A warm welcome to our new students:  Rylee Puddle, Joshua Roughton, Stella Paterson, Daphne Anderson, Miller Toki, Neive Rickard

Kia ora Whaanau,

Yesterday's announcement once again came as no real surprise in regards to the immediate next steps for us as a school. However, a little carrot was dangled in regards to the potential of a staggered return to school from 15th November. While not ideal, at this stage we will take what we can get if it means having children back at school, learning, engaging with each other and having the freedom to explore as primary age children do. Our SLT are working on potential scenarios and solutions for with how this may look. Once we fall on a model and know that it is able to happen, we will of course communicate to you immediately. Until then, this is a moving train on very wobbly tracks and we thank you for your patience.

While it does not surprise me, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support many of you are offering your children. While as parents we were our child's first teacher, I do understand that we very quickly lose that title when they start school. So trying to regain it in some capacity we appreciate is not as easy as one would hope. Please continue to reach out to your 'point of contact' teacher for any further support you may need. 

As a result of yesterday's announcement we are receiving multiple requests for children to come back to school. We by all means will do our best to ensure we are open and able to cater for all children who need to be here. I do however have to remind everyone, that essentially under Alert Level 3, schools are closed and are only open for those who have no other option. The mechanics of a bubble system is tricky to administer, especially with primary age children. Currently we have 7 bubbles operating at school and it is looking at growing to 10 next week. This will put us at close to capacity with the number of children we are able to support here onsite under this Alert Level. So please, if you do have other options use them and if not, please be in touch with us ASAP to allow us to create the bubble structures in way that meet the Ministry of Health standards. 

Yesterday, as a staff we had a self review discussion on our Distant Learning Programmes, discussing ways in which we can overcome barriers and improve our impact on children. This resulted in some positive outcomes and clear actions moving forward. Examples such as more direct teaching via Zoom (workshops), recording of Zooms for children to go back to, children setting up and sending in daily/weekly timetables to support their routines, and more regular and consistent feedback for children through Class Dojo and Google Docs (Years 5-8 only). To support us, we need to know what your barriers are re resources, if you are having any. We still have many hard packs here that are ready to be picked up and are happy to run another day next week for this happen. Please make contact with Christine if you require any further resources. If we receive several requests, we will signal a 'pick up' day to come in. 

Finally, I encourage you to ensure your child/ren are able to get outside and be active regularly. This will support their overall wellbeing, prevent fatigue and improve their ability to stay on task when required. 

Take care

Geoff

Wine Fundraiser

Once again the school PTA is holding a wine fundraiser, with a portion of the sales  going to the PTA to support the school. This has been a successful fundraiser in the past and your support is appreciated.   Please download the order form where you will find all the information you need.

All orders to be in by Thursday 18th November 2021.

Good George

Good George is offering the Puektaha Community 10% off online sales using PUKETAHA discount code, tjhis offer is available until November 26th. 

Scrap Metal Collection

The Scrap metal collection will not be taking place until we are at Level 2.  Email queries to: puketahascrapcollection@gmail.com or phone/text 021 1644 656.

Calendar Orders

Thank you for placing an online calendar art order.  These are in the process of being produced and will be distributed when the are received at the school.

Late orders are available

,  if you do not hvae your child's order code please email Christine at the school office office@puketaha.school.nz