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Connect Communication
23 October 2024
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We have had a wonderful start to the term. At the end of term 3, we had a ceremony blessing the new Pūrei classrooms and the land for future roll-growth classrooms. Pūrei is the name of flax (carex secta) that grows in clusters in our local area.
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This was attended by Hikuwai 5 and 6 ākonga, staff and board members and officiated by Matua Ruru. Our lovely Kelly Shakespeare captured the event. The timing of the ceremony meant the classrooms could be used as soon as the buildings passed their inspection.
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We continue to negotiate with the Ministry about spaces for growth. We have been advised that we will get another two spaces in the Pūrei area. These will arrive soon and will be ready for Term 3. We remain a priority for our stage two expansion but will not know anything further until budget 2025.
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I have been contacted by Matt Cotching from the Selwyn District Council regarding some young people's use of our parks and reserves. This is a timely reminder of the beautiful area we live in and our obligation to look after it for everyone. Some young people have been damaging parks and reserves when mountain biking. While we don't think our children are involved it is important to be vigilant and remind our children to be kaitiaki to our gorgeous 'backyard'.
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The government has been very public about the upcoming changes to the mathematics curriculum. This was underway with the previous government but is being treated with a sense of urgency. Like English, learning will be changed from curriculum levels to phases. We were ahead of this change by organising our school groups to align with the phases, years 0-3, years 4-6 and years7-8.
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The curriculum is becoming more directed and the new expectations are a little higher for each learning phase. This is why, when current year 8 students were tested using the new expectations, that didn't perform well. Ararira teachers have been learning about the new ways of teaching mathematics since the beginning of 2023. The science of learning has informed the changes with teachers using a range of tools and approaches; explicit teaching, group work, problem solving and practice. Because of this you may not notice any real difference in what your children experience.
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The government recently announced that they are funding mathematics resources. Schools get to choose from a range of resources and we are currently working through that process. Should you have any questions about the maths curriculum, please contact our lead maths teachers, Emma (emma.woolford@ararira.school.nz) or Anna (anna.grigor@ararira.school.nz).
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Over the last week we have completed our interviews and appointed some stunning teachers. Our next job is finalising the teaching teams for 2025 and placing children. Thank you to those of you who have provided us with factors to consider. If you have thoughts pertaining to your child please email the ako teacher, feel free to copy me in.
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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 before 9.00am.
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Mana Ake is offering an online form to arrange a drop-in at a time to suit. If you would like to meet with Shannon our Kaimahi for parenting advice, or to help your child manage emotions for mental well-being feel free to fill in the form via this link.
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To check for Mana Ake courses available during term 4, follow this link.
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Free period products in schools - a reminder that FREE period products for students can be ordered on Kindo and will be available for collection from the school office.
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We are currently out of stock of all items as they have been distributed during health classes this week. A new order has been placed and items should arrive in about a week or so.
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A reminder a plain navy bucket hat must be worn by all students while playing outside during terms 1 and 4 - no hat, no play.
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Powering Change: Ararira Springs Tamariki Lead the Way to a Greener School
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At Ararira Springs Primary, our youngest tamariki are taking the lead in promoting sustainable practices through their recent inquiry into the impact of energy. As part of the 'Enviroschools' Energy unit, the Year 0-1 tamariki explored what energy is, where it comes from, and the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources. This hands-on learning sparked early curiosity about sustainability and its importance for the environment.
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In the final stage of their action inquiry cycle, the tamariki discussed how they came to school each day. Like many schools in Lincoln, parking is at a premium, so the tamariki decided to take action by creating posters to encourage whānau to walk, bike, or scooter to school | kura whenever possible. These posters will soon be on display around the school, reminding everyone to consider more eco-friendly ways of getting to school.
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A special thanks goes out to Karena & Sean Lines from Sotheby’s Realty, Lincoln, for sponsoring and producing some of the signs that will be placed in the school’s car park area. Their support helps ensure that the tamariki’s important message reaches as many people as possible, encouraging the community to embrace more sustainable habits.
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The initiative highlights the importance of teaching sustainability from a young age, with our tamariki leading by example as they work to make a positive difference for the environment.
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Give it a go! Give it heaps!
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IMPORTANT DATES 2024
- 25 Oct - Curiosity Clubs, 11.45am-12.45pm
- 28 Oct - Labour Day Public Holiday (school closed)
- 29 Oct - THT Meeting, 7pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
- 30 Oct - Calendar Art ordering cut-off
- 01 Nov - Curiosity Clubs, 11.45am-12.45pm
- 06 Nov - Board Meeting, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
- 08 Nov - Curiosity Clubs, 11.45am-12.45pm
- 14 Nov - Teacher Only Day (school closed to students)
- 15 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (school closed)
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School Board
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Next meeting - 06 November, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
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Welcome back to term 4 from the school board. Since our last meeting, we’ve participated in the opening of our new classrooms, signed off on the Year 8 trip planning, helped with interviewing candidates for teaching positions next year, and represented our kura at a stewardship meeting of our kāhui ako | community of learning.
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This term we will be reviewing progress on our strategic plan, in preparation for developing next year’s annual plan; reviewing finance and property policies in Schooldocs; discussing the implementation next year of the government’s new curricula for maths and literacy; and looking at the full year student achievement data.
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Our next meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday 6 November.
Ngā mihi,
Andrew McMenaminPresiding memberTe Puna o Ararira | Ararira Springs Primary School
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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 29 October 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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It’s Calendar Art time again!
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The student’s have been busy creating art work that can be made into affordable Calendars, Cards, Diaries, Mouse Mats and Sketch Pads. Each product is made from your own child’s art. These make unique Christmas gifts for family and friends and are perfect for posting overseas.
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Paper order forms were sent home in Week 1. You can also follow these instructions to place your order online:
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2/. Use the Entrance Code: KZ8182
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3/. Enter your child’s room & name when prompted
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The order is open from now until October 30th.
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Payment can be made over the website via credit card or account2account.
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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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Welcome back! We are looking forward to the final term of 2024. There are only a few events left for the year but we would like to hear of your child’s sporting achievements.
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If you have any pictures of your child taking part in their favourite sport and you would like to share them please can you email them to Whaea Meeghan. She will be using them to create a collage of what our tamariki get up to!
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It can be any sport! From ice skating to mountain biking. Let’s see what you are up to!
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Zones Athletics Day - Years 5-8
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If your child is taking part in the Zones Athletics event on the 7th of November at Ngā Puna Wai you would have received an email with a link to the Athletics page. All the information you need for this event will be on those pages. If you have any queries or if you can assist on the day please contact Whaea Meeghan as soon as possible.
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Weetbix Tryathlon is now open for registration!
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Registrations are now open for the 2025 Weetbix Tryathlon. We have created a school group so you can register your child for the event. Click on this link to register:
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Please note: Race packs WILL NOT be delivered to the school but can be collected on race day.
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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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We recommend you place your order by 25 October to ensure your order is received by the opening of issue 8.
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FREE book offer: 1 FREE book when you spend $20, 2 FREE books when you spend $50, 3 FREE books when you spend $70.
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Get a promo code to spend on issue 8!
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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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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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