Carter Haman, Xander Meyer, Cyrus Grimmer, Ryder Stowers-Beange, Joel Griffiths, Kaiya Schaeffers, Lauren MacPherson, Isobelle McNamara, Lachlan Bullen, Ivey van Zyl, Micah McNaughton, Aria Jenkins, Caitlin Perry, Emma Perry, Ivy Perry, Aoife Bullen and Harlen Lalich

Dear Parents/Caregivers and Children,

WELCOME BACK! What an amazing first couple of days we have had here at school. The energy around the place was very much a replica of the type of energy you get from Tigger the Winnie the Pooh character. Children were bouncing, Teachers bouncing and yes lots and lots of parents were bouncing too, especially has they left for the morning... Possibly had something to do with the 7 week break?

Personally, I was once again very fortunate to have a lovely summer that seemed to be a nice blend of rest and recreation with extended family and friends. However, trust I am no different from many of you and was more than ready for school to start back. While I love my two boys to bits... I was looking forward to replacing 'Dad' (462 times per day) with Mr Booth. 

A highlight for us was our annual voyage to Waihi Beach. It really is paradise. This year I thought I best try and keep up with the boys and see if I maybe able to tackle this surfing thing, so I had a go...once! Unfortunately, it was a similar scene to a bear on a swiss ball, so I might have another go next decade!

Over the next few weeks, the team, B.o.T and I will be finalising our School Charter and Annual Actions for the year. Much information goes into the creation of this document. Information such as our end of year data analysis, our 2018 community survey and my one to one interviews with our team at the end of the year. We look forward to having this document ready for viewing by early March and can be found on our website. 

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Meet the Teacher Family Picnic tonight starting at 5.30pm. 

Invoices will be emailed to parents/ caregivers next week.

Sports Subsidy Fee

There are a number of sports fixtures that are organised during the year.  Events are age/qualifying standard dependent.  The sports fee is a one off cost of $10 for Year 4 and $30 for Year 5 and above, this is due at the beginning of the year. The charge helps to cover costs including EWCS membership, bus charter to events and entry fees

For 2019 each child in Years 5 -8 will be allocated a shirt at the beginning of the year.  A hire fee is included in the sports fee.  We expect that children will remember to bring them for school sports events, keep them clean and use them only for the appropriate activities,..  A pair of black shorts is also part fo the school sports uniform, Kukri black shorts with the school logo on are available at the School Office for $25.50.

Participation in sports events is part of the school programme and children are expected to attend unless they have medical reason not to do so.

Footsteps Dance Programme

Puketaha School will again be using the services of Footsteps to run the dance programme, this is happening in Term 4 only, at a cost of $35 - due at the end of Term 3.

Year 7 & 8 Technology Fees

This year the Year 7 & 8 students will be attending technology at Morrinsville Intermediate every Friday afternoon.  The cost of this is directly charged to the school and is for the students resources, cost is yet to be confirmed.

The School Donation

The donation request  is a very reasonable $100 per year (only $2.50 per week), we appreciate your support of your childrens' school in paying this.

Fee Payment

Payments can be set up though Kindo - if you have not already signed up the link is via the School Website.  Cash payments can be made at the school office.  Please see Christine at the office of you have any questions about fee payments, as always if paying school fees is causing a problem please get in touch so we can support you with this.

Pick up and drop off times - Children are to be dropped off at school no earlier than 8.20am. We would also appreciate parents and caregivers picking up your children promptly at the end of the day.

Parking & Childrens safety - There are two areas available for delivering your children to school and picking them up in the afternoon.  Please escort your children to the school gate and pick them up from the school gate. Please use the designated paths and crossing on Sainsbury Road.

YMCA Out of School Care Programme is operating out of the PAC.  Please contact 838 2529 for more information or Register here

Absences - Please notify the School Office if your child or children are going to be away from school, or late for any reason.  This can be done via text (only) 020 404 28607, leaving a message on the school phone 07 824 3870 or via email.  Thank you.

School App update - now is a good time to check your notfication settings on the school app so you can be kept up to date of what is happening for your child(ren) at school.

Water Only - Puketaha School is a water only school - this means that there is no flavoured milk drinks or juice.  Children should have their own drink bottles.

Scholsatic Book Orders - Book orders for the latest flyer are due on February 22nd.

Hats - All children are to wear a hat for outdoor activies during Term 1  

A Vision & Hearing Technician will be visiting our school on Monday 10th February.  Children who are checked will be: children who have not completed vision and hearing checks as part of the B4 school check.  Children who were absent from a previous visit, require retests or follow up, new immigrants, all Year 7 students - vision only.

If there is a genuine concern, parents and teachers may request a vision or hearing check, parents must consent to this.

If any parents/ caregivers do not want their children to be checked, or their child is currently under a specialist for a vision and hearing defect they should let the school know.

Public health nurses will be delivering two school-based immunisation programmes in your child’s school during 2019.

After the education session, your child will be given a consent form to bring home for you to choose whether or not to have your child immunised by the Public Health Nurses at school.

For further information on these vaccines phone 0800 IMMUNE (466 863)

Public Health Nurse:  Anne McNicol                            Phone 021761594

Gymnastics Academy

Saturday Music Classes

Enrolments are now open for Term One 2019 at the Waikato Community School of Music (formerly Hamilton Community Centre of Music). The first session is on Saturday 9th February. The school caters for all ages (3 to retired) and ability levels. We offer both group-format music tuition in a range of instruments, as well as an Exam Stream one-to-one option for students who wish to prepare for exams and/or work towards NCEA credits. Group-format class fees range from $39 to $99 per term (average 8 lessons) depending on age and instrument. The enrolment fee for an instrument class includes participation in as many of our ensembles as the student wishes.

A music appreciation/readiness programme (Music Makers) is available from age 3. Young Voices children’s choir caters for those ages 9+. Class times are between 8am and 1:00pm on Saturdays during primary school terms. The centre is located on the University of Waikato campus in Hillcrest.

Contact us via our website http://wcsm.ac.nz/ or on 07 838 4611

Puketaha Road Closure

Puketaha Road will be closed at the bridge site on Saturday 9 February 2019. 

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.