MENPS News

Kia ora koutou,

Next week brings our Parent Conferences, and an opportunity to touch base before the end of Term 1.

We began the year with a focus on ‘re-setting' in many respects, welcoming the children back to school full-time and assessing their learning through a combination of teacher judgement, observation and key assessment tasks at each year level.

We've consciously avoided the temptation to rush into an avalanche of formal testing or attempts to put the pressure on to ‘catch up’ as we are committed to taking a longer view of the children’s development over time. This begins with making sure that they are as happy, settled and focused on their learning goals as possible.

In this sense, the approach we are taking is less of a 'sprint' and more of a 'marathon', but we’ve been genuinely delighted with the positive, productive start the children have made at every year level.

Academically, the teachers have had time to focus on building strong, learning-focused relationships and getting a clear sense of the strengths and priorities for each learner, which has helped them to set relevant goals and lay firm foundations for progress in key areas.

As we all know, the last couple of years have meant that the children’s general wellbeing and social re-connection has also been an important consideration. This is an essential pre-condition for learning and school life in general, particularly for younger learners who missed significant foundational time at school during lockdown.

Overall, we have found that the children have arrived back ready to learn and adapted remarkably quickly to evolving conditions at Red setting, engaging very positively both in the classroom and out.

As case numbers reduce and life at school feels incrementally more 'normal', events like this week's Y4-6 Rippa have been particularly enjoyable examples of this (with Y6 scheduled for tomorrow). Thanks go to our Sports Coordinator, Karen Moore, Auckland Rugby and referee Andrew Fisher for helping facilitate the events, along with those parents who were able to come along to cheer the children on.

We look forward to sharing more of the children's successes with you next week, and please be reminded that children need to be picked up early on the conference days (1pm).

Finally, thanks for a successful Gold Coin donation effort last week, which managed to raise $900 for the World Vision appeal. We appreciate the support for this worthy cause.

Ka kite anō au i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

• Friday 1 April: Y6 Rippa Tournament
• Monday, 4 April: No Y3 Rippa Tournament (this has been replaced by have-a-go sessions in classes)
• Tuesday, 5 April: Term 2 New Entrant Cohort Visit 1 (9.00am) / PTA AGM Meeting (7pm, Google Meet)
• Wednesday 6th April: Secondhand Uniform Sale (Top Court, 8.15 - 10.00am)
  
• Wednesday, 6 April: Parent Conferences (2pm-7pm) NB: School closes at 1pm
• Thursday 7 April: Parent Conferences (2pm-5pm) NB: School closes at 1pm

Room 5 has been working together to write persuasive pieces of writing. Should chewing gum be allowed at school? Cell phones? Should school uniforms be compulsory? These are some of the topics we are discussing.

In Room 6, some of us have been looking at the properties of salt through a series of experiments.

Room 7 has been exploring geometry and the properties of 2D & 3D shapes.

In Room 8 we have been creating our own blueprints of contraptions in groups that would make our lives easier. Most of us have written explanations of how they work, articles about the amazing inventions and inventors, or descriptions of our inventions.

Room 18 has been writing instructions on how to make different types of origami.

Please join us for the PTA AGM - Tuesday April 5th, 7pm.

At the PTA’s AGM accounts are approved, a report on PTA 2021 is summarised, and fundraising goals are confirmed for 2022.

We will also officially vote in our new committee members.

If you would like to attend please email menpspta@gmail.com for a Google Meets link.

This Mother's Day (Sunday May 8th) the PTA are running a promotion in partnership with Salt and Oil - a kiwi company that specialise in Natural Bath Soaks, Magnesium Oils & Gifts.

The offer is running from April 1st - April 15th

Please don't forget - in your cart you MUST add code CANOPY to be counted towards the fundraising total.

Bath soaks are not just for granny! The NZ men’s rugby team use the SO:Active blend to help with muscle recovery after matches. This is a great one to support the sporty people in your life.

If you don’t have a bath but would still like to support our fundraiser, why not try a Magnesium Oil spray? Both oils are a great way to boost your magnesium levels. Simply spray onto your skin and rub it in. Great for easing your muscles after a workout.

Great news! With parents allowed onsite again, the Secondhand Uniform Shop will be open when the new term 2 cohort visits MENPS.

Where: Top courts near the School Hall
When: Wednesday 6th April, 8.15 - 10.00am

• Wear a mask
  
• QR Code sign in and social distancing apply
• Cash is appreciated, but bank transfers are possible too.

In stock: jumpers, shirts and shorts/skorts in sizes 4-8

Low stock: sizes 10-14, long sleeve shirts

Donations needed

Uniforms can be dropped off at the school office by individuals during school hours - adults must wear a mask, scan in and only remain onsite for the drop off to the office.

Annually the PTA support a social fundraising event that is a great occasion for parents/caregivers to connect and have a bit of fun. Due to Covid, the last quiz night was back in 2019 - it was a real success and raised a very useful sum of money for MENPS.

We are excited to announce the date for 2022 - start pulling together your team and booking a baby sitter.

August 13th - Alexandra Park

Tickets will be on sale in July.

Many thanks to the Quiz team from 2021 for your continued support.

Chairperson Aimee Chikunda

Deputy Chairperson Pam Clifford

Secretary Jane Cunningham

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller / Diem Vo

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner

PTA Advisor Scott Optican

Full team listed here

Email menpspta@gmail.com | PTA website

Follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with the PTA on Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA page.

Mike Robson from Ray White Damerell Group is a leading agent in Mt Eden and surrounding areas . In 2021 Team Mike Robson became the Principal Sponsor of MENPS, supporting the school in its fundraising activities including the annual Food & Fun Fair.

Are you thinking about buying or selling?
As part of their sponsorship of MENPS, Team Mike Robson donates $1,000 back to the school for any property sold within the school zone for MENPS families. Feel free to call Mike (021484288) any time you’ve got a real estate query - he’s always happy to have a chat and answer your questions.

Find out more about Team Mike Robson and why they love living and working in Mt Eden.
Website - www.mikerobson.co.nz