Newsletter - Week 1, Term 3 2025

Amanda
Jul 20
4 min read

We are delighted with our new covered decking.

Principal’s Update

Kia ora Waitetuna Whaanau, welcome back to Term 3. The children have had a very positive start to the term. They have been excited to start back and get straight into learning. We have an action packed term ahead and Term 3 is a particularly busy term for our little school. A date to remember is Friday August 15th where we host the Inter School Cross country.

This term our focus is ‘The Arts’ where students get to produce some amazing art work and also work together to be ready for the Kapahaka festival which is being held in week 2 of term 4 at Horotiu School.

Learning Conferences—three way—student, parents, teacher conferences are scheduled for Wed 30th and Thurs 31st July. On Wed they start at 1.30pm and school finishes early that day. Supervision is provided but if you can pick up your children early we would appreciate that. Buses run as normal. On Thursday they start at 3.15pm. Lorna will have sent you the link for booking your child/rens conference times. We encourage you to bring your child with you for these, to keep your children part of their learning journey. If you would like to talk to your child’s teacher without them please let your child’s teacher know and your child can leave part way through or you can make a separate time.

School Board elections—School Board nominations open this coming Friday—Interested in Becoming a School Board Member? Our school board plays a vital role in shaping the future of Waitetuna School. Board members are volunteers from our community who work together to ensure our school is well-governed and focused on providing the best possible education for every student. Key responsibilities include: - Setting the school's strategic direction and vision in terms of governance. - Overseeing financial management and property. - Ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment. It's a rewarding opportunity to use your skills and passion to make a real difference for our tamariki and the wider school community. No prior experience is necessary, just a commitment to our school's success. If you're interested in learning more about what's involved, please get in contact with myself or Sally Ridley our current board chair.

We welcomed Kimo, our new Kapahaka tutor on Thursday. Tumeke -great to have you on board Kimo.

Ngaa mihi Amanda and staff

All the Happenings

Dates for Term 3—

PTA Meeting—Mon 21st July—7.30pm
Kiwi Pies lunch—Fri 25th July
The Middle Room welcome Student Teacher Whaea Julia—28th July
Learning Conferences—30th July from 1.30pm—school finishes early and 31st July—3.15pm till 6pm.
Hearing and Vision in—11.30am—31st July– for 5 year olds and new students
Sat 2nd August—Te Uku Hall Potluck dinner
Board Meeting—5th August—5.30pm
Ag Day AGM—Te Mata School—7th August
Inter School Cross Country—Fri 15th August
School Speeches—18th August
Outdoor Ed Day at RAS for Year 7 and 8s—19th August
Inter School Rippa Rugby—Fri 22nd August
Inter School Speech Competition—Te Uku School—28th August
American Hotdogs—29th August
WFPSA (Year 7 and 8 students)—Regional Speeches—Rotokauri School—3rd Sept and then Final—Tues 9th Sept at 6.30pm at Ohaupo School
Keeping Ourselves Safe—Constable Tom in—10th Sept
WFPSA—Cross Country—11th Sept (PP—12th Sept)

Ag Day & Group Day

Ag Day & Group Day: Ensuring Tradition Continues!

Get ready, farming enthusiasts and animal lovers! Our much-loved Ag Day is just around the corner, taking place in Week 3 of Term 4 this year. This annual event is a cornerstone of our rural school's tradition, and we will also be hosting the Group Day here at school, after Te Mata School doing this for the last three years.

Ag Day offers a unique and incredibly rewarding experience for our students. It’s an institution we are passionate about keeping alive, as the benefits for children who participate are immense. Caring for an animal teaches responsibility, patience, empathy, and provides a fantastic hands-on learning opportunity about animal husbandry.

This year, children are invited to bring along their lamb, goat, or calf to participate. Whether you're a seasoned animal rearer or new to the experience, we encourage everyone who can to get involved! To help make participation easier for our families, we are excited to introduce a Lamb Crèche at school! From 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, you'll be able to bring your lambs to school, and we will take care of their lunchtime feeds early on, so they are well-fed and happy. More details on how to register for the Lamb Crèche will follow soon.

Your support for this special event is vital. Your help will ensure that Ag Day remains a cherished and valuable part of our school calendar for years to come. Let's make this year's Ag Day and Group Day an unforgettable success! Look out for more information regarding registration and specific timings in upcoming newsletters.

PTA News

PTA Meeting on Monday night—21st July—online or in the school staffroom. 7.30pm start—look forward to seeing you there.

A doc will be coming out to parents shortly on how you can help with Inter School Cross Country. This is all hands on deck—from making batches of nacho mince to baking and helping on the day. We need your support to make this happen.