Newsletter 5th August 2025
From the Principal
Kia Orāna kōtou kātoatoa this Week we celebrate Cook Island Language Week.
A warm welcome to our new families.
This term students are participating in class and team speech events. Below is an interesting point of view on why so many of us fear public speaking. According to a number of surveys, fear of public speaking ranks among our top dreads, surpassing fear of illness, fear of flying, fear of terrorism, and often the fear of death itself.
The benefits for students
Overcome Fears
Learning to write a speech and deliver it and surviving the experience unscathed can lessen anxiety about speaking in public.
Build Confidence
A study by North Carolina Cooperative Extension of 98 young people ages 9 to 18 who participated in a public speaking program found that public speaking increased confidence.
Improve Communication Skills
The children learn to calmly refute an opposing view, to present their ideas in an organized and coherent manner, and to defend their views to others.
Increase Organisational Skills
Writing and presenting a speech requires researching a topic and organizing their ideas, research and their time..
Future focused……Get ahead at College and work
Public speaking ability can help your child stand out. They learn to speak up in meetings, to promote your ideas, and to present as a professional.
It takes courage to stand in front of a group of people so we celebrate every student for giving it a go.
Curriculum Teacher Only Days - Why Not During the Holidays?
As you are aware the Government has brought in substantial changes to the curriculum, assessment and strategies to raise attendance.
We have secured professional development facilitators through the Ministry of Education and have managed to have some during the holidays, however, they are trying to upskill teachers across 1000 schools so some unfortunately have to be in term time.
The facilitators are provided by the Ministry of Education and each school is allocated four days where they can close the school for teacher professional learning. Due to the high demand for the facilitators we have very limited choice of the days we can choose. We have tried to minimise any inconvenience to families by asking for a Friday or Monday.
The End of Open Plan Classrooms
The government has called a halt to building open-plan classrooms.
The buildings - known variously as modern, flexible, or innovative learning environments - have attracted consistent criticism, with some schools spending their own funds remodelling the rooms to create separate classrooms.
We decided several years ago that open plan classrooms were not working for our community or teachers so changed back to single cell classrooms.
School Leaders Planning Days
August 21st and 22nd the senior team will be offsite to start planning for next year. Mrs Cheryl Davies-Crooke will be the relief Principal. Cheryl is a very experienced Principal who was here last year when we were offsite.
Celebrating Excellence - Room 16
Room 16 celebrated Samoan language week by learning about and creating our very own Siapo/Tapa cloth inspired art. We learnt that Siapo is one of the oldest art forms in Samoa and it is usually made from tree bark. There are 12 main designs that can be on a Siapo which are based on things found in Samoa. We chose the breadfruit design which looks like four leaves, and the wavy lines. We placed all of our pieces together to form one big Tapa.
Cultural Club News
Lunchtime Cultural Club
During our lunchtime Cultural Club last week we celebrated Vanuatu Bislama Language Week by making some sand drawings. We had fun creating our own pictures in the sand.
In Vanuatu, the drawings are done on the ground, in sand, volcanic ash or clay. Artists use one finger drawing a continuous meandering line to produce a graceful, often symmetrical, composition of geometric patterns. This tradition has developed as a means of communication among the members of 80 different language groups inhabiting the central and northern islands of Vanuatu.
From the PTA
Upcoming Events — Mark Your Calendars!
We have got two exciting fundraising events on the horizon to support upgrades to our outdoor learning areas and refresh classroom resources 
:
Mathathon – Friday 5 September 2025
A Mathathon is a fun, educational challenge and school-based fundraising event that combines learning with community support. Students are given a set of math problems tailored to their level, and they spend a few weeks practicing and preparing. Then, on Friday 5 September 2025 they complete the challenge in class and collect sponsorships from family and friends based on their participation or performance. It is a brilliant way to boost numeracy skills while supporting our school.
School Disco – Thursday 18 September 2025
A school disco is a lively, themed dance party held at our school to celebrate the end of term, raise funds, or simply bring the community together. Think music, lights, and lots of excited kids showing off their best moves!
Get ready to groove at our Under the Sea themed disco!
- Junior Disco: 3:30pm–4:30pm
- Middle & Senior Disco: 4:45pm–5:45pm
Expect music, snacks, and sea-sational fun for everyone.
Junior students must be supervised by a parent, caregiver or older sibling throughout the disco. Presale tickets will be available prior to the event and also at the door on the day.
More details for both events will be sent out separately—so stay tuned!
Parent Helpers Needed for Disco
We’re calling on volunteers to help set up the disco and lend a hand during the event. If you’re keen to get involved, please email pta@pakurangaheights.
Let’s make waves together in support of our tamariki 
From the Community
