MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

Following all the recent disruption, it’s been great to see the children settling so well into their new classes. It’s a credit to all our families and, of course, our outstanding staff, who I would like to acknowledge for their usual hard work and dedication to ensuring a positive, welcoming start to the year.

I’m particularly pleased to note school attendance has started strongly at 95%+, returning us to pre-pandemic norms. This is a high watermark I hope we will continue to aim for throughout the year.

To help achieve this, it’s important to remember that the only authorised reason for absence during term time is illness, certain educational activities (requiring prior permission), or exceptional circumstances (including extreme weather, bereavement or similarly unforeseen events).

With the term now in full swing, there are also a few other helpful housekeeping points and reminders to pass on in order to ensure the smooth running of life and learning at school.

Sunsafe Policy: Hats are compulsory in the summer months (children without a hat are required to spend breaks on the shaded verandah outside the hall)

• Drop-off zones: The drop-off zones on Valley and Sherbourne Rd are strictly no parking at peak times (even if “just for a few minutes!”). Drivers must stay in their vehicle – no exceptions. If you wish to walk your child to class, you must find a parking spot further away
• No parking on yellow lines, or in/across driveways around the school (or neighbouring houses)!

School calendar: The latest updates to events can be found on our school calendar via the school website. Notifications on sports and community event cancellations are usually posted on our website and official school facebook page

School Hours Policy: Children may be dropped off no earlier than 8.15am, and must be picked up by 3.15pm. Outside of these times, children must be enrolled in before or after-school care.

At the end of the school day, children may not under any circumstances be told to wait on our playgrounds or anywhere else on school grounds unsupervised to be picked up later. Similarly, children should not return to the school playgrounds after hours without adult supervision.

Phones: Phones and electronic devices are not permitted for students at school, unless with special permission. This includes smartwatches (or any other devices with phone capabilities).

Social Media: Please note that we actively discourage any Primary-aged children from being allowed access to social media sites, which are typically restricted to 13 years and above. This is for good reason in our experience at school as children are not appropriately equipped with the level of emotional maturity needed to handle things when they inevitably go wrong with social media.

Please see below for our “Who Do I Ask?” advice if you would like to know more about the best point of contact for any other questions or enquiries you may need assistance with.

Finally, I'm sure you will be aware of a (potential) new severe weather warning on the horizon, which may have an impact early next week. Hopefully, this won't eventuate, but we will be tracking any developments closely and use our usual channels of text, email and the school website in the event there are any concerns that you may need to be aware of.

For now, let's hope for more blue skies ahead!

.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

Friday 10th February: Whakautau - Welcome to new staff and students (Hall, 10am)

Monday 13th February: Y5 Camp parent helper information evening (Staffroom 6pm)

Wednesday 15th February: School Board Meeting (Staffroom 6pm)

Friday 17th February: Secondhand Uniform Shop open 8.30-9.30am

5pm - 7pm, Thursday 23 February
School field

Bring a picnic blanket, some food and drink, and let the kids play while you catch up with other parents.

Bring along gold coins - the PTA will be selling ice blocks for $2 during the picnic.

Thanks to the many that attended the first PTA meeting of the year. We discussed the new roles and parents putting their hand up to help. We also discussed the Term 1 events and hope to see you all at the Welcome picnic this month. The full minutes are available here.

The Secretary role remains unfilled

Please let us know if you’re keen to try this role. It involves writing the minutes for the remaining four meetings in 2023, and circulating them to all our members, and keeping our shared Drive/Inbox well organised. Our exiting secretary Jane is happy to support you as you get up to speed with the role.

Classroom coordinators needed

Could you take on the role of Class Coordinator for your child's classroom?

Effort required is very minimal

• forward on email updates to the other parents in your class; either from the teacher, or the PTA
• checking in with the teacher regularly via email to pass on any notices regarding events for your room
• setting up a shared contacts list for parents who opt in

It is a really important role as many parents don't read the newsletter each week, and need a person to contact to ask questions about what is happening at MENPS.

A BIG THANK YOU to the parents who have already put their hands up to be Class Coordinators. We're still looking for help in the following classrooms:

• Team 1: 10, 17
• Team 3: 29
  
• Team 4: 33, 35
• Team 5: 5, 6, 8

• PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates.

• Friday 17 February, 8.30am - 9.30am
• Or order online by emailing Jane at menpspta@gmail.com

• Cash or Bank transfer

• Donations still needed - there is a box in office
• If you'd like to volunteer to help - here a link to the roster
  

Co-Chairpersons Pam Clifford & Rosemary Li

Secretary ~~ vacant ~~
Communications Sarah Eason

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran

Class Coordinator Leader Chantal Brunner
Advisor/Coordinator Melanie Woollard
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.

Mike Robson from Ray White Mt Eden is a leading agent in Mt Eden and surrounding areas and is proud to support MENPS in the school's fundraising activities including the annual Food & Fun Fair.

Are you thinking about buying or selling?
As part of their sponsorship of MENPS, Team Mike Robson donates $1,000 back to the school for any property sold within the school zone for MENPS families. Feel free to call Mike (021484288) any time you’ve got a real estate query - he’s always happy to have a chat and answer your questions.

Find out more about Team Mike Robson and why they love living and working in Mt Eden.
Website - www.mikerobson.co.nz

Support our school by eating a delicious Roast at The Bridgman.

Seems too easy but $10 of every kids meal goes directly to our school funds. All you need to do is book your table and put MENPS into the ‘requests’ box and they will donate the profits of your kids meals back to the school.

Easy right?
Just book here - The Bridgman | Corner of Dominion & Valley Roads | Carefully curated food, drinks & cocktails.

The Bridgman are also generously running a food stall at the upcoming Food & Fun Fair.

Skateboarding, Safety, Responsibility and Perseverance. The Mt Eden Skate School is back on Wednesdays after school. Classes are taken by professional skateboarders from the Young Guns Skate School. Students can come straight from school at 3pm and classes run from 3:30pm - 4:30pm. No full term bookings are required, all abilities are welcome and spare skateboards and helmets can be provided. Tech Deck prizes to be won at all classes.