ararira-school-logo1

Connect Communication - 21st August 2019

Kia ora Whānau,

I feel a little bit absent this week as I have been attending a conference in Hanmer hosted by the Canterbury Primary Principal's Association. It was focused on wellbeing and the speaker, Kirsten Douglas from headspace Schools Australia, talked about wellbeing from the perspective of self, school and systems. It was very useful and will feed into our strategic planning for 2020.

Lots of exciting learning took place last week. As always we have posted lots of photos and information on our school Facebook page but have included a couple here if you are not a follower or Facebook user.

Kaunuku students went Rogaining in the Lincoln Wetlands, right down the road. This fitted in perfectly with Maths week, utilising a variety of skills such as map reading and timekeeping. Kaunuku hub also held a Cantamath competition, which everyone enjoyed. In small groups, the students had to solve problems and work as a team, then race their answers up to be marked.

I was fortunate enough to have my first birthday celebration at Ararira last week and a huge thank you for your warm wishes. The staff hosted 'cookies with Claire' for my birthday treat and I certainly felt the love!

Have a great week,
Claire and the team

IMG_6332

The Army Show up at Ararira!

Huarapa and Teretere children had an exciting visit this week with some army personnel coming to visit and bringing their equipment to show us. We are so lucky having parents who give of their time to inspire our learners. Thanks to Geoff and Che for bringing the truck, tents, army food and a patient colleague, Emma, for sharing their knowledge. What an amazing experience.
IMG_4382

Ararira Hosts Grow Waitaha Event

Last Thursday we hosted a Grow Waitaha Roadshow event for around 35 educators from across the city. Grow Waitaha is a Ministry of Education initiative, designed to support schools in post-earthquake greater Christchurch through citywide educational transformation. It continues to support school communities through the process of educational change and to drive transformation. Each term there are opportunities for educators to connect, share and collaborate at different host schools.

Being the host school we were able to have a small group of senior students work with facilitators in a “Student Hack’, gathering student voice on learning. This was an opportunity for the students to create visionary ideas and design their own learning. This is then shared back with the teachers in the roadshow.
IMG_7873

Health Consultation

It seems a little strange to consult so soon after we are up and running, but consultation on the health curriculum is a bi-annual requirement. I have attached a link to a survey that we would love for you to take the time to complete. If however, you would prefer to pop in and have a chat, you are more than welcome.
We can provide a device in Tāhuna | Office if you would like to complete the survey when you are dropping off or picking up your wee gem.

Survey Link - you are able to edit your response. Email addresses are optional and we ask you to add these if you would like to engage in dialogue over any of your thoughts and ideas.
brooke-lark-08bOYnH_r_E-unsplash

Te Hapori Tautoko THT | Community Support

Every Tuesday morning THT host a get together in Pūtahi | Library.

Come along and meet with others for a cuppa and a chat, preschoolers are welcome.
matt-seymour-9GU-Mo5tovY-unsplash

Court Theatre Visit

We are having the Court Theatre coming to perform for us on Friday 6 September at 2 pm with a show called O le Malaga Fa’a’atua (The Journey of the Gods). This has been
inspired by classic myths and legends from Tonga, Samoa and Aotearoa. O Le Malaga Fa’a’Atua (The Journey of the Gods) follows demigod Māui’s quest to prove himself worthy of becoming a fully-fledged god.

This will be for the whole school and the cost of $5 will come from the term activity fee. Great value with no transport needed as they come to us.

Welcome to Ararira Springs

Our Ararira Springs Family continues to grow! A warm welcome to the children who have joined us recently. We know that you will soon love our school as much as we do. We look forward to getting to know you and working with you.

Teretere - Louis
Huarapa - Kean

If you know of other children planning on joining us later in the year or even in 2020 can you please encourage families to pre-enrol. This allows us to plan ahead and recruit the teachers we might need!

cartoon-children-playing

Parenting in the Digital Age

We have had a slow start to offering parent workshops but now they are coming thick and fast. This has been exacerbated by the postponement of the anxiety evening.

We are offering two sessions for parents giving information and tips to help you support your child with the digital world we live in. This will be run by Sandra Keenan, from Mana Ake who is an experienced Principal as well as Mana Ake Kaiarahi (Lead of the team).

These will be on 26 September 1:45 - 3 pm and repeated 6.30-7: 45 pm in Pūtahi | Libary. Both sessions are the same so you can choose a time that suits you.
Please RSVP to office@ararira.school.nz

uriel-soberanes-MxVkWPiJALs-unsplash

Daffodil Day 30th August

Cancer is an illness that has a far-reaching impact on the lives of many. As a school, we have decided to support the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day.

We will have pin on daffodils and daffodil stickers available for parents and children to receive in exchange for a donation. These will be available outside the office in the morning. Children are welcome to wear yellow or even come dressed as a daffodil. They will be invited to design a daffodil in absolutely any medium at all and bring these to share.

Thank you for your support.

katherine-mccormack-QHz57Zc8kzo-unsplash

From the office:

Keeping a change of clothes in your child's bag
A change of clothes in the bottom of younger students bags would be appreciated for if they get muddy at playtime!

Merinos
I have 2 merino jerseys, one size 7-8 and a size 9-10 that have been ordered and are now not required. If you would like to purchase one of these, they are available in the office - $85 each.

Absences
Please remember to report absences either through our Skool Loop app by text or email or by leaving a phone message on 03 4200888. We would appreciate if messages can be left before 9 am where possible. If you are taking a holiday during term time, please email office@ararira.school.nz with dates in advance of your trip.

School Accounts
You can view your account by logging in to Linc-Ed. Payments can be made to the school bank account: 12-3153-0100145-00. Please ensure you use your child's name as a reference.

Parent Workshop - Anxiety in Children

anxiety-illustration
We are excited to offer a Workshop for parents called “About Anxiety in Children” which covers how anxiety works, what it looks like in children and tips to manage anxiety. It will be discussion-based, and there will be an opportunity for parents to ask questions and talk about strategies.
It will be run by Ursula McCulloch, a clinical psychologist with years of experience in working with children, now based at the School-Based Mental Health Team.

Date: September 18th
Time: 6:30 - 8pm
Location: Pūtahi (Library)
RSVP to Trine.spence@ararira.school.nz
Capable quote

Why not have a go at Orienteering? . .

Screen Shot 2019-08-06 at 5.05.24 PM
Notifications
Book Launch
facebook 
MailPoet