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Connect Communication
09 April 2025
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We have made it to the end of Term 1! We know many ākonga | learners and kaimahi | staff are looking forward to a well-deserved break from school.
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Thank you to our incredible staff, who have worked tirelessly this term to embed the new English & Maths curricula while ensuring Ararira Springs is a welcoming and supportive place to be, with positive outcomes for all ākonga.
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This term we farewelled Scott Ball (Learning Assistant) and Nancy Burdan (part-time teacher). We thank them for their hard work during their time at our school, and wish them all the best.
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We welcome Anchal Arya (Learning Assistant) and Kate O'Neill (part-time teacher, Hikuwai & Teretere) to Ararira Springs. We know our staff, students and whānau will make them feel very welcome.
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Thank you to all whānau who attended our Mathematics & Statistics information evening last week.
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It was great to see so many parents interested in learning about the new curriculum and how we teach Maths at ASP.
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ANZAC Day service: Lincoln
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Our choir will be performing at the Lincoln service and will be joined by a group of Kaunuku Year 7-8 students who have volunteered to support, at 2pm on ANZAC Day (25 April) at the Lincoln memorial.
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Moving of construction fences
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This will happen during the term break, so more of our main field can be opened up. If you are on the school site during the time the fences are being moved, please ensure children are supervised and away from the fences.
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I hope all of our students have a wonderful, relaxing break and return recharged and ready for a fantastic term of learning on Monday, 28 April.
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Learning Conversations & Whole School Early Closure
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We have just opened the bookings for our Year 1-6 learning conversations on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May (Term 2, Week 2). We welcome you to book a time with your child's ako teacher to discuss their learning. We encourage you to bring your child with you as it is their learning that is being discussed. However, if there are discussions that are needed without them present you could either shoo them out for a few minutes or book another time.
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Teretere children who started in 2024 or in Cohort 1 of 2025 can have a learning conversation booked. Teretere appointments are only available on Thursday 8 May.
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Children who started in Teretere in Cohort 2 onwards will have a scheduled meeting after the first few weeks of school, therefore you do not need to book a time to meet with the teacher.
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Kaunuku learning conversations are on Monday 16 June 3:15-8:00pm, and Tuesday 24 June, 2:00-6:30pm. We will let you know when bookings open later this term.
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Sessions open at 3:15 on May 7th and 2:15 on May 8th. To help us offer the number of slots required we need the whole school (including Year 7 & 8) to finish at 1:30 pm on Thursday, May 8th. We can offer limited supervision in the hall if you are unable to pick up your child and then Kelly Club will run as usual.
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Please complete this form for each child to allow us to plan. We cannot let your children go at 1:30 pm unless you have completed the form.
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Health and Wellbeing Consultation 2025
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Every two years we are required to share our health teaching and learning plan with parents and whānau. For more information about our curriculum you can read the full document on our school's website. There will be a Health Consultation meeting on Thursday 22nd May from 5.30-6.15pm in the staffroom. Please follow this link to fill in the consultation survey document and to RSVP if you are attending the meeting. Thank you.
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This year a group of enthusiastic Māori learners and Whaea Deb are educating themselves in rongoā Māori. This is learning about traditional Māori medicine gardens and planting our very own rongoā garden somewhere in the school grounds. This will become a sustainable project for our current and future Māori learners. Over time and as plants establish themselves, tamariki will learn how these plants were used and still can be used for traditional medicinal purposes. This will be done in collaboration with rongoā experts within our wider community.
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They are only at the very start of the exciting journey, identifying plants that are suitable for our soil, climate, and safe to be planted within the school grounds. 'Trees for Canterbury' were contacted and asked if they were able to donate any plants. They have kindly donated 52 plants! Manuka, mahoe, horopito, hebe, kareao, kāretu and makomako are amongst the small collection of plants picked up at the weekend. These will remain in pots until the landscape plan is complete and the garden can be established.
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'Trees for Canterbury' have supported our school previously when we planted our native trees at the back fence. Trees for Canterbury is a not-for-profit community organisation that runs on public support. They have an amazing nursery in Charlesworth Street (Ferrymead), stocking all native plant and tree varieties. Please support them if you are over that area of town, just as they have supported us.
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Te Aranga
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Te Aranga is Easter and nga mihi o te aranga is Easter greetings/happy Easter.
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IMPORTANT DATES
- 11 April - Last day of term 1
- 28 April - First day of term 2
- 02 May - Mihi Whakatau, 9.15am in the Hall
- 07 May - THT Meeting and AGM, 7-8pm in the Staffroom
- 07-08 May - Parent Teacher Conversations (year 1-6)
- 08 May - School closes to ALL children at 1.30pm
- 21 May - School Board Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom
- 22 May - Health Consultation Meeting, 5.30-6.15pm in the Staffroom
- 22 August - Quiz Night - Save the Date!
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School Board
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Next meeting - 21 May, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
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Te Hapori Tautoko (THT)
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Next meeting - 7 May, 7-8pm in Tahuna | Staffroom (all welcome)
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Thank you to everyone who completed our recent survey. We are working our way through all of your responses, and will keep these in mind as we plan in the future. Over the next four newsletters, we will be addressing some of the results of the survey, and as always we are open to your insights and suggestions. Our email is tht@ararira.school.nz
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Only 66.3% of the 98 respondents knew what Te Hapori Tautoko (THT) is. Te Hapori Tautoko means Support Group, and we are the PTA group for Ararira Springs Primary. We are a charitable organisation made up of whānau and staff with the following objectives:
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- Help promote the school vision and values.
- To encourage and embrace greater whānau and community involvement at school.
- Bring and link our community together in social and informative activities.
- To help in raising funds to provide improved facilities and opportunities for members of the school community.
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We run many events throughout the year, including Quiz Night - our annual major fundraiser - children's movie night, disco night, and community Matariki celebration. If you want to know more about us, please check out our website, which you can find through the school's website under Our Team. Or come along to our next meeting! There is no obligation to get involved more than you are able, and it is a great way to share any ideas you might have. New perspectives are critical for our growing school, and we welcome all whānau to come along and join us. You will also get a special treat at your first meeting! So grab a friend and come along, or if you are new to our community, come along and meet some new people. Don't forget to join the Ararira Springs Online Whānau page on Facebook for regular updates, or check out our new Instagram page - tht2025.
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Congratulations to Amelia who represented our school at the Canterbury Swimming competition earlier this term. Thank you to Carolyn, her mum who went along to support Amelia and officiate for our school. Ka rawe, ladies!
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As the winter sports start, please keep an eye on our Sports website to see what events are coming up in Term 2. Below is an overview of what will be happening.
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Thank you to all the parents and staff who have supported our tamariki so far this year. We really appreciate your time and support. We cannot do it without you!
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Have a great Easter break!
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Drama and Musical Theatre Classes at Ararira Springs!
Unleash your creativity and build confidence with our Drama and Musical Theatre Classes! Designed for young performers of all skill levels, these sessions are a fun and supportive way to explore acting, singing, and movement.
Details:
• When: Thursdays, 3:15 - 4:15pm
• Duration: 7 weeks
• Cost: $147.50
• Location: Ararira Springs school hall
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Your child can go straight from class at the end of the school day!
Whether your child is new to the stage or looking to develop their talents, our classes encourage self-expression and teamwork while building performance skills.
Join us for a term full of creativity, laughter, and learning!
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Katrina Robinson has been teaching guitar and ukulele now for a number of years at schools and also from her home. She loves to sing too and is a professional musician playing in wineries and cafés as well as weddings and private functions. Katrina likes to make her lessons fun and really enjoys teaching. You can read more information on Katrina at www.thesingingdiva.co.nz
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Spaces are available for 2025!
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The closing date for Issue 2 is 11 April 2025.
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All orders will be delivered to school in batches and distributed to the classrooms as they arrive. Any orders marked as gifts, we will put to one side and contact you when they are ready to be collected.
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Every order from Issue 2 will receive a $5 promotional code to spend on Issue 3. See page 10 of the catalogue for more details.
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Attendance at Ararira
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The Importance of Attendance We all recognise that education is the pathway to the future. The key to educational success relies on being present at school. Consistent routines and practice are a big component of learning. Neurological pathways in our brains require repetitive exposure to strengthen and cement learning and develop mastery. We also create these neural pathways for resilience, …
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Assessment Update - Term 1, 2025 At Ararira Springs Primary, we use assessment to support learning and help each child grow. Our main focus is on formative assessment, which means we check in on students’ progress regularly through class discussions, observations, and their work. This helps teachers understand what students already know and what they need to learn next. By …
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Payments and School Donations Our community’s socio-economic status means our school is not eligible for the government’s school donations scheme. Our equity index means we receive less operational funding than other schools. More information about the Equity Index can be found at the bottom of this post. Due to this, we request donations from parents. Voluntary Donations The Ararira School …
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Te Mātaiaho | The New Zealand Curriculum Curriculum Update - Term 1, 2025 From Term 1 this year, all NZ primary schools are required to teach the refreshed Maths (Year 0-8) and English (Year 0-6 at the stage) curriculum areas. Please refer to my blog post from 6 November for a more detailed explanation of the changes. Your child will …
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