Issue 24: Week 4, Term 3 2024
Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki
Kia ora and welcome to the Week 4 edition of the newsletter. I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling a little sad the Paris Olympics have come to an end - although the tendency to stay up far later than I should to watch the medal finals will mean I can resume my normal bedtime again! What an amazing accomplishment from our NZ athletes who made our country so proud. I can't help but feel amazed time and time again (does that sentence mean I'm not so young anymore 🫣) that our small country can compete AND win so many medals against the biggest countries in the world. We've had some interesting talks about what 'medals per capita' means in the car to and from school these past weeks. I've also loved chatting about it with the kids at school, and with staff and parents in the Staffroom and the office. Bring on Los Angeles 2028 🥇🥈🥉.
Staying on the sporting front, we had a number of students represent Karaka at the ECCS Cross Country event yesterday (in hindsight it is a good thing it was postponed from last Thursday due to the weather considering the beautiful sunshine). Thank you to Mr Vermeulen and Mrs Sutherland for taking all the kids, and also to all the parent supporters who were able to go and cheer them along. A huge ka pai to all the students who gave it their all on a gruelling course against all the other schools in our cluster - we had so many students finish in the top 10. I do want to make a special mention of the students who made it into the top 3 for their age groups.
Congratulations to:
Yr 5 - Boys: 1st James R
Yr 6 - Boys: 2nd Jack A; Girls: 3rd Emma M
Yr 7 - Boys: 2nd Cooper R; Girls: 3rd Ella H
Yr 8 - Boys: 1st Daniel P, 3rd Tom P
The Junior Team were also able to make use of the fine weather and made it across the road for their Farm Trip (3rd time lucky!). While they didn't get the viewing pleasure of a calf being born breech, they did have an amazing time and were full of farm related facts and conversation after school today. Just want to say to Miss Ballard: your trip/weather ratio can only go up from here!!
On the staffing front, you may have heard the exciting news that Miss Agate is expecting her second baby in January next year. We are all really happy for Miss Agate and her family as they await their newest addition over these coming months. I have also mentioned to the staff that people should take note of Miss Agate's impeccable timing skills; a January birthday is my favourite as a Principal (I'm not sure this this has actually sunk in though 😉).
Finally, tomorrow we have our 3 Way Conferences and we are really looking forward to being able to connect and discuss the progress and achievement of our students with their families. Please be aware that our teachers have been told not to go over their 10 minute time slot as it puts other families at a disadvantage (and we will be monitoring this closely). I want to make it clear, if you do have more serious things you wish to discuss about your child's learning, social issues, or behaviour that is likely to take more than a 10 minute conversation, our teachers are available by appointment at any time during the year. Hence, it shouldn't wait for a night like 3 Way Conferences to broach such issues.
Here is the link for parents who require supervision for their child/children between 12:30-2:45pm tomorrow: https://forms.gle/AHjRCDJLbKm9SwPq7
Ngā mihi nui,
Anna Powrie
Celebrating Learning and Achievement
ECCS Cross Country
Our Cross-Country students, Years 4-8, participated in the ECCS Cross Country at Te Puru Park, Maraetai. All of them gave their best and showed great sportsmanship, and several students placed. The students and teachers enjoyed the lovely sunny weather and had a fantastic day.
Well done on the following students who placed in the top 3 today:
- James R (1st Year 4/5 Boys)
- Jack A (2nd Year 6 Boys)
- Emma M (3rd Year 6 Girls)
- Ella H (3rd Year 7 Girls)
- Cooper R (2nd Year 7 Boys)
- Daniel P (1st Year 8 Boys)
- Tom P (3rd Year 8 Boys)
Congratulations to our 8 Year 7 & 8 students who've made the E.C.C.S. Team to compete in the Counties Cross Country next Friday at Pukekohe:
- Ella H
- Lucy E
- Aliyah M
- Grace M
- Cooper R
- Max N
- Daniel P
- Tom P
My New Gallery
Agricultural Day
Notes from the Office
Enrolments for 2025
For forward planning, if your child lives in zone and is starting next year, or if you fall into the priority 2-5 categories (please refer to the Website), please can you complete the online enrolment application (also found on the Website). Out of zone enrolment applications close on Tuesday 15th October with the ballot date set for Wednesday 23rd October.
If you have any information that may impact on the organisation of our school next year e.g. moving, changing schools, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can ensure we are well organised for our learners come the new year.
PTA News
**REMINDER** Our next PTA meeting is on Wednesday 14th August at 7pm in the staffroom. All welcome! We would love to see you there.
Movie Night - Thanks to everyone that attended, it was a great evening. We raised $1,300.00. A big thank you to Matt Keller for sharing his movie set and time setting up for us.
Little Eats Thursday Lunch - Will be delivered early on Thursday - lunchtime will be earlier this day due to 3 Way Conferences.
Updates from the Wider Community
Register your child or their entire team, to play Touch Rugby at Karaka Sports Park for the 2024 season. Follow this link https://www.juniors.