A warm welcome to our new student Phoenix Classen

Dear Parents, Caregivers & Students,

Yesterday I was fortunate to be a part of the Waikato Principal's Association Connections Day where we hosted Nigel Latta as our guest speaker. Nigel's address covered a range of domains, but was mainly centred around Neuroscience 'The future and you'. I am not sure how many have had a chance to listen to Nigel live? A way to describe it, is that it's a bit like going to a live 7 days show, unfiltered and laugh out loud, very different to the TV version.

In saying that amongst all the humour were some interesting pockets of information and ideas that closely aligns with the learning we have had and continue to do so through Nathan Mikaere Wallis (Kiwi Neuroscientist). First idea I want to share and hopefully ignite some discussion / thinking about, is the Hebb's Principle. Simply it is a way of describing how neuronal activities influence the connection between neurons (how the brain wires together responses). Added to this is the notion of working/learning together, "Brains that wire together - fire together" and an understanding that we are wired to work in social settings, it stems back to our survival mode. Of course I possibly used my own lens and bias to make a connect between our spaces and this thinking. I write with confidence that our spaces and programme design considers this idea to a large degree. How do we ensure we are activating the minds of our children and how do we foster a learning environment and culture where our children activate each others minds?

Secondly is the idea of loneliness. Nigel spoke about the health risk associated with feeling alone and connected it to the same health risks associated with smoking and alcohol abuse. A really interesting but brutal comparison. He mentioned that physically feeling hurt while grieving is real as it uses the same triggers in your brain to when you break a bone, graze a knee etc. The ongoing goal for us is ensuring our school culture is centred around inclusion. Inclusion of ideas, personalities, beliefs, strengths, talents etc. We know that when a child is feeling alone and/or not included, their ability to learn drops by 25%. In my view an answer to this is our school culture, a culture that we must all own and take responsibility for. Again my bias leans towards our learning environments and that they are less about being innovative but more importantly about being inclusive. 

On this note, I would like to take the time to remind you all that our doors are always open and we welcome your visit and chance to chat if you have any celebrations or concerns you would like to share. 

Warm regards

Geoff

As of 2019 our School Board of Trustees have decided to change our Before School and After School Care provider. Our new provider is YMCA. The YMCA before and after school care will still run here at school out of our PAC and the same hours. Pricing structures are still to be confirmed, however, we do not expect too much change here. 

If you currently have your child attend SKIDS for either before school and/or after school care you will experience very minimal change. To reinforce, this will not relate to times. 

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. We will send more information out about the programme in the next few weeks once I have had a final meeting with Graeme (YMCA) to iron out the finer details of the programme.

Thanks

By now you may have caught up with the news that there is another planned teachers strike on Tuesday 13th November. On behalf of our team I would like to ensure that you, our community, know that striking is not an enjoyable or desired outcome for anyone and that as a team we would much rather be with the children getting on with the business of teaching and learning. However, in the current climate we absolutely feel we have little to no other option in the pursuit of better conditions (nationally), for education in this country. Conditions that support learning outcomes for all.

On Monday 5th November we will be holding our BOT meeting and the Board will decide whether or not our school is open for instruction on the strike day. Once a decision is made we will communicate it with you on Tuesday 6th November via email and the school app. 

We thank you for your support and understanding with this matter and the inconvenience it creates for all.

Pet Day will be held on the Friday the 22nd October from 9am - 10.40am. All pets, with the exception of dogs, will be in the PAC for showing. Dogs will be out on the field. All pets need to be safely contained or restrained and will need to go home after this event.

The closing date for calendar orders is Monday 5th November 9am. No late orders will be taken.  If you have any problems with ordering or have lost your childs unique code please get in touch with Christine at the School Office or via email office@puketaha.school.nz.

On Monday 3rd December there will be an opportunity for colleagues, ex-pupils, parents & caregivers to celebrate Robin's teaching career. This will be an afternoon tea starting at 3.30pm in the Puketaha Community Hall. 

The last day of school for our students is Thursday 17 December.  School will close at 12 noon.  Please make arrangement to pick up your children early.

Improving Educational Outcomes for Maori Students policy is currently under review.  If you would like to feedback go to the School Docs website. 

login with Puketaha and puketaha as the password and follow the instructions in the 'current review' tab.

Parenting Helpline

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www.parenthelp.org.nz  PARENT HELPLINE: 0800 568 856

Gordonton School 

A night with the stars fundraiser 10th November