Newsletter 3 August 2023

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

Team Newsletters: 

Through my questionnaire, it was clear families wanted to know about what children were learning each term and were interested in seeing an example of a typical timetable in each team. We hope you find the revised team newsletters will help you better understand school life! They have been shared in a community hero post and you can also find them on our school newsletter on the home page. 

Student-led Conferences:

On Tuesday, our students were able to sit with their families and show them around their learning spaces and to discuss the progress they are making in the classroom. This is an important part of reporting to parents, and proven to be a more effective way to engage in a three way conversation about learning. We hope you were able to see the wide range of learning the children are engaged in everyday. If you have any questions after your student-led conferences, we encourage you to get in touch with your child’s teacher. 

School Production: Slice of Aotearoa 

Teachers will communicate with you regarding their class items. Please keep checking your child’s Hero messages from the school. On the Production evening:

• Date: Thursday 31 August 2023
• Drop off to Bruce Mason Centre: 5:30pm
• Performance begins: 6:30pm 
• Pick up children from around 8:15pm 
• Teachers will be asking if parents can provide simple costumes, if this is a challenge for you, please let us know, we will work it out together

Tickets: will be available for purchase through Bruce Mason Centre. Costs and details will be available closer to the time. Please note: You can purchase up to only 2 tickets per family in the first instance and we will be able to open up more seats depending on how many tickets are sold. We understand this might mean additional ticket holders may not be able to sit together. We hope you understand that we want to make sure all children have at least someone coming to watch the performance. 

The process so far has been: 

• A group of teachers formed a Production team and decided on the theme that would suit the children’s learning this year. We decided to build a fun theme that would engage the children and their audience and a great way to connect with New Zealand history.

• The Production team wrote a script, created different class items and leads (4 roles)

• It was decided that each class would create a dance routine to represent their decade of NZ music and we would find a suitable outfit using everyday items

• Auditions took place for leads and they were selected before the Term 3 break 

• The script included key performance groups, Kapa Haka, Choir (accompanied by 3 dancers), and Marimba. Children were invited to join these groups if they wanted to be part of this production

Car parking at Takapuna Primary – UPDATE

Thanks to those who gave valuable feedback from the previous newsletter, the Health and Safety committee have met and made slight modifications to the plans. We will roll this out as soon as we are ready. In the meantime, I keep encouraging you to park safely and walk to collect your child.  

Out of Zone Enrolments (those turning 5yr in 2024 only)

The board has determined that limited places for children turning 5 in 2024, are likely to be available for out-of-zone students. This includes siblings of current students. 

Application for enrolment is online via our school website  www.tps.school.nz

The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Wednesday 11 October 2023.

*Parents of students who live within the school zone should also apply by this date, to assist the school with planning.

Ballot (if required) will be drawn Wednesday 18 October 2023. Parents will be informed of the results within 3 school days of the ballot being held.

Enquiries to enrol@tps.school.nz 

General Reminders

Reporting Absences

If your child is absent from school, this MUST be reported, along with the reason, BEFORE 9:00 am. Please note that an absence notice is a requirement of the Ministry of Education. If we do not receive confirmation of absence AND the reason, your child will be marked as “truant”. 

Picking up your child from school

Could we also be mindful of the school policy with regards to picking up your child promptly at 3:00pm. Children who have not been picked up by 3:15pm will need to be placed in After School Care, where they can be supervised. We do not want to have to do this, as this will be at a cost to parents.

Many thanks for your cooperation with this. 

Kindo & ezlunch are excited to share the arrival of a fresh new look in Term 3!

So what can you expect from the new and improved versions of Kindo & ezlunch?

• A fresh, new look with better navigation and clear student selection
• Clearer cart layout showing what has been purchased for each person
• Faster and easier checkout flow for a better shopping experience
• Better visibility of which items are available and which aren’t 
• New item search & sort function e.g. sort lunch by dietary requirement
• Easier process for ordering lunches for ‘multiple days’

Mitey – Mental Health Education:

Mitey is a New Zealand specific, Years 1-8 approach to embedding mental health education in both teaching and learning. It was developed by the Sir John Kirwan Foundation. Our kura is now in the second year on our Mitey journey.

Children will learn how to recognise and respond to their own mental health and those of others. Cultivating good mental health helps us cope with life’s ups and downs, and to feel comfortable asking for help from others when we need it.

All the teachers at Takapuna Primary are engaging with Professional Development from our expert coaches working for Mitey. 

For more information visit the website: https://www.mitey.org.nz/

Interschool Chess Tournament

Last Monday TPS entered 2 teams in the North Shore Primary School Interschool Chess Tournament. This was our first entry in many years.

Team A was placed 12th out of 31 teams and Team B was placed 20th. 

Many thanks to Jessie and Jeff, our amazing coaches and parent helpers for their support.

We are really proud of our efforts.

Arfa took part in a national New Zealand Abacus Competition(mental maths) over the holidays. She is one of three chosen to represent New Zealand in the International Abacus Competition held in Sri Lanka in October.

Hail, hail and more hail! 

The children were SO excited to see and touch hail, brrrrrrrrrrrr it was very, very cold though!

IMPORTANT DATES:

Thursday 31 August           School Production (Slice of Aotearoa) 6:30pm start

Wednesday 11 October      2024 Out of Zone Applications CLOSE

Wednesday 18 October      2024 Out of Zone Ballot DRAWN

Click here for School Calendar

TPS SPORTS:

Registrations 2023

To register your child please head along to our school website, located under the sports section (“our learning”) you will find the registration forms tab.

This is where ALL permissions and registrations will take place in 2023. 

FANTAILS is coming to North Shore United Soccer Club
Fantails is a programme to attract 4–12 years old girls to the beautiful game of soccer.

Sessions are focused on making friends, having fun, improving skills and being active through playing soccer in a relaxed and safe environment.

North Shore United is running these affordable sessions in Term 3. Launching just as the FIFA Women’s World Cup comes to NZ and Australia. These hubs are the perfect opportunity for girls to give soccer a go. There are no weekend games or commitment to a team. These are girl only sessions run by friendly, local NZF qualified female coaches and role models.

TERM 3: DATES, TIMES, LOCATION & AGES:
 
Girls 4-6 yr old hub (school years 1-2 approx): Fridays @ Allen Hill Stadium – 3:45pm-4:30pm
Girls 7-8 yr old hub (school years 3-4 approx): Fridays @ Allen Hill Stadium – 4:35pm-5:20pm
Girls 9-10 yr old hub (school years 5-6 approx): Thursdays @ Bayswater Park – 4:00pm-5:00pm
Girls 11-12 yr old hub (school years 7-8 approx): Thursday @ Belmont Intermediate School – 7:30am-8:30am

How do I book a Fantails session?
Sign up at www.nsu.org.nz/join-now/girls-fantails

COMMUNITY NOTICES:

Speed Limits have changed