Pohutukawa Syndicate Newsletter

Talofa, kia ora and greetings to you all for Term 3.

Our classes are already busy with their learning programmes and their school activities...

BIG LEARNING: our Team focus this term is in the Arts. Rooms 12 and 14 are creating and   performing Dance around their theme of chickens. Room 13 are working in mixed media on NZ flora and fauna, and Room 15 are working on still-life painting of the vegetables and fruit they are using as a part of their Community kai project.

FONTERRA MILK FOR SCHOOLS: This initiative has got underway. Our Senior students have played a crucial role in setting up and maintaining the distribution system, and in acting as supporters and role models for younger students. Our Milk Monitors are: Ieremia, Daniel, Tyla, Kia Kaha, Jack, Sebastian, George, Ezekial, Lucy V. Mia, Damika, Arden, Elyn, Mary Kirani and Hannah.

CAMP 2014: This camp will be an overnight camp, and we will use Action Stations facilitators at Mount Maunganui, Waimarino, and  the Pacific Park Campsite at  Papamoa. The programme will differ slightly from this year’s programme. Our camp will be held in Week 10 of Term 1. Camp 1 will be on Monday 7 to Wednesday 8 April, and  Camp 2 on Wednesday 8 April to Thursday 9. We are negotiating final costs and contracts at the moment, and we will let you know the cost shortly, so that you can set up payment arrangements with the school office, if you wish to do so.  EOTC experience is a critical part of your child’s learning, and all students are expected to attend camp.

FUNDRAISING FOR CAMP 2014: We were very successful last year, and once again, we call on your support for our fundraising activities. On Thursdays we will be selling $2.00 Sausages and Lollipops for 50c in the lunch order area by the Library. SAUSAGE SIZZLES start in Week 3, next week; Please place the correct money in a sealed envelope, with your child’s order, name and room number on the outside.

SPEECH COMPETITION:  This year, our finals will be held in Week 8 on Friday 20 September. Speech Competitions will be held in class in the fortnight leading up to the finals, and a Y5 and a Y6 finalist will be chosen from each class. Y4 students will also have two finalists.

NUDE FOOD:  At the end of last term, we trialled the idea of nude food for play lunch, and there has been a considerable reduction of playground rubbish in the Senior area since. The students now are used to the idea, so when/if you are packing their lunches, could you consider excluding wrapping, where possible? We would be grateful.

PORTFOLIOS: Please return these to school as soon as possible, as we need to continue recording your child’s journey through learning. Don’t forget to write feedback for them, on the last page!

SPORT COMPETITIONS:  We all are looking forward to participating in the Adidas Fun Run on Tuesday 6 August! Thanks to Renee and the PTA for organising this event. Shoes need to be worn by ALL students for this run, and ALL students will be participating.  On Tuesday 27 August the  Cross Country  Cluster competition will be held at Porritt Stadium, and the Fairfield Cluster Winter Sports Tournament will be held at Southwell School on Tuesday 17 September. We support all of our competitors – good luck everyone!

WINTER ILLS: If your child is ill with a cold, or ‘flu, please be mindful that they would be best kept at home, to recover. We appreciate always, a donation of tissues over the winter months, and we encourage students not to wear shoes inside. Students are able to bring their slippers, to keep warm.

Best wishes from  the Pohutukawa Team: Margaret Bull, Chris Read, Lisa Harvey, and Georgia Cox-Wright