Temprince Rackley-Lockley, Lincoln Rackley-Lockley, Jax Bryant-Silich, Felix Hanes

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Children,

At this time of year as the heat intensifies it really is an opportunity to be grateful for assets such as our school pool and air conditioning in all learning environments. The ongoing investment in these assets are really proving their worth. On Monday evening at our first B.o.T meeting for the year we discussed a plan moving forward to ensure the sustainability of our school pool and in turn moved that we start the process of a significant upgrade of the pool area, its filtration system and a refurbishment of the pool, so that children and families for years to come can continue to experience the benefits that we are able to currently. So please watch this space for future updates around this project. 

On that note the swimming programmes across the year groups have been excellent. We were fortunate to have two experts in from Swimming New Zealand this week to partner our teachers and support them with their programmes. Our teachers really appreciated the expertise they brought to what is a fairly specific learning area. 

In addition to swimming we also have many children involved in a range of sports this term which is wonderful to see. Sport provides an excellent context for children to develop a range of skills and dispositions, as well as friendships, memories and the understanding of living an active lifestyle. It also brings families and communities together and I would like to thank the many parents and volunteers who are coaching and managing the teams this term, we are thankful for your support. 

Finally, I would like to thank you all for an excellent start to the year. Our children have settled in very well and this is a credit to the relationships we are able to establish and maintain with you. Katherine, Nyree and myself in partnership with our B.o.T are currently building our charter which creates the framework and road map for us throughout the year. There are many exciting initiatives around learning programmes and infrastructure that aim to ensure we remain future focussed and being able to deliver on the aspirations we collectively have for our children. It is shaping to be another exciting year ahead. 

Warm Regards

Geoff

Invoices will be emailed to parents/ caregivers next week.

Sports Subsidy Fee

There are a number of sports fixtures that are organised during the year.  Events are age/qualifying standard dependent.  The sports fee is a one off cost of $10 for Year 4 and $30 for Year 5 and above, this is due at the beginning of the year. The charge helps to cover costs including EWCS membership, bus charter to events and entry fees

For 2019 each child in Years 5 -8 will be allocated a shirt at the beginning of the year.  A hire fee is included in the sports fee.  We expect that children will remember to bring them for school sports events, keep them clean and use them only for the appropriate activities,..  A pair of black shorts is also part fo the school sports uniform, Kukri black shorts with the school logo on are available at the School Office for $25.50.

Participation in sports events is part of the school programme and children are expected to attend unless they have medical reason not to do so.

Footsteps Dance Programme

Puketaha School will again be using the services of Footsteps to run the dance programme, this is happening in Term 4 only, at a cost of $35 - due at the end of Term 3.

Year 7 & 8 Technology Fees

This year the Year 7 & 8 students will be attending technology at Morrinsville Intermediate every Friday afternoon.  The cost of this is directly charged to the school and is for the students resources, cost is yet to be confirmed.

The School Donation

The donation request  is a very reasonable $100 per year (only $2.50 per week), we appreciate your support of your childrens' school in paying this.

Fee Payment

Payments can be set up though Kindo - if you have not already signed up the link is via the School Website.  Cash payments can be made at the school office.  Please see Christine at the office of you have any questions about fee payments, as always if paying school fees is causing a problem please get in touch so we can support you with this.

Alcohol Drugs & other Harmful Substances and Swimming Pool policies are both up for review this term . 

If you would like to be a part of this process go to the School docs website https://www.schooldocs.co.nz , login with Puketaha and puketaha as the password and follow the instructions in the ‘current review’ tab.

TOOLBOX PARENTING COURSES

Toolbox courses around the Waikato for term 1 2019.

As always a contribution arrangement can be made for any parents and caregivers who cannot afford the course costs, whanau, schools or agencies can contact the course facilitator to arrange this.

SUBURBS COMMUNITY SPORTS CLUB

2019 Junior Rugby Weigh-in. Sunday 3rd March 10am-2pm. At Suburbs Community Sports Club, Flagstaff Park, Commodore Ave, Hamilton. Ages 4-12 years, boys and girls all welcome.  All new players are required to bring a birth certificate or passport. For further details go to www.hamiltonsuburbs.co.nz or contact Brendon Stone 0274846013

TAUPIRI JUNIOR RUGBY.

Weigh In/registration. Weigh in is to be held on the 3rd and the 10th of march (Sundays) from 12 - 2pm.  It will be held at the Taupiri Rugby Clubrooms. If you are a new player could you please bring a photocopy of your birth cert/passport. We cater for 3 to 12year old males and females.  Fees can be paid on these days $40 single or $60 family.  Any queries please contact Leah Scott @ 0276869499  after work hours please. or leah5@xtra.co.nz

MARZIPAN

Good news! It’s not too late to join Marrzipan! We are looking for some awesome students to fill some parts in our play, which we will be performing for parents and their peers at the end of term. Marrzipan is a New Zealand renowned self-confidence programme aimed at bringing out the absolute best in students. Come along to a Trial Lesson and see whether you like it! You can sign up for one directly via our website www.marrzipandrama.co.nz (we have contact numbers on there too, should you prefer to talk to a human!)

INCORPORATED MARTIAL ARTS