Issue 16: Week 6, Term 2 2024

Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki

Kia ora koutou and welcome to our Week 6 newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed the extra long weekend with King's Birthday and our Teacher Only Day on the Friday. We had a great day of hard mahi on our TOD, delving into the refreshed Maths Curriculum. It gave me time to pause and reflect on the fact that as a school, we are really lucky to have such hard working and dedicated teachers. For me, this was topped off by a weekend up in Mangawhai with my family and friends and left me feeling a renewed vigour for the busy weeks ahead!

Today we had almost 40 Year 5&6 students at the ECCS Netball Funday. It was a fabulous day down at Bruce Pulman and I really enjoyed watching our kids have a go - particularly those who gave netball a try for the first time (which was the whole aim of the day). Thank you to the parents who came along to help manage/coach the teams, and to our Year 7&8 umpires Deeann, Aliyah, Grace, Tatum and Phoebe. A big thanks also to Mrs Redshaw who organised the event and ensured it ran smoothly. We also had 14 Year 7&8 students compete at an orienteering race at Eden Park this morning. Mrs Sutton coordinated our participation in this event and said it was a really fun experience for those involved. Again, a thank you to the parents who helped transport kids to and from the venue.

On the staffing front, yesterday I was able to send out a memo to our Middle team parents and caregivers about the upcoming changes to those classes. No doubt you will all be aware that both Mrs Fielder and Mrs Fong head off on maternity leave at the end of this term. While we will miss them both while they are away, we somehow feel they'll have their hands too full to worry much about us over the coming months! I am happy to announce that Mrs Collie will be taking on the Acting Team Leader role for the Middle Team for 12 months until Mrs Fielder returns, and we know she is going to do a wonderful job supporting our Middle Team teachers and students. I am also thrilled to inform you that Mrs Jordan will be taking over Mokomoko class. Having taught in Kōkako on Mondays and Tuesdays since the beginning of this year, Mrs Jordan already knows many of our Middle team learners and their families well. She is planning to spend some time in Mokomoko with Mrs Fielder and Mrs Fong over the coming weeks to help ensure a smooth transition into Term 3.

We have a few other major events that we can look forward to over the next few days. This Saturday our PTA is running a 'Mid Winter Quiz Night' and we are sure this will prove to be lots of fun. I can assure you the staff teams are also looking forward it - and also hoping we can at least answer a few questions correctly 🧐😜!! A big thanks to Renee, Stu and their team for putting the Quiz night together for our school community - we know it takes a lot of planning and preparation to pull off a night like this.

Next week, most of our Year 7&8 students will be heading off to Sports Camp down in Matamata. There has been a lot of hard work and preparation that has gone into training for this camp and we know they are going to have an awesome time. Mr Dyer and I are looking forward to heading down on Wednedsay next week to check it all out and show our support.

And to finish off, tomorrow night there is an Ag Day Information Evening in the Hall at 7pm. If you are new to Ag Day, or simply want to come along and find out a little more about what Ag Day is all about, please feel free to come along with any questions you might have. I know I have a few questions myself now that I have a child who is desperate to try and raise a chicken in the middle of The Gardens Manurewa!

Ngā mihi nui,

Anna Powrie 

Ag Day Information

2023 Ag Day Trophies

Please return to school trophies won at last year's Ag Day (polished would be fantastic!). You get to keep the miniatures.

Chicken Orders for Ag Day

Purchase your chicken on Kindo now! All orders to be received by Monday 24th June. Only chickens ordered through the school are eligible for Agricultural Day. 

Fence Paling Orders for Ag Day

If you are doing the fence paling construction project, you can now place your order on Kindo. All orders to be received by Friday 21st June.

Dairy Calves for Ag Day

Chris and Sally Guy would like to offer the opportunity for children to have a calf for Ag Day. The farm is located directly opposite Karaka School, with the entrance to the milking shed from Karaka Road. Chris will select the calves with the children from the herd which will be put into a shed next to the Guy's milking shed where the children are required to come to feed, groom and walk their calves. Milk is also provided onsite daily.

What is required: maximum 4 children, at least 1 senior student, calves must be fed daily between 2.45-3.15pm, the families can help each other out regarding this. Calves must be fed on weekends as well however feeds may be done between 12-4pm. Children must be supervised by a parent/guardian while onsite. A course will be set up on site for the children to practice leading their calves through. Families must bring a halter, lead and brush. 
 
Beef Calf: If anyone is interested in raising a beef calf there are some available. These would be either purchased or returned to the farm after Ag Day.  Please contact Chris Guy on 021 136 5770 for either a Dairy or Beef calf. 

Help caring for Lambs

Little Guys would like to offer their help to feed and care for lambs during the day so that they can be fed while families are at work. We can take a maximum of 4 lambs. All milk, and bottles would need to be supplied daily. Drop off and pick up times are from 7.30am to 5pm. Please contact Sally at Little Guys on 0223543693

Notes from the Office

Enrolments 2025

Please check out the Website for up to date information on our out of zone enrolments for 2025. There will be limited places available for out of zone enrolments in some areas of the school.

Change of Clothes

With the change of weather and  muddy fields, it would be great if those wishing to play on the field bring a change of clothes. Also if your child is sent home in spare clothes, can these please be returned to the office once cleaned.

School Fees

Have you remembered to pay your bus fees, Mathletics fees, technology fees, class stationery consumables, Education Perfect fees and camp deposits?

The school has already paid these outside providers. Your payment of any outstanding accounts would be greatly appreciated.

Illness and Medication

• A reminder that at this time of year there are lots of bugs about. To help stop the spread, please keep your child home if they are unwell and ensure 24 hours have passed before sending your child to school after a stomach upset.
• Please be aware that all medication administered to a child must be brought to the office in the first instance. Medication must not be taken to the classroom or put in your child’s lunchbox. A signed request/medical form must be provided before medication will be administered by staff. Please call into the office to sign this form. 
• Hand washing is the simplest and most effective means to prevent, control and reduce infection. This includes colds, influenza and stomach bugs. Hands need to be washed and dried properly. Wet hands transfer bacteria more readily than dry hands which have not been washed at all.

PTA News

Mid Winter Christmas Quiz Night this Saturday

The PTA is looking forward to decking the halls with knowledge and cheer for a Christmas Cracker of a Quiz Night this Saturday.

Doors open at 7:00 pm to allow you time to grab a drink and mingle in your most merry attire (think sparkly sweaters, reindeer ears, anything that shouts Christmas cheer!) - there is a prize for best dressed! The quiz starts at 7:30 pm sharp.

We'll have Eftpos on hand, but to keep the holiday cheer flowing smoothly, bringing some cash is encouraged to avoid any long lines.

WANTED - We are putting the call out for donations of any nice wine, spirits or gift vouchers that can be used in our mystery raffle that we are having at the quiz night this Saturday. Mystery bags will be sold for $25.00.
If you have something that you would like to donate, could you please drop it into the office before the end of day Friday.
We are hoping to have at least 20 mystery bags on offer. 

Updates from the Wider Community