Kia ora koutou!

Week 3 and the school is humming, our learners are engaged and enjoying being with their friends and teachers. Earlier in the week we had been celebrating how we had managed to dodge Covid at our school so far… but we have now had our first encounter. We thank the family for getting in touch with us so quickly and we are sending them our thoughts.   

During Professional Learning our teaching team has been delving into our school’s Strategic Priorities and planning what actions we will take this year to help us deliver on our School Vision. An area of focus is ‘Assessment for Learning’ which is one of the approaches we use to personalise learning. 

When we think of ‘assessment' it is easy to associate this with just testing, but assessment in a classroom setting is an ongoing process where teachers use a range of approaches to build a picture of the learners’ progress, achievement and next steps. It ranges from observations, learning conversations, providing feedback, taking learning samples as well as the more formal assessments we do over the year. 

The term “Assessment for Learning’ is when that assessment practice is shared with the learner. Teachers design learning so that students also have understanding of what they are trying to learn, have skills to monitor their own progress alongside the teacher, and can set goals and reflect on learning. This approach gives the students ownership over their learning and increases achievement. It’s the difference between being passive consumers of information to being active participants in the learning process. 

“When students self assess regularly and track and share their progress, their confidence as learners grows. Their motivation to do well increases and so does their achievement’ (Stiggins and Chappuis, 2010) 

So as a staff, we have been planning how we can continually improve our impact on learning by creating Assessment Capable Learners and feeding our ideas into our Annual Actions for our school Charter. This will be published soon and presented to the Board. 

This week we have also run our Teacher/ Whaanau Catch Up’s and the teachers have talked about how valuable these conversations have been. We all appreciate the opportunity to connect with families early in the year, particularly during the current climate where we have limited opportunities to meet face to face.

Over the last 2 years we have been planning an Outdoor Classroom project in the heart of the school. We expect to see some transformations happening soon in this area. The P.T.A have been really supportive of this project and see value in the Learning Through Play opportunities this project will create. The P.T.A have kindly donated $10,000 to the school in support of this project. Thank you to the P.T.A for all their efforts to fundraise for the school and help make projects like this happen. 

Lastly, as many of you will already be aware, the Board of Trustees offered me the position of Principal at Puketaha School and I accepted without hesitation. It is a huge honour to be the Principal of such a special school and I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for this opportunity. Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words from our community also. 

As we move closer to the weekend, I hope you have all had an amazing week and have a lovely weekend. 

Ngaa mihi,

Nyree Olliver

Teenaa koutou

The Board is very excited to announce the appointment of Nyree Olliver as Principal.

As you will be aware, Nyree has been Acting Principal this year and, in just a few weeks, has already capably led the School through the current COVID challenges.  We are privileged to have someone with Nyree's educational knowledge, strategic thinking, and people skills to lead our school.  Not only that, but Nyree has an incomparable passion and commitment for the school after 17 years with us.

She started her journey at Puketaha School in 2005 as a day-to-day reliever after returning from overseas travel. She was soon appointed to a permanent position in the junior area of the school and then trained and worked as a Reading Recovery teacher. In the years that followed, Nyree worked across the school and taught a range of ages from 5 to 12 year olds.  In 2011, Nyree moved into the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Principal and, from there, into the Deputy Principal position.

We also celebrate Nyree as only the second female principal in the school's 105-year history.  She is an inspiration on many levels and has the full support of the Board and our teaching team. 

We congratulate Nyree on this appointment, particularly given the high number and calibre of applications for the role.  We are humbled and pleased to have had such success and interest in leading our school.

We know you will all be thrilled for Nyree, for our school and importantly our students, who we know will hugely benefit from her appointment.  We will formally welcome Nyree to the role in the appropriate way once it is safe and practical to do so. This will likely be at the beginning of Term 2 and further details will follow closer to the time.

Ngaa mihi

Phil Webster

Presiding Member

Puketaha School Board of Trustees

Good afternoon families,

Please find attached information about next weeks TRY Challenge and Wheels Week.

Students can begin bringing their Bikes or Scooters to school on Monday (28 February) in preparation for our 'amended 2022 TRY Challenge'. Please ensure you engage in the attached document so you are up to date with the proceedings and where we currently sit with our RED Level COVID-19 restrictions. 

Albeit a different model for us all, we look forward to still being able to provide this opportunity for our tamariki. 

Thank you, Puketaha School

Our swimming sports events will be held in Week 6

Kaakano 1 & 2 Tuesday 15th March

Year 3 - 8 Wednesday 16th March starting at 9.30am

Due to Covid restrictions these will be held onsite in our school swimming pool.  More details about this event will be sent out soon.

All children will need:

• togs
• swimming cap, goggles and earplugs (if required)
• 2 x towels
• sunhat
• Sweatshirt (very important)
• A drink bottle with water only.

From the Library

Hell Pizza have extended the deadline for 2021 pizza wheels until the 31st March, so any completed wheels can be redeemed. Whaea Emma

Tax Credit Claims

A reminder that Individuals with taxable incomes can claim back a proportion the School Donation through the IRD.  Donation receipts are available through Kindo or from the School Office if the donation is made into the school bank account.

Farm Cottage Compliance

For each new signup before 1 June 2022 I will donate $25 to the school so give me a call.

Waikato Diocesan School For Girls

KINDO 

Need to cancel lunch?

With COVID around, we're getting a few calls about how to cancel lunch orders.
Here's a quick DIY reminder that takes no time at all!

PS. Remember to do it early! Cancellations are only available until the order cut-off time.

How to cancel...

1. Login to myKindo and go to my orders.
2. Find the correct delivery date.

Select Cancel and ok.

We're here to help!

Please get in touch with any questions, comments or feedback.

8am - 4pm Monday to Friday

09-869 5200 |  0800 EZLUNCH  |  0508 4KINDO
hello@mykindo.co.nz
http://support.mykindo.co.nz

BEGINNERS CHINESE  

After school classes in tutor’s home  

Weekly 45-min lessons  

Emphasis on speaking, listening, pronunciation  

Basic reading and writing also included  

Individual: $35  

Pair: $25 per student  

Group of three: $20 per student  

Group of four: $15 per student  

Enquiries: Roselle Dobbs 0220123774 / rosellemay@hotmail.com  

SUITABLE FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS  

(But kids learn quicker.... sssh!)

NetBall Skill Sessions

We are really excited to be able to offer HCNC Poipoia te Manawa Skill Sessions here at HCNC for Term 1 2022. Please visit our website for more information and to register:

Netball Skill Sessions Information

Scholarship Opportunities at Saint Kentigern College, Auckland

Saint Kentigern College is a leading independent co-educational Presbyterian secondary school in Auckland and offers scholarship opportunities for students who would be entering the College in Year 9 in 2023 and beyond.

We are really keen to reach out far and wide to young people who;

• demonstrate excellence in any area
• would uphold the Saint Kentigern values
• have an outstanding attitude
• have a clear vision of how they see themselves in the future and the contribution they would like to make to the world

Scholarships are available for up to 100% of tuition and Boarding.

Applications close on Friday 25 March 2022.

For more information about applying for a Scholarship to Saint Kentigern College, visit our website at https://www.saintkentigern.com/college/apply/scholarships/  or email Holly in our Admissions Team at skc_admissions@saintkentigern.com