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MENPS News
Te Whare Akoranga o Maungawhau, Feb 13, 2025
From The Principal
Kia ora koutou
Term 1
It's been a fantastic start to the school year, seeing the children back happy and ready to learn. I would like to thank all our parents and staff for setting the children up for success in their new classes.
This year, the children have begun the new specialist classes in music and Te Reo Maori, offering enhanced curriculum experiences across the school that they have been enthusiastically participating in.
Having completed several classroom upgrades during the break, we're looking ahead to upcoming projects, including new site perimeter fencing (finally getting rid of the temporary fencing!), Junior toilet upgrades and the playground upgrade as soon as possible. More information on these key projects and priorities will be shared in the Board's 2025 Strategic Plan soon.
Phones & Smartwatches Not Allowed At School
A reminder that phones are banned at school. Please do not send them in school bags. Please note that watches with communication (text/call/email) functions are also not allowed.
Attendance
If you know your child is going to be absent for more than one day, it is best to use the online absence form off the website as you can clearly indicate the first day of absence and then the "expected return date".
If advising us in the HERO app, dates and detail must be included in the 'reason for absence' (simply noting "sick" is not adequate). When absence is a day by day decision, the absence notification must be submitted daily.
A reminder that all future leave requests need to be made in writing prior to departure. Please email: admin@mteden.school.nz (FAO the Principal), with full details of the reason for the request.
In line with our school Policy and national attendance codes, holidays during term time and/or recreational/frivolous absences are formally recorded as 'unjustified' in the roll.
Our thanks once again for your support, which is much appreciated!
Events & Reminders
Friday 14th February:
- Music lessons begin with Musiqhub
Wednesday 19th February:
- Year 4 Maungawhau hikoi
- School Board Meeting (Staffroom 6pm)
Friday 21st February:
- Second hand uniform shop open (8:15am - 9:15am)
Notices
Calling all young food explorers!
Join us for Flavour Detectives and discover the secrets of your favorite cuisines!
Feb 19 – Italian
Feb 26 – Indian
March 5 – Mexican
Your little chef will chop, mix, and taste their way through delicious recipes while learning essential cooking skills.
Limited spots available - Book Now!
Here’s how it works:
- Every parent who orders an ezlunch goes into a weekly draw to win $100 Kindo Credit for themselves AND $100 for your school. Starts Monday 10 February 2025 and runs through to Friday 11 April 2025.
- Plus, all orders automatically enter the Grand Prize Draw for a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi Voucher + $500 for their school!
Thank you to JB Hi-Fi for making our Grand Prize rewards possible!
JB Hi-Fi has partnered with Kindo in 2025 to streamline BYOD for schools, and we appreciate their generous support.
We are looking forward to another great year of PTA activities and events to support MENPS!
Key PTA Events (Terms 1 & 2)
- PTA Welcome Picnic, Monday 24th February, 5pm- 7pm - MENPS field. This is an informal event to come along and meet other families - bring the whole family and a picnic dinner.
- PTA AGM – Tuesday 11th March, 7pm - MENPS Staffroom
- COLOUR RUN - Friday 21st March (in school hours) – details to follow soon!
- CULTURAL FESTIVAL – Term 2 - would you like to showcase your culture as part of this festival or be a part of planning? Email us: menpspta@gmail.com
- Second-hand kids clothes sale – details to follow.
- Iceblock Sales (mid-term + end of term) + Second hand Uniform Shop every fortnight – see the newsletter for reminders when these are on.
Where can you find details about upcoming PTA events?
- See this PTA section of the weekly Newsletter for all updates and event information.
- Event specific information will be sent via HERO
- Check out our website – menpspta.co.nz
- Any questions or feedback – email us: menpspta@gmail.com
How can you get involved?
- Our Uniform Shop and Ice-Block team would love more helpers on their rosters - please email menpspta@gmail.com to get involved.
- We always need extra hands to help run the events - we will appeal for help to run individual events in the lead up to them (see newsletter), or if you would like to help organise any event then we encourage you to get in touch!
- Cultural Festival – would you like to showcase your culture as part of our Cultural Festival in Term 2? We would love to hear from you – email us on: menpspta@gmail.com.
- We welcome everyone to attend the PTA Meetings (2nd Tuesday of each term)
- We are looking for a Communications Officer for 2025 - details below.
PTA Roles 2025 - Can you help??
PTA Communications Officer
We need a Communications Officer to support the PTA in 2025! This role includes working with the event planning teams to assist with comms for upcoming PTA events/initiatives, and includes writing the PTA section of the weekly school newsletter. No experience required, it is a fun and easy role to support MENPS and the PTA! Any questions - email menpspta@gmail.com
PTA Meeting Minutes + Upcoming PTA AGM
Thank you to everyone who attended the PTA Meeting on Tuesday 11 February. Minutes can be read here: PTA Meeting Tuesday 11 February 2025 Minutes
The PTA AGM will be held on Tuesday 11th March, 7pm in the MENPS Staffroom. All welcome.
PTA - Supporting our school through fundraising & fun events
Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook
Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities
Co-Chairs Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber
Secretary April Alsari
Treasurers Paula Tran & Minaxi Chandra
PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner
Communications Get in touch if you are interested!
School Representative Hilary Edwards