A warm welcome to our new students:  Alex Moon, Jason Yoo, Cooper Olsen, Eddie Martinovich, Erith Martinovich, Georgia Bennett, Hadley Shilcock

Kia ora koutou,

Nau mai, hoki mai. Welcome back!

I hope this message finds you well and ready for another great term. It sounds like many of the children had an enjoyable break and have returned with stories to share of family holidays, spending time with family, and lots of excitement for the term ahead. 

Last Friday, as a country, we celebrated Matariki. Matariki marks the start of the Maaori New Year and is a time to remember those who have passed, spend time with whaanau, reflect on the year that has been and set goals for the future. 

In reflection of the last term, a highlight for the tamariki were the Student Led Conferences. The students really valued that time with you all, talking about their learning and celebrating their efforts so far. There were many very proud children, so thank you for coming in and being alongside your child. We had one of our biggest turnouts, with 88% family attendance. We know other families, too, would have loved to have made it, but illness, for example, meant they couldn’t come. Seeing the children being able to talk about their learning feels good for the staff and leadership team, as it shows how the children have a sense of ownership, which is something we aim to achieve. Having three-way conversations between children, whaanau, and teachers also helps with school and family connections, which we also value and know positively impact children’s learning. 

Looking ahead to Term 3, Roopuu Puaawai have their Production this term. There is already a buzz in the air regarding this. Our Year 4- 8 Students are also working on their speeches for the InterSchool Speech Competition, and our Sports Camp group is starting to practice their sporting codes for their upcoming camp. 

It’s been so nice to have all the children back. Being part of your children’s learning journey is a real privilege. We look forward to another term of working together for the benefit of our tamariki.

Ngaa mihi,

Nyree Olliver

Thank you to the families that agreed to sell chcoolates as a school fundraiser.  Please pay $72 per box by cash to the school office or by internet banking.  School bank account number 12-3171-0283600-00 with family name and chocolates as reference.  

Payment would be appreciated by next Monday 24th July.

Hello from the PTA and welcome to term 3 to all, especially any new school families. Our PTA is always on the lookout for new people to help with events and fundraisers, so please come along to the next meeting if you are able (Tuesday 01 August 7.30pm School Staffroom) to see what we are all about.

We have a few things lined up for Term 3. The first is a social event to which everyone is invited to but we are limited to 100 tickets so if you are keen, be quick to purchase a ticket via Kindo. It is a Musical Bingo Night to be held Saturday 5th, August at The Keg Bar & Eatery in Rototuna.   It will be a fun night with a “Dress up as a Musical Icon” theme (not compulsory). There are some fantastic prizes and raffles to be won. Thank you to Shannon Belosovich for heading this event.  If you can help in any way with sponsorship (prizes etc), we would love to hear from you.  See the poster attached for details. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow. (Friday 21^st July.)

Later this term we are doing a “Gumdrops Desserts” fundraiser. These are super popular and we have lots of people suggest this as a winner of an idea.   So keep this in the back of your mind that you can support Puketaha School with this, I think order forms will be sent out in week 6.

Our third major event for this term will be another Monster Garage Sale towards the end of term   (September 16^th). This is a way for us to all have a cleanout and feel good about the Reduce/Reuse/Recycle mantra and the community and school both benefit.  This year we are looking to have a Car Boot/Stall Holder option in conjunction with this.  

Thank you to those families who have been collecting the Yummy Stickers as part of the School Sticker programme. We have to send these of by the end of this term so all sticker sheets (or partially completed ones) need to be in the office by Friday 15^th September.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Merynn Connors

PTA Chairperson

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

Introduction of an ezlunch service fee
A new service fee of 50 cents per child's lunch has been introduced this week. It will add the amount per order, so please order all items for your child per day in one transaction, if you make separate orders the system will add the fee twice.
This will be added automatically at checkout. It will apply for ezlunch only.
The service fee contributes to ongoing system improvements and compliance costs, so we can provide a safe and convenient service. It also ensures our dedicated team can continue to work with food providers on high quality menus, packaging and delivery services as well as fast and effective helpdesk support. Thank you for supporting this service! 

 For help and support 0508 4KINDO

Thank you so much to these generous community-focused businesses. Your support towards the Year 7 and 8 Sports Camp has helped reduce the cost of the camp for our students. 

Puketaha Road & Gordonton Road Update

Our contractors are working hard on site during a very wet winter to try and get our intersection upgraded is a safe and timely manner.  For us to continue making good progress, we will still be working under a stop/go until 4pm (or slightly later) most days.  We know that this is frustrating for people who have to queue in traffic and we ask that you stay patient and allow a bit of extra time in your daily travel to collect your children from school or early child care centre.

As for progress, we have removed most of the existing road along Puketaha Road and Gordonton Road and started to rebuild the road.  We are currently testing the ground at different levels to make sure that we are constructing a robust pavement that will last for many years.

Please keep in mind that once this project is completed, it will be much safer for you and your whanau to travel through this intersection, via the new roundabout.  In line with the Waka Kotahi, Road to Zero strategy, Hamilton City Council are upgrading intersections in our city, to keep our residents and visitors safe, while travelling in and around our city.

Once again, we thank you for your patience. 

Squash Programme

Girls' after school Squash programme

This programme is 4 weeks long and aimed at girls aged 9-18 (Years 5-13) and will be delivered  at Ruakura Squash Club (located in the Innovation Park in Ruakura).