Kawerau Pūtauaki School

Kia ora whānau

What a crazy start to the week it was with Cyclone Gabrielle causing havoc across the North Island. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends and whānau in Gisborne, Wairoa and Hawkes Bay in this terrible time. We were incredibly lucky that it went around us this time. It shows how important it is to have a plan as a whānau of what you would do if you have to evacuate or if there is an earthquake. Have a grab bag ready.

Senior Camp

In week 8 this term Nga Puawai and Nga Hua Ngaruru will be going on camp to the Lions Hut. If you haven’t brought your forms back yet please do so asap. If you need help with the cost of camp please come and see us. We don’t want any children to miss out on this experience.

Asthma

This week Asthma NZ has reminded us of the importance of having a plan for our students with Asthma. It is important that if your child has asthma that they bring an inhaler to school with them everyday. If you want it to be kept in the sick bay please come and see Brenda.

Attendance

As expected with school partially closing this weeks attendance has taken a dive. It is important that students are at school if the sun is shining or not.

Thought to ponder… if your child is 30 mins late every day, over the year they miss approximately 18.5 full days worth of school a year!

Coming up next week

• Swimming continues weather permitting. See timetable below.
• Wednesday - Super Smash Northern Brave Cricket skills workshops will start after being postponed this week
• Thursday - We have one year 5 and 6 team competing in the EBOP touch tournament in Whakatane.

How to help with your child's learning at home: part 3

Oral language

Writing starts with oral language. Kids can’t write a story until they can tell a story. When your child is telling you a story, question them to get them to add more detail.

When asking your kids how their day at school was, try rephrasing the question to… “what made you smile today?”, “what was the hardest thing you did today?”, “Tell me about what you learnt today?”. These questions are specific but also open ended. This will help get away from the answers “fine or nothing”.

Play games such as ‘I spy’ to build letter sounds and sound recognition, ‘simon says’ to develop following and giving instructions.

Read books together daily!

Teachers Paid union meeting - Wednesday 1st of March

School will be closing at 12.30 due to all teachers attending their union meeting.

Supervision will be available for those who need their children to stay at school until normal closing time.

Our road patrollers are out in all weather ensuring your tamariki get across the road safely, even during Cyclone Gabrielle.

We have already had a couple of close calls with parents driving through while the signs have been set up and whānau backing out on to the crossing..

Please slow down after school and watch out for them.

Kawerau Children’s Day – free family event

Circus Paddock (Corner of Onslow St and Plunket St)

Sunday 5 March from 10am until 2pm

Sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, activities and games, prizes, entertainment