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Riverdale School Newsletter
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Newsletter - Week 8 Term 1 2024
Friday 22nd March
Kia Ora
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of the term already! Easter is nearly here and provides an opportunity for whanau to enjoy the extra long weekend. A reminder that all schools are closed on both Monday and Tuesday after Good Friday.
Teachers attended NZEI meetings on Tuesday to discuss collective agreements and next steps as a union. We managed to keep the school open for instruction as we had quite a few students attend the Weetbix Triathlon which kept our numbers low at school. Thankyou to Whaea Ebony and Mrs McIntyre for setting up a tent and supporting our Riverdale School whanau at the weetbix event.
The Board of Trustees met last night and discussed a number of items on the agenda, including the new cell phone policy that comes into effect at the end of the term. Thankyou to our amazing Board of Trustees for their contribution, diligence and attention to detail during our regular meetings.
We have a large number of jerseys in our lost property this term. Despite Karina and a team of helpers returning jerseys each week to owners, the pile doesn't seem to reduce. So we are organising a time for whanau to collect a free unnamed jersey so we are all set for cooler weather ahead.
Have a great weekend.
Jared
Māori
Welcome
To our new students: We wish you happy days at Riverdale School
Piako Tahi - Gurman Sandhar, Rosie Vindriis, Joe Curran
Poutama - Lasidu Alahendra Arachchige
School Polar fleeces
We have number of unnamed and unclaimed polar fleeces in our Lost Property. On Monday 25th March between 8:30 am and 9:00 am, and 2:45 pm and 3:15 pm these will be avaliable, outside on the new turf, for any one who's child requires a polar fleece. Please only take what is needed.
PTA Farewell
Our amazing Jenni Fairey has been part of the PTA since 2009! We farewelled Jenni on Monday night after she presented for the last time as PTA treasurer. Jenni’s accuracy when managing accounts has been nothing short of outstanding. We will miss her smile and contribution of ideas on ways we can improve Riverdale School for all. Thankyou Jenni for being part of this incredible PTA team.
We also had our AGM meeting this week and we are excited to announce our new roles on the committee.
Chairperson - Erin O’Leary
Deputy Chairperson - Bex Gregory
Treasurer - Tracey Parr
Secretary - Kristyanne O'Leary
School Representative - Ebony Maaka/Jared Bron
Committee - Jason Carter, Adele Kent
Want to be on the PTA Commitee?
Just want to be a ‘friend of the PTA’?
Keen to help at one off events? Cook a BBQ or help run our PTA shop at events?
Please contact Erin at pta@riverdale.school.nz
Easter Long Weekend - School Closure Dates
A reminder that a long, long weekend is approaching. All schools will be closed on Friday 29 March, Monday 1 April and Tuesday 2 April. We hope you enjoy the break!
Manawatu Multicultural Council (MMC)
A big thank you Éste from the Manawatū Multicultural Council (MMC) who visited school today to present prizes to the winners of their colouring competition. The competition was themed “Be different together: Let’s learn and grow”!
We have a lot of very talented artists here at Riverdale School. Congratulations to our winners: Ivy V, Emily N, Melek A, Saoirse G.
Pae Ake
Slime and ooze, fizz and foam, colour changing cabbages and maddening mixtures! Pae Ake ākonga are having way too much fun exploring the properties of different materials. Some experiments fill us with awe and wonder and others have us trying out numerous different ways to try and solve a problem.
Piako Rata
Ākonga in Piako Rātā have been loving our Swimming Lessons with Coach D from Kelly Sports this term. We have made so much great progress that we even got to compete in our own mini ‘Swimming Sports’ in the school pool during Week 6. Mrs Kenyon organised some small competitions for us around floating and blowing bubbles, and even got some medals to award to the winners!
Interschool Triathlon
Congratulations to the team for their awesome effort at the Interschool Triathlon last week. The event included many schools from across Palmerston North with approximately 60 participants in each race. Six of the Riverdale team came in the top Fifteen. Well done to Elijah Lion who raced hard to the end coming in 6th place and Mele who in spite of some issues with the chain on her bike made a massive comeback at 9th overall.
Weetbix Tryathlon
What a fantastic event this was. It was wonderful to see lots of Riverdale School students giving this a go. Well done to everyone for your efforts and amazing support for each other!
Kind Hearts Tuakana Group
Congratulations to those children selected for the Kind Hearts Tuakana Group 2024 (Year 5 & 6). These children met with Mrs Kenyon this week to discuss what kindness meant to them, how they can be kind to themselves and how we can spread more kindness at Riverdale School.
The Kind Hearts Teina Group (Years 1 - 4) will start up in Term 2.
Thursday Football
Great to see lots of our tamariki out there on a Thursday afternoon enjoying Football
Football Ferns
Mikaela from Central Football took some of our girls for a girls only football session this week. A small group are heading off on Thursday for a football tournament.
Plant to Plate
Our first session of Plant to Plate took place on Wednesday. This is a fantastic programme that our Year 6 students take part in each year. It is aimed at teaching children about the important skills of gardening and cooking for a healthy lifestyle. It also works to support our Enviroschools kaupapa.
Swimming Sports Awards
Congratulations to the Overall Winners of our School Year 4-6 Swimming Sports.
Maori Focus Ropu
We would love your support.
Principals Awards
Piako Tahi
Indy Hausman - for her growth in confidence in our classroom
Greer Funnell - fro always being a kind and caring member of our class
Piako Rimu
Eden Tankersley - for thinking like a scientist and her engagement in learning
Lily Lin-de-Waal - for always striving for excellence and gaining confidence to share
Piako Rata
Thea Fraser-Clarke - for always striving for excellence with your learning
Ronin Page - for showing kindness and helpfulness to others in his class
Pae Ake
Tia Fruean - for her effort and increasing confidence in learning
Parker Lowe - for his constant enthusiasm and focus in all learning areas
Ayaan Sharma - for showing enthusiasm and teamwork in Science and Technology tasks
William Mitchell - for leaning into challenging tasks and thinking critically
Poutama
Logan Pearson - for a huge improvement in his spelling
Seth Reweti - for consistently being a role model for others
Lauren McLean - for a consistent effort in all areas of her learning
Pounamu Atawhai
Madeleine Dunbar - for always stirving for excellence and for her consistent positive approach
Poutokomanwa Nesbit - for working extremely hard in your reading
Ryleigh Carter - for showing resilience and always striving for excellence
Calendar
TERM ONE
Week 9
Mon 25th March - Interschool Swimming
Fri 29th March - Good Friday, School CLOSED
Week 10
Mon 1st April - Easter Monday, School CLOSED
Tues 2nd April - Easter Tuesday , School CLOSED
Thurs 4th April - Football Finals In-house Competition
Thurs 4th April - Rippa Rugby Tournament
Week 11
Tuesday 9th April - Striders Road Race
Fri 12th April - Right Choice Day & Last Day of Term 1
TERM TWO
Mon 29th April - First day of Term 2