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Connect Communication
07 May 2025
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It has been lovely to see so many of you over the last few days as I have returned from the first part of my sabbatical. Emma and the team have ensured the smooth running of the school in my absence and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone.
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It was a little challenging navigating the state of emergency last week. Emma liaised with our presiding member, David Fitchett and Chris from LPS and together came up with a plan that was quickly communicated through a number of channels. Thank you for your support and I hope you have kept warm and dry and your properties are recovering.
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We look forward to meeting with many of you at the first round of our learning conversations. The Ministry has re-established a parent portal and we will be preparing separate communication about this to release shortly. The release of the tool was made at the same time to both schools and families so we want to share the most up to date and useful information.
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On Friday we will host a mihi whakatau to welcome our new ākonga | students and whānau to school. Please join us if you would like to be part of that. Later in the term we will host an information evening for families joining us with older children. This is a chance to come with questions and hear about Ararira and how we do things. Of course, anyone is welcome and it might be useful to others as well.
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We've noticed the school gates have been pushed back and left open several times during school hours recently. As a reminder, please ensure that the gates remain closed between 9:00am and 3:00pm to help us maintain a safe and secure environment for all students. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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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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ERO Improving Attendance Survey
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Researchers at the Education Review Office (ERO) are doing some research about school attendance. They want to hear your thoughts about what makes a difference. Please help by clicking on this survey link: Parent and Whānau survey
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On Friday 16th May, the tamariki may wear pink to school (or alternatively school uniform). A gold coin donation to the Mental Health Foundation would be appreciated. We will celebrate diversity (everyone is different, special and unique) while promoting kindness and inclusion - all part of our school values. More information can be found here.
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IMPORTANT DATES
- 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
- 14 May - Family Time in Putahi | Library, 8.30-9am
- 16 May - Hui (Kaunuku), 9.15am in the Hall
- 16 May - Pink Shirt Day (see above)
- 16 May - THT Movie Night
- 20 May - Lincoln High School Open Night, 2-4pm (see below)
- 21 May - Family Time in Putahi | Library, 8.30-9am
- 21 May - School Board Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom
- 22 May - Health Consultation Meeting, 5.30-6.15pm in the Staffroom
- 28 May - Family Time in Putahi | Library, 8.30-9am
- 30 May - Hui (Hikuwai), 9.15am in the Hall
- 22 August - ASP Quiz Night
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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. Last newsletter, we explained a bit about who we are and what we do. Over the next three newsletters, we will be addressing more 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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Some survey responses asked for more information about how we spend the money we have fundraised. For several years now, we have been fundraising with the hope that once the new building was completed, we would be able to help fund a large playground to expand the play spaces for our tamariki. Unfortunately, due to continued delays regarding this building, this has not eventuated. However, in the past year the major items we have funded include:
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- $1,500 for new sports equipment for break time play,
- $5338.97 for our Matariki celebration (keeping this as a 100% free event for the community),
- $8,500 for new Kapa Haka uniforms,
- $760.68 for staff End of Year thank you gifts.
For the coming year, we have agreed to help fund the developments to the school that emerge from the Design Jam currently in progress, which will see new landscape design projects implemented throughout the school grounds. We will also be funding the school's Matariki celebration and have a few other things in the works that are still being developed. If you have any ideas for things that would benefit the school community, please reach out and let us know.
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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 whanau 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 Whanau page on Facebook for regular updates, or check out our new Instagram page - tht2025.
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Welcome back to Term 2! This promises to be a very busy sporting term, and we are looking forward to all that is on offer.
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The term starts with the zones basketball competition at Selwyn Sports Centre on Tuesday, 13 May. The bus will be leaving school at 8:40am to make sure our teams arrive just after 9am for the briefing with the first games starting at 9:20am. Thank you to our parent helpers and Matua Michael who will be going along to support, manage and referee our teams.
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Ararira Springs Cross Country
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Our annual Cross Country will be taking place on the 15th of May, for Years 4-6 and the 16th of May for Years 7-8. Both races will start at 1:40pm after lunch playtime. Children will eat before break on these days so as not to get a stitch during their race. Parents who are volunteering are asked to be at school by 1:15pm so they have enough time to get to their spot along the course.
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Whaea Meeghan will be in contact with these parents directly. If any parents would like to come along to support, we are sure our children would appreciate it! See the map below for where we will be running.
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Teachers will walk the course with their class before race day to help familiarise them with the course.
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Below is a list of the events that will be taking place throughout the term. If you can manage teams or would like to help out at any of the events, please contact Whaea Meeghan via email: meeghan.herbert@ararira.school.nz
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Selwyn Parenting Network Webinar Sessions
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We are super excited to announce an upcoming online seminar we're delivering with the support of the Selwyn Parenting Network all about how we can support our neurodivergent tamariki hosted by Anna Mowat, Director of Real Parents. With her extensive background in psychology, along with nearly 20 years of experience in the child wellbeing space, Anna is dedicated to empowering parents and educators in supporting children's growth. Anna will be joined by Morwenna Bates-Thornton, an experienced educator who comes with the bonus experience of raising her own neurodivergent tamariki.
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Parenting a neurodivergent child comes with unique challenges - but also incredible strengths. Join us for a live webinar where we’ll explore how shifting our perspective can transform the way we support our tamariki and ourselves.
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- Change the narrative - come to see your child (and yourself!) through a strengths-based lens
- Advocate with confidence and be able to communicate your child's needs and strengths effectively
- To discover your own strengths as a parent - you're more amazing than you think!
- Connect with like-minded parents - you’re not alone on this journey
- Walk away with practical strategies - ready to use in everyday parenting
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Raising Resilient and Secure Children
This seminar aims to bridge the gap between traditional Asian/Chinese parenting and
modern approaches to emotional development. Learn about the importance of
emotional awareness, validation, and regulation in children, and discover practical
tools for nurturing a healthy, emotionally-aware environment at home. Don’t miss this
opportunity to enhance your parenting skills to raise resilient children in a culturally
diverse New Zealand.
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Presenters：
Dr. Yvonne Chow – Registered Psychologist in UK and NZ
Judith Keir – Guidance Counsellor at Aidanfield Christian Primary School
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Time: 17 May (Sat) 2pm
Location: Halswell Library (Hao Hall)
Childcare for 5-12 years old
Free seminar – register by scanning the QR code
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你吼的那一刻，孩子在怕什么？
华人父母普遍缺乏对情感发展的了解，而这种缺乏会影响亲子互动，甚至夫妻感情。
本次研讨会将帮助家长理解情绪在大脑发展中的关键角色，学习如何营造“让孩子感受
到安全”的家庭氛围，并提供适合多元文化背景的育儿策略。
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主讲人：
Yvonne 博士 – 英国与新西兰注册心理学家
Judith – Aidanfield小学学校资深辅导老师
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时间：5月17日（六）下午2点
地点：Halswell Library
附设5–12岁儿童看顾服务
免费参加，立即报名：扫码海报二维码
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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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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 3 is 20 June 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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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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At Ararira we hold mihi whakatau to welcome new staff and students at the beginning of each term. Our mihi whakatau are run according to the guidelines of Te Taumutu Rūnanga. These are outlined in this document, and adapted according to our needs, in collaboration with the Taumutu education team. What is a Mihi Whakatau? - link to slideshow of …
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HERO Update - Locating historical progress graphs We will be using the new English (Year 0-6) and Maths (Year 0-8) curricula to make our judgements about your child's progress and achievement later this term, and these will appear as new graphs on your child's Reading, Writing and Maths pages. Year 7-8 students will not have a Reading or Writing graph: …
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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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