Tēnā koutou katoa
Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou katoa - Warm greetings to you all.
Robin in da Hood:
Wow - what an amazing production we had this week. It was fantastic to see all the hard work come together in a spectacular show. We are all so very proud of what our TPS learners were able to produce on stage, with the help of the Gobsmacked team.
At Tauranga Primary School we believe that one of our key roles is to provide a variety of opportunities and experiences across the curriculum for our learners. For many children, primary school productions will be the only time that they experience being on stage as part of a musical. Some have found it challenging and very much outside of their comfort zone and for others, it will have ignited a passion and talent that they can pursue at Intermediate and beyond. For all (including staff) it has been an experience which has provided opportunities learn and grow.
Robin in da Hood was a wonderful example of our school vision “Together, we are learning to go places” and it certainly required a team effort to make this vision a reality. Every member of staff, teaching and non-teaching, has been involved to ensure the success of the production.
To the TPS teaching and support staff, a huge thanks for going well “above and beyond” - practising choreography for each group item, rehearsing choir songs, supporting those children who were stepping outside of their comfort zone, coordinating costumes, applying make up etc etc. You are truly a dedicated group of professionals who make a positive difference to the lives of the children in our care every day, thank you. A special mention here to Arlette Goodhue and Kirsty Thorne, lead teachers for this endeavour, you two did an amazing job and should be very, very proud of all you have achieved ..... and all with a big smile and positive outlook.
To the office staff – coordinating ticket sales and seating is no easy task, especially when there is a sell out show. As always your professionalism and support of our school was outstanding. Thank you
To our TPS parents - thank you for being so flexible and changing your weekly routines to ensure your children could get to the evening performances Thank you to those who helped out backstage, and took the time to encourage and congratulate staff and students. Your support, kind words and gestures are truly appreciated by us all at TPS.
Lastly, to the 400 stars of the show, every member of our school community is very proud of you. This is a moment in time that you will remember for a lifetime, treasure it.
He waka eke noa
We are all in this together
On Monday, the children will have an opportunity to meet and spend some time with their 2025 class teacher. A small note will be given to each student (to take home) introducing their teacher for 2025.
There will be a mix of excitement and anxiety if your child is moving class. It is quite normal for anyone to feel anxious when transitioning into an unfamiliar setting. You can help this transition by speaking positively about the new class and teacher with your child/ren. Frame it as an exciting event that is all part of growing up, coping with change and making the most of new opportunities. We cannot place every child exactly where they might like to be, and your encouragement will reassure them that next year will be another great year with a new teacher, an opportunity to make new friends and that they do have the skills to cope, learn and grow with this change. All class levels get the chance to work together at different times and established friendships from this year will also continue in the playground, sport teams, play dates etc.
Please be aware that while the classes are set at this stage, any unexpected changes in student numbers, or personnel changes over the holidays, could mean we need to alter classes and/or teacher placements. This is a rare occurrence but it can happen and we reserve the right to move children if we need to.
In 2025 we will have some staff changes at Tauranga Primary School. At the end of this term, we will farewell Sue Belsham and Fiona Cornwell who both complete their fixed term contracts for Terms 3 and 4. Thank you both, for the contributions you have made to TPS and, on behalf of Tauranga Primary School Board of Trustees, staff and students, we wish you well for the successes, challenges and adventures that lay ahead.
In 2025, Emilia Speirs will be joining us from Wellington. Kylie Rae, Catherine Day, Sandra Thurlow, Liz Catley , Jeremy Hantler and Tracey Gillingham will all be continuing working at TPS next year in various roles across the school.
There are some changes for the class teaching "line up" in 2025.
In the middle and senior teams we have had to even out student numbers across the hubs, combined with staff changes, it will mean that some 2025 Year 4 and 6 students will have a different teacher next year and some may also move hubs.
Senior Team:
Senior Hub 1:
Mrs Howard
Mr Mahler
Mrs Speirs (new to TPS in 2025)
Senior Hub 2:
Mr Medley
Mrs Beattie
Middle Team
Middle Hub 3:
Miss Thorne
Mrs Morrice
Middle Hub 4:
Miss Perfect
Mrs Savage
Mr Jugum
Middle Hub 5:
Mrs Goodhue
Junior Team:
Year 2:
Mrs Wilkins
Mrs Hyett
Mrs Parker
Year 1/2
Mrs Brown
Year 1:
Mrs Murray
Mrs Taylor & Mrs Elliot
Mrs Arnesen
Mrs Smith
Upcoming events:
- 10th December 9am - School Awards Assembly @ Memorial Hall (QEII) Class awards presented to Year 1-5 students. Parents of children receiving awards have been contacted. Everyone is welcome to attend.
- 11th - 13th December - Year 6 camp
- 12th December - Year 1 show in the school hall
- 13th December - Ōtumoetai Intermediate band performing
- 16th December 9:30am - Year 6 Leavers Assembly @ Holy Trinity Church Celebrating our year 6 learners. Parents of children receiving awards have been contacted. Everyone is welcome to attend - it is a special event for all year 6 learners. This will be followed by a whānau shared morning tea back at TPS (and a wee bit of sharing from the year 6 students).
- 13th December - Children will meet their new teacher for 2025.
- 17th December - last day - school closes at 12:00pm
- 3rd February 2025- Whānau Connect Day - parents will be sent information in mid January to make an appointment with their child's whānau/class teacher. This interview will be a chance for you to talk with the teacher and share what is important (from your perspective) for the year ahead for your child.
- 4th February 2025 - First day at school for children
School Awards:
There are two key school awards that are presented at the end of the year, the Team Player and Learner Awards. One Team Player and one Learner Award are presented to students in each class on the junior site. On the senior site these are distributed to hubs, for example, Middle Hub 4 (M4) has three Team Player and three Learner Awards to allocate, as it is a three teacher learning space and Senior Hub 2 (S2) has two Team Player and two Learner Awards as it is a two teacher learning space.
Team Player Award
This award recognises those students who are good team players and contributors.
They:
- always give 100%, effort
- participate in school life enthusiastically
- encourage others to participate
- are inclusive of others and understand that we are all unique and special
- take ownership of their choices, behaviours and consequences
- build positive relationships with a variety of people
- represent our school with pride
- are generally great role models for their peers
Learner Award
The Learner Award is for those students who excel as a learner. These learners are not necessarily the top academic student, they are good self-managers, thinkers and communicators.
They:
- are curious about the world and fully engage in their learning
- work hard to achieve goals
- are able to make connections between what they know and new learning
- have a positive ‘can do’ outlook, and persevere, when faced with a challenge
- actively listen and follow instructions, and will share their ideas and opinions
- use critical, creative and caring thinking strategies
- are flexible and inquisitive
At the school awards assembly, we also announce the 2025 House Leaders
Class/whānau teachers will have contacted families this week if your child is receiving an award.
At the Year 6 Leavers assembly all year 6 students will formally receive a TPS leavers certificate and the whole assembly is focused on farewelling this special group of learners. We will also present the TPS Year 6 Awards (Academic, Sport, Te Ao Māori, Arts, Leadership, Contribution to School Life, Kapa Haka and Principal Awards). It is a very special moment in time, and we invite all year 6 whānau to attend.
Hei kōnei rā
Fiona Hawes
Principal
principal@tauranga.school.nz
