A warm welcome to our new student Arlo McPartland

Kia ora koutou,

I hope everyone has had a great week so far. I am in Auckland with the senior leadership team, Jason Boobyer and Nicky Khoo, attending a three-day professional learning conference. The conference is centred around Bréne Brown's work on Daring Leadership. The first day has been highly valuable, and we are excited about the upcoming days.

Lately, we have been focusing on the Zone of Regulation Learning, specifically helping students understand the concept of "the size of the problem" and how it relates to their reactions. As parents, many of us have witnessed our children reacting strongly to what we perceive as minor issues. As adults, we're not always perfect in this regard either. By teaching emotional regulation deliberately, we empower and guide students to manage their emotions and respond more appropriately.

To give you some insight into this learning, we encourage students to pause, breathe, and smile when a problem arises. This simple action allows their minds to take a quick break and helps them consider the actual "size of the problem." Understanding the size of a problem is a crucial social skill that enables students to evaluate the seriousness of a situation and respond accordingly.

Here's how we categorise problems for better understanding:

Small Problem:

• It causes minor frustration or annoyance.
• The feelings will last a short time, usually less than 10 minutes.
• Typically affects only one person.
• It can be solved easily and quickly, often by the child themselves.

Examples:

• Losing a pencil.
• Something not going their way in a game.
• Feeling bothered by someone looking at them.
• Being pushed in front of the line.
• Small miscommunications or disagreements between friends.

Medium Problem:

• This might involve or affect more than one person.
• The problem could last longer, take more time to solve, or involve stronger emotions.
• Often requires an adult's assistance.

Examples:

• Someone getting hurt.
• Forgetting lunch at home.
• Feeling sick.
• An ongoing disagreement with friends that they couldn't resolve on their own.

Big Problem:

• An emergency requiring immediate adult help.
• Likely to affect many people.
• Involved large emotions- eg fear, grief
• Someone is hurt and may need to go to the doctor.

Examples:

• A flood.
• A significant fall resulting in someone getting hurt.
• A family loss

Sometimes, as children are learning to navigate their emotions, they may have a stronger reaction to a small problem. We aim to teach our children to be active problem solvers and employ techniques to regulate their emotions, such as taking a break, going for a walk, doing something they enjoy, using positive self-talk, having a drink of water, or talking to a friend.

This approach aligns with the Whare Tapa Wha - Health and Wellbeing Model, particularly the pillar called Tapa Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional Health). Taking good care of our taha hinengaro (mental and emotional well-being- mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings) improves our resilience in coping with life's ups and downs, fostering healthy ways of thinking and communicating.

It’s been neat hearing our students of all ages being able to talk about some of the Zones of Regulation learning and put these skills into practice.

Thanks all for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your week.

Ngaa mihi,

Nyree Olliver

 Last day for applications for out of school zone enrolments for 2024 is Monday 18th September.

The Puketaha School Board of Trustees invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Puketaha School for the 2024 year.  Enrolment to the school is governed by an enrolment scheme.  Parents of students who live within the home zone should also indicate their enrolment by this date to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year.  Students who live in the home zone are entitled to enrol at the school.  Ballot applications are required for siblings of children who attend the school.

The Puketaha School Board of Trustees advises that they will be operating one ballot for Out of Home Zone enrolments for all of 2024. 

The Board has determined that there will be separate ballots held for different year levels:

18 spaces for Year 1 Term 1, 25 spaces for Year 0 Terms 2,3, & 4, 1 space for Year 2, 1 space for Year 3, 5 spaces for Year 5, 4 spaces for Year 6, 10 spaces for Year 7 & 8

There are no spaces in Year 4

The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications from students who live within the zone.

The Board is prepared to receive applications, in addition to those they already hold to reach the school by Monday 18^th September 2023. If a ballot for out of zone places is required, it will be held on Wednesday 20^th September 2023.

Applications are available from the School Office or the Puketaha School website and to be returned to Puketaha School R D 1, Hamilton or office@puketaha.school.nz

Allocations from out of home zone students will be processed in priority order as set out by the Ministry of Education.

Results will be notified as soon as possible after the ballot.

Sadly we have had to cancel our planned Musical Bingo night at The Keg this Saturday night as we didn’t quite make the minimum ticket sales required to be able to have it as a private function.

Many thanks to Shannon Belosevic who did a lot of organising and sponsor chasing for this event, and who now has to undo her efforts!  We are a bit sad this didn’t get over the line as I think it would have been a really fun night.

Thank you to those who came to the PTA meeting on Tuesday.   Please put in you calendar that we will be accepting donations for the Monster Garage Sale the week beginning Monday September 11^th  in the PAC.  We will be looking for helpers to sort everything on Friday the 15^th, plus helpers at the event itself on Saturday September 16^th (8am-12noon.)   This year we will be having a Sausage Sizzle plus there will be the added attraction of a Car Boot Sale (Kids $10 ) or Market Stall options ($15-20).    Please make contact if you need further information.

Nothing else to add for now…

Kind Regards

Merynn Connors,

PTA Chairperson
E: pta@puketaha.school.nz  M: 027 629 6820

PUKETAHA ROAD & GORDONTON ROAD UPDATE

Over the next couple of weeks our contractors will be laying several layers of asphalt at the intersection before they begin constructing the roundabout.  This work will take place at night when there is less traffic on the road and enables our contractor to work more efficiently.  We do apologise for any inconvenience this may cause through extra noise at night.

If you are travelling through the site at night, please do so with care. 

2023 GENERAL ELECTION

We are interested to hear from anyone who would like to work for the 2023 General Election. We are seeking people 16+ who can work on Election Day, 14 October 2023. We are also employing people who wish to work at advanced voting polling places or in the Waikato Electorate Head Quarters based in Hamilton.
Apply online:
General Election 2023 - Waikato Electorate -
Electoral Commission (elections.nz)

Thank you so much to these generous community-focused businesses. Your support towards the Year 7 and 8 Sports Camp has helped reduce the cost of the camp for our students.