Newsletter 4th March
From the Principal
A warm welcome to our new families. It was wonderful to see a great turnout for our school picnic and parent- teacher meetings. We value our strong partnership as we work together to get the best outcomes for your child.
Attendance and lateness remains our focus - Why is Attendance Important?
Attendance continues to be a big issue and we are working with the Government to improve across the Education Sector
Research shows that regular attendance has a big impact; the more often children attend school, the better they do at school; the happier they are; and the better they are set up for life.
It all adds up. If a child misses one week of school each term they will have missed a whole year of schooling by the time they are 16.
Here are some ideas from the Education Review Office to support your child’s attendance.
We found that what you do can have a big impact on your child’s attendance.
- Parents who are comfortable with their child missing a week or more of school per term are more than twice as likely to have a child who doesn’t regularly attend school. It is never too early to start.
- When children miss some school early on, it can lead to missing more later on too.
- When your child is at primary school, your input is even more important. You can help set up good habits that will last for the whole time they are at school.
Below are some things that you can do which help.
- It is your responsibility to get your child to school – if transport is hard for you, talk to your school. There may be support available in your area.
- Talk to your child about how school is important for their future, and how it is important to go every day. Be positive about school!
- Make sure your child knows that you care if they are going to school.
- Only take your child out of school when there is a good reason,eg. If they are sick.
- Have a consistent morning routine, not too rushed.
- Help your child prepare for school, like making sure they have done their homework the night before.
Attendance: Getting Back to School. A guide for parents and whānau. (Education Review Office)
Access to School Grounds After Hours
Over the years we had some issues with older students after hours who are not from our school. The issues are around inappropriate music, bad language and general attitude.
There is a misinformed belief that schools are public property therefore anyone can access them anytime, this is incorrect as schools are deemed private property and come under the bylaws of the School Board of Trustees.
If you see any inappropriate behavior please inform us straight away. Only older students who have siblings at this school may enter in order to pick up their brother or sister as long as they respect our school, staff, students and community.
Clearway Signs on Udys Road Reminder
Many of you may recall before we had the clearway signs on Udys Road that the traffic came to a gridlock. The clearway between 8.30 am and 9.30 am and 2.30 pm until 3.30 pm has been very successful. This helped with not only traffic flow but also the safety of all students and families.
Just a reminder that parking on the curb in these areas is unsafe and illegal. The council does issue parking tickets regularly.
Barrier Arm
We are changing the barrier arm code this week, should you need a code for disability reasons or other valid reasons, please see the office.
Swimming Lessons
We are very fortunate to have access to free swimming lessons and transport to the pools for children from Year 3 - Year 6. The children are in ability groups and each group benefits from having their own swim coach. It is important all children learn the basics of surviving in and on water especially since NZ is an island surrounded by water. Please support your child in having their swimming gear at school on a Monday (Rooms 16-23) or a Tuesday (Rooms 12-15).
Reporting to Parents
Thank you if you were able to attend the parent partnership meetings, we had an excellent turnout, 88% of families attended in person, virtually or connected by phone.
At Pakuranga Heights School, we acknowledge that encouragement and support from parents, whanau and carers are important elements in the learning process. This partnership is the foundation of our vision ‘Reaching new heights together’.
Student Leaders Trip
Our student leaders will be travelling by plane to Wellington for one day, Tuesday 9th April. This trip is designed to give House Captains an opportunity to see leadership in action and develop an understanding of how groups of people work together to lead effectively. In the lead up to the trip, House Captains will learn how Parliament works, including the process for new laws.
During the tour the students will visit:
- The House of Representatives (debating chamber)
- The Legislative Council Chamber
- A select committee room
- The Theatrette (Press conference room)
- The Parliamentary Library
- Te Papa Museum and a ride on the Cable Car
The students will also get to meet a Member of Parliament. An exciting opportunity for our student leaders.
Upcoming Events
Week 5
Friday 8th March: Full school assembly 9:15am - all parents welcome
Week 6
Monday 11th/Tuesday 12th March: Year 5 Cycle Skills
Friday 15th March: Wheels Day - see further information below
Week 8
Thursday 28th March: Book Day - see further information below
Friday 29th March: School closed for Easter Break
Week 9
Monday 1st/Tuesday 2nd April: School closed for Easter Break
Week 10
Monday 8th/Tuesday 9th April: Junior School Museum Trip - more information to come
Tuesday 9th April: House Captains Wellington Trip
Friday 12th April: Last day Term 1
Monday 29th April: First day Term 2
Celebrating Excellence
Room 2 have been learning that they are all unique and special and that there is no one the same. Based on this Room 2 decided to draw and then dye their own picture with their chosen colours. This was based on the poem: All of me by Jessica McDonald
Meet the 2024 House Captains
Kea House
We are the Kea House Captains for 2024. Our names are Ali, Alex and Jason. We are looking forward to this term's House competitions. We all like sports as well as S.T.E.M. This year we hope to achieve a fair and equal environment here at PHS.
Piwakawaka House
Tena koutou katoa, our names are Seallene, Hannah & Luken. We are your 2024 Piwakawaka House Captains. We are so excited to start the year of with house huis.Our goal is to make this the best year you could ever have!
Tui House
Hi, we are your Tui house captains for 2024, Sophie, Ashton, and Pahulu. Our goal is to make this year the best year you have ever experienced in this school. We are all in road patrol and like to play sports.
Weka House
We are the Weka house captains Kyra, Leo and Rakera. We all are interested in sports and we played in the school softball team. Our 2024 goal as house captains is to organise more outside activities with our house groups and create days for other students to enjoy and look forward to.
Sports News
Collect the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy apple stickers for your school’s share of the $200,000 free Sport sports gear prize pool. Yummy apples are available from New World, PAK’nSAVE and participating Four Square stores. The more you collect, the more sports gear you get so get going and start collecting your Yummy cut-out labels and stickers now!
Softball Field Day 2024
On Wednesday 21st February, 24 senior students went to Meadowland Park Reserve to participate in a thrilling day of softball. We had two teams of twelve and both teams had 5 games each! We all had a turn at batting and fielding, with many team members scoring multiple home runs. Both teams worked together very well and consistently tried their best. With some wins, draws and losses, we are immensely proud of all our students who participated in the Year 5/6 Softball Field Day. Their positive attitudes, teamwork, and commitment to fair play display the school values. A special thank you to the parent volunteers that helped make this possible.
Book Day 2024
Book day is coming up later this term, we look forward to seeing all students dressed as their favourite book character on Thursday 28th March, right before the Easter break.
Travelwise
The Big Walk
Friday 23rd February saw the return of the Big Walk, this event saw every child walk, together with their class, the full block around our school leaving and returning via the back gate. Classes talked about the health, safety and traffic benefits of walking all or part of the way to school.
If you do need to drive your child to or from school consider using a drop off or pick up point a little further from the school gate to save you sitting in traffic to get close. There are a number of safe places to drop off or meet your child which only require them to cross a road at one of our patrolled crossings. Walking, even part of the way to school, allows your child to develop independence, gain health benefits from walking and contributes to a safer environment for all by diverting traffic from busy points.
Walking School Bus
A Walking School Bus is similar to a normal school bus except children walk to and/or from school along a designated route, under the supervision of adult volunteers (parents), who act as the Walking School Bus driver. Walking School Buses reduce the number of cars on the road, making our environment safer and cleaner. Children also learn about road safety as they walk and get some exercise in a fun and social way. Here you will find more information on Walking School Bus (at.govt.nz)
If you would like to find out more about how to start a Walking School Bus, email us at walkingschoolbus@at.govt.nz
