Pembroke Panui

Kia ora e te whānau,

We had a lovely start to Term 2 with our annual ANZAC Day service on Wed 30th April. Our head students did a commendable job leading the service and your children all did the school proud as they participated and respected the importance of the occasion. In 2022 we held our first ANZAC service as a school. This came about after discussions with Mr Bayly that he would like to see the school involved in some capacity in helping to remember the soliders of our area that are on display on the Roll of Honour in the Pembroke Hall, some of who were ex students of the school. This year classes made wreaths and Kowhai Class made ANZAC biscuits for the ceremony. Students learnt more about the significance of ANZAC Day with their classes. The Roll of Honours is very importance to the Pembroke District and we as a school have a special part to play in ensuring that 'We will remember them'.

In Week One our Year 4-8 students also attended the Science Road Show at Stratford High School. The Science Road show travels around New Zealand each year, this year was the first time that it has come to Stratford in my time here. There were lots of interactive, hands on activities for the students to engage with, including the daunting and very popular bed of nails. The Road Show also put on two demonstrations, which involve LOTS of cool science experiments and demonstrations. It was great to see how much our students enjoyed attending and how engaged they were.

Our new furniture arrived at the end of last term, Rimu and Rata have some lovely new tables, your fundraising efforts have meant that the PTA were able to contribute to this purchase and they have also purchased two new tables for Kowhai Class, as well as the bean bags for Rimu and fritters (cushions) for Kowhai. We are very proud of the lovely learning spaces that our students enjoy and grateful to be in a place where we are now making small upgrades each year that help to keep our classrooms wonderful learning spaces for our students to enjoy each day. The PTA have also purchased a big new gazebo for school events and a new BBQ for fundraisers. Being a small school, we do not get a lot of funding, so having a strong and well supported PTA is very important in helping to make our school the best that we can for our children. Keep an eye out for when meetings are on, many hands make light work and our PTA are a lovely bunch of parents, so you get to help make your school great for your kids and hang out with great people - its a win, win!

We have a couple of outside providers coming into school this term. Tangi from Taranaki Rugby is coming in to do Rippa Training with our Year 5-8s, and we have a group of students who will be doing Strong Cubs with some of the guys from the Lion's Den.

Our choir is also up and running and sounding fabulous in preparation for the Taranaki Music Festival in September. Mrs Morton and I have joined the committee for this event which involves 800 students coming together at the TET Stadium in September and singing alongside local artists and musicians in an epic evening showcase.

There are lots more great opportunties coming up this term including rural cluster events, so much sure you keep an eye out for messages on our ETAP App or Facebook Page.

Kia maiea tō rā

Wendy Single

We are very fortuate to have the Pembroke Centennial and Jubilee Books are excellent records of our Pembroke history. We use and reference these books often to help us learn and appreciate our unique place and the people that have gone before us who have made it the place that it is today. This has helped us to understand and appreciate the significance of the Honours Board at the Pembroke Hall. Here is a little snippet of the speeches given by our head students at our ANZAC Service recounting some of the history relating to Pembroke.

We are pleased that you could join Pembroke School today in honouring the memory of the men displayed behind us on the Roll of Honour. You may be interested to know that Pembroke School and the Pembroke Road Hall were both places where people came together to play their part in supporting those that served in the not only the two world wars but even before this time students of Pembroke School helped to contribute funds to assist soldiers returning from the Boer War that took place in South Africa from 1899-1902. The school room was also used for farewell functions and a place to celebrate and welcome back returning soldiers. (Cooper)

When the people in the district saw that there had not been enough support for wounded soldiers returning from World War One and their families they were determined to put more support in place for those returning after World War Two. On the 7th March 1940 a meeting was held at the Pembroke Hall and a Patriotic Welfare Committee was set up. This committee worked hard to help raise funds, asking for donations and also holding dances and cake stalls. (Harper)

At a meeting in July 1940 the committee agreed that they would fund each soldier to have three photos taken and that one would be placed in the Pembroke Hall in order to form a Roll of Honour. By the end of the war in 1945 35 young men from our small district had served overseas, sadly eight of them lost their lives, two were wounded, and one was taken prisoner of war. (Mayson)

In October 1946 there was a meeting for all the residents of the district and they decided to ask Mr E.D Evans a cabinet maker in Stratford to build this amazing Honours Board. It was unveiled and dedicated on the 8th December 1946 and the hall committee was asked to take responsibility for it. On the 14th December 1946 the committee ended after seven years committed to honouring the soldiers from our district and their families. (Karlie)

Today we, the students of Pembroke School are very proud to be part of ensuring that the men they worked so hard to honour are still remembered and respected for the sacrifice they made, leaving this beautiful place of Pembroke to serve in conflicts overseas so that today we can enjoy the freedom of living and enjoying this wonderful place that they called home. (Cooper)

A big congratulations to all our whanau! Last year we had some concerning attendance rates, so one of our Annual Goals this year has been to improve attendance as we know this is one of the key ways we can support students to achieve to thier highest potential. Thank you for working with us to ensure your child is at school regularly.

With the new structure of the curriculum and the way lessons are being taught, this will be more important than ever as both literacy and maths are taught in a clear and prescribed scope and sequence and we don't want to avoid students having gaps in their knowledge. Thank you for your support, this has been awesome to see!

Each year we set annual goals for our school on key areas that we identify will make a significant impact on improving learning and our school.

Our Pembroke School Vision Statement adopted in 2023: Succeeding Together - Mahi Tahi Te Ako puts front and centre the belief that our students and school will succeed in being their best when we work together.

You as parents play a significant part in ensuring that your child is able to succeed to their highest potential.

One of our Annual Goals is dedicated to the aim of Succeeding Together - Together we increase student achievement.

You can do this by creating a home environment that supports your child's learning.

This looks like:

-Setting aside time each day to complete home reading and home learning with your child.

-Focus on this time being a time of connection and bonding through positive praise and working together. If you need some tips and tricks for this, talk to your child's teacher.

-Have a nightly bedtime routine that involves reading. Don't underestimate how powerful this routine is in helping your child to become better at literacy - reading, writing, spelling, oral language and ultimately a more confident and capable learner in other subjects.This will look different at different stages. Have faith that time spent now, really will pay off in the long run for your child/ren.

-Use our local library to access great books for your kids.

PEMBROKE SCHOOL STRATEGIC AND ANNUAL PLAN

Below are some links to some videos that you might find helpful in understanding the importance of having a reading culture in your home and also in how you can support your child when they are learning new words.

Parent Tips for Reading at Home with Your Child

The Importance of Reading to Your Children

Just a reminder that Brain Break (10 mins at 10am) is for fruit or vege only. If you are running short, don't forget to consider things like carrot sticks or having a few cans of tin fruit in the cupboard for back up. Unfortunately they are no longer supplying fruit as part of the Lunch in Schools Programme like they were doing last year which is what we often used for Brain Break.

We are looking forward to jumping our way through June while raising money for the Heart Foundation. Our skipping ropes have arrived and we are loving seeing the enthusiasm and excitement from the students as they refine their skipping skills. If you have not yet signed your child up and you need assistance to do so, please contact Mr Sharp who will be happy to help.

If you are interested in carpooling to this event please let Carol in the office know by Friday 30 May.

Over the past few weeks we have been focusing on our ASPIRE Value of Ambition, particularly showing Ambition in our learning through consistently striving to achieve our best.

Congratulations to these students for starting the term off great and showing Ambition in their learning:

Rātā Indie and Archie L

Tawa Dusty and Caige

Kōwhai Asha and Jessica

Rimu Locky and Elodie

A big thank you to the following students for being amazing Bucket FIllers with your kindness towards others:

Rātā Kelly

Tawa MIlla

Kōwhai Ashleigh

Rimu Jackson

Over the past few weeks we have been focusing on our ASPIRE Value of Ambition, particularly showing Ambition in our learning through consistently striving to achieve our best.

Congratulations to these students for starting the term off great and showing Ambition in their learning:

Rātā Chuck and Bella

Tawa Jack and Caige

Kōwhai Isla and Linkyn

Rimu Lawson and Harper

A big thank you to the following students for being amazing Bucket FIllers with your kindness towards others:

Rātā Micah

Tawa Carter T

Kōwhai Amarni

Rimu Ryder

A very warm welcome to Brynn who joined Rātā class this term and her family.

• Kōwhai: World Biodiversity Day @ Rotokare - 22/5
• Week 4 19-23 May Scholastic Book Fair all week in Tōtara
• Book Character Dress Up Day - Tuesday 20th May
• Strong Cubs - Thurs 22 May - 10.50-11.20am
• Pet Day Meeting - Friday 3.15pm/7pm
• Oral Health Education - Whole School - Thurs 29th May
• KING'S BIRTHDAY MONDAY 2ND JUNE
• Arbor Day - 5 June
• Year 7-8 PCT Challenge - Friday 6th June
• Strong Cubs - Thurs 5 June - 10.50-11.20am
• Junior Play Day - Tuesday 10th June
• Rātā and Tawa Library Visit for Puanga - Thurs 12th June - 9.30am
• Pembrokes Got Talent - Friday 13 June
• Mr Stone and Student Leaders, Year 8 Visit - Tuesday 10th June @ 9.45am
• Strong Cubs - Thurs 12 June - 10.50-11.20am
• Jones Cup @ Toko - 16th (Pp 18th). Year 5-8
• Puanga Community Dinner - Thursday 19 June
• Jumping June Event Date - Date TBC
• Strong Cubs @Lion’s Den - Thurs 19 June - 10.50-11.20am
• MATARKI/PUANGA MONDAY 23RD JUNE
• Puanga Week - Starts around 23rd June
• Reports Go Home - Tuesday 24th June
• Kahui Ako TOD for New Curriculum - Monday 23rd June - 9-12pm
• Learning Matters - 24th June (Vinnie and Caryl-Anne) - 3:30-5
• Crowley Cup - Year 5/6 Netball team - TET Stadium - Date not specified
• Pembroke School Birthday - Thursday 10 July