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Connect Communication
09 November 2022
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It's been an exiting few weeks at Ararira with children involved in a host of wonderful activities. Swimming is near completion and there will be some tired five year olds this evening.
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Last week our Year 6 ākonga had a wonderful experience at Te Pa o Moki | Taumutu. A group of 40+
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athletes competed at the Lincoln Zone Athletics and did incredibly well. Five of these children will now represent Lincoln and Ararira in the Canterbury competition. Thanks to the Hikuwai teachers for supporting these events.
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Our focus value this week is curiosity. This pou is underpinned by kaitiakitanga and auahatanga. Both of these concepts have been modelled recently.
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Kaitiakitanga was celebrated when we were recently names the runner up school in the Envirotown Trust Responsible Business Awards. This acknowledged the work we have done with learners around wellbeing, culturally responsive practice, our beehives, rubbish systems, native planting and environmental projects. A huge thanks to Whaea Larissa and Whaea Andrea for leading learning in this space. Ararira will receive our bronze EnviroSchools award on November 25th. This has been delayed due to covid.
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Auahatanga has also been highlighted recently. Children have been using their initiative and creativity whilst preparing for our market days. Our special choir group performed at the Town Hall as part of the Music Festival. Learners have been exercising their artistic talents by creating posters for our production and the Rotary Peace Poster competition. Some of our Year 7 and 8 students also had fun taking part in a cooking challenge to create a high tea for the late Queen.
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Please make sure you read through the newsletter as there is important information about teacher only day, 2023 and our upcoming union meeting. Finally, if you can, make time to head to Lincoln Primary to hear John Parsons tonight.
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TEACHERS ONLY DAY TOMORROW
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This a reminder that our teachers are taking their last teachers-only day from the Primary School Collective Agreement tomorrow. Our team will be working remotely so the site will be empty tomorrow. Trine and Donna will be onsite in the morning in case anyone accidentally turns up. Kelly Club will also be operating.
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Classes for 2023
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We are pleased to share the teaching teams for next year. We are still to finalise the location of the teams. This is a little complicated as we move towards our current site capacity. It doesn't seem so long ago that we were a little school of 100 students and at the end of Term 1, 2023 our roll will be 400.
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Leonie Pengelly and April Tougas
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Teachers to actual classes are yet to be confirmed
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We will now begin the very tricky job of class placements. Thankfully, modern learning spaces make this easier. While children spend time with their ako class, they mix with other year groups throughout the day.
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If you have a special request to make, it must be made before 21 November. We cannot accommodate requests made after this date. We only accept parent requests for the following reasons:
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- there is a personal conflict between your family and the teacher (e.g. this teacher is our neighbour and we socialise together)
- if you wish your child to be separated from another child for social reasons (e.g. my child is becoming overly dependent on Bob, please place them in separate classes.)
- We always make sure that your child has at least one friend with them in their new class
- We also juggle gender counts, ability levels, social groupings, special needs, siblings/cousins and teacher-fit to ensure a good mix in each class
- While we can listen, there are a number of factors to consider and sometimes it is impossible to tick all of your boxes
- Children will let us know of their friend requests, as may parents. However, that then dictates another child's placement. This may conflict with a request from the family concerned.
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Class placements are a long and laborious task for us. In many ways, it is a labour of love. We spend hours pouring over our class lists and individually placing each child in the right place. Every class list has several pairs of eyes on it - the child's current teacher, their new teacher, their team leaders, and our Senior Leadership Team. All have input. We ask you to trust us and that we do have your child's best interests at heart.
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Union Meeting 23rd November
On November 23rd, our teachers will be attending a union meeting in Rolleston from 2-3 pm. This is to allow them to hear the latest update in regard to the negotiation of the current collective agreement.
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To support our teachers to attend this meeting we would appreciate it if you could pick up your child at 12:45 pm. The break will run from 1-1:30 and children remaining at school will then eat lunch and be supervised in the hall for the last part of the day.
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To help us with the organisation of the afternoon we need you to complete this form for each child. We can't let your children leave school without this information, especially if they are planning on walking home.
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School Production News
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We have our whole school production Te Waka o Aoraki coming up soon! All of the children have been working hard and are very excited to perform for you. Below is some key information, if you have any questions please contact your child's ako teacher.
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Date: Tuesday 6th December
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Location: Ararira Springs (courts/field)
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Everyone is welcome to come from 5pm onwards and enjoy a picnic from home or food from the food trucks that will be here. We will call for students over the loudspeaker at 5:45pm so they can go to their classrooms to get ready.
Cost: $2 per person, pay at the gate on the day of the event. Children under 5 are free.
Seating: Feel free to bring a blanket or seat. There will be a dedicated area for seats off the ground.
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From the Office
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Student Absence Notifications/Late Arrivals - 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.
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Absences can be reported via:
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- Phone 03 42 00 888, press 1 and leave your message
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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.
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School Gates - We recently had a 5yr old who ran out the gate and had a close call with a car, so we ask that you all please be extra vigilant by keeping the gates closed at all times during school hours.
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Covid RAT Kits - The Ministry of Education are no longer supplying RAT kits to schools, so if you need to test for Covid please click here to find your most convenient collection point.
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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.
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Hello Fresh Cool Bags - Ararira Springs NE children require 40 of these Hello Fresh cool bags for costumes for our upcoming performance. If you have any of these can you please message or drop into the office. Thanks so much.
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A friendly reminder about being sun smart. 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).
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If you know of families moving into the area, please encourage them to enrol with us. In order to secure more staffing for 2023 we need to have actual enrolments.
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Click here for further information regarding the types of batteries we can accept.
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IMPORTANT DATES - 2022
- 09 Nov - John Parsons Parent Session, Lincoln Primary School, 7-8pm
- 10 Nov - THT Lads Night Out, The Laboratory Lincoln, 7pm (see below)
- 10 Nov - Teacher Only Day (school is closed)
- 11 Nov - Canterbury Anniversary Day (school is closed)
- 16 Nov - Year 8 Leavers Day
- 17 Nov - Arbonne skin care, makeup and nutrition information evening 7pm, Putahi (see below)
- 18 Nov - Hui (Hikuwai 1-3), 9.10am in the hall
- 21 Nov - Children's University Graduation evening
- 23 Nov - Teachers' Union Meeting - children to be collected by 12.45pm if possible (further information has been sent out to all families via Hero)
- 23 Nov - Board of Trustees Meeting, 6.30pm in the staffroom
- 24 Nov - Production after school cast practice, 3-4pm
- 25 Nov - Hui (Kaunuku Yr4), 9.10am in the hall
- 08 Dec - THT Meeting, The Flaming Rabbit Lincoln, 7pm
TERM DATES - 2022
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Term 4: Monday 17th October - Thursday 15th December, 1pm (TOD 10th November)
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TERM DATES - 2023
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Term 1: Monday 30th January (meet and greet day), Tuesday 31st January (first school day) - Thursday 6th April
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Term 2: Wednesday 26th April - Friday 30th June 2023
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Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September 2023
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Term 4: Monday 9th October - Monday 18th December 2023
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Note: 2023 Teacher Only dates are still to be confirmed
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Full list of New Zealand Public Holidays including regional anniversary days
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Kia ora koutou, how time flies! The new board has met twice since the election; you can see profiles of the board on the school website.
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At the September meeting the board agreed the following division of responsibilities:
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Property: Brie Liberty, Claire Howison, David Fitchett, Jayde Wilkinson, Nicky Harding
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Health and Safety: Karen Andrews
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Hall management: David Fitchett
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Kāhui ako stewardship: Brie Liberty
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Policy management (Schooldocs): Andrew McMenamin
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Presiding member: Andrew McMenamin
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We also agreed to roll over our current strategic plan to next year, given the disruption over the past couple of years. This allows the new board time to familiarise itself with the strategy and ensure an effective review which positions our school for the period from 2024 to 2026. In our latest meeting, we discussed:
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- Staff planning for next year, including the need to allow for growth as more families move into our zone through the year;
- The start of the new Education Review Office process, in which ERO works collaboratively with schools to identify and support areas of improvement;
- First step in the project is to complete the building master plan, providing space for further growth of the school;
- Current policies up for review on the SchoolDocs platform, focusing on health and safety. You can view the policies and have your say here (username: ararira, password: russdrive)
Ngā mihi,
Andrew McMenamin
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NEXT MEETING - 23 November, 6.30 pm in the Staffroom
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Using Our Kiss and Go
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We would like to provide some clarification on the use of the Kiss and Go area. This is designed for you to pull in and out of rather than park. For it to flow we try and encourage you to come a little later so the children can be waiting for you to pick them up. Here is a video provided by the Selwyn District Council as our carpark was their design.
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Our challenge arises when trying to access the kiss-and-go area when it is filled with cars. We can't have you waiting and blocking the entrance to the car park at the top of the drive. If this occurs we ask you to circle around and enter the driveway again.
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Please be patient, our staff are trying to help this area flow. If you have grandparents picking up your children we ask you to remind them not to park in this area. Do consider coming a little later. The car park is virtually empty by 3:10 pm.
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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.
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Save the date - events coming up:
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Kia ora tāne, tomorrow (Thursday 10 November) is the THT Lads at The Lab night out. See the poster below for details. Pop along for a chinwag (chat) and a beverage.
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Arbonne skin care, makeup and nutrition information evening 7pm, Thursday 17th Nov in Putahi.
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NEXT MEETING - 08 December, 7pm at the Flaming Rabbit, Vernon Drive, Lincoln
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Second Hand Uniforms - The THT has a small selection of second hand uniform items available for purchase. We are also 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 via charlotte.mcmenamin@ararira.school.nz
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Lincoln Zones Athletics Day
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What a great day we had! Five of our tamariki did exceptionally well and have been entered into the Canterbury Athletics Competition. This will be taking place at Ngā Puna Wai on the 30th of November. We would like to wish Zoe, Sophia, Stella-Rose, Seth and Sky all the best for their upcoming competition.
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The iBike programme will be starting in week 5 and running through to week 6. The children have been told which groups they are in and what they need. They will need their bikes and helmets. Please contact Whaea Meeghan if you have any questions.
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Click on the link if you would like to register your child.
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Upcoming Sporting Dates - Year 3-8 Tough Kid Challenge
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Our sporting year is slowly approaching. On the 7th of December we will be completing our year the Tough Kid Challenge in Brighton. We will be attending the afternoon session from 12pm - 3:30pm.
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What's Been Happening?
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Year 7/8 Technology Cooking Challenge - Last week after school 4 teams of year 7/8 tamariki competed in the Technology Cooking Challenge for children across Canterbury. They had to create a 'High Tea' in Hornor of the Late Queen Elizabeth. This included sandwiches, two items of choice, and a mystery box item. They had two hours to make and plate. Lots of team work was required and so much fun was had by all. Thanks, Whaea Danielle for organising this opportunity and for being one of the judges.
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Year 5/6 Market Day - last week the Year 5/6 tamariki held their market day. Such great skills learning how to make and promote a product for sale, managing money, and being able to serve customers. Fantastic work team.
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Envirotown Responsible Business Awards - On Friday 28 October Ararira Springs Primary was awarded runner-up school in the Envirotown Responsible Business Awards. We were recognised for many things including our native planting, bee hives, rubbish initiative, staff and student wellbeing model, our pataka kai and enviroschool focus. Like everything it is the work of many. Special thanks to Whaea Larissa and Whaea Andrea for leading in the kaitiakitanga area over the past few years. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini — (My success is not my own, but from many others)
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Year 5/6 Swimming Lessons - Our Year 5/6 tamariki had two fabulous weeks of swimming lessons at the start of the term. Thanks to Matua Blair, Whaea Meghan and Matua Michael for all your planning and organisation and to the parents who helped out with supervision. Wonderful to see the progress right before summer.
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Senior Choir - The senior choir members had an amazing experience performing in the Town Hall auditorium last week. The choir sounded amazing as did the special group performers. Some incredible talent and music. Thanks to all the parents for coming and enjoying the evening with us.
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K3/4 Market Day - Kaunuku 3 and 4 tamariki had their market day on 27 October for the celebration of their inquiry. So much learning has gone into planning this event. Market research, designing and making items to sell, promoting their products, and the exciting part of selling the goods! Thanks to all who came and support the markets at school this week. Māku e whakatika - It starts with me!
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Y6 Marae Visit - Last week our Year 6 tamariki visited our local marae, Taumutu, in the beautiful setting on the shore of Te Waihora. A great learning opportunity to connect with others and share their mihi.
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Kelly Club
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Next week at Kelly Club our theme is Europe Week! Come join us for this spectacular week. Book in quick!
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John Parsons is a national expert on digital safety and citizenship. He makes the trip to Selwyn every two years to work with the schools in our Kāhui Ako. If you were unable to attend the event at Prebbleton School, we would encourage you to attend the event at Lincoln Primary School tonight.
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Mixx, the Korfball provider in New Zealand. Young, fun & vibrant. Creating a unique NZ community along the way.
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Toot for Tucker
The purpose of Toot for Tucker is to collect much needed donations of non-perishable and sealed food and toiletry items which will then be distributed to Selwyn Foodbanks. All donations stay in the Selwyn District.
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A group of volunteers (along with local Emergency services and/or armed forces) will drive along the Lincoln streets and toot their horns so people know to come out to their letterbox with any donations they may have.
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This is a charitable initiative that has been successful around the world including locally, in Rolleston (Oct 2020, May 2021 & Dec 2021) and Christchurch.
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The structured literacy spelling approach involves explicitly teaching tamariki how to encode (spell) the English language. It connects the reciprocal nature of reading and writing together. English is an Alphabetic Code It uses symbols of the alphabet (letters or graphemes) to represent speech sounds (phonemes). There are 26 letters and 44 speech sounds in the English language however there are …
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At Ararira Springs we use the Family Planning programme ‘Navigating the Journey’ to teach Relationship and Sexuality Education. This is taught appropriately to your child’s age and stage by your child’s ako teacher. Relationships and sexuality education sit within the Health and Physical Education strand of The New Zealand Curriculum and is compulsory for students up to year 10. Parents …
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Mana Ōrite / equal status is founded on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In our school it is the understanding of mātauranga Māori, Māori approaches to teaching and learning and the Te Ao Māori kete of knowledge, as having an equal value within education. It is also taking action to redress the structural foundations that have previously placed …
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