Week 4, Term 2 - 2023

Kia ora parents, whānau and caregivers,

Week 4 already! This term is picking up pace and the children are all engaged in their learning programmes. Our Science focus this term is 'Planet earth and beyond' - look to the sky and wonder why?

We continue to enjoy our kapa haka time, led by Matua Rawhiri and Mrs B. Our netball season is underway with many of our students hitting the courts on a Wednesday afternoon. We also have students involved in Hockey, Rugby, and Football, and all students here are taking part in tennis lessons on Tuesday's and Thursday's.

Earlier this week, we had teams represent us at the Rippa Rugby tournament down at Boyd Park. All teams had a fun time and enjoyed getting out there as a team playing some sport.

It is also time for Totara Springs sports practices to begin. For those new to our school, the Totara Sports camp is an annual event for a Year 7 & 8 team of sporting students.

Earlier this term, we had our goal setting meetings with parents, which was a different format to usual. We hope that you found benefit in this format and we will be asking for feedback at a later date so as to ensure these events are meeting the needs of our parents and caregivers.

A massive thank you to all of you for helping to raise our attendance rates recently. We understand that life goes on outside of school and there will be family events, sickness and the like. We do ask though that when your children are able to be at school that they are. The last two three week blocks of attendance monitoring have seen us exceed the Ministry of Education attendance targets! That is superb, let's keep up the great work.

Have an amazing week everyone and keep enjoying this lovely Autumn weather.

John is an Internet Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant working with schools, providing specialist advice and direction on the safe and ethical use of Digital Communication Technology. His working history is long and distinguished and we recommend you visit https://www.citizen21.co.nz/ to find out more about John and what he will be offering over his 3 day visit to Te Aroha.

Over the course of the 3 days, John will be working in schools with students, teachers and school leaders. He will also be hosting 2 parent sessions, a combined Board of Trustees meeting and a combined staff meeting. Our aim is for John to be in front of as many children, educators and adults as possible.

The online world is becoming an extremely complex space and navigating it safely requires a lot of knowledge, maturity and education - John will provide ALL participants with tips and advice to help them make safe and sensible decisions.

Pink Shirt Day this week. This is a non uniform day, students are encouraged to (but don't have to) wear pink. The staff will all be in pink shirts.

As part of our Friday fun, we will be having a sausage sizzle at 'Little Kai'. The money raised from this will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation - who are one of the beneficiaries of Pink Shirt day. Sausage and Bread $1.50

admin@tearohaprimary.school.nz

07 8848803

Facebook: Te Aroha Primary School

Website: tearohaprimary.school.nz