Issue 36: Week 6, Term 4 2024

Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki

Kia ora Karaka friends and families. We're down to just three and a half weeks of the school year left and it's hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner. I do have to admit I succumbed to the pressure from my '11 year old mini me' on Monday night and we put up our Christmas tree and decorated the house. I know it's not December 1st just yet but it does make me smile when I walk in the door.

Last week we definitely finished the week on a high with our 'Sports Disco' run by our awesome PTA. I'm sure the music and dancing rivalled the fun of all those at the Coldplay concert (must've been close at least!) and it was awesome to connect and have some fun with our tamariki and their families in a more informal setting. A huge shout out to DJ Rob (our disco DJ fav) and to the PTA for organising and running the event. The food was delicious, everyone had heaps of fun, the limbo was still as popular as ever, and it was awesome to see teachers and students carving up the dance floor together. Although judging by this pic, I wonder if it was the children or us teachers having the most fun...... 🤔

The next few weeks will become even busier and it's good to get a few dates and times out to you all now.

• Karaka's Got Talent will be held on the morning of Tuesday 3rd of December (starting at 9am). Rumour has it there may even be a special staff item so you'll want to make sure you're in attendance for this special event.
• End of year Prizegiving will be held at 5.30pm in the Hall on Thursday 12th December. We encourage all students and their families to attend as we come together to celebrate our 2024 achievements. Our Senior Kapa Haka group will be opening the evening with a performance as well.
• Friday 13th of December is the last day of the term. School will end at midday and we will end the day with a special send off and haka for our graduating Year 8 students - all are welcome! KAS will be available for parents to book for those children not able to be collected by 12pm.

Yesterday we had five students represent Karaka and ECCS at Counties. Mrs Sutton was really proud of everyone's efforts and will share these results with you once she's had confirmation of placings. Today our Year 7&8 boys Touch Team are off to represent us at Auckland Champs - good luck and we can't wait to hear from Mr V how you get on! And of course, just over 50 students and some teachers will be spending today at the Weetbix Tryathlon at Mountford Park in Manurewa. No doubt you'll see some pics coming through on Hero - great to see such a large school group heading through together to participate in an iconic Kiwi event. Let's see how many All Blacks we spot while we're there....

And that's it from me.

Ngā mihi nui

Anna Powrie

Thank You

The Board of Trustees and Staff would like to thank everyone who has helped out at School on a voluntary basis during the year.

This especially applies to those who help in the PTA, Ag Day, Library, Uniform Shop, Lucky Books, Reading Mileage, Junior team helpers, Disco, Camps, Book Taping, School Trips, Classroom help, Transporting and many more...

We really appreciate all that you do for us.

Celebrating Learning and Achievement

Counties Athletics

Karaka School representatives at the Counties Athletics Day held at Massey Park on Tuesday.
A massive thank you to Deeann C and Jaxxson T who helped out at the Discus for the whole day.

Notes from the Office

Library Books and School Readers

As we are nearing the end of year it is time to return any Library books and school readers that you may have hiding at home - please check under beds, behind the couch, in bookcases for any Karaka School books and return them to your classroom teachers.

The Library will be closing on Friday 22nd November to get ready for this year's stock take.

Thanks very much.

Lost Property

Charley P has lost a green stone necklace in the shape of a sharks tooth. She thinks it was lost on the bottom flat last week.
The person who finds it will receive a peanut slab from Mr Good!!

Stationery for 2025

We will once again be using the OfficeMax online ordering for class stationery.

Stationery lists will be available shortly to view and order by going to myschool.co.nz

Once class placements are finalised, you will be able to go on and order your stationery.

Watch out for the OfficeMax flyer coming home this week.

PTA News

Updates from the Wider Community