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Connect Communication

20 September 2023

Kia ora e te whānau,

Here we are at the end of the term and starting to prepare for 2024, where on earth does time go? The sun is shining and the weather is perfect for our Year 7 and 8 tamariki taking part in the Koru Games. This is a wonderful opportunity that takes an immense amount of organisation. Thanks to Whaea Danielle for all the planning and the large contingent of parents who are supporting the teams.
We will have a similar team structure in 2024 but will move year groups around a bit to make the best use of space. We are losing a few staff at the end of the year and will formally thank and farewell them then but Megan Newton has resigned from her full-time position, Danielle Jackson and her family are heading to Australia and Mel Rennell is expecting her first baby. We will be appointing new staff over the term break.

Whaea Brooklyn and her inquiry group have had wonderful news recently. As part of their learning about sustainability, they tested the packaging from StoneyCreek Clothing. It was not as easy to compost as hoped and they wrote to the company with suggestions.

The company wrote back, adopted their suggestions of clearer instructions with a QR code and sent them a gift of hats. How is that for an example of learning that enhances our world and māku e whakatika!
We are now moving the next phase of strategic planning. The board and other schools in our area are meeting with Taumutu, our local runanga this evening. We will take on board all feedback and use it to inform our planning. It is your last chance to respond to our survey through this link. The form will close at the end of the week.
This year has not been kind to our family. We said goodbye to my Dad at the end of term two and my brother was diagnosed with a terminal illness earlier in the term. My whānau have been visiting him in Wellington over the term and tomorrow I head back again to say my final goodbye. Both losses are a reminder of how precious time is with your loved ones. Hug them tight and say the things you want them to hear.
I hope that you have some wonderful family time over the term break. We will be welcoming our new whānau with a mihi whakatau on the first Tuesday of term. You are more than welcome to join us for that.

Until Term 4,
Claire and the Ararira Team

School Board

NEXT MEETING - 25 October, 6.30 pm in the Staffroom
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Te Kupu o te Wiki - This Week's Kupu:

Kia hararei koe!
Enjoy the holidays!

From the Office

Welcome to Ararira Springs Primary!

If you know of families moving into the area or with preschoolers, please encourage them to fill out our online enrolment form soon as possible. This allows us to plan ahead and recruit the teachers we might need!

IMPORTANT DATES 2023

  • 21 September - THT meeting, 7pm in the staffroom (postponed from last week)
  • 22 September - Hui (Whaea Larissa, Huarapa 5), 9.15am in the hall
  • 22 September - Term 3 ends
  • 09 October - Term 4 begins
  • 10 October - Term 4 mihi whakatau | welcome for new whānau
  • 19 October - THT meeting, 7pm in the staffroom
  • 25 October - School Board meeting, 6.30pm in the staffroom

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.
NEXT MEETING - 21 September, 7.00pm in the Staffroom. All welcome.
(postponed from 14 September)
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

Careers Expo

Our Careers Expo needs you! In collaboration with Lincoln Primary School we are hosting a Careers Expo for our Year 7&8 students and we would love it if you could be a part of it! Share your great work stories and inspire the tamariki of the future.
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Term 3 Week 10
On Saturday at the Selwyn Football Club prize giving, Liam and Jensen both were awarded Player of the Year in their respective teams. The boys have both trained so hard and done so well!
And so the end of another term draws to a close! Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and friends and whānau who have volunteered, supported and cheered our sportsmen and women over the term.

If your child borrowed a sports shirt from Whaea Meeghan for any of the sporting events, please return it to her or the office. Shirts that are not returned will be charged to your school account.

Hororata Highland Games
Harraways Junior Warriors
The Junior Warriors section of the Hororata Highland Games is an opportunity for school teams to compete in traditional Scottish athletics, just like professionals!

If you are interested in this parent lead activity check out the What’s on offer page for entry details. Please email Whaea Meeghan for more details or if you are planning to enter a team.

Weetbix Tryathlon 25th February 2024
We have had a couple of families register their children for this competition. The entries will remain open until right before the event takes place. We look forward to seeing many more children representing Ararira Springs! All the best!
https://raceroster.com/registration/1f1c6e4c-7226-4383-870a-6edb93b88459/entry?team=566839

Ararira Springs Athletics Day
Our annual athletics day will be taking place on the 27th of October at Brookside park. All the tamariki in years 5-8 will be taking part. Selections for the Zones Athletics day held in term 4 will be made from the results of this day.
Some parents who were able to help this term may not be able to help on our new postponement date so if you are able to help please contact me on meeghan.coetzee@ararira.school.nz
What’s on offer?
Check out our What’s on offer page for what clubs in our community are offering over the next few months.

Have a great break!
Meeghan
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The closing date for Book Club Issue 6, 2023 is 29 September. If you placed your order after 05 September, your items may not be despatched by the end of Term 3.

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
Bookings are now open for our September/October holiday programme.
Get in quick to secure your spot!
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