Kia ora te whaanau,

It was great seeing so many family members here on Tuesday last week at our Year 3- 8 Athletics day. Puketaha School has some strong athletes who were able to show off their skills, and it was also neat to have the element of fun as well. At the end of Athletics, there is always the teacher, Year 8 and parent relay. It was very competitive this year with two parent teams. However, as it has been for many years, the Year 8 students won the relay against all the adults. They obviously have the massive advantage of youth on their side. 

This year, Puketaha School has been working hard on one of our goals of strengthening our school-wide rituals and routines that embrace Te Ao Maaori and Tikanga. As a teaching team, we reflected recently on how we have been tracking towards this goal. We identified how teachers use Te Reo more confidently, and Te Reo is more visual in the learning environments. In addition, teachers have been incorporating Whakataukii, and our tamariki are singing Waiata. As well as that, every Friday, Mr Harper has been teaching Te Reo and Tikanga across all the classes and supporting our teaching team during Professional Learning Sessions with pronunciation. 

Looking ahead to 2023, we are pleased to be able to provide Kapahaka lessons to all our students. A lovely and very experienced Kapahaka tutor, Troy Reire, will teach our students every Thursday. All learning environments will get a session with her where they will learn a wide range of traditional Waikato-Tainui waiata, poi, and haka, as well as all the Tikanga learning that will come from being involved in these Kapahaka lessons with Whaea Troy. Whaea Troy has also kindly offered to start a few lessons this year with our Puaawai students.

Term 4 is the term for events with still many to come. Today we have been enjoying Greats and Grands day, Kaakano Athletics day tomorrow, and Roopuu Kaakano 2 have their sleepover. Roopuu Maahuri is excited about camp next week, and we also have our Term 4 Student-Led conferences. All these shared experiences allow us to connect as a community and build a sense of whaanaungatanga. 

At assembly this week, we talked about the word whaanaungatanga and how all of our community events and relationships help build whaanaungatanga. We were also able to make connections with our 6 C of being a ‘Contributor', particularly the element of 'being involved in and enriching their community' and 'having a positive influence on others.' 

We look forward to continuing to see so many parents at the events to come. 

Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Ngaa mihi nui,

Nyree

EWCS Athletics Day Wednesday 23^rd November

Puketaha School has been asked to run a food stall at the East Waikato Country Schools Athletics Day at Porritt Stadium next Wednesday.  We would appreciate any baking contributions from across the school community for this event. Could they be dropped at the school office by 8.45am on the day of the event, or if your child is competing and you are coming along to support them you could drop something off at the event. If you have some free time and would like to help with the stall, please can you let me know as well.

We also have our annual P.T.A Disco coming up on the Monday 12th December. Just a reminder put it in your calendar. More information will come out closer to the time. 

Please use the discount code "schoolshop20" to receive a 20% discount for purchases from School Fundraising Shop www.schoolfundraisingshop.org.nz -  This code is valid up until December 4th 2022.  Our PTA receives a 10% kickback on any purchases made through this website.

Not much else to report this week except to thank Tineke for organising the Gin Fundraiser (through an award winning local company). If you would like to support this initiative, please check your emails from 07/11/22 for the link to the order form or it is on the School App Alert from yesterday.  Orders close Friday 25^th November.

Kind regards,

Merynn Connors

PTA Chairperson

M: 027 6296890   E: pta@puketaha.school.nz

New World Rototuna has kindly made a generous donation to our school to help with the replacement of some of our old devices. Thank you New World Rototuna!

Wednesday 23rd November EWCS Athletics Day

Thursday & Friday 24th & 25th November Year 3 and 4 Camp

29th November - 1st December Student-Led Conferences 

Thursday 8th December Rainbows End Trip 

Friday 9th December Community Christmas Picnic 

Monday 12th December PTA School Disco - note date change

Thursday 15th December -  Prizegiving, Reports home

Friday 16th December -  Last Day of the Year.  School finishes at 12pm

Term Dates 2023

Term 1: 7 February to 6 April

Term 2: 24 April to 30 June

Term 3: 17 July to 22 September

Term 4: 9 October - 15 December