TE PĀNUI O TE KURA O PUKETAPU

Kia Manawanui - Have a Heart

Kia Māia - Be Courageous

Kia Kaha - Do Your Best

Kia Ora - Be Well

Last Friday we had the blessing and opening of our new classrooms. The whole school came together as well as other members from the community. It was our first time singing together as a whole school in 2 years because of COVID and the restrictions. We got to preform our new song that Matua Phil has been teaching us about our Kura and rohe.

The Taranaki Daily News came and took photos & interviewed the Head Students. We were in todays newspaper, here is the link to the online article.

I love the new spaces because they are a cool vibe and smell really nice.

Esther Poching - Kauri 2

Our whole school singing Te takiwa o Puketapu for the first time together. This song is still new to our Kura and some students had only just learnt it.

Te Atiawa Iwi came to lead the blessing. Matua Te Poihi shared the meaning and why we were doing the blessing. Matua Hoani told us about how important it was for our Kura.

All the Leaders and some staff were given kawa kawa leaves to use while blessing the building. We walked around the outside and the inside of the new building with the kawa kawa and lightly touched the walls and furniture.

We are looking forward to moving into our new classrooms next week.

Harper Sutherland - Kauri 2

Iwi, Board of Trustees, Senior Staff, Student Leaders and Kaiako touching the outside of the building with kawa kawa leaves.

We are delighted that our beautiful new learning spaces are now complete, which means we can begin moving in next week.

However, as one building works finishes, another is almost ready to begin. The space currently occupied by Totara 4&5 (formerly the Library) is going to be refurbished, starting later this term.

So, the moves coming up will be:

Week 3 (16-20 May) - The three Kauri classes (Mr Lewis, Mrs J and Whaea Elle) will relocate to three of the four new building classrooms.

Week 4 (23-27 May) - Kowhai 4, 5 & 6 (Mrs Perry, Matua Brody and Mr Goodwin) will move into the three classrooms where Kauri are now.

Week 5 (30 May-3 June) - Totara 4&5 will move into the space where Kowhai 4&5 are now (formerly the Hall)

We are delighted to confirm that for the remainder of 2022, we will be using the fourth learning space in the new building as a Library/Friendship Space. This space will be called Te Puna Ako which means The Learning Spring. After more than three years without a dedicated space, we are delighted to finally get a Library space back. Although it will move for 2023, having it in the new building for this year means that every child in our school gets to enjoy our wonderful new learning space. It also means that learning teams are able to stay together.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking for some volunteers to help us set up our Library, so if you are interested, please contact the school office.

It is with a sense of joy, excitement and sadness that we communicate with you all that Julia Johnstone has won a teaching position at New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Joy because Julia’s journey started with us as a Learning Assistant and we have had the privilege of being part of the journey to the teacher she is today, excitement as the position at NPBHS is a wonderful step for Julia as she further develops as an educator and sadness because Julia is a valuable member of our team, part of our whānau and well respected by her colleagues, tamariki and whānau.

Our congratulations Julia.

As Julia says:

Puketapu has been my second home for almost 8 years and I must now show Kia Maia as I step away from my comfort zone and take up this new challenge. I have seen the kura go through immense change and challenges in my years here. It has been the strength and understanding of the staff and the leadership team that has seen us come through those times as a stronger unit. Being a part of the Puketapu Whanau has not only shaped the teacher I am today but the person I have become. Puketapu certainly has a way of entering your soul and taking up permanent residence in your heart.

We are currently in the process of advertising for the most suitable kaiako (teacher) for Kauri 3. NPBHS has been very considerate in working with us to allow time for us to undertake this process and we are able to retain Julia until the end of Term 2 unless a suitable candidate is available earlier. In either event, we would transition the new kaiako carefully.

We wish Julia all the very best in her new role and will keep you informed once a new teacher has been confirmed.

On Wednesday some of our year 7's had a great day at the ZEAL leadership day.

They won a basket full of chocolate for their creative photo. Mrs Perry ran to the top of the Centre City car park to get the shot while the kids spelt out ‘ZEAL’ and Mrs Wiggly summoned the birds into the photo.

The winning photo 'ZEAL' spelt out by our tamariki

On Thursday we went on a trip to the Maunga. The reason we went up there is because we are learning about 'The Living World'. We went on the walks, looked at the bush and other living things. It was fun to get out of the classroom and explore outside. I thought it would be really cold but it was a sunny hot day. - Kingston Benton, Kauri 3

Two buses came to school to pick us up. It felt like a long drive up there. When we got there we sat down on the bank near the museum, then split up into groups and did three different rotations. All three were different walks. The first was a nature walk explaining about the different feelings of surroundings. The second was a history walk and we looked at the old camp sites. The third was another history type walk and we went to see the monument.

Thank you to the Kauri teachers for taking us. - Taylor Harvey, Kauri 2

Māhinarangi Rutene took charge of the camera during the Mountain trip and took some wonderful photos of nature and the surroundings.

Check out some of Māhinarangi's awesome photos below.

Mahi nui Māhinarangi

A collage of some of Māhinarangi Rutene's photos from Thursdays trip

Positive Behaviour for Learning - this week we continue to explore our School Values - Kia Manawanui, Kia Māia, Kia Kaha and Kia Ora and what they mean to us.

Week 2 Superstars!

Kua pai te mahi - Rihari Hotene, Te Waiaurere Mahinekura,

Jakaila Hori, Lucy Nicholas, Addison Leathley, Hanale Adams, Levi James Hotene, Charlie Ryan & Daetin Taylor

Mako Values Awards are new awards we have introduced this term. These are awarded every two weeks to one student per class who consistently shows all our values.

Fortnightly on a Friday our Mako Award winners will join our Principal/Deputy Principal for a special morning tea to celebrate them.

Today the below students joined Mrs O and Matua Brody in the Tech room for morning tea;

Kauri 1: Jurnee Rei, Kauri 2: Brianna O'Keeffe-Wano, Kauri 3: Māhinarangi Rutene

Kowhai 1: Divyasri Vathada, Kowhai 2: Greta Phillips, Kowhai 3: Bonnie Rupe, Kowhai 4: Addison Leathley, Kowhai 5: Nixon Gadsby, Kowhai 6: Addyson Chaloner

Totara 1: Erika Asai, Totara 2: Travis Purdie, Totara 3: Levi James Hotene, Totara 4: Hayzyn Ruakere, Totara 5: Kobie Wilson

Rimu 1: Willow Deed, Rimu 2: Avaleigh Crean, Rimu 3: Hudson Ryan

Tackling bullying is something that needs everyone to play their part - school, whanau and students.

Bullying-Free New Zealand Week an annual nationwide event aiming to raise awareness of how to prevent and respond to bullying and provides an opportunity for schools to highlight their everyday work to counter bullying.

As part of Bullying Free New Zealand, we will be sharing with you some of the many things we do to identify, resolve and prevent bullying in our school.

As always, if you suspect that your child is involved with any bullying (or if you have any concerns about anything at all), the first step is to talk to your class teacher.

Puketapu School is joining the movement on Pink Shirt Day (Friday 20 May 2022), and encouraging our staff and students to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Bullying in Aotearoa is a real problem. We have the third-highest rate of school bullying out of 36 OECD countries and one in 10 workers feels discriminated against or bullied at work. Those bullied are far more likely to experience mental health issues.

Pink Shirt Day works to reduce bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms and supporting schools, workplaces and communities to be safe, supportive, welcoming and inclusive for everyone. To celebrate this important kaupapa we’ll be dressing up in pink and celebrating how much we value everyone at Puketapu School.

You can learn more about Pink Shirt Day here: www.pinkshirtday.org.nz

If you are picking your child up by car, please show our school values and only use the pick up / drop off zone as it should be used.

If you arrive before the bell, please park further up the street, or around the corner on Maralyn or Jade Place, or even on Mangati Road.

Parents of older students, why not arrange a place to meet?

There are three entrances so your child could:

- walk across the field to Northpoint Church car park

- walk to the Te Ara o Tuna which leads to further down Dillon Drive

Thank you for showing your consideration to those with younger children.

Did you know this week is New Zealand Sign Language Week?

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) was made an official language of New Zealand in 2006.

NZSL is the language of New Zealand’s deaf community.

Use the below chart to learn how to spell your name in NZSL.

Did you know our Puka tree will be the parent of many baby trees going all around the country?

It is a great example of a large Griselinia lucida (the big cousin of the Griselinia littoralis that is seen in many local hedges.)

Janica Amoore of Woodleigh Nurseries came to our school to collect some seeds from our tree. These will be planted at Woodleigh Nurseries, then go out to councils and garden centres all over the country.

Such tiny seeds... which one day may be huge trees like ours!

The new menu items have been a HIT!!!

Yesterday we had delicious Butter Chicken with a secret recipe sauce from Chef Charlotte.

We are waiting for confirmation from the Ministry to share our Term 2 menu. We will send it out to whānau as soon as we can.

Tui Robinson, Preston Cooper, Romie Marlow and Sophie Engels from Totara 4 & 5 enjoying their spaghetti pasta

Winter sports are all up and running.

Here are some of our teams ready for action this week.

If you have some photos from sport please send them in. office@puketapu.school.nz

Breakfast Club

Providing a free breakfast every Monday-Thursday, our Breakfast Club is very popular!

CAN you help with their BRING A CAN competition? Check out this video for details:

Please have your orders in before the end of May :)

Week 2 has been a busy one!

This term we have players from the Taranaki Airs basketball team coming in to run some coaching. This week was our 1st lesson. All the students had an awesome time playing out in the sun. We are all looking forward to the next few lessons.

Kowhai 4 & 5 being Kaitiaki by picking up rubbish from around the school. We collected and sorted the rubbish from different areas in the school to see where the most was found. We are now making a plan of how we can help reduce rubbish in our school.

Board games in Kowhai

Learning Rugby skill on the field

Sophie Jacobsen, Savannah Tunnicliff-Jury & Charlotte Mangain showing Kia Manawanui in the playground

Totara 4/5 learning fractions with pikelets

Connect 4 and cards in Kowhai

Tamariki climbing the trees outside our new classrooms

If you have anything you would like to share or celebrate from home please email it to ksmith@puketapu.school.nz

Happy Birthday to all those students who have Birthdays coming up over the next week:

• Sophie Engels
• Brayden Loveridge
• Amaia Sherry
• Karla Spies
• Harrison Spark
• Damon Judd
• Harlee Ruwhiu
• Kaylee Mortensen
• Koen Adams
• Kylah Neilson
• Taylor Harvey
• Michael Phillips
• Nikayda Taylor
• Deja Tohi

Upcoming Whole School Events/Dates

Please check the Hero App for more dates and information

Friday 20 May

• Pink Shirt Day: Dress up in PINK to support Pink Shirt Day

Wednesday 25 May

• NYLD Conference - Student Leaders in Palmerston North
  

Monday 6 June

• Queens Birthday - School Closed

Friday 24 June

• Matariki - School Closed

Friday 8 July

• Last day of Term 2

Before and After School care at Puketapu School with The Lemon Club.

Check out their link for more info.

https://enrolmy.com/the-lemon-club/book-now/5-Before-and-After-school-care-at-Puketapu-School-Term-1-2022

When: Friday 20 May 1:00 – 5:00 pm,

Where: La Mer Room, Pukekura Function Centre, Pukekura Raceway.

Purpose: To encourage young people to enter training in the energy sector (scientists, engineers, technicians) to support the future low emissions energy ecosystem in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aim: Interactive expo for students, the general public and families showcasing the future of energy alongside representatives from regional organizations.

Cost: The event is offered free of charge.

Activities: Expo style event open to the public featuring exhibitors from science & research, education & training, and local energy companies.

Come and speak with scientists, engineers, and other energy professionals about how we are helping change the way we produce and use energy. Find out how you can make a difference with a future career in energy! How can I find out more information? Please visit our Techweek or Facebook page and share with your friends and colleagues!

https://techweek.co.nz/whats-on/programme/view/your-future-in-energy-science-tech-andcareers-expo-226/ https://www.facebook.com/events/532262825167828

Contact our team to register your interest: Collin Quarrie (GNS Science) Carrie Morgan (Venture Taranaki) c.quarrie@gns.cri.nz carriem@venture.co.nz 022 390 7707

Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973