Newsletter 201530 - 23 September 2015

Welcome

A special welcome to new students and their whanau: Rachel Waiariki and Tanahi Richardson.

 

This week we Welcome back Whaea Stevie to Tumanako as she returns to us from Maternity leave and student teachers Alison Davis to Room 15, and Kembell Dodrell to Room 1.

 

CondolencesOur condolences to the Stillwell whanau.

There will be a number of staff attending the funeral therefore we may have a few relievers covering classes.  Anthony will be laid to rest this Thursday, 24th September, with a church service starting 10am at St Anthony’s Catholic Church followed by his burial at the Kaikohe Lawn Cemetery.

If whanau are wishing to attend with their children please feel free to do so.

 

Principal’s Award

Last week’s Principal’s Award goes to Wiruru Leaf for being an awesome role model.

 

Kutus

A reminder to whanau to please check your children’s hair for kutus.  We are, unfortunately, still seeing cases at school.  We still have kutu combs available at the school office.

 

Cultural Festival

The annual Cultural Festival was held last Thursday at Northland College.  What a successful event! We are so proud of our tamariki in both the Kapahaka and hip hop groups.  Here are a few photos of the day.

Chromebook/iPad use

Thank you to everyone who completed and returned our Chromebook/iPad survey last week. 

Here are a few of the comments so far:

·      Depends if the children get to keep the Chromebooks.

·      $400 is a lot of money most cannot afford, the risk of theft that is common in schools at the moment.

·      Education is suppose to be free and I feel there should be funding for this, I can afford one but it is the principle.

·      I feel children should learn to write in books in general to improve hand writing skills instead of depending on computers all the time.  However, it is good to learn how to use a computer for the future.

·      I have 3 children attending and am on a benefit and just managing.  Any more items would put a strain on us at home.

·      Let’s be together with the rest of the world.

·      Balance between both Chromebooks and book/writing would be preferable.

 

Swap a Book day

Children can bring books from home they no longer want. Give to Mrs Maihi and on the last Monday of term they can choose another, or others, to take home. If this is successful we will make it a regular event.

 

Photos

School photos are back. We will not just send photos home with children unless whanau ask us to. Feel free to call in and collect your photos from the office.

If you wish to re-order class photos this can be done also by calling into the office with your order and payment.

 

Choir

Currently there are senior children involved in the School Choir preparing for the Kids for Kids evening at The Centre in Kerikeri on 20 October.

 

Art Exhibition

The Social Workers in Schools are holding their annual art exhibition under the title of Tupuna Matauranga on the 1st and 2nd October 2015 1-2/10/15 (first week of the school holidays) at the Kaikohe Memorial Hall.