Newsletter 19th February 2024
From the Principal
Welcome to our many new families who have joined our school community over the past few weeks.
Congratulations
Mrs Chelsey Waters is expecting a baby girl in June. As Mary Mason said, ‘“A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart until the day you die.”
School Wide Contracts 2024
Each year we have several professional learning contracts below are a few of them
Healthy Active Learning – 3 Year Contract
Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport NZ, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Education to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity.
The Learner First
Mathematics Professional Development that is impactful, scalable, student centered, and sustainable.
Teachers’ knowledge of how children learn mathematics is a focus. Teachers are empowered to optimize existing resources and integrate high impact routines, creating an effective blend of teaching styles and a varied and inclusive repertoire of tasks.
The facilitators are mathematics experts who empower teachers to translate research into everyday classroom practice and become confident, creative communicators of mathematics.
Teachers will learn to create and implement balanced and high impact routines that have demonstrated capacity to improve both student performance and disposition as they explore mathematical skills, processes and competencies.
Creative in Schools
Creatives in Schools aims to provide creative learning experiences that enhance the wellbeing of students and ākonga and develop their knowledge and skills in communication, collaboration, and creative thinking and practice.
Schools and an artist work together to plan a project. Schools work with the artist to deliver the creative experience for students and ākonga. The project will run for between eight and 20 weeks.
The Creatives in Schools learning experiences enhance students’ wellbeing, improves their core competencies in communication, collaboration and creative thinking, and inspires their interest and awareness of careers in the arts and creative sectors
MAJOR SCHOOL EVENTS THIS TERM
- more information will be sent out
Week 3
All week Senior School EOTC Week
Swimming lessons continue for middle and senior school
Thursday 22nd February School Picnic 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Week 4
Thursday 29th February Meet the Teacher 2.00 pm onwards.
Week 6
All Week Year 5 Cycle Skills
Week 7
Monday 18th March Senior Girls Smash Cricket Funday (selected students)
Week 8 and Week 9
Thursday 28th March Book Day
Friday 29th March Easter – no school
Monday April 1st Easter – no school
Tuesday April 2nd Easter – no school
Week 10
Friday 10th April Last Day of the School Term
Term 2
Monday 29th April First Day of Term 2
Fintan, Sue and Monique
Family Picnic
All families are warmly invited to join us at our start of the year picnic on Thursday 22nd February from 4-7pm. BYO refreshements or take advantage of the PTA BBQ and pizza sales and Mr Whippy ice creams. Free bouncy castles and games to keep everyone entertained.
Please note this is a family event and students should not be attending alone. The back gate will be open to allow additional access to the school grounds.
Meet the Teacher
We invite you to meet your child’s new teacher on Thursday 29th February for a ten minute interview. The purpose of this interview is to get to know more about your child and how they have settled in, and talk about ways of making this a successful year of learning for them. Academic achievement will be shared in Term 2 at the three-way conference when teachers will have current assessment data.
Please book a time through the website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz using the code fv4vd or book through the office.
This is an important time to meet your child’s teacher and share any information that will help your child have a great year of learning. Your child is not required to attend as this is a time for parents and teachers. They are more than welcome to play outside while waiting for you.
School will close as usual at 3pm but if you want to pick your child up at 2.00pm you are welcome to do so.
As always we are striving for all parents to attend this interview. Your child’s teacher is likely to contact you over the next week if you have not made an appointment. We look forward to ‘reaching new heights together’ to ensure your child has a great year of learning.
School Communication
To keep up to date with school events and communication we encourage you to download our school app and connect with our facebook page.
The app can be found for free in your app or play store, simply search for SZapp. Once you have downloaded the app you can search for Pakuranga Heights School. You will need to use the passcode 9485 to connect.
Our school facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/PakurangaHeights
Celebrating Excellence
Room 1 have enjoyed reading Greedy Cat. We know that we need to be kind and honest, these are our School Values.
Travelwise
From the Community
The Junior Tough Guy and Girl Challenge is an annual adrenaline-packed event where participants conquer a challenging course amidst the country's stunning landscapes. It's a test of physical and mental resilience, embodying Kiwi toughness and camaraderie in a thrilling experience.This is an individual event and not a school-sponsored activity. Parents will be responsible for providing transportation and supervision for their children.Kumeu, West Auckland Junior Tough Guy and Gal ChallengeTuesday 06th August 2024Wednesday 07th August 2024Pukekohe, South Auckland Junior Tough Guy and Gal ChallengeThursday 19th September 2024Register at https://eventpromotions.co.nz/junior-tough-guy-and-gal.../