|
Connect Communication
28 September 2022
|
|
|
|
Term three is coming to a close and we look forward to planning for the end-of-year celebrations. We are starting to look at the structure of the school in 2023. This will pose a challenge as we grow in size. What it may entail is a re-shuffle of year groups in the different hubs.
|
|
|
|
We are currently advertising for teachers to join our team in 2023. When this process is complete we will be able to confirm our teaching teams and where they will be located.
|
|
Our values focus this week has been rangatiratanga. While our default is to think about this as leadership it can apply to all learners and their ability to self-manage. Right from when Year 0 and 1 children arrive we encourage them to start managing themselves and their belongings. This looks like carrying their own school bag and putting clothing and belongings in bags throughout the day. This moves towards managing behaviour and emotion as they grow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of our learners, Sky Bush, is experiencing great success and is heading to Nelson this week to compete in inter-regional cross country run. Sky has demonstrated great tenacity and determination with his training and has steadily improved through the process of setting goals and developing an action plan. All the best Sky, we are cheering you on from Lincoln.
|
It is with sadness that we are farewelling members of our team today. Whaea Chloe has been working part time with us this year and was one of our foundation teachers in 2019. Chloe is now working at Te Ara Atea in a role that allows her to follow her passion in the arts. Chloe has made a huge contribution to our school, helping establish te reo and tikanga practices.
|
Whaea Kylie has been working as a learning assistant this year and did so in 2020. Kylie works with a number of students. Her calm and gentle manner is perfect to help learners feel safe and take risks with their learning.
|
We wish both of these wonderful wahine all the best in their chosen endeavours and thank them for their contribution to our kura.
|
Thanks to all of you for the support you have shown us this term, we look forward to having you back with us in Term 4. Enjoy a wonderful break with your whānau.
|
|
|
|
|
From the Office
|
|
Student absence notifications/late arrivals
|
|
Absences can be reported via:
|
- Phone 03 42 00 888, press 1 and leave your message
|
We really appreciate your help in reporting absences prior to 9am as it saves us a lot of time following up via texts and phone calls.
|
When late for school, please always come and sign your child in at the office before heading to class as it's likely they will have missed being marked on the roll and you may receive a notification that your child is absent.
|
If your child is away because they are unwell, it is also helpful to provide a bit more information (eg. tummy bug, cough, etc.) as it helps us identify what is circulating in which areas of the school.
|
|
Free period products in schools - FREE period products for students can be ordered on Kindo and will be available for collection from the school office.
|
|
|
|
|
A friendly reminder about being sunsmart. It is compulsory to wear a navy blue full brim sunhat in terms 4 and 1 (no caps please). No hat = no play (tamariki will sit in a shady area instead).
|
|
|
|
|
|
The new long-term strategy for COVID-19 - You’ll be aware that we have moved to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.
|
|
This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.
|
The very positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends. Positive cases remain legally required to isolate for seven days. Anyone who is symptomatic, including household contacts, should stay at home and get tested for COVID-19.
|
You can still get RAT kits by ordering on Kindo.
|
Mask wearing is no longer required. This includes school bus transport. Masks are encouraged if you are not feeling well.
|
All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
|
Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here for further information regarding the types of batteries we can accept.
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT DATES - 2022
- 28 Sept - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6.30pm in the Staffroom
- 30 Sept - Last day of Term 3
- 27 Oct - THT Meeting, 7pm in Pūtahi (Library)
TERM DATES - 2022
|
Term 3: Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September
|
|
Term 4: Monday 17th Oct - Thursday 15th Dec (TOD 10th November)
|
TERM DATES - 2023
|
Term 1: Wednesday 01st February - Thursday 06th April 2023
|
|
Term 2: Monday 24th April - Friday 30th June 2023
|
|
Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September 2023
|
|
Term 4: Monday 9th October - Tuesday 19 December 2023
|
Note: 2023 Teacher Only dates are still to be confirmed
|
|
Click here for a list of New Zealand Public Holidays including regional anniversary days
|
|
|
|
|
School Board News
|
|
NEXT MEETING - 28 September (TONIGHT), 6.30 pm in the Staffroom
|
|
|
Te Hapori Tautoko (THT) News
Te Hapori Tautoko (THT) - providing opportunities to tautoko (support) and connect our school community and fundraising for school initiatives and resources.
|
NEXT MEETING - 27 October, 7pm in Pūtahi (library).
|
|
Second Hand Uniforms - The THT has a small selection of second hand uniform items available for purchase. We are looking to increase our selection and would welcome donations of good quality uniform items. All profits are used by THT to improve our school and provide resources for our tamariki. If you have uniform items to donate or would like to see the selection we have, please contact Charlotte at charlotte.mcmenamin@ararira.school.nz
|
|
|
|
|
Precious Labels - Support the Ararira Springs THT by labelling your child's clothing, shoes, lunch boxes, drink bottles, stationery, electronic items, uniform, swimwear and sports gear with Precious Labels. Please use the above school link when making your purchase as all sales give Ararira Springs a commission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our hockey team had a great time participating in the Canterbury Hockey zones. The team placed 3rd in their pool with a win and two losses, and just lost their playoff 1-0. Their 3 goals were to have fun, play as a team and stay in position which was a big challenge not playing together often as many other teams in the competition do on a weekly basis. They all did so well and smashed their goal of having fun. They have represented the school so well and were a pleasure to spend the day with.
|
|
|
|
|
Pictured: Poppy Marshall, Thomas Lennon, Kean Tran, Seth Atkinson, Leon Cleland, Lacey Greenslade
|
|
|
|
Yesterday the seniors had their annual Athletics Day in preparation to participate in the upcoming Lincoln Zones in term 4. We had a great day with everyone doing their best and supporting each other. I am still collating the information and will be in contact with the children and parents should your child go through to Zones.
|
I would like to say thank you to our parents who came to support our tamariki and cheer them on.
|
A special thank you to the following parents who volunteered their time to help measure heights or distances and help us spot our first, second and third runners. Tommy Zhang, Louise Ponce, Blair Earnshaw, Liam Collins, Tara Hobson and Nancy Wang.
|
|
And thank you to Whaea Claire, Whaea Donna, Whaea Danielle, Whaea Carolyn, Matua Blair and Matua Michael for all their help and support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Year 5-8 Huxster Mountain Bike Race will be taking place on the 20th of October. Year 5/6 have to enter as a two person team, Year 7/8 can participate as an individual. If you are interested in participating please contact Whaea Meeghan.
|
Congratulations to our Year 7/8 students who participated in the Koru Games last week. They were up against strong competition but did their best and made Ararira Springs proud. Ka pai, team!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for all your support this term! See you after the break!
|
|
|
Wetland Plant Out Day
Thursday 15th September, 90 Year 5 to 8 students participated in a Kids Discovery Plant-out day. The students are helping to restore habitat to Lincoln Wetland, an area of Selwyn District Council land beside the Ararira awa.
|
Assisted by Denise Ford from Selwyn District Council and Te Ara Kākāriki kaimahi, the students worked hard to plant and guard 300 seedlings. Species included kahikatea, pōkaka, kōwhai, harakeke and manatu. The students hope the plants will provide valuable habitat for native bird, invertebrate and lizard species as well as sequester carbon.
|
The students constructed He Waka Hourua from harakeke flower stalks and leaves. They sailed them across Ararira Springs, in spirit of Kupe guiding his waka to discover Aotearoa.
|
The students investigated the importance of protecting water quality in the Ararira Awa by ensuring only clean water flows down their stormwater drains. The students enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the long finned tuna / eel and learn about their life cycle.
|
Senior Enviro leaders led the students on a tour around Lincoln Wetland, sharing the special values of the wetland for water treatment and wildlife habitat, as well as traditional mahinga kai gathering.
|
|
It was a beautiful day to be in nature and appreciate our wonderful local environment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kelly Club
|
October Holiday Programme: Next week we start the October Holiday Programme. Book in Now! As we are coming into the warmer seasons we have a Sun Safe Policy that we follow. This means all kids during October through to Summer must be wearing a hat and sunscreen when going outside. Please remember your HATS! See you all next week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kelly Sports October Holiday Programme: Bookings for our upcoming Kelly Sports Holiday Programmes at Hillview Christian School and Hillmorton High School are now available online.
|
The focus of our Programmes is to ensure kids are active throughout, with a great mixture of games and activities to suit everyone. WINZ Subsidies are available for families that qualify and we have options of Half Day sessions, School Day sessions and Full Day sessions available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tots to Teens Digital Magazine
|
What’s in this issue for parents?
|
» Literacy rates… What’s happening?
» Dealing with sibling squabbles
» A nosey into allergy triggers
» Nadia Lim’s epic lunchbox ideas
» Tuning into some Kiwi music
» Wheely good Otago bike trails
» Activities to keep little minds busy
and (as always) EPIC GIVEAWAYS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOCK.earth
|
We are a locally based environmental initiative called TOCK.earth over the last 2 years we have been delivering environmentally focused workshops to 160 local schools/preschools with the help of our Earth loving robot TOCK.
|
With support from Creative Communities we are currently working on a fun creative project to work with local children to create a musical video to take place in October and would be grateful if you could possibly include the attached notice in the next school newsletter - asking for parents and children to get involved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Ministry of Education has refreshed the curriculum and updated how schools report on student progress. As previously mentioned by the MOE, the benchmark for achievement has increased with the new curriculum. You may see a change in your child’s progress or achievement compared to previous years because of this. At Ararira Springs Primary, our staff have been undergoing professional …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berry Street Education Model BSEM at Ararira - Nicky Harding and Claire Howison At Ararira Springs, we are committed to fostering a learning environment where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive. To support this, our kura has adopted the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) - a trauma-informed, strengths-based framework designed to boost student wellbeing, engagement, and academic …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attendance Monitoring at Ararira The government has publicly stated that it wishes to lift attendance rates at New Schools so 80% of all children are attending 90% of the time by 2030. We have set this as a target for our kura|school in 2026. All schools are required to have an attendance management plan (AMP) in place that follows stepped …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 End of Year Progress Graphs The end-of-year progress graphs for students (English Year 0-6 and Maths Year 0-8) will be live on Friday, 12 December. English progress in Years 7-8 will be released in a statement at the bottom of Year 7-8 children's reading and writing comments. The Overall Teacher Judgements (OTJs) regarding progress that your child will receive …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Te Mātaiaho | The New Zealand Curriculum Curriculum Update - English, Term 3, 2025 Kia ora, Earlier this year, we held a successful whānau hui regarding the refreshed Maths curriculum for Phases 1-3 (Year 0-8). We are unfortunately still waiting on Phase 3 (Year 7-8) of the English curriculum, which is due to be released in Term 4 of this …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Parent Portal Released The Ministry of Education has released a parent portal to help whānau partner with schools to support their child's education. From Minister Stanford: "Education is a partnership of what happens in the classroom and what happens at home. Parents, caregivers, and whānau play an important role in supporting their child’s learning and development. The new webspace …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 Reporting Update - What it means for your child As 2025 marks the transition to the refreshed English and Maths curricula, both Ararira Springs and the Ministry of Education (MOE) are closely monitoring student progress to ensure a smooth and effective change. Thanks to our ongoing professional development and early use of structured literacy and maths practices, we are …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: …
|
|
|
|
|
|
