A warm welcome to our new students:  Charlie Wakelin, Shepherd Jackson, Mercedes Clement, Brooke Haddon, Zaria Clement, Demoaan Matthes, Ruby-Jade Ranginui, Jahanzaib Ahmad, Aima Qamar

Kia ora Whanau and Tamariki,

At the end of last year a final message from me was to ensure we lead into 2021 with unwavering optimism. While only 6 weeks into the year the team and I are energized and have been delighted with how our children have entered back into school with a strong sense of belonging, connectedness and community. We know that when children have that sense of place and identity they are far more set up for success and are able to get on and enjoy the opportunity and challenge of learning. As a result these first 3 days have very much cemented the optimism I have for 2021 and I hope you are able to join us with this approach.

In just over a weeks time Nyree and I look forward to sharing our Strategic Goals and Direction with our Board of Trustees for them to consider. This document is our very deliberately designed pathway that aims to achieve excellent learning outcomes for our tamariki. It is data driven and ensures we stay true to our values, beliefs and principles around learning that have been with our community for years.

One key goal is to continue to build agency within our learners. Yesterday Amy and I had a meeting with a local Secondary School Principal for Flynn around his enrolment for 2021. It was a real positive experience. A key message that resonated throughout the conversation was the need for Flynn to have agency, understand himself as a learner and to be self directed with his organisation and willingness to do well. It was very reassuring as a Primary School Principal to hear. As it confirms that building agency is a skill for life, a skill that builds each child's capability, which can be applied across contexts. Building agency takes time and can not always be measured by quantitative data. It is something that develops at different speeds and stages. 

Tonight we have our Meet the Teacher Family Picnic from 5.30pm - 7.00pm. This is a lovely community evening where we are able to reconnect after the summer break, chat to other families and of course meet your child/ren's teachers for 2021. It is also an opportunity for you to share any updates you feel necessary for us to know about your child, so that we are best able to support them throughout the year.

We all look forward to the term and year in front of us and of course a big welcome back.

Warm regards

Geoff

As a school we have opted into the schools donation scheme for 2021. Consequently we will not be asking for a $100 donation per child. The donation scheme will also allow us the ability to provide Footsteps, Mathletics, and all curricula programmes free of charge to every child, i.e: a class trip to a museum that the whole class will do and is directly linked to the classroom curriculum programme. As a school we do not benefit financially from opting into the donation scheme. However, we trust that the financial burden that it removes from our community will be of benefit to you.

In order to allow you to plan for the coming year, some optional extra-curricula activities that you may wish to budget for include: 

- EWCS Interschool events

- Sports Camp (Year 7 and 8 only)

- School Camps (Years 2 - 6)

- Young Leaders Day 

- Amazing Race

- Epro 8

- Rainbows End (Year 7 and 8 only)

Although these optional activities are extra curricula, we believe in the value of them as opportunities to provide rewarding, rich, and culture-building opportunities for your tamariki. We encourage you to take advantage of them. Please feel free to speak to us if you require assistance, payment plans, or would like fundraising opportunities for your child in order to offset the associated expenses. 

Other opportunities are likely to come about throughout the year, so please note this is not an exclusive list. 

Fee Payment & Permission

Payments & Permissions for trips and sports 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.

To access shop and payments go to www.mykindo.co.nz or via the link on our school website.

A decision about our Sports Fee for 2021 will be made at our next B.o.T meeting and an update on this will be communicated in our next newsletter. 

There are a number of our sets of the school reading books that have books missing. So that the sets can be used for the reading programme in the classroom, it would be appreciated if you could have a look to see if you have any at home.  These books will have to be replaced which limits the number of new books that we can purchase. 

Please drop them in to the School Office.

Mathletics is an online maths programme. 

Year 3 - 8 children will be allocated a login for Mathletics that they can use at school and at home.  

For Year 1 & 2 the Mathletics programme is an option for their children at home with their parents/ caregivers support.  The school pay the cost of the programme so we are asking that parents sign up via Kindo and a login will be organised.  

If you have an older version of the app you will need to update it to the latest version.

Absences - The School Office monitors all absences, if your child or children are going to be away from school, or late parents/ caregivers are asked to notify the office.  This can be done via text (only) 020 404 28607, leaving a message on the school phone 07 824 3870 or via the App, providing a reason.   If your child is ill for more than 3 days you may be required to provide a medical certificate.  If your child accumulates 5 unexplained or unjustified absences over the year, we will make contact with you to discuss how attendance can be improved. Thank you.

Pick up and drop off times -Children are to be dropped off at school no earlier than 8.20 am. We would also appreciate parents and caregivers picking up your children promptly at the end of the day.

Crossing the Road/ Car park- If you drop off and pick your child up from the Sainsbury Road entrance, please walk your child along the path and cross them at the crossing area only. If you pick up your child from the Puketaha Community Hall Car Park, please hop out of your car to meet your child by the gate. The duty teachers will not send children out into the car park alone, as it is dangerous with cars backing out. 

Parking- Please do not park in the Staff Car Park or the bus bay on Sainsbury Road. The gate by the turf on Puketaha Raod is not a drop-off or pick-up spot, please use either the Community Hall or the Sainsbury Road Entry. Please avoid parking your car where you might be blocking the view of cars pulling out or blocking the view of the crossing area.

School App update - Now is a good time to check your notification settings on the school app so you can be kept up to date on what is happening for your child(ren) at school.

Water Only - Puketaha School is a water-only school - which means that there is no flavoured milk drinks or juice.  Children should have their own drink bottles.

Sun Safety - Hats -All children are to wear a hat for outdoor activities during Term 1.    

Contact details - Please email any updated addresses and phone numbers to the school office.  It is important that we can make contact in an emergency. This can also be done via the school app.

Could parents/ caregivers please inform the school office if there is any updated information regarding your child's health. This includes information about allergies and treatment. 

Social Media- We ask that our school community please avoid posting photos of school events which include other people's children, on public social media. If you do, please make sure you have permission from the parents first.

Out-of-School Care - Our before and after-school care provider is Journey Kids. Visit the website for hours, prices, contact information and to book. Journey Kids

School Docs- All our school policies are available to view at School Policies. Log in with User name 'Puketaha' and password puketaha. Please make yourself familiar with our Community Conduct Expectations. In our newsletters, we will let you know when we are reviewing a school policy and you are welcome to provide feedback to us via the website. 

The Public Health Nurse will be at the school for immunisation education and giving out
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

Cat show in Gordonton!

The Hamilton Cat Club holding their 70th Anniversary Celebration Show in Gordonton Hall on March 6! They’re keen to make this a stunning event for the community and a great day for all.  About 100 cats will be on display and judged, with a special section for first-time exhibitors and a Junior demonstration. The junior demonstration is open to children under 16 years of age, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to show your kitten /  cat, and want to know more about this, please contact us. Spaces are limited, so be in quick. Entries close 21 February.  Contact Hamilton Cat Club for more information hamiltoncatclub@hotmail.com

Hamilton BMX Club

TERM 1 BIKE SKILLS PROGRAMME – AFTER SCHOOL – MONDAY NIGHTS 5.30pm to 6.30pm.  Term 1 – 8 Week Programme for all ages on pedal bikes – Cost $100 which includes the programme & an annual membership with Hamilton BMX Club.  All dates: 15th & 22nd February, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th March, 12th April.  Register here: http://www.hamiltonbmx.co.nz/lessons/