Principal’s Update
Kia ora Waitetuna Whaanau, term 3 is full steam ahead. The classes are immersing themselves in a range of exciting options. The whole school is working towards a Kapahaka performance which they will be sharing at the Western Cluster Kapahaka festival on the 23rd September. The classes are also delving into the arts in different ways, from waiata, to ukulele and dramatic performances. The students are looking at the “The Arts” through Maanakitanga (Respect) and learning about participating and contributing and team work to present their items. This will be culminating in performances to share with whanau on Thursday 29th September— A Revue—defined as ‘light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances’.
Learning Conferences—next week—forms for these should have made it home by now and Lorna has also emailed this out to you. Teachers and students are looking forward to this opportunity to share learning and to discuss next steps. Please return these forms to secure your space. I will be in the staffroom with community consultation questions on our school curriculum and re-porting. Please pop in before or after your conference and share your thoughts.
Masks—as per the governments’ recommendations masks are strongly recommended for the first four weeks of term 3 for year 4 and above. Classrooms have spare masks. Masks continue to be compulsory for students 12 years and up on school transport.
Save the date—Inter School Cross Country competition—Thursday 1st September. This is a school fundraising event and we would appreciate lots of help to make this happen. We pro-vide food for this day. You can help in the food tent or do some baking to sell then this will all help towards making this day a success and raising some additional funds for our PTA. Thank you to Hannah Sleeman and Ellen Van de Knapp who have taken over the President role and the Secretary role for the PTA at the meeting on Tuesday evening. Amy Bateman will remain as the treasurer. Thank you to Madeline and Abby for their work over the past year. There will be other PTA news to come.
The board will be meeting on Tuesday 16th August and I will be presenting the mid-year data. This is once again looking very positive and combined with our 85% attendance data is an opportunity for us to reflect on a challenging yet rewarding first half of the year. Students have lots of new goals to strive towards now. In comparison to the nationwide lows in achievement and attendance our staff and students have done an amazing job. We have been able to keep the school open fulltime with all students who are well, to attend. We haven’t had to share students across classes and our students have continued to learn every block every day. Teachers continually know students next steps and there is always work to be done but that is the exciting challenge ahead for the rest of the year. Staff and I thank you for your support in this. Ngaa mihi, Amanda and Staff.
Dates for term 3
Welcome Tania from Whaingaroa Enviro Centre—5th August
Learning conferences—Tues 9th August and Wed 10th August
School finishes at 1.45pm on both of these days.
Friday lunches—Chicken Burgers— 12th August
Rural Womens’ Principal group at Waitetuna—Mon 15th August
Board Meeting—Tuesday 16th August
Rippa Rugby for Year 5-8 students—Fri 19th August
Matua Paul in—Waste audit—24th August
Inter-school Cross Country—Thursday 1st September Senior Room—camp—4th-6th September
Hotdogs—16th September
Board meeting—Tuesday 20th September
Waikato Full Primary Cross country—21st September P/P— 22nd Sept
Kapahaka Festival—Friday 23rd September
Action Stations - Rippa rugby training
Rippa Rugby tournament training happening. Year 5-8 students should have received their notice for this. Thank you to Bevan for creating a stunning frame and for putting up our ataahua mural in the multipurpose room with Richard’s support.
Tania from Whaingaroa Enviro Centre is in on Friday at 11.30am if you are able to pop down and help the students. We also have trees for sale—all funds go to the PTA. Thanks to David Klee for organising the large native tree seedlings for us! A flyer will be coming out soon with the varieties.
School Lunches
Cheese Burgers—week 3—12th August
Nachos/Sausages—Inter school Cross Country—Thursday 1st September
Hot dogs– week 8—16th September
Donuts—week 10
Te Reo Maaori phrase of the week
Ka pai hoki koe! Good on you.
Waitetuna Way
Well done to Finn and Xander for having Aroha: Being kind to others.
Together we are growing the seeds of success
Na tō manaaki, na tōku manaaki, ka puāwai mai nga kākano