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A warm welcome to our new students: Charlotte Nelson and Carter Shell.
Dear Whaanau,
There are many ways in which the last three weeks could be described and I know that you all will have your own adjectives that do just that. What I have noticed even more so this time around is the wide and varied manner in which people adapt, adopt and respond to the situation in front of them. It has definitely been challenging and I know I can comfortably speak on behalf of many in saying that we will be pleased to return to being fully operational as soon as possible, to ensure the well being of our children.
I want to take the time to acknowledge all our children. While it is easy to use some not so savoury global situations to provide them with some perspective during this pandemic, we must acknowledge that the world they know and are growing up in has been disrupted significantly. Providing perspective is really important to a context that makes sense to them, in addition so is listening, having empathy and understanding and acknowledging that they are not always able to make sense of the information being reported to them as you and I are. So my message to our children is well done with the way you have coped. Keep showing courage, care and ask questions when you need to make further sense of something, and of course, welcome back!
On that note, yesterday morning I was fortunate enough to capture a moment between two Year 4 girls that arrived at school at the same time and the delight in their faces when they saw each other. It really summed up the importance of having children return to school as soon as possible. Another reference point I have taken note of is how eager our children were to return to school (it wasn't just the parents). This is a credit to our entire team who give so much of themselves on a daily basis to provide a rich and rewarding learning programme for our tamariki. There was zero hesitation from them when asked to return a day early, this speaks volumes.
I would also like to acknowledge yourselves as parents and caregivers. We understand the pressure it places on our whaanau trying to work from home, support children with their learning, stop the arguments amongst siblings (a daily occurrence in the Booth house, sometimes multiple), organise meals and possibly not feel like you are doing any of it well. The way our children have returned to school yesterday shows you are all doing and have done a great job, thank you!
We appreciate that the Alert Level 2 restrictions and guidelines can be a bit niggly. Thank you for sticking to them, it means we can stay in our lane and get on with supporting learning, not having to be Security Guards.
Finally, you will see that many dates and events have been cancelled or postponed. One of the most significant ones being our Spring Fair. Our PTA will discuss this further down in the newsletter. Please do revisit the online calendar and note what is no longer there or has possibly been moved.
We are all looking forward to finishing this term with our wheels in full motion.
Warm regards,
Geoff
The recent school closure has meant a few changes to the timetable. These timetable changes are available on the school website and on the School App
Parent Information Evening "Sexuality & Relationships Curriculum' rescheduled to Thursday 21st October
WFPSA Cross Country - Cancelled
Speech Competition - Rescheduled to Thursday 23rd September
Wig Wednesday - Fundraiser for Child Cancer Foundation - Rescheduled to Wednesday 29th September.
Spring Fair - Postponed to Saturday September 24th 2022
Sports Camp - Particpants to be notified.
Netball - The netball competition has been cancelled. Please return all netball uniforms & gear.
Spring Fair Postponement
Our school PTA met earlier this week and it is with much regret we collectively decided this year’s Spring Fair needs to be postponed as it requires Level 1 conditions to be able to proceed.
There are already too many events in the Term 4 2021 and Term 1 2022 school calendar to re-schedule for then, so we felt it was prudent to just push it out one full year.
Therefore, the new date is September 24th 2022. Thank you to all those who had offered your support by way of hands-on help and sponsorship.
Garage Sale
Saturday 25th September Monster School GARAGE SALE. One event we can run as an alternative to the school fair is a Garage Sale. This will be held on the same date as scheduled and operate under Level 2 restrictions.
Please bring items to the PAC from Monday 20th. If you are able to help with setting up on Friday 24th September please email Merynn.
Good George Online Offer
Beginning September 17th those of you who place online orders from Good George Brewing, use the code PUKETAHA to get 10% from your order, and the school benefits as well. Thank you Good George for including us in this promotion.
Scrap Metal Drive
We have set aside two dates in November for our inaugural Puketaha School Scrap Metal Drive. These are Saturday November 6th and November 13th. This can proceed in Level 2. The plan is to have a dedicated email address and text line for those of you who have scrap metal you would like collected from your property, plus roadside collections from surrounding properties on roads around the school. There will be a leaflet drop to those properties where this can happen, else there will be information put out via the next school newsletter regarding the contact information for this fundraiser.
This is seen as a win/win event for our community so spread the word among your friends and neighbours. The focus of this year’s fundraising is the new proposed Learning Through Play area plus contributions towards school camps.
The schoool has a limited number of 2 layered fabric face masks for sale. These are sublimated with the school logo. Three sizes available, Small, Medium, Large, Cost $6. Please purchase through Kindo. All proceeds to go towards the outdoor Learning Through Play space.
Puketaha School Enrolments 2022
Applications are invited for out of school zone enrolments for 2022, this includes siblings of children who already attend the school.
The Puketaha School Board of Trustees invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Puketaha School for the 2022 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.
The Puketaha School Board of Trustees advises that they will be operating one ballot for Out of Home Zone enrolments for all of 2022.
The Board has determined that there will be separate ballots held for different year levels:
4 Spaces for Year 1 Term 1;
10 Spaces for Year 0 Terms 2,3,&4;
5 Spaces for Year 2
5 Spaces for Year 3
There are no spaces available in the following year levels 4,5, 6, 7 & 8.
The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications from students who live within the zone.
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
The Board is prepared to receive applications, in addition to those they already hold to reach the school by Monday 27th September 2021. If a ballot for out of zone places is required, it will be held on Wednesday 29th September 2021.
Allocations from out of home zone students will be processed in priority order as set out by the Ministry of Education.
Touch Rugby
Permission and payment by 17th September
Summer Hockey
Permission and payment by 24th September
Strategies for Returning to School – Alert Level 2
Provided by South Waikato CAMHS Service. Adapted from AnxietyCanada.com May 2020.
The Waikato region is moving to Level 2 shortly and this means going back to school. This will be easier for some kids and teenagers than others. It may also be quite a different experience for some compared to 2020. Life has been very different when living in our bubbles and so here are some ideas and tips to help kids and teenagers get back to their key routine and schedule of attending school.
Help Your Child Name Their Fears
Often times our children express their anxiety in general terms (“I don’t want to go back. I like doing school at home better!”) Help them name in specific terms what they want to avoid in going back to school. Is it fear of being behind academically? Facing certain peers, again? Or teachers? Or are they afraid of getting sick from COVID? What do they believe might happen returning to school?
Listen and Acknowledge how Your Child is Feeling
Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Let them know that it is normal and common to feel this way and that lots of other people are also having similar feelings. Reassure your child that they are loved, cared for and safe (in whatever realistic or truthful way they are). Set up a regular time and place to talk. Some children feel most comfortable in a private space with your undivided attention (such as right before bed, or during mealtime). Teens often welcome some sort of distraction to cut the intensity of their worries and feelings (such as driving in the car, or taking a walk).
Talk and Be Prepared to Answer Questions
Ask your child/teen what they think and know and be proactive in talking about the facts regarding COVID-19 and the Delta variant and what returning to school means. Children ask questions as this helps them to make sense of the situation. Make sure you have read about the FACTS around risks of COVID-19 and children and young people. Also make sure you are aware of what the conditions are at your child’s early childcare or school/kura. Explain the FACTS in a simple way that is appropriate for their age, understanding and situation. Let them know that you are available if they have any questions or want to talk more.
Focus on the Positive Aspects of Returning to School
Encourage your child to re-direct attention away from the worries, and towards the positives. Ask your child, “What are three things that you are most excited about on your first day back of school?” Most kids can think of something good, even if it’s just eating a special snack or going home at the end of the day. Chances are that the fun aspects are simply getting overlooked by repetitive worries.
Be Calm Yourself
Children and teenagers look to the important adults around them to determine how worried they should be. Although this can be very difficult it’s important that you present and model a sense of calm and purpose. It can be anxiety-provoking for parents/caregivers to hand over care and responsibility to teachers and school staff. The more confident and calm you can demonstrate, the more your child will understand they don’t need to be afraid.
It is important that you don’t reward your child’s protests, crying, or tantrums by allowing him or her to avoid going to school. Instead, in a calm tone, say: “I can see that going to school is making you scared, but you still have to go. Tell me what you are worried about, so we can talk about it.” Chances are, your child is anxious about something that requires a little problem-solving, role-playing, planning, and/or involvement from the teacher.
Problem-Solve and Plan
Children often seek reassurance that bad things won’t happen in order to reduce their worry. Do not assure them with “Don’t worry!” or “Everything will be fine!” Instead, encourage your child to think of ways to solve his or her problem. For example, “If (the worst) happens, what could you do?” or “Let’s think of some ways you could handle that situation.” This gives you the opportunity to coach your child on how to cope with (and interpret) both real and imagined scary situations. You will also be giving your child the tools he or she needs to cope with an unexpected situation that might arise.
Develop a Daily Routine and Schedule
Everybody’s routine will have changed to some degree when at Level 4 and 3 and so it is important to think about what the routines and systems were prior to the Lockdown and put those back in. It benefits everyone to have established routines with a defined schedule and structure. This creates a sense of security and consistency. Even now you can start your child on a school-day routine – waking up, eating, and going to bed at regular times. Explain that everyone in the family needs to adjust to the new schedule, so he or she doesn’t feel alone with these changes.
Sleep – This is the Big One!
Sleep is so very important – it promotes alertness, memory and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better during the day and be less likely to have behavioural problems, poor concentration and memory problems, and be less irritable.
Make bedtime the same time every night with a consistent bedtime routine (regardless of age) and make bedtime a positive and relaxing experience without screens. Have some favourite relaxing, non-stimulating activities to do when your child is in bed.
Technology Use/Screen Time
We know that screen time use has increased during Alert Levels 4 and 3, which is completely understandable given we were all in a very strange situation. For many families and whānau it was getting a balance between have a stressed out household or screen time and screen time was the winner – that is OK!
Now as we move to Level 2 it is important to start putting in some changes so that kids and teens can get back to the routine that is helpful for school attendance and healthy sleep cycles. This is going to involve negotiation between parents/caregivers and children and teens. They also need to be part of this plan so that they ‘buy into it’. Think back to how much screen time used to be allowed and work out how to get back to that place. This won’t be an overnight change, you will likely have to do this in a stepwise fashion.
Practical Steps
Start your child on a school-day routine – waking up, eating, and going to bed at regular times. Explain that everyone in the family needs to adjust to the new schedule, so he or she doesn’t feel alone with these changes.
For older children who having troubles getting up and out of bed, negotiate with them how they are going to be woken up, what time, and the same for going to bed at night.
Together help plan school lunches for the first week.
Create a list of supplies needed together and work to getting these together.
Plan how your child is going to get to school and what the drop off or entry system is going to be for your school (do this prior to discussing with your child)
Younger children might like to have a special object that reminds him/her of home or of you.
Teach and practice coping skills to use when feeling nervous/worried
o Calm breathing
o Positive self-talk and coping cards
o The CARD System (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract)
Most importantly, praise and reward your child for their brave behaviour as well as for all steps taken to move back to a school routine!
COVID-19 Vaccination All those 12 years and over can now start having the COVID-19 vaccine. When parents or caregivers make their own appointments, they can make appointments for their 12 to 15-year-old children to have the vaccine at the same time. Go to bookmyvaccine.nz to book your vaccine. For up-to-date information about COVID-19 go to the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
Strategies for Returning to School 2021 – South Waikato CAMHS Service. Adapted from AnxietyCanada.com May 2020