MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

The wet weather this week has shown how lucky we were to have such an ideal day for the PTA Cultural Festival over the weekend. Our volunteers pulled out all the stops to make this a memorable event marked by colourful performances, great food and an enjoyable community vibe.

Our thanks go to all of the parent volunteers, sponsors (Henderson Reeves and Harcourt’s Mt Eden), PTA organisers and particularly to PTA co-chairs Svantje Rieber and Pam Clifford for the tremendous amount of work that went into putting the festival together. Not only was this a significant fundraiser for the school, but also a unique opportunity to bring the school community together for such a fun celebration.

The triennial Board Elections are fast approaching, with key details shared via HERO. The election timeline is as follows:

• Nominations Open / Friday 18 July
• Nominations Close / 12pm, Wednesday 6 August
• Voting Papers Issues / Wednesday 13 August
• ELECTION DAY / Wednesday 10 September
• Polls Close / 4pm on Election Day
• Count Votes & Declare Results / Tuesday 16 September
• New Board Takes Office / Wednesday 17 September

You don't need a specific skill-set or experience to stand for the Board, just a positive mindset, community spirit and a willingness to get involved in helping make strategic decisions in support of our learners and school community.

Next week, we are looking forward to Matariki celebrations across the school, marking this event of unique cultural significance. It is particularly well timed as the children prepare to share their progress and goals for the future as part of the Term 2 Progress Reports and Parent Conferences at the end of term. If you have not yet done so, please follow the directions on HERO to book a time to meet your child's teacher and see examples of their learning so far this year.

You'll also be aware that next Friday is a Public Holiday, so please plan accordingly as school will be closed for instruction.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Friday 13th June:

• PTA Second Hand Uniform Shop - 8:15am - 9:15am - please note due to current construction usually access via spider alley and bottom gate is not available, please use other gates and access via middle court outside Rooms 33-36.

Monday 16th - Thursday 19th June: Matariki Celebrations

Tuesday 17th June:

• Zone Cross Country - all day at Auckland Domain (save day Thurs 19th)

Wednesday 18th June:

• Term 3 New Entrant Cohort Visit 1 - 9:00am - 10:30am
• Board of Trustees Meeting - Staffroom - 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Friday 20th June: Matariki (holiday)

We all know that Auckland traffic can be terrible, flat tires occur out of the blue, appointments run long etc Our wonderful afterschool care Skids is available even for these last minute events. Please keep this numbers somewhere safe.

We are still buzzing from the energy and joy of our recent Cultural Festival at Mount Eden Normal Primary School—it was an unforgettable day!

With perfect weather and an outstanding team of volunteers, the school was alive with colour, culture, and community spirit. From tea ceremonies to paper cutting, candy floss twisting to face painting, Zong Zi cooking to taco making, every corner of the school offered a unique experience for our tamariki and whānau to enjoy. Click the video link to enjoy the moment with us together! https://www.menpspta.co.nz/cultural-festival#festival-2025

Highlights included:

• An incredible talent show, showcasing our students’ creativity and confidence including young musicians, the student jump group, international dance and song.

• Dynamic performances including taekwondo by VRMA, our very own Kapa Haka group, face Changing and a spectacular lion dance that roared through the crowd

• Interactive fun with bouncy castles, shuttlecock games, and even impromptu Origami lessons led by students

• A diverse and delicious range of international food and baked goods, lovingly prepared and shared

• So many joyful faces, cultural connections, and community moments throughout the day

• Engaging Matariki Crafts and a wide spread of lawn games hosted by our wonderful skids crew.

This festival was made possible thanks to the hard work of our amazing volunteers—parents, teachers, students, and friends—who gave their time, energy, and creativity to make the event truly special.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors: Henderson Reeves and Harcourt’s Mt Eden, whose support helped bring our vision to life.

A massive thank you to everyone involved, including the wonderful MENPS staff, our cultural groups, and every helping hand along the way. You made the day what it was—a beautiful celebration of diversity, unity, and school spirit.

Here’s to many more shared moments like these!

Ngā mihi nui,

The PTA MENPS Cultural Festival Team

While the Cultural Festival buzzed with music, movement, and mouth-watering food, another wonderful initiative was quietly making a big impact—our second-hand clothing sale, led by the amazing Melanie!

Melanie not only came up with the idea to create a sustainable, community-focused clothing exchange for our school whānau, but she also took the reins and ran it from start to finish—with the incredible support of her family.

Thanks to her vision, organisation, and energy, festival-goers were able to browse and pick up pre-loved clothes with ease—making reuse simple, accessible, and fun, all while contributing to a circular economy within our school.

💚 Ka pai, Melanie! Your efforts brought another meaningful layer to the festival, reminding us of the value of giving things a second life and supporting one another in practical ways.

We are so grateful for your initiative and generosity—you truly made a difference!

Ngā mihi nui,

The MENPS PTA and MENPS families! 🥰

Our legendary MENPS Parent Social is back – and this year, due to popular demand, it’s Beats by Bingo! Get ready for a night of music, mayhem, and mingling at the Irish Club. 📅 Date: Saturday, 11 October 2025 📍 Venue: The Irish Club, Fowlds Park 🎧 Theme: To be announced… (so stay tuned!) Think party vibes, bingo with a beat, and a whole lot of fun – this one’s just for the grown-ups. Lock in the date, book your babysitter, and get excited! – MENPS PTA

The 2025 Yummy Apple Promotion ends on Friday, 5th September. This is the date that all Sticker Collection Sheets must be given to your child's teacher. Keep collecting those Yummy Fruit/Apple Stickers!

• 8.15 - 9.15am (Friday, 13th June)
• In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
• Order by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com.
• Pay via Cash or Bank transfer.

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 Gina Miao

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here

Kia ora Tātou Katoa,

E mihi ana ki a koutou i te ata nei.

On behalf of Basketball Auckland Association, please see below an update for the U14 Trials. This replaces information that has been distributed previously via email and our social media platforms.

U14 BOYS TRIALS: –

Epsom Girls Grammar

• Trial 2: Thursday 12 June | 7:00–8:30pm

• Trial 3: Thursday 26 June | 7:00–8:30pm

U14 GIRLS TRIALS: -

• Trial 2: Wednesday 11 June | 6.00pm - 7.30pm - Marist College Gym

• Trial 3: Thursday 26 June | 6:30–8:00pm - St Peters College (this is subject to change)

Register now: https://membership.mygameday.app/regoform.cgi?formID=118321

Players must be born in 2012 or 2013.

If you have any questions, please contact Saga via email - foisagav@gmail.com

Aku mihi

Mel Bennett | Community Manager

Auckland Basketball Services

Level 4 | Alexandra Park Function Centre | Greenlane Road West

M +64 22 075 8706

Find us on Facebook & Instagram

We are thrilled to announce a new performance series at Cornwall Park!

Spring Sundays will invite our vibrant and diverse community to perform in the iconic Cornwall Park Band Rotunda.

This free family friendly event series aims to celebrate and showcase the incredible talent within our community. Offering a platform for family-friendly

dance, theatre, or musical groups to showcase their talents.

This is a paid opportunity with $500 (including GST) available for each Spring Sunday.

You can find more information and an application form on our website. https://cornwallpark.co.nz/springsundays

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 15 June 2025.

Any questions please email events@cornwallpark.co.nz or phone 09 630 8485