Puketapu School Newsletter

Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart

Kia ora koutou,

Reminder:

Puketapu School will be closed TOMORROW Wednesday 15 August

Thank you to everyone for your kind words of support for our Teachers Strike tomorrow.

We really appreciate the manaaki you show ourselves and our profession.

We love teaching your children and want the best resources and support for them.

Matua Ngatai

Welcome to Hamu Adams and Katana Haddon who started at Puketapu School this week and to Scott Wakeling who starts on Thursday.

Birthday's this week:

• Sathveer Chand
  
• Ava Allan
• Trevahn Edwards
• Nusaybah Merdj
• Rynal Prasad

Totara Learning Team went to Lake Rotokare on Monday. It took a long time on the bus. When we finally got there Ash taught us about the predator proof fence that goes the whole way around the Lake. Then we had morning tea and looked at the Lizards and a fake Moa egg.

After that we split into 2 groups. We had turns going on a bush walk around the Lake where we learnt about the birds and plants around the lake from our awesome volunteer guides Ray and Sue.

We also looked at the traps and tracking tunnels that they have to get rid of any pests that do get in. We also had a turn in the bush classroom. First we played a game where we had to pretend to be the predator fence and some pests had to try and get Ash the kiwi in the middle.

We learnt how to make 4 different bird calls they were the toutouwai (robin), piwakawaka (fantail), hihi (stitchbird) and tieke (saddleback). In the bush there were 4 stations. We had to identify plants, work out what animal prints were on the tracking tunnel sheets, go bug hunting and catching and also we had to solve murder mysteries about predators.

Lake Rotokare is a kiwi guardian walk and because we found the special post with the secret code on it, Mrs Harvey is organising a special reward that will come to school soon. As a family check out the other kiwi guardian walks around the Taranaki and the country by going to https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/toyota-kiwi-guardians/

Congratulations to our Puketapu Superstars this week, who have been spotted showing our school values:

Kia kaha - Do your best

• Daniel Polata
  
• Alexis Lind
• Raven Falaniko
• James O'Neale
• Rosheel Prasad
• Amy-Jaide Paki
• Ayla Gadsby
• Davis Leaf
• Keira Adams
• Dayna Adamson
• Kade Davis
• Shylin Awa
• Noah Keith
• Poutama Murray
• Ryan McGreal
• Rory Lichtwark
• Cohen Allan
• Kayne Adrian
• Chayce Wilson
• Brianna Edgecombe
• Shaun Galiste
• Kierah Hosking
• Jeosh Rafal
• Whitiaahua Korewha-Tuavao
• Margaret Sioli
• Anton Roper
• Vinny Sturmey-Christiansen
• Divya Vathada
• Amaia Sherry
• Amarni Cooper
• Koda Herewini-Kelsen
• Luka Herewini-Kelsen
• Liam Puru
• Marley Sutherland
• Ngariki Brown
• Tyah Taiawa-Mckay
• Tayte Hancock
• Areiana Zandbergen
• Keanu Prestney
• Kobi Robinson
• Caylin Weideman
• Breanna Mehaney-Johnston
• Toby Radcliffe
• Mercedez Tagatauli
• Levi Roberts
• Emma Warring
• Kyla Dorne
• Lucas Tudor
• Bella Stainthorpe
• Achille de Bruyn
• Petra Keith
• James Barnard-Perry
• Imogen Den-McKay
• Kylie Bezuidenhout
• Marissa Gordon
• Lockie Urbahn
• Zion Teddy

Kia Manawanui - Have a heart

• Kascie Bridgeman-Reid
  
• Kaitlyn Veza
• Layla Hardgrave
• Amber MacDonald
• Alex Morrison

It's time! On Thursday morning we have our Cross Country: Fun Run & Walk (not dawdle).

Everyone takes part and we want everyone to dress up in their whanau group colours.

Here is the race order. Races will be approximately 5 minutes apart starting as close to 10am as possible.

This year we have changed the road/beach course which now takes the children out of the school at the back field, onto Dillon Drive and down to Glasgow Street where they will cross and head to the beginning of the Coastal Walkway.

From here they run along the beach and join the Coastal Walkway near the toilets which they will run along to where it meets the Mangati Walkway. The runners will run along here to the Lantana Ave exit point. From here they run up Lantana to Mangati, cross to Northpoint Church, through the car park and back to school.

Family are welcome to watch at any stage along this course. There are 13 marshals along the way to keep everyone safe as well as Mr B and Mr Walker on bikes. ( Thanks to the Lions Club and other community members for offering to do this)

This year our 10 year olds will run this course too. You will see in race 9 a category called Nine Plus.... these are the 9 year olds who opted to challenge themselves and have a go at this course. The other 9 year olds will run on the field at school.

Each runner will get a whanau point for participating as well as another point if they have dressed up.

The first 3 placegetters will get 20, 15 and 10 points for their whanau on top of the other points.

Don't forget to get an outfit sorted for Thursday.

Kiwi is yellow, Tui is blue, Kakapo is green and Piwakawaka is red!

Parents are encouraged to wear whanau colours too.

Winner of the Cake for a Can competition is... Mrs Whelan!

Thank you to everyone who brought in cans of fruit for Breakfast Club and special thanks to The White Pear Cafe for the delicious Carrot Cake.

As our roll increases, so does the number of students at the gate at mornings and afternoons.

When dropping off children, please use the Drop Off/Pick Up lane with consideration: drive as far forward as you can, drop off your children and move on as soon as you can.

At pick up times, please don't wait in the Drop Off/Pick Up lane - drive in as far forward as you can and move off as soon as you can.

If you are early or need to park, please park somewhere safely and considerately. You may need to park a little further away. Why not park around the corner in Marilyn or Jade Place or further along Dillon Drive? Alternatively, use the exits at Northpoint Church or the corner of the field around the corner on Dillon Drive.

Please show our values of Kia Manawanui - Have a Heart and avoid parking on Yellow Lines or the footpath and please keep people's driveways clear.

Now that the weather is starting to improve, it is a good time to use Park'n'Walk. Arrange a meeting place on Mangati Road, or further along Dillon Drive.

Cycling, scooting and walking to and from school are all great ways to get some fresh air, exercise and say hello to others in our community.

Tamata koutou pakeke!

Year 8 Ski Camp

Reminder to Year 8s: Your Consent Form and Medical Form for Ski Trip must be back by this Friday (17 August) if you want to go on Ski Camp.

Kauri Science Fair Showing

On Friday this week, the Kauri students will be showcasing their learning from science in Term 2. The students have been working individually or in small groups on a science fair investigation. Once topics and experiments were chosen the students set about testing and recording their data.

Some of these test and experiments did not turn out as well as we thought but we learn from this anyway!

Over the last week they have been presenting this information on a science board to share with their peers, friends and family.

Also, as part of the science showcase, we will have students ecosystem dioramas and Finding Little Blue projects to share as well.

Kauri look forward to seeing lots of whanau and friends on Friday afternoon from 2-3pm in the hall for our Science Showcase.

Quiz Night - Thursday 23 August

Home & School are holding a fundraising quiz night on Thursday 23 August at the Plymouth Hotel. Tickets are $10 each or $50 for a team of 6. Tickets are on sale at the school office or on the door on the night.

Choir Tickets

We have a limited number of tickets for the New Plymouth School Music Festival, on Wednesday 19 September, 7pm. $5 each at the office. First in, first served!

Sports Photos

We are delighted to have Le Toi Photography taking our sports photos this year! Photos for all teams will be taken at Northpoint Church on Mangati Road on Thursday 23 August. Photos will be $5 each. Children need to come along in their uniforms at the below times. Each team should only take 10 minutes. Even if you are not ordering, it is important that everyone comes along to be in their team’s photo.

3.40pm

• Touch: Under 6 Slade’s team
  
• Miniball Year 1/2 Robbie’s team
  

4.00pm

• Touch Under 8 Phil’s team
  
• Touch Under 8 Jason’s team
  
• Netball year 3/4 April’s team
  
• Netball year 3/4 Rebecca’s Team
  

4.40pm

• Miniball Year 3/4 Gold Hayley’s team
  
• Miniball Year 3/4 Green Michael’s team
  
• Touch Under 10 Miss Megaw’s Team
  
• Touch Under 10 Brody’s Team
  

5.30pm

• Netball Year 5/6 Diamonds Kayla
  
• Netball Year 5/6 Pulse Sarah’s team
  
• Touch Under 12 Mr B Team’s team
  
• Touch Under 12 Aleasha’s Team’s team
  

6.10pm

• Basketball Year 5/6 Green Jon and Mr B’s team
  
• Basketball Year 5/6 Gold Mrs Gotz’s team
  
• Touch Intermediate Pani’s team

6.40pm

• Basketball Year 8 Mrs Whelan and Mr B
  
• Netball Year 7/8 Rebecca’s team
  
• Netball Year 7/8 Fiona’s team
  
• Canoe Polo

NP Cross Country

This year's NP Primary Schools Cross Country Champs will be held Tuesday 11 September at Peringa Park. School will enter the children and do the online registrations. It is up to parents to take your children if you think they would like to have a go. This week's cross country will be a good indicator of how competitive your child is. They do not need to qualify as such but would need to be able to run just over 2km cross country. More details to follow as we receive them.

Harold is coming! We are delighted that this year our sessions with the Life Education Trust will be at no cost to students. Every child at school will be involved!. We look forward to another programme of fun and learning with Harold and the team, starting next Monday.

Be Seen, Tīaho Mai Day

The Be Seen Tiaho Mai school campaign is aimed at students, their school and whanau. The key message is to be seen on our roads, when out walking, riding, running, skating, scootering to school, crossing roads, or waiting for the bus...

We have chosen Tuesday 21 August as our day. There will be colouring competitions, take home activities and giveaways, but most of all we want everyone to dress up in their brightest colours!

Quiz night! Some big Projects are coming up for our Home and School! Awesome prizes to be won. Spot prizes, raffles, book a table! Will be a great night out. Thursday 23 August at the Quality Hotel, 7pm

Wednesday 15 August

NZEI strike day - SCHOOL CLOSED

Kapa Haka Noho Day

Thursday 16 August

Puketapu School Cross Country Fun Run & Walk. Starts 10am. Don't forget to dress up in your whanau group colours!

Friday 17 August

Puketapu School Cross country postponement date

Student Showcase (Kowhai)

Kauri Science Fair showing - 12.30 - 3pm

Monday 20 August

Life Education Trust Bus arrives

Tuesday 21 August

Life Ed Bus

Rotary Readers

Skills for Life

Be Safe, Be Seen: Whole school dress up day - wear your brightest colours!

Kapa Haka

Wednesday 22 August

Life Ed Bus

NPGHS / NPBHS - enrolment interviews (Year 8s)

Thursday 23 August

Life Ed Bus

Spotswood College enrolment interviews (Year 8s)

Sports Team Photos for all teams (at Northpoint Church)

Home & School Quiz Night, 7pm, Plymouth Hotel

Friday 24 August

Tatarakihi Kapa Haka Festival - The Hub, Hawera

Monday 27 August - Confirmed date for Year 7&8 Interschool netball (Burkhart Cup) and football tournaments, both in Stratford

Tuesday 28 August - Bell Block/Puketapu Year 7/8 Rugby v St Josephs Hawera @ Puketapu 12.00pm

Friday 31 August - Student Showcase (Totara)

Monday 3 September - Bell Block/Puketapu Year 7/8 Rugby v Inglewood @ Inglewood 12.30pm, Home & School Meeting 6pm

Tuesday 4 September - Taki Rua Show - 9.15am - Mihi Whakatau, 9.30am show starts - ($2 each) http://www.takirua.co.nz/hine-kihawai)

Thursday 6 September - Omata Cross Country Years 7/8, Board of Trustees Meeting

Monday 10 September - Keep NZ Beautiful Clean Up week, Ski Trip - Year 8

Tuesday 11 September - NP Primary Schools Cross country, Peringa Park

Wednesday 12 September - Kaitiaki: Wetlands and lagoon visit

Friday 14 September - Student Showcase (Rimu)

Wednesday 19 September - Dental Bus on site until end of term, Taranaki Music Festival

Saturday 22 September - Men in Education - Rugby - Taranaki v Manawatu (Curtain Raiser to Taranaki v Auckland - Mitre 10 Cup)

Tuesday 25 September - Puketapu Road Patrol Reward Afternoon

Wednesday 26 September - Taranaki Cross-Country - Hawera

Friday 28 September - Last day of term! Loud Shirt Day

The Taranaki Toy Library has their Children's Monster Book Sale on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 September. They are collecting quality second hand books, so if you have any used but still in good condition books to donate, please pop them in the box in Reception.

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