Kia ora koutou,

This week, we've been celebrating Maaori Language Week, with each learning environment making an effort to use more Te Reo throughout the week. This is part of our commitment to strengthen the usage of the Maaori language and support the broader goal of revitalising it in New Zealand. 

As part of the Maaori Language Movement event, today at noon, we will set aside 30 minutes for Te Reo activities such as korero (speaking), waiata (singing), or paanui (reading). This specific time was chosen because it commemorates the moment in 1972 when the Maaori Language Petition was presented to Parliament, advocating for the inclusion of Te Reo Maaori in schools.

Thank you to all our families who participated in our Community Consultation Survey. As promised, we drew two names for the prizes. Congratulations to Hannah Shell,  who won the $100 grocery voucher, and Gill Redgate, who won the double pass to The Cat in the Hat show. 

Here is a snapshot of the overall community results. This information, alongside the teacher survey results and government goals and legislation, will help inform our School's Strategic Priorities for 2024- 2026. 

Results

Overall rankings from most important to least important-  family aspirations for children and their experiences at school.

1. Your child develops their social and emotional skills.

2. Your child experiences a high-quality education based on best practice.

3. Your child develops skills for learning, such as being able to set goals, make plans, self-reflect and organise their time and resources.

4. Your child experiences a broad and rich learning programme, which, where possible, takes your child’s passions and interests into account.

5. Your child develops confidence and leadership skills.

6. Your child is involved in their learning- where they are given opportunities to know what they are learning, why they are learning it, receive feedback on how they are going and plan their next steps.

7. There is a range of different opportunities for your child to engage in- eg- Sport.

Rankings for possible school focus areas. 

1. Focus on high expectations for students, differentiated learning and high-quality teaching and learning practice across core Curriculum Areas (Reading, Writing and Mathematics). 

2. A focus on ensuring students experience a balanced Curriculum, integrating a range of Curriculum areas into Rich Topics.

3. A focus on teaching practices that focus on foundational skills that support learners towards gradual independence and support students to have a sense of ownership of their learning.

4. Focus on social, physical and emotional well-being.

5. A focus on our cultural capabilities, so when you walk into Puketaha School, it is evident this is a New Zealand School. Eg- Learning about Te Reo, Tikanga/ Customs and Traditions, Waiata/ Song, Kapa Haka.

6. A focus on community engagement in the school, including community events, parental involvement in learning and communication about progress and achievement.

Some of the common themes that came up from asking what Puketaha does well and that people would like to see continue if resourcing allows, were…

• Continue with the sense of community Puketaha has, the caring school culture, and whaanaungatanga (the connection between people).
• Continue with the Maaori culture learning such as Tikanga, Te Reo and Kapahaka.
• Continue with the extra opportunities our learners have, such as sporting events, camps and enrichment opportunities in Years 7 and 8 (Languages, Science, Shine Girls, Production, Big Buddy, Epro8, etc.)
• Continue with the Social/ Emotional learning, such as the Zone of Regulation.
• Continue with our effective strategies to cater for the needs of our learners.
• Continue with play-based learning opportunities for our Roopuu Kaakano learners. 

Thank you to all who contributed!

We had an amazing Wig Wednesday yesterday, so thank you, everyone, for supporting this event. Puketaha School raised $335 for the Child Cancer Foundation. 

We hope you have had a good week and have an enjoyable weekend.

Ngaa mihi,

Nyree Olliver