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Kia ora koutou,
The year has been racing by and now we are looking towards the end of the school year. This comes with mixed emotions as we are excited for the summer holiday but also the realisation that we have our last week with our Year 8 students. We look forward to celebrating them at our final prize-giving next week, where we will be trying to hold back our tears.
Our End of Year data has been collected by the teachers and they make their Overall Teacher Judgments (OTJ's) on the best-fit Curriculum Level for each student. These levels are indicated on your child's written report. The school-wide data is collected and analysed and helps to inform our next steps as a school for 2024.
We were pleased with our Whole School end-of-year data.
- 94% of our students are achieving At or Above Curriculum Expectations in Reading
- 87% are achieving At or Above Curriculum Expectations in Writing
- 90% are achieving At or Above Curriculum expectations in Mathematics
On Thursday next week, our students will be bringing home their written reports. These consist of a Powerful Learning comment, as well as a Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Health and Physical Education/Hauora comment, to summarise your child’s learning and next steps. The graphs will give you a visual indication of how they are progressing in terms of the Curriculum. On the back of the report is a chart which also explains the Curriculum Progression and the way the Curriculum Levels cross over more than one year. Curriculum Levels are very broad and encompass many learning intentions within them, and they are designed to be achieved over time.
Here is a bit of a guide to understanding your child’s progress graph on their reports.
The blue band represents the Curriculum Expectations.
(Please note, over 2020 and 2021 with School Closures due to Covid, data was carried across which resulted in many children having multiple dots in a row. These dots would not be a true reflection of your child’s learning over that time).
The graph will help you see the overall progress over their years at Puketaha. It’s really important to note that there is no typical pattern to how children progress within the Curriculum.
As you know, our lovely Ashlee Walsh is finishing up at Puketaha at the end of the year and we thank her for her year with us. We have been interviewing potential candidates and one stood out from the rest. We congratulate Suzanne Gunn for being awarded the Permanent position at Puketaha School, as she was previously on a fixed-term roll growth contract. She is a highly skilled teacher who has a real commitment to our school and our learners.
Here is the make-up of our teaching teams for 2024 so far…
Roopuu Kaakano 1- Year 0 - 1
Roopuu Kaakano 2- Year 1 - 2 (There will be a move-through of some Year 1’s in Term 2 from Kaakano 1.)
Teachers- Rachel Goodin, Hayley Barnes, Kim MacPherson and Suzanne Gunn. Teaching teams are yet to be decided.
Roopuu Maahuri- Year 3 - 5
Teachers- Jeffrey Eves, Hannah Mould, Anna-Maree Parkes, Joe Thornley
Roopuu Puaawai- Year 5 - 6
Teachers- Nicky Khoo (Assistant Principal), Karen Matthews
Roopuu Puaawai- Year 7 - 8
Teachers- Philip Greig, Jenna Mateni
As we lead into our last week of school, from all of us, we thank you for your partnerships to support our learners and make our school a wonderful place to be. Hopefully, we see many of you at the Prizegivings and/ or the Christmas Picnic on Thursday evening. If not, have a lovely Christmas and we look forward to 2024!
Ngaa mihi nui,
Nyree Olliver
LOST PROPERTY
Please take the time to check the bins in the classrooms and the lost property bin, currently there are over 100 items of lost property. The lost property has been put out at the PAC - any lost property not collected by the end of the year will be donated to charity.
CLASS LISTS
Child placement lists willl be put up on the back of the PAC at the end of the day on Wednesday 15th and will be available to view on Thursday. The children will be introduced to their teachers on Friday morning.
SPORTS SHIRTS
Please return all sports shirts and uniforms - volleyball players as soon as games have finished.
SCHOOL BOOKS
Please check your cupboards and children's toy boxes for any Puketaha School Reading Books there are a large number of these missing from our sets. These will need to be replaced instead of buying new sets so any returned would be much appreciated.
Monday 11th December
School Disco in School Hall (PAC)
Kaakano 5.30 - 7.00PM
Maahuri 6.30 - 8.00PM
Puaawai 7.30 - 9.00PM
Year 8 only 9.00 - 9.30PM
Entry by Gold Coin Donation
Thursday 14th Prizegiving
Morning Tea: 10.00am - 10.40am
Powerful Learners Hui Kaakano 1 and 2
11.00 am - 11.40 pm
Lunch: 11:45am - 12:15pm
Prize Giving Roopuu Maahuri and Roopuu Puaawai
12.30 pm - 2.00 pm (approx)
Afternoon Tea for Year 8's and whaanau following prize-giving
You are welcome to take children home after Prizegivings.
Reports home
Thursday 14th Christmas Picnic
5.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Bring a picnic for your family. Christmas Choir will perform their songs. PTA will have a BBQ available to purchase items as well.
Friday 15th December
Last day - School finishes at 12 noon.
Children visit next year's environments.
This will be the final newsletter for 2023 can you believe the end of term/year is so close!
The School Disco is on Monday (see poster for class group times.) Just a reminder that there is a gold coin donation on entry to help cover the DJ’s costs plus the PTA will have a $2 sausage sizzle , some $1-$2 treats and drinks for sale.
At the School Picnic next Thursday (14th) we will be busting out the barbeque again and will be offering a bacon and egg roll option ($5) as well as the sausage sizzle ($2) for those who may require a top up to your picnic fare. Plus we will be selling any leftover treats from the school disco if there are any. There will be a multi draw Christmas Raffle also so bring some cash for this also!! Santa will be making an appearance for a photo opportunity and to receive any last minute wish lists. We will be giving out lollipops to the littlies who are brave enough to talk to the man in red.
To those people who over the year have donated goods (baked or otherwise) or purchased what we have been selling, to our sponsors and to those who have pitched in and helped when required we thank you so much. We all want our school to be well resourced and all the funds raised are channelled back to the school to enable this to be the case. We appreciate the support we get from far and wide.
Finally to those friends of the PTA who are moving towns, switching schools, or have Year 8s leaving, thank you for all your support while you have been in our mix. We will miss you.
Merry Christmas everyone, and a safe festive season to you all.
Kind regards,
Merynn Connors
PTA Chairperson
E: pta@puketaha.school.nz M: 027 629 6820
Term 1: 1 February to 12 April
Term 2: 29 April to 5 July
Term 3: 22 July to 27 September
Term 4: 14 October to 17 December
Note:
2 April - Easter Tuesday School Holiday
31st May Teacher only Day
The Public Health Nurse will be at the school for immunisation education for Years 7 & 8 and giving out of consent forms on Monday 12/2/2024 . If you do not wish your child to attend the education session, please let your school know.
Date of Immunisations
Year 7 Boostrix - 11/3/2024
Year 8 HPV Dose 1 - 11/3/2024 Dose 2 – 16/9/2024
If parents have any queries or changes please contact the Public Health Nurse –
Anne McNicol
Anne.mcnicol@waikatodhb.health.nz
021 761 594