School Newsletter – 2 April 2019

Term 1, Week 10 — School news, upcoming dates and notices

A Message from Cowley Team

Cowley’s Trip to Ruapotaka Marae

Cowley Team  had a fantastic trip to Ruapotaka Marae in Glen Innes last week. We got to experience important aspects of Tikanga Maori which in turn supports the learning that we are doing on Identity and Culture. The Year 2 students spent the day there on Tuesday and the Year 3’s on Wednesday.

We all got welcomed onto the marae with a powhiri and after having some morning tea got into the day’s activities. During the powhiri we presented art work for our ‘koha’ or gift. The Year 2s made and presented a fantastic picture of Rangitoto and, with the help of Mrs Stanley, the Year 3s made and presented a paper ’korowai’ or cloak. The elders at the marae were touched by our koha.

Both the Year 2s and the Year 3s got to learn about the famous ‘Ka Mate’ Haka. Jordan, the instructor, even performed it for us and the Year 3 students got to learn how to perform it.

Whaea Noeline taught us all about harakeke (flax) and how to care for it when you harvest it. She then showed us how to weave a flax putiputi (flower). We got to each make one. It was pretty tricky but we all did it! Whaea Noeline also showed us other things that can be made out of harakeke, such as kete (bags), korowai (cloaks) and pito (skirts).

Whaea Georgie taught us all about the pepeha of the marae and helped us design one we could use. Whaea Georgie told us that we were a great bunch to have at the marae and that we would be welcome back anytime.Thank you Whaea Georgie! We had a wonderful time!

Cowley Team

News

Student References

As a Year 0-8 school, Kohimarama School is able to provide personal written references for our students leaving in Year 8.

For students moving out of the school at other times, we are able to provide a standard form outlining student achievement in reading, writing etc. that can be passed onto the new school.

Farewell to Jo Ayton

Jo has been a familiar face in the Kohimarama School office for over 6 years.  In that time she has held the position of Principal’s P/A and recently ICT/Communications Administrator.  Jo has a wealth of knowledge of the workings of a school office and will make a huge contribution in her new role at Stanhope Road School.  We all wish Jo all the very best for her new position and thank her for her time at Kohimarama School.

Wedding Celebrations

We have two of our teachers getting married over the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Danielle Flowers who is marrying Nathan on Saturday.  We wish Danielle and Nathan all the best for your wedding and celebrations with family and friends.

Congratulations to Charissa Jansen who is travelling to South Africa with Rob. Charissa will be married during the school holiday break. We wish Charissa and Rob a wonderful wedding with her family and friends.

We send our congratulations as Kohimarama School to the both of you.

Student Achievement Discussions

As you know, our Student Achievement Discussions are scheduled for next week.  Where the school needs to reschedule due to teacher absence we gladly do this and make alternative arrangements. However, where families have elected to have time away from school for travel, holidays, etc we cannot arrange separate interviews with teachers.

In the upper school, where students have created their own presentations about their learning, these can be viewed with them. As always, teachers are happy to have times to catch up about children and their learning.

The Board response to the Tomorrow’s Schools Independent Taskforce Report

As has been discussed in previous newsletters, the Board of Trustees is making a submission to the Independent Taskforce on the review of Tomorrow’s Schools. This can be found here: https://www.kohimarama.school.nz/2019/04/reform-commentary-april-2019/.  I encourage you, if able, to make a response. The opportunity to make a submission closes on 7^th April.

Road Works – Update

There continues to be disruption to traffic immediately around the school while the speed bump on the crossing is installed.  The projected completion is scheduled for Monday 8^th April. In the meantime, to assist with the safe entry and exit for our students and families, please follow directions from staff, parents and construction workers. When parking, please observe all the rules including not parking on the T intersections. This is most appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Lost Property – Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th April

Lost property will be on display this Wednesday and Thursday inside the Hall.  Please have a look through for anything that may be missing from your home.

Medication

If your child requires any medication, either on a day-to-day basis or a once-off, the School Office must be made aware by the parents/caregivers and the medication forms completed. Any medication must be brought into the Office by an adult; no medication can be bought into the Office or taken away by a child.

If your child requires medication on a day-to-day basis, ie for asthma, allergies, etc, parents/caregivers must bring the necessary medication into the School Office and it will be stored in our school Sickbay for emergencies.

Absences

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the school office DDI absence line (930-9826) and follow the prompts or email the Office at office@kohimarama.school.nz giving reason for absence.  Please call or email before 9.00 am.  Any parents taking their children out of school for holiday will need to email the Office to request leave from the school. Please address this email to the Principal.

Weekly Results

House Points Update: Term 1, Week 10

Congratulations to Colenso for being Week 9 winners.

Class Certificates

Congratulations to these outstanding students:

Walking School Bus: Jackson K, Mahiro S, Kaylah J, Imogen P

Caught Being Good – “Greenies”
Congratulations to all the students who have been ‘caught being good’ – you rock!  Special congratulations to our three lucky winners…

• Arno      Room 9     for Reliability           Patteson
• Carter   Room 14   for Responsibility  Colenso
• Charlie  Room 20   for Reliability          Colenso

Flippaball Results

• Y3/4 Kohi Kinas won 4-0, POD Xavier H
• Y5/6 Kohi Jellyfish won 4-3, POD Andrew F
• Y5/6 Kohi Narwhals lost 1-4, POD Mischa M

Community Notices