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Connect Communication

06 November 2024

Kia ora e te whānau,

The past two days have been spent undertaking professional learning with Dr Ross Greene and developing an understanding of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). CPS is a tool used to work with children who exhibit complex (or unlucky) behaviours and how to unpack what might be happening.
From Maine, USA, Dr Greene is a clinician and author who has worked successfully with 1000s of children and educators on this approach. His website, livesinthebalance.org has many free resources and links should you be dealing with children not meeting expectations at home.

It was sobering to learn that 17 states in the USA still allow corporal punishment, restraint and exclusion. This learning will support my sabbatical study in 2025, which is focused on supporting children with complex behaviour.
On Friday 25th October, Whaea Donna and I had the pleasure of attending the Town Hall Music Festival. The sound produced by the choirs, concert band and orchestra is stunning. Our choir will be performing at a few assemblies before the end of the year. A big thanks to Angela Shea for supporting this group across the year.
Save the date for our Ararira in the Park event on December 3rd. Come to school for a picnic dinner or purchase from one of the food trucks on site from 5pm. Around 6pm we will share an hour of entertainment from cultural groups and hapori. It is sure to be a treat.
We have almost finished our appointments for 2025. We have had a few challenges this year that are not quite over. However, we can share the teams and locations for 2025.
Team
Level or role & Space
Teachers
Teretere
Year 0/1
Nicky Harding (team leader)
Angela Shea
Lesley Earnshaw
Kaunuku
Year 7/8
Meeghan Coetzee (team leader)
Em Murphy
Kim Wilson
Larissa Jay
Huarapa
&
Pūrei
Year 4-6
Carolyn Sutherland
Dan Horwell
Sarah Szell
Megan Stewart
Leonie Pengelly
Michael McDermott
TBC
Blair Cook (team leader and release teacher)
Hikuwai
Year 2/3
Deb Wesley (team leader)
April Tougas & Andrea Harrison
Crystal Edminstin
Anna Grigor
Casey McPherson
Brooklyn Neame
If you have anything we need to consider when placing your child for 2025, please let their kaiako | ako teacher know.
Finally, we wish the Kaunuku team and our Year 8 learners all the best as they head off to Wellington next week. Organising a local camp is a challenge, and this is magnified when travelling further afield. Thanks to Meeghan and the team for all their work in making this inaugral camp happen. It will be amazing!

Ngā mihi nui,
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 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.
To check for Mana Ake courses available during term 4, follow this link.

IMPORTANT DATES 2024

  • 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)
  • 19 Nov - Children's Uni Graduation Ceremony, Town Hall 5.15pm
  • 29 Nov - Hui (Teretere), 9.15am in the Hall
  • 03 Dec - Ararira in the Park, 6-7pm
  • 04 Dec - THT Meeting, 7pm at The Laboratory
  • 10 Dec - Class Swap Day, 9.10am

School Board

Next meeting - 06 November, 6.30pm in Tahuna | Staffroom

The board's first meeting of the term is this evening at 6:30 pm in the staff room. This term we will be reviewing progress on our annual and strategic plans; student achievement data; drafting next year's budget while we await final confirmation on staffing and entitlements in January 2025; and hearing about preparation for the implementation of the government's required curriculums and teaching approaches next year.

This term we are reviewing policies on school donations and student activity payments; expenditure; property planning and maintenance; and prevention of bribery, corruption, fraud, and theft. SchoolDocs (username: ararira | password: russdrive)

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 04 December at 7pm at The Laboratory.
Please come along and see how you can get involved and support our tamariki.
Support Our School with Style!

Introducing our Mānu e Whakatika: It Starts with Me! reusable tote bag! Crafted from pre-consumer recycled cotton, this eco-friendly bag features reinforced handles for durability and a beautiful design that reinforces our school values.

By purchasing this bag, you’re not only getting a sustainable product but also supporting our school's fundraising efforts!

Orders are to be placed on KINDO, and will be delivered straight to your child's classroom by Friday of the week that you order.

Want to see it before you buy? Drop into the office and check out the one on display.
Make a difference today—because it all starts with us!

Looking for Christmas presents for your little ones? Why not support our school at the same time and check out schoolfundraisingshop.org.nz
They have an incredible range of items from books, games, toys to clothing, homewares, and much more. There is something for everyone on your list!

Enter Ararira Springs Primary School when you check out and 10% of your order will be donated to our school.
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
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

Spaces are available for 2025! You can contact Katrina at singingdiva222@gmail.com
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Thank you to all the parents who emailed in pictures of their child’s extracurricular activities. We will be putting together a display in the foyer. As soon as it is complete please come in and see it!

Zones Athletics Day - Years 5-8
We would like to wish all our athletes taking part in the Zones Athletics Day on Thursday all the best. Thank you to the parents who have put their hands up to volunteer on the day. If you would like to come and support us please do. We will be at Ngā Puna Wai Athletics Track from 9:30 am. Zones Athletics 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.
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
B4082C36-90B5-4B88-97AE-2F3370CC016F_4_5005_c
The closing date for Issue 8, 2024 is 06 December 2024, but we recommend you place your order by 22 November to ensure you received it 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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