Wednesday 7 June 2023 No. 9

Kia ora koutou, Namaste, Talofa Lava, Konnichiwa, Ni hao, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Chao, Hallo, Zdravstvuite, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Salam, Suostei, Hola, Annoyong Haseyo, Caio, Nei hou, Suoday, Ni sa Bula, Kamusta, Xin chào, Gutentag, Bonjour

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been very fortunate to have the Life Education Caravan at our kura. I would like to say a huge thank you to Nadine Campbell and of course Harold for the wonderful lessons they provided us that focussed around kindness and solving problems. Nadine has been with the Life Education Trust in Whangarei for over 20 years and her skill, experience and expertise really shone through in the mahi she did with our tamariki. I also had the opportunity to attend with our tamariki which was very special and brought back a lot of memories from my early teaching days!

As I have mentioned in the last couple of newsletters, I will be sharing the whakapapa around Te Mātaiaho, our refreshed New Zealand curriculum. There are seven parts to this in total and last week I shared about Mātairangi, the guiding kaupapa and Mātainuku, creating a foundation. The third and fourth parts are Mātaitipu and Mātairea.

Mātaitipu ~ Vision for young people. Mātaitipu encompasses the educational vision for young people, as conceived by young people. During this process older students in college have put forward their thoughts and ideas around the curriculum refresh as well. Mātaitipu hei papa whenuakura. Grow and nourish a thriving community.

Mātairea ~ Supporting progress. Mātairea is about the whole schooling pathway, and the overarching focus and essential pedagogies for kaiako and kaimahi at each phase of learning. Mātai ka rea, ka pihi hei māhuri. Build and support progress.

Kia pai tō wiki!
Ngā manaakitanga,

Sharon
Principal Tumuaki

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

Caught Being Good

Winners of duffy books for the previous two weeks were:

Rm 2: Micah, Lochy, Nolan

Rm 3: Lucy

Rm 5: Nathias

Rm 8: Jahzahlea, Nathan

Rm 9: River-Lee, Ebel, Noah, James, Sylvia

Rm 10: Nivaeya, Azarlea

Rm 11: Rawhiti

Rm 12: Vanity, Payton, Colin, Spencer

Rm 13: Chavarntay, Whole class award

Rm 14: Kingston

Ngā Mātāpono Awards

Rm 2: Eerika, Chelsea, Flynn

Rm 3: Kamera, Laya

Rm 4: Kaitiaki

Rm 5: Jessica, Lexi, Alexious, Ryleigh, Ayce

Rm 7: Ava

Rm 8: Tana, Bentley, Naima, Junior

Rm 9: Jadyn, Jordan, Bella-Marie, Jadyn, Ngawiki

Rm 10: Yalaena, Mason, Liam, Ryan, Dylan

Rm 11: Taiatea, Amara, Zhavana, Hookio

Rm 12: Anabelle, Precious, Leigh-Ray, Paula, Laurel

Rm 13: Zhanica, Tama

Rm 14: Dimarni, Sam, Cameron, Kianna

Free school lunch programme

Menus and detailed information are published on the lunch by libelle website: www.lunchbylibelle.co.nz/current-menu.html (click here).

This week’s lunch menu:

Next week’s menu is still being finalized.

Scholastic Lucky Book club

Any orders for the current scholastic book club brochure (issue #4, 2023) need to be in by Thursday, 15th June. If making a cash order, please return the order form to the school office with the child’s name, room number, selected books and the correct money owing. Orders past this date can still be made directly online as long as they are within scholastic’s final closing date, however they won’t be delivered through the school and postage costs will be added to your order.

https://www.scholastic.co.nz/parents/lucky-book-club/

School Board

The date of the next Board of Trustees meeting is 21 June.

School open morning

On Thursday 29 June, which is the last Thursday of this term, our kura will be holding an open morning from 9am till 1pm. We would like to invite you all to share with your child what they have been learning in their classroom, to see some of the other activities we have at school and also to have morning tea with our staff.

School Camp

Camp date for Year 6 students is 15-17 November 2023. A notice will be coming out in the next week asking for an indication for parent helpers for this camp.

Seesaw

It is fantastic to see how many whānau have taken up the opportunity to enrol in Seesaw. The excitement and delight of watching the tamariki read your encouraging comments is heartwarming. If you would like to get help to use this function, or sign up please make contact with the school or class teacher.

Each week there will be at least one new thing for you to see, sometimes this will be a whole class post and other times it will be a sample personalised to you and your tamariki.

In week 9 our school reports will be live via Seesaw. You can expect a reading, writing and maths sample along with written comments from the teacher. The sample may be a picture or even a video. If you are unable to access this via seesaw please make contact with the class teacher and an alternative will be provided.

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.

Upcoming School Events

21st June – School board meeting

29th June – School open morning, 9am – 1pm

17th August – School photos

15-17th Nov – Year 6 camp

School Term Dates 2023

Term 1 1st Feb – 6th April

Term 2 24th April – 30th June

Term 3 17th July – 22nd Sep

Term 4 9th October – 14th December

Community Notices

We are supporting Stats NZ to encourage everyone to complete the 2023 Census.

So, this is a reminder that you need to return your census forms if you have not done so already.

Census data is used to make important decisions that affect us all. The census is the official count of people living in Aotearoa New Zealand, and everyone who was in the country on Census Day, 7 March 2023, is required by law to complete a census form.

Your participation will help ensure that our community receives funding for services for the number of people that live in our community. That includes education, health, and social services.

To complete the census, you can do it online at www.census.govt.nz using one of the access codes provided in the letters sent to your household. Or you can fill out paper census forms if you have them. To request a new access code or paper forms, freephone 0800 236 787 (0800 CENSUS) or order online at www.census.govt.nz.

The 2023 Census closes on 30 June, so you should do them online now or as soon as practicable. Ensure your paper forms are posted so they arrive with Stats NZ by 30 June.

Census collectors are no longer visiting households providing help to complete census forms (except in the cyclone-impacted areas of the Far North, Te Tairāwhiti, and Hawke’s Bay). If you need assistance or more information:

· You can attend a census support event and get face-to-face help to complete forms (for more information go to www.census.govt.nz/census-support).

· We encourage you to help whānau, friends, and neighbours complete their forms.

· There is information in New Zealand Sign Language, Braille, Easy Read, Large Print, and Audio formats, as well as in 29 different languages at www.census.govt.nz.

· The 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) helpline will be open until 30 June.

Thank you for your support in making sure our community is accurately represented in the census.

Join us at Totara Grove Playcentre
We are a FREE early childhood centre where you can come with your children to enjoy a great range of indoor and outdoor play-based learning activities as well as a community of friendly & supportive parents.
Feel free to drop in anytime we are open, email us with any questions or find us on Facebook for some photos of what our kids have been up to recently.

Opening Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 9am-12pm during school term time
Address: 38 Corks Road
Email: totaragrove@playcentre.org.nz

Playball @ Totara Grove School:

Playball is an international multi sport and movement programme

When: Fridays 3:10 – 3:50 (starting 28th April)
Who: 5-9 year olds (boys and girls)
Where: School turf outside the office
Cost: $89 per child (9 week term) – FREE trial available – email dean@playball.co.nz