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Connect Communication

11 September 2024

Kia ora e te whānau,

At each hui we focus on an aspect of our vision and values. This is an endeavour to keep these alive for our tamariki and ensure we have consistency in our interpretation and approach.
Last week we discussed our capable value and focused on creativity | auahatanga. Together we watched a wonderful short YouTube clip from Sir Ken Robinson on the importance and the role school plays in creativity. This is well worth 3 minutes of your time.

You will have the chance to see creativity in action when we host our school art exhibition next week. You can come to school on Tuesday afternoon and evening and during Wednesday to see a display of children's visual artworks.
Next week is te wiki o te reo Māōri - Māōri language week. The team have shared a post of actions and challenges that you can do to support te reo at home. There are great prizes to be won.
Learners are encouraged to upload evidence of their challenges to the 'learning at home' page of Hero. Join the fun!
It feels like I haven't been around as much lately, but I have left the school in the very capable hands of Whaea Donna and Whaea Emma. I have had some amazing learning opportunities. Last week I was in Auckland taking part in an Advanced Leadership Forum with 20 other principals from around the country. This was the chance to look at tools to support the successful implementation of system and structural change. Next week I am heading to Te Pae in the city centre to attend the NZPF (NZ Principals Federation) and APPA (Australian Primary Principals Association) conference. My head will be full!

Enjoy the sunshine,
Claire and the team

From the Office

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:
  • 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.
*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.
Fire Drill - Today we completed a successful fire drill.
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Te Wiki o te Reo Māōri

Māōri Language Week
16-23 September 2024
Click here for further information and resources.
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.

IMPORTANT DATES 2024

  • 11 Sep - THT Meeting, 7pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
  • 12 Sep - Fun Run (yr 0-3)
  • 13 Sep - Coffee with Claire, 9-10am in Tahuna | Staffroom
  • 13 Sep - THT Hot Dog Lunch (orders have now closed), Subway also available
  • 13 Sep - Athletics Day at Brookside Park (selected students from yr 5-8)
  • 16-23 Sep - Maori Language Week
  • 17-18 Sep - School photos
  • 18 Sep - School Board Meeting, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom
  • 20 Sep - Hui (Hikuwai 4/5/6), 9.15-9.45am in the Hall
  • 24-25 Sep - ASP Art Exhibition in the Hall (see below for times)
  • 24-26 Sep - Koru Games (Kaunuku)
  • 27 Sep - Term 3 ends

School Board

Next meeting - 18 September, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffrooom

Te Hapori Tautoko (THT)

THT - Te Hapori Tautoko - providing opportunities to tautoko (support) and connect our school community and fundraising for school initiatives and resources.
Our next THT meeting is 11 September at 7pm in the Staffroom.
Please come along and see how you can get involved and support our tamariki.
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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A large number of our tamariki won awards at the recent Lincoln Rugby Football Club end-of-year prize giving.

Congratulations to; Oscar C, Jaelin T, Lacey G, Charlie K, Cooper C, Eddie A, Harry W, Joseph H, George C, Eddie H, Henry F, Leo W, Luca G, Zac G and Club Trophy for Juniors girls rising star - Clarissa L.

Ararira Springs Athletics Day -Years 5-8
Our annual Athletics Day will be held on the 13th of September 2024 at Brookside Park in Rolleston. I am still looking for volunteers to help out at this event. The parents of the children who will be participating have been sent a message via Hero. The events and approximate timings have been added to the Athletics Page on the Sports Website. Please email Whaea Meeghan if you are able to help on the day.
Weetbix Tryathlon is now open for registration!
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:
Ararira Weetbix School Group
Please note: Race packs WILL NOT be delivered to the school but can be collected on race day.

Year 7/8 Canterbury Hockey Tournament
Our Year 7/8 hockey team, coached by Gavin Atkinson and supported by Elizabeth Harwood and Whaea Emma took part in the Canterbury Tournament on Thursday last week. They played well finishing 3rd in their pool. Their only losses were to the two teams who played first and second in the final. They did get tired and while they lost the next two games they still managed to come 15th overall out of 24 schools across Canterbury. Thank you to our parent and teacher helpers on the day. We could not have done it without you!
Year 3/4 Miniball in Term 4
A note from Selwyn Hawks Miniball:

We are excited to be offering Miniball in Term 4 for our Y3/4 players.

We would like registrations done by Friday 18th October, competition will begin on Monday 4th November, and run for 6 weeks.

Gather your team and let your school sports coordinator know so they can enter you into the competition!

Check out the What’s on offer page link below for details on rules, costs, and team sizes.
Don’t forget to check out the What's on offer?page for clubs advertising their sport.

Have a great week!

Ngā mihi nui
Meeghan
meeghan.coetzee@ararira.school.nz
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The closing date for Issue 6, 2024 is 27 September.
We recommend you placed your order by 6 September to ensure your items are received by the end of the term.

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.

For assistance at any stage please contact Scholastic directly on 0800 266 525 or email bookclub@scholastic.co.nz

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