Newsletter 11 September 2023
From the Principal
We have much to celebrate so far this term. In the interschool dance competition, our troupe of girls were amazing, as was our cross-country team and netball team with top placings.
The senior and middle school students took part in their speech competitions and the junior school shared their abilities through poetry. It never ceases to amaze me the talent we have here at Pakuranga Heights.
Thank you for your amazing support of the mathathon and the Salvation Army Food Bank drive. It was humbling to see so many families donate several items knowing they themselves are not finding it easy in our current economic times. This is a powerful message for your children as Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Last Day of Term 3
Friday 22nd September at 3 pm.
First day of Term 4
Monday 9th October at 9.00 am.
Events Still to Come this Term
This week
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week!
Thursday - School Disco
Friday - Senior School trips to Mangere Mountain Education Centre
Week of September 18th
Chinese Language Week
Senior School trips to Mangere Mountain Education Centre
Thursday Full school Assembly at 9.15 am
Friday - Last day of Term 3
Term 4 - Sun Safety is extremely Important
We encourage all children to be sun smart by wearing hats and sunscreen.
Keeping sunsafe is not optional in our country, it is essential.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in this country – almost 80% of new cancer cases in NZ are skin cancers.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and together with Australia we have the highest melanoma rates.
As skin cancer is so serious, it is vital that we as parents teach our children how to be sun safe.
The weather experts are predicting that El Niño weather-pattern will mean it is a warmer summer in the North Island especially the East Coast.
Summer Uniform in Term 4
Sunhat
Black shoes or black sandals
Photolife
You will have been emailed your child’s unique Key Code to go online to view and purchase 2023 School Photos. ***FREE DELIVERY EXPIRES Midnight Sunday 24th SEPTEMBER ***
Please check your spam if you have not received.
Need to know - Cultural Evening
We are very excited to announce our school will be holding a cultural evening on Thursday 19th October from 5pm until approximately 7.15pm.
This is an extravaganza of cultural performances by our wonderful students and local talent. The evening will include a cultural parade, dance items, singing, kapa haka performances and much more.
This year, we are having a "picnic in the park" theme, so bring along the whole whanau, picnic blanket, picnic dinner and get ready to be entertained. Arrive early to find a picnic spot. On the night there will be a sausage sizzle, coffee cart, and drinks for sale.
All students are expected to attend and perform on the night. Please let your classroom teacher know by this Friday, 15 September, if your child is unable to attend.
Children (unless booked into after school care) need to leave school at 3pm and then return to school at 4.15pm, those in the Middle/Senior School Kapa Haka group need to leave school at 3pm and then return to school at 4pm. You will be notified closer to the time as to where your children need to meet their teacher.
Children are encouraged to come to school on Thursday 19th October wearing cultural clothes that are special to them. This is a gold coin donation mufti day to help fund new costumes for our cultural groups.
We look forward to sharing a wonderful community night with you.
Claire Stretch
Festival Organiser
Valerie Bee Award
At values assembly last week Nicole from Room 12 was the recipient of the Valerie Bee Award - this is awarded to the student in the school who has been noted by staff members as being an outstanding role model of the school values. Congratulations Nicole!
Tongan Language Week
Malo 'Aupito to everyone who helped us celebrate Tongan Language Week last week. We were lucky to have some of our Senior girls share a Tongan dance with us at values assembly and it fantastic to see the pride in all our students wearing Tongan traditional dress on Friday.
Tongan Language Week
Strictly Jump Jam competition
Our talented novice and performance Jump Jam teams competed in the Auckland Central Strictly Jump Jam competition on Sunday. Both teams placed 3rd in their respective categories and received awards for Presentation and Technical Execution
PTA News
The school disco is being held on September 14th - Juniors 3:15-4:30, Middles and Seniors 4:30-6:00
Entrance is $4, including a glow stick. Tickets will be available for younger siblings on the day.
Food, drinks and other items can be purchased with pre-paid cards available on Kindo or by cash on the day. There is no EFTPOS available at the disco.
Please note Kindo sales are only available until Wednesday. Students who need to purchase a ticket with cash can do so in class on Thursday morning only.
Good to know
Thank you to all the families collecting Yummy fruit stickers. Every sticker helps earn sports equipment. Empty sheets are available from Mr. Ward in Room 21.
From the community
Kung Fu Lessons -Elementsoftheanimal.com
We are looking to start kung-fu lessons at Pakuranga Heights School in Term 4 subject to sufficient interest.
Classes will be run on Thursday evenings from 6.15pm to 7.15pm
All ages welcome
Please call Darrin on 027 2620054 to register interest or for more information
