Issue 6: Week 6, Term 1 2024
Principal's Message - Karere a te Tumuaki
Kia ora tātou and welcome to our newsletter for Week 6. I hope you all enjoyed the weekend despite the change in weather - our Wet Day Monitors have kicked off with their roles for 2024 this week!
We have officially hit the half way point of the term and it seems a little scary how quickly Easter is creeping up on us. It is probably a good chance to remind you that while everyone gets the Easter Statutory Holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday, schools are also closed for Easter Tuesday. I tried to search for the reason why the Easter Tuesday holiday was brought in for schoools - and this was all I could find from article on Newshub from an MoE spokesperson:
'The rule to close schools on Easter Tuesday was first introduced in 1954. It's unclear why exactly it was introduced, but the holiday has remained in place and is part of the Education Act legislation. Given the long standing requirement for schools to close on Easter Tuesday it is no longer known why it was introduced....."
If anyone else can shed some light on this, I'd be all ears. Maybe a little homework task for your child to investigate and then come and inform me!
Something else you might have heard in the media lately, is that there is a round of Paid Union Meetings coming up for those teachers who belong to the NZEI. While this is correct, you don't need to worry about these meetings having an impact on our school hours; we will organise internal cover for those teachers who wish to attend.
Lastly, today we have our first round of Learner Led Conferences. I hope you find this time valuable as you meet to discuss how things have kicked off in their new classrooms for 2024, as well as the learning goals that have been set by your child and their teacher. Please remember, if you are unable to make it to a conference due to a prior commitment, don't forget to contact your child's teacher to make an alternative arrangement.
Ngā mihi nui
Anna Powrie
Celebrating Learning and Achievement
ECCS Swimming
An outstanding effort by the Karaka School swimmers that competed at the E.C.C.S. (East County Country Schools) event on Friday the 1st March, at the Massey Park Pools. All the swimmers that participated on the day should be extremely proud of their efforts.
A big thank you to the parents that offered to help keep time on the day and to Mrs Redshaw who helped supervise and organise our students.
Congratulations to the 6 Year 7 and 8 students who will be representing E.C.C.S. at the Counties Swimmings Sports Day at Pukekohe Jubilee Pools on Friday 8th March and we wish them the very best.
Well done - Daniel P, Elizabeth C, Deeann C, Charlie T, Grace M, Aliyah M
My New Gallery
Student Leadership Roles for 2024
Congratulations to all the students who have been appointed a leadership role for 2024 - we know that you will rise to the occasion and do an amazing job!
Sports Camp 2024
Would your business like to be one of this years sponsors for our Intermediate 2024 Sports Camp team?
Every year in Term 2, Karaka School take between 36 to 40 Intermediate students to Sports Camp to compete in up to 40 different sports, against other schools for cups.
Your name would appear on the back of their Sports Camp hoodie, which then becomes part of the Karaka School uniform for the rest of the year, along with regular recognition in the Karaka School Newsletter.
Please email Kim Sutton if you are interested for your business to be a sponsor in 2024 kims@karaka.school.nz
Notices From the Office
Updating School Records and Details
Update forms have been sent home. If you have any change of details, please note these on the forms and return the form to the office or to your class teacher.
Photolife Class, Individual and Sibling Photos
Photolife will be coming on Monday 8th April. They will be taking class, individual and sibling photos. We will be using the online ordering system again this year.
School Donation Discount
In order to get the $25.00 discount from your school donation, this must be paid before the end of Term 1.
On Kindo you can change the amount of what you are wishing to pay by just overwriting it. Please let us know if you have done this so we can adjust it too at our end.
Health and Safety
Now is a good time to be reminding our learners about the importance of everyday hygiene habits. We received the following advice to share with you:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry thoroughly
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in living or social environments
- Stay home when sick and seek medical attention
- Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin
- Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
PTA News
Any questions/fundraising ideas or if you require uniform items urgently, you can email us on karaka.pta@gmail.com
The Karaka School PTA account number is 12-3031-0851231-00
Updates from the Wider Community
AA Insurance are giving away $10,000 sports grants to two lucky schools. Please click on the link below & vote for Karaka School. This would be an amazing prize to win!