MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

With the term well underway, it’s been great to see learning at full steam and the children engaging with their characteristic energy and enthusiasm.

Magic Spells Fundraiser

You should by now have received all the information you need for the PTA’s ‘Magic Spells’ fundraiser, which is a key event this year (as we won’t be holding our next MENPS Fair until 2024).

While this is ultimately optional, as you know, all PTA funds raised are invaluable and help us to sustain many of the aspects of school life and resourcing that we don’t receive funding from the government for.

In fact, under the new ‘EQI Index’ that replaced the Decile system, our operational funding has been squeezed yet further, so we really do rely on community support more than ever.

The reality of the state school funding model continues to be that for schools similar to ours, many of the things we all value simply have to be paid from from local fundraising (which includes the family donation). This enables us to ensure we continue to be in a position to resource;

• Teacher Aides for learning support

• Library Books and dedicated Library staff

• Classroom devices

• Other enhanced curriculum resources for activities such as Science, robotics, trips and much more

• Outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, play equipment and sustainability initiatives

• Reduced class sizes at most year levels

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but just some key reminders of the way in which your support really does make a material difference to the quality of education we strive to provide, not to mention other exciting projects ahead that we aim to add around the school over time.

As always, your time, help and generosity is genuinely appreciated as we literally couldn’t do it without you and, of course, our amazing PTA volunteers!

Staffing Update - ESOL

Finally, I'm delighted to introduce our brand new 'ESOL' (English for Speakers of Other Languages) specialist, Katy Silver, who joins us this week.

Katy's experience and expertise in this area will undoubtedly be a great asset to our school, and I would like to take this opportunity warmly welcome her to the teaching team!

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

Friday 5th May: Junior Assembly (Hall, 10am)

Monday 8th May: NZ Sign Language Week

Wednesday 10th May: Board Meeting (staffroom, 6pm)

Unfortunately, COVID hasn't gone away, and - as we head into colder months - it is still important to ensure you keep your child at home if they are unwell in any way to help us keep everyone healthy and well!

If your child does test positive for COVID, please continue to report this on our absence form to assist us with ongoing monitoring that helps to reduce the risk of further transmission - Thank You!

What an amazing start to Magic Spells!! Students are busy learning their words and sponsorship is already well underway!

Easily set up a fundraising profile for your spelling wizard HERE and share the link with friends and family to collect online sponsorship!!

Sign up by tomorrow to go into the draw to win some awesome spot PRIZES including this Dancing Light Tower Bluetooth speaker! Winners announced tomorrow at school!

Key dates:

• Fri 28 April - Spelling Lists sent home & website live
• Mon 15 - Fri 19 May - Magic Spells challenges held in class
• Fri 26 May - Fundraising website closes

The class from each year level that raises the most funds will win a Sal's Pizza Lunch!! Thanks Sal's!

See here for the leaderboard!

8.30am - 9.30am

• PTA Room: Follow the signs from Valley Road
• Cash or Bank transfer only. No EFTPOS.
• Order online by emailing Jane at: menpspta@gmail.com
• Donations needed - particularly trousers!! Please put items in the office or in the box outside our shop. Thank you!

The minutes are available HERE.

We had a great turn out and covered a lot of updates on the various fundraising activities and events planned for 2023. These include Magic spells, Calendar Art and introducing a new cultural celebration in Term 2. And later in the year a Casino night and colour run.

We also reviewed the finances for term 1, a great first term for the second hand uniform shop with many thanks to the team running it and those continually donating outgrown uniforms.

Please mark your calendar - on Saturday 17 June we will have a Dragon boat festival at school for the first time.

Details to be shared soon.

Co-Chairpersons Pam Clifford & Rosemary Li

Secretary Chelsea Chen

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner
Advisor/Coordinator Melanie Woollard
Sponsorships Rayni Chung

Communications Sarah Eason

PTA Advisor Scott Optican

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here

Email menpspta@gmail.com | Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities.

Follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with the PTA on Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA page.