Wednesday 21st September 2022 No. 15

Te Kura o Tōtara Grove

Tōtara Grove School

Kia ora koutou

After two and a half years of living with the disruptions and uncertainty of Covid-19, it is great to see most of the restrictions being lifted. For my own whānau, we are super excited about world travel opening up again and being able to see our daughter after 3 years. She moved to Hawaii to live with her Hawaiian husband just before lockdowns and managed isolation hit our shores so we are really looking forward to seeing her again later this year. As a world, a nation and a community we have all been through a lot and I do wonder about the long term effect this will have on education.

I would like to acknowledge Tania Davis and all of the mahi she has done in teaching and sharing her expertise with some of our students around the traditional tāniko art of making a kakahu. We are all so proud of these students and the commitment, skill, perseverance, and whanaungatanga they have shown along their journey to completing their kakahu. Tania has also worked with some of our staff as well and we are super proud of their efforts too. At our assembly on Friday at 12.30pm we will be celebrating their achievements and you are most welcome to come.

On Monday, 26th September, we will be having a special holiday to honour Queen Elizabeth II. Many of our staff have found it most interesting this week to watch all of the protocols and traditions that the royal family follow for an occasion like this. Enjoy the long weekend everyone.

Mauri Ora!
Sharon
Principal Tumuaki

TUPU TAHI – GROWING TOGETHER. STANDING STRONG. REACHING HIGH.

Caught Being Good

Winners of books for the previous two weeks were:

Rm 5: Luca

Rm 7: Madison

Rm 9: Cailean

Rm 10: Addison, Liam, Dylan

Rm 13: Tizaeya, Braxton

Rm 14: Odessa

Ngā Mātāpono Awards

Rm 5: Junior, Riley

Rm 7: Storm, Leigh-Ray, Dastan, Anabelle

Rm 8: Didi

Rm 9: Mahoe, Shivika, Ngawiki

Rm 10: Tynneal, Lincoln, Kutana, Monique

Rm 13: Wyatt, Chase, Simeon, Sinaraa

Rm 14: Cameron, Liam

Whanau hui

There is still time to book an in person korero with your child’s teacher to talk and plan your goals, dreams and aspirations for your child. School finishes at 1pm TODAY Wednesday 21st September.

Last minute bookings (15mins long) are available on the SKOOL LOOP App:
Wednesday 21st Sep, 1:30pm – 6pm (Early finish TODAY at 1pm )
Thursday 22nd Sep, 3:30pm – 6pm. (Finish at normal time 3pm)

We look forward to this korero to share all the great things about your child. Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau.

Free school lunch programme

Please see attached the menu for the next fortnight. More detailed information is published on the lunch by libelle website: www.lunchbylibelle.co.nz/current-menu.html (click here).

This Fortnights lunch menu:

Waitangi trip

Totara Grove School’s upcoming Waitangi trip is in support of our schoolwide kaupapa, Ngā Rangatira o Te Tai Tokerau, (Leaders of the North). The middle and senior syndicates will be visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on the following days:

Middles (Rm 7 & 8) – Friday 23rd September. Please ensure your child is at school on time as the bus is leaving by 9.30am. The bus will be back at 2.30pm in time for children to be picked up at the end of the day.

Middles (Rm13 & 14) – Wednesday 28th September. Please ensure your child is at school on time as the bus is leaving by 9.30am. The bus will be back at 2.30pm in time for children to be picked up at the end of the day.

Seniors – Tuesday, 27th September. Students need to be at school by 7.45am ready for the bus to leave by 8am. We will be returning to school no later than 5pm.

*All students will need to bring good walking shoes, a packed lunch and a bottle of water.

Enrolment Day

The school office will be open for new enrolments during the school holidays on Wednesday 12th October from 10am – 1pm. Drop in only, no appointments needed on this day.

Please note that we are only able to accept in zone enrolments at this time. You can check to see if you live within our home zone here: www.totaragrove.school.nz/enrolments/

You will need to bring the following documents for each child you wish to enrol:

*Birth certificate/passport
*Proof of address
*Immunisation certificate/records

Rippa at Whau Valley School

Kia ora Totara Grove Whanau,
On the 15th September Totara Grove took a mixed team of rippa players to Whau Valley School for a tournament. This was organised by Matua Dwayne from I Have A Dream. Huge thanks to him. Whau Valley were great hosts, Whaea Delwynne provide a sausage sizzle and subway. Our team ate like athletes. There was a wonderful feeling of whanaungatanga. To ref the games we had Whaea Hannah and Matua Bryce from Northland Rugby. They also brought prizes for the most positive attitude. Whau Valley had a year 5 team and a year 6 team. TGS played both. They were very tired during the second game so Whaea Hannah subbed on for them.
We will be headed back to Whau Valley next Thursday 22nd for more rippa. We are hoping to have two more schools involved. Maybe we will see you there.

KIA MANAWAROA

Kia Manawaroa is the Ministry of Education’s new dedicated pānui for whānau Māori, managed by the Kia Manawaroa team within Te Tuarongo.

It is sent fortnightly via email over the school term to a growing audience of subscribers, published to the Ministry’s websites, and shared via the Ministry’s social media channels.

Kia Manawaroa is about:

Opportunities, changes, and milestones in education
Celebrating Māori success as Māori
Promoting and normalising te reo Māori
COVID-19 updates relevant to whānau

If you would like to subscribe to Kia Manawaroa here is the link

Fundraising raffle

Our school fundraising raffle was a great success! We are excited to share that we raised a whopping $2972. Thank you to our fabulous community who donated towards the prizes or purchased tickets in support of our school.

Here are the raffle results:

1st Groceries in a Wheelbarrow: Ray sold by Leigh-Ray
2nd Study Desk: Journie sold by Journie
3rd Placemakers Blues Pack: Diana sold by Noah
4th Gift Box: Claire sold by Ella
5th Gift Box: Diane sold by Atahua
6th Gift Box: Jess sold by Mason
7th Gift Box: Nana sold by Caleb
8th Gift Box: Nonna sold by Hati
9th Platters: Lance sold by Mahoe

The prize for donating something for the groceries in a wheelbarrow prize was Pai Ora

Te Manawa Tahi Timetable

If you have a concern about your child’s language development, learning progress, social and emotional wellbeing, or behaviour, TeManawa Tahi have specialists available so you can discuss your concerns directly with them.

This is a free service and each site will be identified by a Te Manawa Tahi flag. Drop into a hub or make an appointment by phoning 0800 5248 4256 or emailing TT.Support@education.govt.nz.

School Term Dates for 2022

Term 1 3rd February – 14th April

Term 2 2nd May – 8th July

Term 3 25th July – 30th September. Public Holiday, Monday 26th September

Term 4 17th October – 13th December

Community Notices

CALLING ALL KIDS!!

Kia Ora! I’m Sophie from The Wild Untamed – a little business that focuses on empowering people to get fit, have fun and make new friends!

I’m holding 4 days of school holiday program in Whangarei:

Monday 3rd October 10am to 2pm
Monday 10th October 10am to 2pm
Tuesday 11th October 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 12th October 10am to 2pm

$50 per child per day.

Limited spaces so get in quick!

We start with a welcome game, then learn Aerial Silks and Lyra Hoop until lunch. Afterwards, we play a warm-up game and the kids put together a short routine on the aerial apparatus! We invite parents to come at 1:30pm to see a little show at the end of the day so you can see what your monkeys can do.
There are so many incredible benefits that your child will get from our classes:
1. Improves Focus & Attention
2. Increases Mindfulness
3. Develops Better Balance
4. Builds Strength
5. Boosts Confidence
6. Promotes Healthy Brain
7. Improves Motor Skills
8. Calming Sensory Experience

Term 4 Homeschool & Afterschool Classes Available! Enquire NOW!
Limited spaces – BOOK NOW!
sophie@thewilduntamed.com
0210 814 9398
Whangarei
The Wild Untamed – Celebrating All That We Are