Principal's Patch
Kia ora koutou
We are getting close to the end of the school year, and what a year it has been. COVID-19 has put a lot of pressure on our community but together, we have risen to the challenge.
I want to thank you once more, for all you have done to keep yourselves, your whānau and our community as safe as possible. Through reinforcing good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, staying away if sick and seeking medical advice, we have kept operating safely, and our tamariki have, importantly, continued to learn.
I also extend a specific thank you to all those in our community who have worked in health services and on the frontline to support New Zealand’s defence against COVID-19. They and their families and whānau have sacrificed so much to contribute to our own safety and to support the return home for more than 70,000 New Zealanders.
You may not be aware of the extent of the work our frontline community do to keep us all safe including regularly being tested, constantly monitoring for symptoms, keeping a close track of their movements, maintaining physical distancing and holding off hugging loved ones when they get home until they have had a shower and changed clothes.
I am sure you will join me in giving a special thank you to those individuals for all they have done for us.
Sandy Hastings
Tumuaki - Principal
Important Dates
Upcoming Events
Wed 9 Dec: Junior Athletic Sports from 1:30pm (NE - Year 4)
Thu 10 Dec: Kahikatea Pool and Picnic day at Waltham Pool
Fri 11 Dec: Final Celebration Assembly 09:15am
Fri 11 Dec: Y7/8 trip to Corsair Bay 11-3pm
Mon14 Dec: Y7/8 Walk to Victoria Park
Tue 15 Dec: Year 8 Leavers Graduation 11am - Invited whānau only (due to space limitations)
Wed 16 Dec: - 12:30pm - School finishes for the year. Stationery lists and home group team and teacher information for 2021 sent home.
Term Dates
Click here to view 2020 & 2021 term dates.Citizen of the Week
Fern Newick-Taylor - Year 7
Fern, you consistently demonstrate our school values in all that you do. You are kind and inclusive towards others, you embrace opportunities to learn and you show perseverance in the face of challenge. You can always be relied upon to role model positive behaviours for learning and you apply a growth mindset to any situation. Thank you for the wonderful contributions that you bring to our Kauri whānau.
School Notices
Gift giving at the end of the year
We are aware that gift-giving is one way that people often choose to show appreciation and that this is particularly so at Christmas or the end of the school year.
We talk with the children about the importance of showing appreciation in an ongoing way through words and actions, rather than necessarily through the buying of gifts. Our teachers talk with the children about the value of making and writing cards or small gifts. In that same spirit, we also appreciate hearing that what we have done has been appreciated, and we do not expect parents or students to buy gifts for staff.
Hats
Even though we are in the final days of school, sunhats continue to be a compulsory uniform item. We have very large numbers of children wanting to borrow hats, which we do not have available. Without hats, they miss out on participating in outside activities both during class time and during break times. Please ensure your child comes to school with a hat EVERY day. Please ensure your child's name is written on the inside of their hat. Thank you.
Healthy Opāwaho
Did you know that everything that goes into stormwater drains ends up in our river? Our Healthy Ōpāwaho student leaders are monitoring one of the drains in our school, and picking up nearby rubbish. Last week, they found a drink can, a broken plant pot, several food wrappers, a broken pencil, a crayon and more. We want a clean and healthy river...and we don’t want this rubbish entering it! You could help our river by:
- when you go for a walk take a bag and gloves and pick up rubbish you see
- pick up any dog poo when you’re out walking your pup
- wash your car on the grass not on the road, so the toxins don’t run into the drains and river
Watch this video for more information:
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| Healthy Ōpāwaho Ambassadors, picking up litter... |
Mana Ake “Drop-Ins” are continuing…
A number of whānau have already made great use of the Mana Ake “drop-ins” that are available on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9:30am. These drop-in sessions are here to provide parents with an opportunity to have a private, informal conversation around the well being of their child with one of our Mana Ake workers (kaimahi). If you feel like you would like to attend a drop-in session, please book in a time via the link here: Mana Ake booking The code to use is 88t39. Alternatively, you can contact Jacky in the office and she will make a booking for you.
Lost Property
There is a significant amount of lost property that has accumulated over this term. Please take a moment to have a look and see if any of it belongs to your family. Lost property is located on either the library deck, or inside the library.
Mobile Phone Recycling
We continue to have the dropbox at the front desk of admin for people to drop off unwanted mobile phones. These are mailed to the Mobile Phone Recycling Scheme and Sustainable coastlines organisation.
BOSCO
Join us this December holidays for not only Christmas fun like pass the parcel and making beautiful Christmas cards but we will also have a BYO wheels day, pot painting, some baking and a day filled with water fun. Book now to avoid missing out or contact Juanita on 027 645 6632 or email office@bosco.org.nz
Sports News
Canterbury Athletics
A huge congratulations to the children who represented our kura at Ngā Puna Wai on Wednesday. True to any Canterbury level competition, the standard of entries was very high. An example of this was the longest jump of the day by a Year 8 student measuring 5.25 metres. It was a pleasure to see our students hold their own against such strong competition, competing with ambition, integrity and sportsmanship.
Congratulations to JJ Mathias, Caitlyn McIntosh, Grace Monk, Jonty Mitchell, Ava Howard, Billy Murfin and Zoe Clarke.
Congratulations to Billy who placed 2nd in the 60 m sprint. Billy ran an amazing race, with just a hair between him and first place.
Mountain Biking
Congratulations to Morgan Lee, who finished 2nd in Gravity Canterbury’s Dave’s Race last weekend. For most of us, just looking at the course he raced down would make our stomachs turn.
Community Notices
(Notices placed here are contingent on space and do not reflect the views or opinions of the school.)
Friday Whānau Fun Nights at South Library
An evening of stories, family and fun at the library!
Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, or bring your uncle and cousins – the whole whānau is invited!
Join us on the second Friday of the month for a short storytime, followed by fun, hands-on activities to do as a family. We’ll be building, making, and exploring right here in South library! Come along, create some great family memories, and get your weekend off to a fun start.
Friday 11 December 5-6pm (Christmas)
Age: This is aimed at 5-12 year olds and their family members of any age.
Cost: Free, no bookings required
Christchurch Netball
Christchurch Netball Centre are running netball skill and development sessions in Term 1 2021.Please visit their website to find out more.
