMade:
Our DNZM team takes the stage next Monday and has an action packed day planned for them. Refer to all the Hero posts from Dani regarding this. We wish our rōpu (team) of 26 going all the best!
Daffodil Day:
We are proud to be supporting the Cancer Society this Daffodil Day on Friday 30th August (Week 6). Unfortunately 1 in 3 New Zealanders will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. The Cancer Society ensures that none of them have to go through this alone. We strongly encourage all our students to dress up in as much yellow (or as bright a colour as possible) on this day. If you want to provide hope and support to cancer patients and their whānau, you can donate through the school page we have set up here.
From the Community:
- ACROSS Te Kotahitanga o Te Wairua are offering FREE 2-hour Positive Parenting Courses to learn practical, positive strategies you can choose from to add to your parenting tool kit. offers free 2-hr Triple P Positive Parenting courses on a variety of different topics here.
- Marist Football Club are excited to offer Milo Fantails, their programme designed to attract new female players aged 7–12 years old. It starts on the 20th August and runs every Tuesday until the end of the term from 4-5pm at the CET Arena Turf and costs $30. Register here.
- Badminton Shuttle Time classes are running this term every Thursday afternoon at Ross Intermediate School gym starting on 22nd August. Information is here and email Josh to register.
- Calling our Young Storytellers. The new hit movie Bookworm, which opened in cinemas yesterday wants kiwi kids to unleash their linguistic talents through this competition here where you write your own ending to the movie (so don’t go and watch it yet, if you plan on entering).
- Does your child want to learn an instrument, play in a band and perform on stage? Epic Music Academy runs their instrument tuition programs in school, and registrations are open for this term! To sign up, simply ask the office for a sign up form, check out our website, or email them.
- If you have or plan on having a lamb for Lamb, Calf and Pet Day next term, the Massey Farm Services Vet Clinic are offering a docking and castration service with their first vaccination, local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory for only $25. This makes sure you comply with the 2021 Animal Welfare Regulation change. You can call the clinic on 350 5328 to book or Massey technicians can come to your place for a callout fee.
Intermediate Transition:
For parents of our Year 6 students, here is all the information you need for enrolling your child in their next school in 2025.
- Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School (PNINS) had their open day this week, their timetable for their next transition dates is here.
- Monrad Tirohanga Intermediate had theirs this week too and their prospectus can be found here.
- St. Peters College held theirs last night and their prospectus can be found here.
- Ross Intermediate: Their Open Day is Tuesday 21st August. More information here. Their parent guide can be found here.
- Linton Camp School: Open Morning for their intermediate programme is on Thursday 22nd August from 11.30am – 1pm.
Hope to see you all at our Hui Ā Kura (School Assembly) next Friday from 2.15pm.
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz