www.waikaretu.school.nz admin@waikaretu.school.nz 09 2333014

Newsletter – Term 1 Week 3 Roll: 25 students Wednesday 19th February 2020

Kia ora koutou,

We are having an exciting start to the year and I’d like to welcome everyone back for another great year at Waikaretu School. Thank you to all who came to the pōwhiri at Weraroa Marae. It was a privilege to experience such an amazing welcome to Waikaretu Valley and Waikaretu School.

Welcome back to returning students Anya, Addison, Bailey, Troy, Felicity, Mahiroa, Johnny, Jasper, Harrison, Isaac, Eli, Eric, Riria, Billy, Te Whai Ao, Dallas, Stirling, Flynn, Levi, Theo and Archer. Welcome to our new students and families; Max Parrott, Jayden Mitchell, Eli Welch and Whare Kani

Our school roll 2020 starts with a healthy 25 students, with upcoming expected enrolments in March and Term 2 and a few more through to the end of the year. If you know of any pre-schoolers or new students to the community, considering Waikaretu School let us know so we can send out an information pack.

The children are settling in quickly and we have had great learning opportunities with the pōwhiri, a visit from St John, swimming lessons with Denise, Garden club with Erica and swim safety this week with Franklin swim club.

A special thank you to Justine Whiti for supporting us all as we settle in to our new roles.

Our Room 2 teacher is due to arrive within a couple of weeks after an immigration delay. In the meantime we appreciate the support Justine Whiti is giving to students, teachers and relievers in Room 2. Bernie van Loon and Sian Noble Campbell are sharing the principal release position in Room 1 from Wednesday to Friday.

A warm welcome to Ulrika Parrott who is our school administrator working in the office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 3pm.

We have made a great start to the year and I am looking forward to continuing the rich learning experiences throughout the term.

Justine Brock Principal

Sun smart: It is compulsory for all students to wear the ‘Waikaretu maroon bucket hat’ Term 1 & 4 Each day children need to come to school with a drink bottle (water only please), book bag with reading, homework & library books etc. Please check their book bag occasionally for notices, particularly of our younger students. We are swimming daily, so please ensure the children come to school with togs and towel in a named plastic bag or similar. Swimming is part of the curriculum and all students are expected to participate unless we have a note or phone call from home.

Uniform: Please ensure all your child’s uniform items are clearly named for easy identification, especially in the summer/swimming months.

Stationary: Will be $20.00 per child. It can be paid for in regular instalments or paid in full. Please ensure stationery is fully paid by the end of Term 1 please. Invoices for all students will go home next week.

Technology @ Huntly Primary for Years 7 & 8 – started 11 February. Parents are responsible for getting their children to and from Technology. As this is only for the morning, they are expected back at school for the afternoon programme. This ran smoothly last week. Thank you.

Go Bus Driver: Justine 027 2553178. Please ensure you let Justine know before 7.50 a.m if your child/children is/are not travelling on the bus in the morning and let the school know if your child/children is not travelling on the bus in the afternoon. If nobody is at the afternoon bus stop to meet students the bus will return them to school and parents/caregivers will need to pick them up from there.

Bus stopped? Drop your speed to 20 km/hr You may be unaware that the speed limit past a stopped school bus is 20 km/hr. Failing to slow down to 20km when passing a stopped school bus puts children who use rural school buses directly at risk. The speed limit in rural areas is often 100km so when drivers do not slow down to 20km when passing a school bus, little can be done to avoid an accident if a child appears unexpectedly behind a school bus. Library Books: We are issuing two library books per child. One book may go home if your child has their book bag at school. The other stays in the classroom until the next visit to the library. Your child will not be allowed to take more than two books out at a time and will only be allowed one book at home. Please return library books to school when finished as we will need to charge families at the end of the term for any lost books.

IMPORTANT DATES

Sunday 23rd February Monday 24th February Tuesday 25th February Friday 28th February Friday 6th March Friday 13th March

School House Working Bee BOT Meeting Year 7/8 students, Technology @ Huntly Primary School Whole School Swimming Sports @ Te Akau School Cluster Swimming Sports @ Glen Massey School for the seniors Junior Games Day @ Ruawaro Combined School

Term 1 3rd February – 9th April

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Next Board of Trustees Meeting:

Monday 24th of February 2020

SCHOOL SPOONS

Our school spoons have gone for a walk and not returned yet.

If anyone finds any lost spoons please give them

some directions back to school as we would

love to see them again!

NEWSLETTER LIST UPDATES

Do you want to be added to, deleted from or have your details updated for our delivered (via rural delivery) or emailed fortnightly newsletter? Perhaps you know someone new to the area who might like to receive a copy? Please email : admin@waikaretu.school.nz and let us know what changes are required

Newsletter Publication Dates Term One, 2020: 19th February, 4th March, 18th March and 1st April If you have any contributions for the newsletter, please have them to the school office by the MONDAY prior to publication date. THANKS!!

Teacher Aide Wanted @ Te Akau Schoolof Waikaretu and

surrounding communities for your

tremendous support this year. The Tent Dinner earlier in the year and the Ladies’ Dinner in the winter,

toTeacher Aide wanted:

If you are a special person who can support a student with high health and learning needs, we would like to hear from you. You would be patient, empathetic and have a naturally caring nature. You will also have a sense of humour and you will know how to build relationships with staff, family and most of all a special 9 year old boy. Experience is preferred but not essential as training and guidance will be available. Please contact Te Akau School for more details. 078254777 - office@teakau.school.nz

han $3500 towards getting our Scouts to Jamboree in a few weeks’ time.

Mention this offer when you apply for your

new home loan.

Your new home loan application must be

received, approved and then documented in

a facility agreement, between 1 July 2019 and

30 June 2020.

Visit asb.co.nz/promotions/supporting-

success-in-your-school for more information

and eligibility criteria.

Once your loan is fully drawn down, ASB will

donate $500 to your chosen participating

school.

Shay,

Working Bee Sunday 23rd February

School house Working Bee this Sunday to complete renovations before our new teacher arrives! 2.30 pm -5.30 pm followed by a community BBQ. Thank you!!

Waikaretu Beach Annual Clean-up Day

Celebrate Sea Week 2020!

Sunday 1st March 2020 Meet Waikaretu Beach 10am

Including Sausage Sizzle and Children’s Treasure Hunt All welcome for a couple of hours of community activity and fun

With thanks to the Whitford Family for access past their woolshed

Enquiries: phone Denise 232 8003.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Carpenter available for work Licensed carpenter with 20 years+ experience available for

all kinds of building work from new builds to renovations and

additions, including restricted building work. Contact me at alistair.potter@gmail.com or 07-974-1728 /021-966299

WAIKARETU PLAYGROUP

Waikaretu School Library All pre-schoolers welcome!

1st and 3rd MONDAY of each month

ATHOL’s LAWN MOWING and HEDGE CUTTING

Ride on or Hand Mowing Chain Sawing Water Blasting

Please phone Athol 2333278

UNIFORM

A gentle reminder about the uniform. Ensure your child is comfortable for the cooler

mornings but also for the warm afternoons.

Please name all uniform items as it is difficult to find the owners of unnamed pieces.

School hats will stay at school to ensure that each child has a hat to protect them against

the sun.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Glen Murray Repair and Engineer Based at 2311 Highway 22 Glen Murray or will travel to your place (GST Registered)

Phone James Grove 02108933130