MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

This term has certainly been flying by! As we look ahead to the final week of term, we also see the season change catching up on us, with some wet weather forecast ahead.

On days like these, traffic management can become particularly chaotic outside the school gate, so please please remember that this requires patience from everyone, and following road rules at peak times.

The problems we experience at pick-up can be very challenging for all concerned, particularly in bad weather, so in order to keep children safe, it is essential that all drivers pickup up from school observe the following:

• Stay in your vehicle when using the drop-off zones
• Do not park/wait in school driveways for a space to be available
• No parking on double yellow lines or pedestrian crossing markings at any time
• No parking in neighbours’ private driveways

We appreciate this can be frustrating due to the volume of traffic and that it can inevitably mean circling around school several times, but the rules apply to everyone, and are there for a reason.

We encourage arranging a pickup at a convenient location further from school if possible, and ensuring that your child has an appropriate raincoat and/or umbrella if they are walking/cycling/scootering to and from school.

Finally, if walking your child, please also remember to set a good example by always using the designated crossing. Unsupervised children can be tempted to copy adults who cross in the middle of traffic, which is extremely dangerous.

Next week, we are looking forward to closing the term with our Science Week focus, which is an opportunity to engage and enthuse the children with concepts, experiments and activities relating to exploring the world around them. Thanks go to our Science Week leaders for coordinating and planning so many fun activities for the children to enjoy in the last week of term.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Friday 4th April:

• PTA Second Hand Uniform Shop - 8:15am - 9:15am

Monday 7th April:

• Sports Assembly - 2:30pm - 3:00pm

Wednesday 9th April:

• Term 2 New Entrant Cohort Second Visit - 9:00am - 10:30am
• PTA Second Hand Uniform Shop - 8:15am - 9:15am

Friday 11th April:

• Last Day of Term 1 - 3:00pm Finish
• Whole School Assembly - 2:30pm - 3:00pm
• PTA Ice Block Sale - $2 - 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Here’s how it works:

• Every parent who orders an ezlunch goes into a weekly draw to win $100 Kindo Credit for themselves AND $100 for your school. Starts Monday 10 February 2025 and runs through to Friday 11 April 2025.
• Plus, all orders automatically enter the Grand Prize Draw for a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi Voucher + $500 for their school!

Thank you to JB Hi-Fi for making our Grand Prize rewards possible!

JB Hi-Fi has partnered with Kindo in 2025 to streamline BYOD for schools, and we appreciate their generous support.

We are thrilled to report that the Colour Run was an absolute hit! The event was filled with energy, laughter, and a splash of colour, and we are so proud of the incredible effort from all involved. Thanks to the support of our students, families, and sponsors, we raised a fantastic $23,000!

As a thank you for their outstanding fundraising efforts, certificates will be awarded to our top fundraisers before the end of term.

The top three rooms raised: R31 $2039, R06 $2000, R24 $1785 and won the pizza party’s held in their class room on Tuesday the 8th April.

Thank you once again for making this event such a memorable success – we couldn’t have done it without you!

With appreciation,

MENPS PTA

We are excited to announce that the MENPS PTA Cultural Festival 2025 will be happening on a Sunday during Term Two! (Exact date to be confirmed.) But we need your help to make this event a memorable celebration of our diverse community.

We’re looking for event coordinators and volunteers to help put together a fun, vibrant, and inclusive festival. Whether you’re passionate about planning, organizing, or simply lending a helping hand, we’d love to have you involved!

We’re also seeking a wide range of cultural performances, street food vendors, artists, crafters, and people willing to share traditional ethnic games to bring the festival to life. If you or someone you know would be interested in showcasing a cultural talent or sharing unique traditions, please reach out!

Let’s come together to create a festival that celebrates diversity and unity in our community.

If you’re interested, please email us at menpspta@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to make this a day to remember!

We had a great turnout to our very first Year 1 Parent morning tea on Monday morning and some lovely feedback from the parents who came. This was a wonderful opportunity for all parents and caregivers of Year 1 students to meet other families from their child’s class and year group, to make new friends and build connections as they support their children through their first year at MENPS. A big thanks to Chantal and Echo for hosting the morning and to the school leadership for stopping by to say Hello.

We will be running a second hand clothing sale in Term 2, with all funds raised going to MENPS. We are accepting donations of good quality, clean kids clothes - you can drop these off to ROOM29 everyday(8:15-9:15am) and also the Second Hand Uniform Shop during opening hours only (next open Friday 4th April in the PTA Room) .Thanks to Mel for coordinating this initiative!

Please ensure all donations are washed and in good condition - kids clothes only please.

Each year the PTA run a Parent Social Fundraiser in Term 3 - it is a lot of fun and a chance to get to know other parents in the school community. Last year we had Beats by Bingo + Auction, previously we have run Casino Night and Quiz Nights. We would love to run another event this year, but we need your help - can you lead a parent social night fundraiser this year? The type of event is open for discussion - would love to hear your ideas. If you are interested, or would like to discuss, please email: menpspta@gmail.com.

Congrats MENPS, YUMMY Apple sports gear order arrived and has been all put in the PE shed. MENPS children love using the new footballs that are available during lunchtimes. MENPS also received new class sets of footballs, tennis balls and netballs. MENPS earned $1345 towards Sports Gear in 2024. Thanks to everyone who collected and brought in their Yummy Apple stickers!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Weetbix Triathlon such a success! Whether you volunteered on the day or behind the scenes, your time and effort ensured the event ran smoothly and was an unforgettable experience for all.

From set-up to cheering on our young athletes, your support made all the difference. The smiles and excitement on the children’s faces were a true reflection of the fantastic community spirit we have here.

Thank you once again to all our volunteers and supporters, a specific shout out to Chantal, Carolyn Hoyles and Mel Woollard for all of their help with planning and logistics. - we couldn’t have done it without you. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

• 8.15 - 9.15am(4th April)
• In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
• Order online by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com.
• Pay via Cash or Bank transfer.

Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook

Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities

Co-Chairs Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber

Secretary April Alsari

Treasurers Paula Tran & Minaxi Chandra

PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner

Communications Get in touch if you are interested!

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here

Going overseas for the school holidays? Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration, including returning New Zealand passport holders.

Its FREE and you can do it on the online form or on the NZTD app.

If you’re travelling as a family or group and completing multiple declarations, the NZTD app allows you to copy your travel details into another declaration, making it easier to complete multiple declarations for the same journey. The submitted declarations are then all easy to see within the app.

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. It replaces the paper card you used to fill out on the plane.

To make your arrival easier, do your digital declaration before your flight back to New Zealand.

Head to travellerdeclaration.govt.nz today!