End of Week 9 Term 2 Pānui

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Today we had marae-like vibes at our little kura. The hangi fire was blazing away. The sounds of our kapa haka waiata were echoing throughout the school in the hype of their evening performance. People involved in peeling/cutting vegetables, ripping up bread for the stuffing, packing kai into trays for our hakari (feast) this evening. A strong sense of coming together for the collective good. The whakataukī (proverb) ‘He rau ringa, e oti ai’ is evident, which means ‘With many hands, the job is done.’ Thank you to those who came along and supported us with the preparation that goes into making something like this happen. Also this week we gave out Lunchonline Vouchers and Hells Pizza vouchers to some lucky kids who persuaded you all to do our whānau voice surveys. Although the online survey is closed now, I still always welcome your feedback on those questions, just hit me up. Yesterday, I took Harlow, Te Aranga and Natalie to the Wildbase Centre at the Esplanade to donate the $322 they made from their fundraiser last week. We met with Brittany, who was very appreciative of the funds which will go towards their efforts in supporting injured and endangered animals.

Matariki Event:

We look forward to seeing you all this evening for our Kapa Haka dress rehearsal. We are aiming for a 5.30pm performance start. Can you please send your child in their Turitea School sports uniform just beforehand up to the hall. If your child has long hair, can you ensure they have it out of their face. The hangi will be ready just after 6pm and don’t forget to BYO cutlery. Please ensure your order is paid before Friday.

Pae Tamariki:

A separate note went out on Wednesday about this, so here is the condensed version. Please send your child to school next Monday in their Turitea School Sports Uniform. We will catch the bus to the Regent at 10.30am. They will wait backstage until their time observing other roopu (groups) from the side. They take the stage at 12.10 – 12.30pm. The bus will then take us to the Esplanade for a kai and a takaro (play) at the playground. Thanks to those who have identified via the Hero survey that they can help us out on the day getting everyone organised, we’d love your tautoko (support). Looking forward to seeing the whole school on stage together showcasing our kotahitanga (unity) rather than ‘just the seniors’ that other schools do.

DanceNZmade: 

Last week I informed you that Dean from Red Star Dance came and worked with our Year 3-6 tamariki to teach them a kanikani (dance). Anyone who was keen to compete in the Interschool Dance NZ Made competition, stayed behind to start learning the performance dance. This is on Monday 4th September (Term 3 Week 8) at the Regent on Broadway. There will be all-day workshops from 9am-3pm followed by the competition that evening from 6-8pm. It costs $25 to join and participate and you can register your child by clicking on this link. Practices will take place at school during lunchtime. Please register and pay for your child online by Monday 17th July (first day back of next term).

Colour Run:

Next Friday 30th June as a fun way to spend the last day of term, we are organising a Colour Run. We will aim to have it at 2pm where the kids will run a circuit while we throw coloured powdered chalk at each other. If you could dress your child in white that day, it makes the colour stand out more. Parents are welcome to come and join in the fun, being active and embracing our school value of whanaungatanga (coming together).

Mid Year Reports and Learning Conferences: 

Teachers have finished writing these and we are doing the final edits. These are due to be ready for your viewing pleasure in Hero next Friday 30th June (last day of this term). Please note, our New Entrant learners will bring home a different report. These will be accompanied and supported by Learning Conferences which will take place in the first and second week back next term. The dates for these are Thursday 20th July and Thursday 27th of July. Thursday 20th will go from 3.15pm – 5.30pm. The following week on the 27th, we will start the conferences at 1pm and go through until 7.30pm. Just like last time, if you are able to pick up your child early that day, we’d appreciate it. If you can’t, then they can hang out with Faye, Kirstin, Aimi and myself. I will open the bookings for you all for these next Monday through Hero. This is a nice way for the kaiako to speak further about the things written in the report.

From the Community:

  • Linton Army Camp is running a Matariki event on Thursday 6th July. See here for more information. All are welcome to attend and learn about this event. Email Troy if you’re interested in attending and are not affiliated with the military to get security clearance.
  • Celebrate the Māori New Year on Friday 14th July from 3 -7pm by getting amongst the fun festivities that PNCC have planned and learn about Puanga! Following last year’s successful event, this year’s festival will be even bigger and better, taking place at the Central Energy Trust Arena’s Pit Lane. It is a family-friendly festival that will include kapa haka and musical performances, food and retail stalls and activities for the kids. There will also be a spectacular LED lighting display of the Matariki constellation and Puanga star which you can walk through. Puanga is a time for celebration, reflection and unity.
  • The Palmerston North City Library is running a new holiday programme. They have some nice links with Sport Manawatū, Matariki, Writing workshops and animated film screenings as part of the July Football Fun Festival. They will also have authors visiting across all the other library locations. 
  • The Noel Leeming/Warehouse Family and Friends deals kick off from 3rd – 16th July. Check out the flyer for more information if you are interested.
  • For our Year 6s moving on to intermediate at the end of the year:
    • Palmerston North Intermediate Normal (PNINS) are taking all our Year 6’s on Monday 24th July to visit their school to get a taste of what life is like there.
    • Longburn Adventist College has their open day on Wednesday 26th July. Day tours at 9:30am, 11:30am & 12:30pm. Evening programme from 6.00pm – 7:30pm. 
    • St Peter’s College open night is taking place on Thursday 10th August from 6-8pm in the school gym. They have given us a prospectus which is housed in the office if you are interested in looking at it.

Hero Finances:

Thanks to those of you who have kept up to date with school finances. This is available to view anytime in Hero by clicking the three lines up the top left hand corner, then choosing Finance or clicking on the Finance tab on your Hero homepage. The Activity Fee for Term 2 is due on the last day of term.

Please save the evening of Wednesday 13th September as this will be the date of our School Production (Name TBC). It will tell the Turitea School pūrākau (story) from 1895 through to today then on to the future. It will be pretty special and we can’t wait to share it with you…

This afternoon, our Garden Club is selling Worm Tea – $1.50, Strawberry Plants – $1, Popcorn Seeds – $1 and a range of other plants for $2 by the front gate if you have some loose change in your car or they accept IOU’s.

Ngā manaakitanga, 

Troy
principal@turitea.school.nz