Tēnā koutou katoa (Hello everyone)
I hope you will share in my excitement that Turitea School has finally gone live on Facebook! We are one of the last schools left in Palmerston North not yet in this realm, and that was a deliberate choice. Although we have a website, we realise people won’t go there unless they are actively seeking information. Establishing a social media presence will act as a modern day ‘shop window’ to promote and showcase the unique character of our kura. We will share timely updates, successes, reminders, keep our wider community informed and broaden our reach in a way that a website cannot. Hero will still be our main communication tool, but we will use this platform as a ‘double dip’ so that no information goes unread. So give us a follow if you are a Facebooker to keep further connected. We acknowledge some people’s views on social media and respect your wishes, but privacy and safety of our ākonga (students) remains a top priority. When you enrolled with us, you completed a form giving us permission regarding the use of your child’s image online. If you wish to check or change this, please reach out to Julie.
Last week I shared with you about our Government’s decision to remove the requirement for Boards of Trustees to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). I have appreciated members of our Turitea whānau reaching out to me regarding this, as you may have seen some Boards of Trustees have published online letters pledging their support to continue to do this. We have our final BoT hui coming up where we will discuss how we choose to respond. I have received communications from New Zealand Principals Federation (NZPF) about their collaboration with the National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) and you may have seen their petition circulating from them to reverse this decision. If you wish to show your support, please feel free to do so here.
On Monday, Our tuakana (seniors) had their annual fundraiser to support the Wildbase Discovery Centre with their amazing morning tea market, as seen above. Thank you for your support, as they raised over $800 for them. Ka wani kē! (Fabulous!) Monday also marked the first day of school for Nature, joining Anna, Kristin and the learners in Rimu. Darryn, her Dad, is an ex-student of Turitea and Trish was even his teacher! Nau mai hoki mai (Welcome back)
Our Table Tennis Tamariki did really well on Tuesday at the Manawatū Table Tennis Tournament (Sheesh, that was a lot of T’s) Our girls team of Kazuri, Riley, Amelia C and Felicity came second overall and our boys team of Blake, Xavier, Ben and Ariki came fourth. Blake and Xavier also broke the record for the longest rally challenge that stood for 8 years with their whopping effort of 1,186 consecutive hits. They smashed the previous record held by ex-Turitea students; Fraser and Hadleigh, who are Bridgit’s sons. Ka rawe koutou! (Awesome everyone)
Mihi atu ki a koutou (Thank you) to Fraser, Lucain and their tamariki who came and painted the pool trim during the gorgeous weather last weekend. They used the paint that was donated by Brit from Mitre 10 Mega. We hope to have it ready to open in the first week of December and we will start releasing keys for $50 for those who would like to use it over the Summer. More details will come out about getting your hands on one.
On Wednesday, we had 8 teachers who are at the start of their teaching career come through to see all the things that we are doing at Turitea. They all left inspired to take back what they observed and heard to hopefully lead change in their own classrooms. It was a nice way to showcase our kura to other teachers.
Hui Ā Kura:
I tēnei ahiahi (This afternoon) we had our third Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) of the term led by Kazuri and Felicity. As you can expect, We recognised those who demonstrate our school uara (values) consistently. Receiving their tiwhikete (certificate) this week were:
- Rimu: Thomas – Manaakitanga
- Rātā: Eddie – Kaitiakitanga
- Pōhutukawa: Patrick – Mātauranga
- Mataī: Charlie – Whanaungatanga
- Tōtara: Lily – Kaitiakitanga
- Kauri: Henry – Mātauranga
- Tumuaki: Logan – Manaakitanga
Pack The Bus:
The bus is coming back to Turitea School again this year in Week 9 for us to demonstrate our uara of manaakitanga (kindness) for others who are in need this Christmas period. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts or non-perishable food items and toiletries to the office. All donations go to Koha Kai Whare at Palmerston North Methodist Social Services and Barnardos. Hoping you will join us in sharing the love.
I Tri’d The Tri/Weetbix Tryathlon:
The ‘I Tri’d the Tri’ series are back early next year, for five consecutive Monday’s, starting 2nd February and ending 2nd March. It is held at Skoglund Park and Freyberg Pools and you can register here. This is a great build up to the Weetbix Tryathlon, which is on Tuesday 17th March 2026 and you can register your child here if they are 6 or above by then. Don’t forget to join the Turitea School group when you register.
From the Community:
- Palmy Car Boot Sale – at the Awapuni Racecourse on Saturday 29th November from 10am-1pm. Register your site via QR code on the poster to sell, or come to buy.
- Epic Music Academy has their End of Year concert also on Saturday 29th November at the New Life Church. See here for more information.
Term 4 Important Dates:
Here is a list of all the goings on for the rest of the term. Some dates have been added below.
- Week 7 (Next week)
- PTA Mexican Bingo Night Fundraiser at Libre on Wednesday 19th November at 7pm. Get your friends together and book a table here
- Senior Cluster Athletics at Massey Track on Thursday 20th November
- Week 8
- Interschool Road Race on Thursday 27th November at Manawaroa Park at 12pm
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 28th November at 2.15pm
- Calendar orders due by Sunday 30th November
- Week 9
- Pack the Bus Charity Collection Drive on Tuesday 2nd December at 1.45pm
- Interschool Athletics (Year 5/6) at Massey Track on Tuesday 2nd December
- Hui Ā Kura (Assembly) on Friday 5th December at 2.15pm
- Week 10
- PTA Pool Party for all at school on Thursday 11th December
- Year 6 Leavers Trip to the Lido on Friday 12th December
- Week 11
- Year 6 Graduation on Monday 15th December in the evening
- End of Year Prizegiving on Tuesday 16th December at 12pm
- School ends on Tuesday 16th December at 1pm.
Kia pai tāu ahiahi! (Have a great afternoon)
Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz
PS Thank you for all your beautiful messages of support for our dear Trish that have been flooding in, since I shared the unfortunate news of her husband, Patrick’s passing. ‘Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātou katoa’ – When you cry, your tears are shed by us all.