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Connect Communication
14 August 2024
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There has been a lot in the news recently about education and in particular the teaching of mathematics. Ararira is well placed to implement these changes. A team of teachers have been working as part of a maths cluster with The Learner First. They will be able to integrate tools and strategies that the Ministry provides to a balanced approach to mathematics.
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It is important to note that the data provided by the government was misleading. It was undertaken with a 800 of students from 42 schools. Students were tested on the content of the revised curriculum (that has not been taught yet). The revision has moved the goal posts and asks more of children at each level so it is not surprising that children didn't perform well.
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Our team started our professional learning with Robyn McNeill, a maths specialist from Evaluation Associates. We have a number of hours that we can use to develop teachers understanding and implementation of the revised maths curriculum.
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Crest Clean are the team who look after our classrooms. We are pleased to support their initiative of the cleanest classroom award. Each week a class will be given an award. At the end of the term, the class with the most awards will earn a pizza lunch.
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This is a win-win. It teaches the children to take care and have pride in their spaces. The impact of this is that the spaces are left tidier for the cleaning team to perform their job.
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We have noticed people parking here from very early in the afternoon. These cars might be the last to leave. If you are here nice and early, park in a parking space. Save the kiss-and-go area for those who have less time.
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Attendance & Holiday in Term Time
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The Ministry of Education is looking closely at attendance and so are we. If your child's attendance drops you may receive a letter from us. Holidays in term time are regarded as unjustified absences and will show as red on your child's attendance graphic in Hero. It is important that you email us prior to your intended holiday so we can give you some ideas for how to continue learning whilst away.
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Please remember our Teacher Only Day on Monday (graphic below). We will be working with the other schools in the Ngā Matapuna o Ngā Pākihi Kāhui Ako at the high school on Monday. In the afternoon we will come back to Ararira and continue with school based learning.
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From the Office
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Absences - If your child is going to be absent or late we ask you to please let the school know by 9.00am.
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You can do this by any of the following methods:
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- Hero app (if your child is going to be away for more than one day, you can provide details in the notes area so you don't have to check in every day),
- Phone 03 420 0888 and leave a message on our 24 hour absence line.
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*Please note, if your child has had vomiting or diarrhoea they are required to stay away from school for 48 hours following their last symptoms.
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Uniform Reminder - We have recently noticed a number of children wearing non-uniform items to school. Plain navy track pants and polypros may be worn for warmth, however they must be plain navy blue with no visible stripes/emblems/brand names, etc.
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Brain Play has arrived in Christchurch! We teach all things science & technology to Kiwi kids - coding, robotics, science experiments, Minecraft & more. Book a free trial of our after-school classes - group sessions for ages 7 - 12. Or send us an email to hear more about our 1:1 sessions - these are a great match for students who are looking for extension, are looking for a new hobby and to build confidence and skills, and/or for students with high and complex needs. Visit brainplay.co.nz to read more, or email us on referrals@brainplay.co.nz.
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Free period products in schools - FREE period products for students can be ordered via Kindo and will be available for collection from the school office.
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Coffee with Claire will generally be held on the first Tuesday of the month, but please check the school community calendar for exact dates as this may be subject to change.
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IMPORTANT DATES 2024
- 14 Aug - School Board Meeting, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
- 15 Aug - Hot chocolate fundraiser
- 16 Aug - Curiosity Clubs, 1.45-2.45pm
- 16 Aug - THT Junior and Senior Discos (see community calendar for times)
- 19 Aug - Teacher Only Day, school closed
- 22 Aug - Hot chocolate fundraiser
- 23 Aug - Hui (Teretere 1/2/3), 9.15-9.45am in the hall
- 23 Aug - Packaging fundraiser orders distributed
- 23 Aug - THT Quiz Night
- 30 Aug - Daffodil Day, wear green/yellow, gold coin for Cancer Society
- 03 Sep - Coffee and chat with Claire, 9am in Tahuna | Staffroom
- 10 Sep - Hot Dog orders close today
- 11 Sep - THT Meeting, 7pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
- 13 Sep - THT Hot Dog Lunch (order via Kindo), Subway also available
- 27 Sep - Term 3 ends
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School Board
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Next meeting - 14 August (tonight), 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffrooom
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Te Hapori Tautoko (THT)
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THT - Te Hapori Tautoko - providing opportunities to tautoko (support) and connect our school community and fundraising for school initiatives and resources.
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Our next THT meeting is 11 September at 7pm in the Staffroom.
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Please come along and see how you can get involved and support our tamariki.
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Disco Night is this Friday - please see the flyer for details. Remember to bring along a named drink bottle. Also please note that all children will need to be collected by an adult at the end of the event. Due to darkness and the late hour we can't let children walk home alone. Hope to see you all there!
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If you have purchased tickets for Quiz Night: We have sent out an email with details for what is happening on the night to those team captains who purchased tickets. Please check your spam folder! If you have not received this, please email tht@ararira.school.nz
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Second-Hand Uniforms - THT has a small selection of second-hand uniform items available for purchase. Click here to view a list of the items we currently have available. If you have uniform items to donate please contact Charlotte via charlotte.mcmenamin@ararira.school.nz
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On Wednesday the 21st of August 2024 we will be taking two rugby teams and four netball teams to the zone competition. Thank you to all the parents who have currently volunteered to manage a team on the day. Please feel free to come down and support our tamariki if you are able to. For any information on this event check out our school sports page.
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Ararira Springs Athletics Day -Years 5-8
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Our annual Athletics Day will be held on the 13th of September 2024 at Brookside Park in Rolleston. I am still looking for volunteers for this event but will pass on more information closer to the time. In the meantime if you area available please contact me via email.
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If your child is taking part in the Koru games in Week 10 (24-26 September) and you are able to help manage a team for the day please contact our child’s ako teacher. If we do not have enough volunteers we will have to withdraw from the competition. If you have any questions in regards to this please contact your child’s ako teacher.
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Don’t forget to check out the “What's on offer?” page for clubs advertising their sport.
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Learning through play is a key approach in education in today's world. While most common in early childhood education, it also benefits students throughout their school years. This blog post explores the importance of learning through play in a primary school context, drawing on extensive research to highlight its many advantages. The Concept of Learning Through Play Learning through play …
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During the last week of term 1 and into the term break I had the wonderful opportunity to be part of an Education Delegation to China. This was organised by Hangzhou University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan and the Confucius Institute University Canterbury (CIUC). The delegation included professors from UC, leaders from High Schools in Christchurch and Dunedin, and …
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As part of the 100-day plan, the new National Government announced the change to mandate an hour of reading, writing and maths every day. In reality, this is not very different from what your child is already experiencing at Ararira. The teaching of reading, writing and maths is an average of one hour a day. It also includes reading, writing …
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Ararira Springs' Balanced Scorecard The Springboard Trust offers a suite of fantastic professional learning for school leaders and late in 2022 we took part in the Balanced Scorecard for Schools in Aotearoa programme. This asks schools to think long-term and develop 10-year objectives that will guide the school through the next phases of strategic planning. These objectives were established by …
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Expectations for Behaviour at Ararira Ararira is a wonderful place to learn and we guide our learners' behaviour with clear expectations that are linked to our values of being caring, curious and capable. These are short, sharp and memorable and might be good to refer to at home as well. Caring is our first value supported by aroha and manaakitanga. …
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School Carpark Expectations Behaviours we want to see: Park in designated car parks including on the road. Carparks have been designed and placed by qualified traffic engineers to optimize visibility for drivers. Always stick to the 10km/hr speed limit. Children come and go from school for a variety of reasons at all times of the day. Merge like a zip …
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