A warm welcome to our new students: Hudson Ritchie, Peyton Chandler, Francis Kailea. 

Kia ora e te whaanau,

Yesterday at lunchtime, I had a lovely time sitting in the sun with a couple of students, just chatting and feeling grateful for our amazing school and students. Lately, we've been really focused on our School Values, and when you pay attention to something, you start noticing it everywhere. As I looked out onto the field, I saw kids playing sports, Year 8 students leading rugby training sessions for younger kids, children enjoying traditional Maaori games they had learnt during Rich Topic, and children being kind and caring to others and including others in games.

At Puketaha School, we have six core Values that are at the heart of everything we do. We've been talking about what these Values look like in action during our Monday morning whole school hui. Our Values are Aiming High, Respect, Fairness, Celebrating Differences, Integrity, and Care. They're all important and connected. The Maaori concept of Manaakitanga encompasses a lot of these ideas. Manaakitanga can be translated into ideas such as showing love and compassion, being kind and caring, looking after people, uplifting others, embracing different cultures, and showing respect.

By being clear about our School Values, we're helping our students become well-rounded learners who have a strong sense of what's right and can make good decisions. They learn to make choices that show empathy, respect, integrity, and compassion, and that's how they become positive members of society.

We've been busy noticing our Values in action, and the teachers and Year 8 students have been giving out 'Puketaha School Values Cards' that you might have heard about. Last week, we had around 300 names in a draw for some Ninja Valley vouchers, and we're doing another draw next Monday. Focusing on our Values has really brought out the best in our kids.

Thinking about our School Values got me wondering how explicit we've been about our family values. While we live our values and set an example, we haven't really talked about what our family values are. It would be a great conversation to have at home and figure out together what our values are and how we can show them. Although, my kids might expect us to hand out 'Family Values Cards' and enter a prize draw at home...

I hope you have a fantastic rest of the week, and let's hope the beautiful weather sticks around for the weekend!

Ngaa mihi,

Nyree Olliver

First off, a reminder that the Samosa Fundraiser orders close tomorrow, so can you please get orders and cash in by tomorrow night!  The link to the google order form is: https://forms.gle/XSwk4gChHPUHBwbRA

We would hate for anyone to miss out on these tasty snacks.

Next week (Thursday, June 1^st) we have the Puketaha School Cross Country so the PTA will be having a food stall with the usual sausage sizzle, juicies, and baking for sale. We are very grateful for any baking donations for this  (and for the EWCS event the following week)  if they could be handed into the office the morning of the event that would be awesome.  There is no Fun Friday next week due to the teacher-only day so the Thursday stall ties in nicely as the treat lunch offer for that week.

Thank you to all those who donated to the Scrap Metal collection. It was such awful weather on Saturday I was a bit worried that nothing was going to be collected, but Sunday was a lot better and even though there were a lot fewer donations compared to last year we still managed to fill the bin.

Thanks to Sonay Sharp and the Year 8 volunteers who have organised Milo Mondays. These will be a regular feature until further notice. They provide a nice cosy start to the school week.

There is 20% discount offer from the School Fundraising Shop for the month of June. Just use the code “winter warmer” and please nominate “Puketaha School” and we also will receive a 10% donation of all sales for the month. This site is handy for gifts for people of all ages who offer prompt delivery.  See flyer attached and check it out!

Next meeting:  Tuesday 6 June 7.30pm Puketaha School Staffroom.  All welcome.

Kind regards,

Merynn Connors

Chairperson

E: pta@puketaha.school.nz  M: 027 629 6820

We are seeking sponsorship from businesses to help fund the team's uniform. The team are provided with a uniform for the week, as well as a specially made Puketaha Sports Camp Jersey and socks that they can keep. Sponsors will have their company logo printed on the back of the Sports Jersey as well as have recognition in our newsletter during Term 3. 

If your company or business is able to sponsor our Sports Camp to help reduce the costs for our students, please email nyreeo@puketaha.school.nz. The cost of sponsorship is $500, and your contribution towards our students will be hugely appreciated. 

Thank you!

As you know, the Primary Teachers Collective Agreement has long since expired, and the Union is still in negotiations with the Government. At this stage, an agreement has not been made, and there is potential for another Strike on Wednesday, 31st May. This would mean the school would be closed for the day. 

Teachers do not take the decision to strike lightly and are not paid while on strike. There is, however, talk that a new offer is being put together, and if this offer is presented in time and accepted, the Strike will not go ahead. We will communicate this information as soon as we know. 

Absence: Please contact the School Office if your child is going to be absent or late for any reason.

This can be done via Text (message only no phone calls) to 020 404 28607.  Other options are the School App, Email or Office phone (07 8243870) 

Picking up children during the day: Please come into the School Office and sign your child/ren out if you are picking them up during the school day.  This is for their own safety.

As there have been some cases of Covid at school, here is a reminder about the isolation and testing rules from the Covid-19 Government Website

For a LIMITED TIME School Tracksuits will be available to order

Sizes available are 3-4y, 5-6y, 7-8y, 9-10y, 11-12y, 13-14y, 2XS ,XS, S, M, L , XL, 2XL
Garments can be initialled so they are easily identified
Orders will be taken up until 19th June – delivery will be 9th August (ready at school to collect)
The tracksuits can be collected from the schools office and payment made via Kindo

Email your order to mark@kukrisports.com with your size and initials e.g. (Adam Bradstreet – AB – XL top, XL bottom)

You will receive an email that your order has been received and added to the bulk order