Newsletter 6 November 2023
From the Principal
Dear Parents
An exciting two weeks of learning and the feeling that summer is finally coming. All students need to wear the school hats during Term 4 and Term 1 of each year. We appreciate it my be raining in the morning but by morning tea the sun is out as the weather is still very unpredictable,
Watercare has been working with our students in Year 3 and Year 4 with hands-on sessions about water, wastewater and their local environment. The junior school visited the Stardome Observatory to better understand the fundamental principles of astronomy and how amazing space is! The facilitators were impressed with our students' knowledge, behaviour and genuine excitement.
Teacher Only Day Reminder
School will be closed to students on Friday November 17th (next week). On this day the Ministry of Education facilitators will be onsite working with the staff to support the implementation of Te Mātaiaho - the refreshed NZ curriculum.
Reminder - Road Crossing Adult Role Models
Please help us to keep your child safe before and after school by using the crossings. Daily we see parents calling or walking their children across the road not at the crossings which is unbelievably dangerous and unnecessary. Staff, parents and students are giving up their time for road patrol to keep everyone safe so please ensure your children use the crossing so they are not putting themselves or others at risk.
In New Zealand, child pedestrian injuries are a leading cause of traffic related child deaths.
FACTS
- More than 5 child pedestrians are killed each year.
- 100 are hospitalised.
- School age kids (5-9yo) are the most at risk.
Children look to adults to see what is the correct behaviour so please think about this before rushing across the road when a pedestrian crossing is close.
Celebrating Diwali Week
This week we acknowledge Diwali. What is Diwali and why is it celebrated?
Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
Staff 2024
Senior team
Mr. Fintan Kelly, Mrs Sue Kandasamy, Mrs Monique Browne
Student Support
Mrs. Claire Stretch- SENCo (Special Education Needs Coordinator)
Junior team - Year 1 and Year 2
Co -team leaders: Mrs Vanessa Pederson and Mrs Adeline Martin
Year 1 Teachers - Mrs Vanessa Pederson, Mrs Donna Hitchings, Miss Amy Davidson, Mrs Leanne van Reede
Year 2 Teachers – Mrs Adeline Martin, Mrs Melissa Quinn, Miss Katie Bell, Miss Kendall Spence
Middle Team – Year 3 and Year 4
Team Leader - Mrs Roshilla Naicker Lead Teacher - Mrs Shirley Leong
Classroom Teachers - Mrs Roshilla Naicker, Mrs Shirley Leong, Mr Eru Abraham, Mrs Emma Arthurs, Miss Maddie Grey, Miss Isobel Jacobs
Senior Team – Year 5 and Year 6
Team Leader - Mrs Melanie Harper Lead Teacher - Mrs Antonia Burton
Classroom teachers - Mrs Melanie Harper, Mrs Antonia Burton, Miss Vanessa Roscoe, Ms Leanne Su, Mrs Vicki Vaevae and Miss Jazmyn Garrett-Dalton
Additional Staff
Mrs Wendy Morgan - Student Support
Miss Chelsey Waters - Student Support
Mr Daniel Ward - Sport/PE release teacher
Part-time - student and teacher support
Mrs Marnie Rosser, Mrs Libby Morar, Mrs Jessica Richardson, Mrs Justine McManus
Learning Assistants
Mrs Michelle Alexander, Mrs Jean Wilkinson, Mrs Chris Heaven, Miss Nooraih Sayed
Mrs Sinead Tyner, Mrs Nutcha Ken, Mrs Belinda Mansell, Ms Alexandra Lowery
Office and Property Staff
Mrs Kristina Mahoney
Mrs Ariane Hodgetts
Mr Simon Fraser
Last School Day this Year
School will close on Wednesday 20th December at 1.00 pm
Lost Property
The lost property box is located between Room 6 and Room 7 upstairs in the junior block. A lot of jumpers are left on playgrounds, in the hall etc as the days get warmer so please encourage your child to check the lost property box and ensure all items are named.
Major School Events this term
More information about trips and events will be sent out closer to the time
Week 5
Full School Assembly - Friday 10 November 9.15 am
Week 6
Inter school athletics - Thursday 16th November
Teacher Only Day - Friday 17th November
Week 7
Book Character Dress Up Day (see more information below) - Friday 24th November
Week 8
Student Leaders for 2024 Speeches - Thursday 30th November
Week 9
School fun run and athletics event (see more information below) - Friday 8th December
Week 10
Board of Trustees Meeting - Tuesday 12th December
Student Leaders Trip - Wednesday 13th December
Junior School End of Year Celebration - 9.30am - Wednesday 13th December
Middle School End of Year Celebration - 11.45am - Wednesday 13th December
Senior School Duty Awards Ceremony - 9.15am - Thursday 14th December
Student reports go home - Friday 15th December
Week 11
Senior School Prizegiving and Year 6 Graduation Assembly - 9.15am - Tuesday 19th December
Last day of the school year - Wednesday 20th December - school finishes at 1pm
School dates for 2024
Term 1 – Wednesday 7 February - Friday 12 April
Term 2 - Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July
Term 3 - Monday 22 July - Friday 27 September
Term 4 - Monday 14 October - Friday 20 December
Fintan, Sue and Monique
Athletics and Cross Country Fun For All
Schools throughout Aotearoa are reshaping their athletics and cross country events. This year, PHS will take our lead from Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ), which released a position paper suggesting that engaging students in athletics and cross country in creative ways can allow them to develop a broad range of physical and social skills, while positively impacting feelings of self-worth.
PHS cross country / athletics events will be replaced with a new event on Friday 8th December that aims to get all students engaged in physical education. The day will include a fun run, net crawls, water guns, bubbles, dancing, skipping and obstacle course. More details about timings will come out closer to the event but parents will be welcome to come and support students as they take part.
Term 4 has students school wide learning athletics skills at their appropriate age level within their sport rotations.
Book Character Parade
We are pleased to be able to celebrate reading with the return of the book parade on Friday 24th November. We ask that children come dressed as their favourite book character. Parents, caregivers and extended family are welcome to come and watch.
The intention is to have a full school parade under the Cloud starting at 9:15am. Significant rain may require a change to this plan and any changes of schedule will be sent out via email and Facebook in the morning if required.
Please assist your child in organising a book character costume for the parade. The class competition will be judged by the teachers who will be looking for creative and imaginative costumes. The idea is not to hire or buy new costumes rather be creative with whatever you have already or can create.
Students not returning for 2024
Thank you to those who have completed the form to inform us of your child not returning for 2024, this is very helpful information as we plan classes for next year. If you have not already done so and you know your child will not be attending Pakuranga Heights next year, please let us know via the link below.
Please do not complete the form for Year 6 students.
Celebrating Excellence
From the Community
