Wairakei Primary School Newsletter

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May 31, 2022

Mei 31, 2022

Week 5 Term 2, 2022

Issue Contents:

Principal's News
Term Two Sports start dates
Sponsors

Principal's News

It is camp week here at school. Our Year 6 Merc Camp has had an overhaul and instead of us travelling to Auckland, Merc has come to us. This is a pilot programme for Merc. They have looked for a school willing to try this idea. And of course, we were able to set up dates to ensure we received our Merc experience in our own backyard — let's face it, we have the best backyard!

Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (Merc) has had a 10-year relationship with Wairakei Primary. Groups of Year 5 and 6 students have travelled to Merc for our three-day camp.
This year, Merc have set up shop at our school. The first overnight stay happened last night in the hall. This group has moved to Opepe for a bush experience. Another group is at Kinloch practising their archery and riding mountain bikes. The last group will be at Whakaipo Bay making rafts and kayaking. There is a rotational pattern to the camp experiences.

I know the teachers are disappointed that they were unable to go up the mountain to The Memorial Lodge for their overnight stay. It was not to be. The mountain and the rain did not want to play ball with us.

The Year 5 camp has a range of experiences across three days based at school. These students will be making huts and damper and playing a range of collaborative games.

On Friday, June 3, 2022 the school is showing its support for Kids Greening Taupo (KGT). As part of our agreement with KGT we are hosting a dress up day — wearing Green. The greener, the better. There are surprise prizes for being green. The school is showing its support for the KGT who have supported us with plants and funds for gardening gloves and rakes. Please bring a gold coin to school to support this community group and the work they do around the local area.

We are preparing for our annual ‘A Tree for Every Child’ planting. This will be happening in late June. New families to the school will be sent a letter with more information by Friday, June 3, 2022.

When the weeks are wet like this, we do need extra supplies of boys undies and pants and shorts. We keep a supply in the sick bay for many reasons. Funnily enough, we always need more when the weather is wet and cold. If you have any of these items spare at home, please send them to the office.

I have an update on the sign for the front of the school. I have applied to the Taupo District Council for a grant to help us fund the sign. We will know in about 6 weeks if we have been successful. Fingers crossed.

On Wednesday the PTA held their Annual General meeting in the hall. It was great to see our parents come out in support of the PTA and their efforts for the school. Planning Pet Day has started. The PTA team have begun looking at what events they will have at Pet Day and how much support they will need on the day. Collectively as a group they are looking to have a range of activities to re-energize Pet Day. Mark the date in your Calendar as Saturday, November 5, 2022.

Message from the PTA
Thank you to everyone who came out in the cold to attend the PTA AGM on Wednesday May 25, 2022. We have some exciting fund-raising events ahead for the rest of the year and are all gearing up for the long-awaited Pet Day in November.

We will have a Pet Day organisation meeting at 6 p.m. on June 30, 2022 at Tipsy Trout in Kinloch, and hope to have you all come along and share your ideas to make this year’s Pet Day the best we’ve ever had.

Fundraiser planned for Term 2 & 3:

End of Term Lunch Orders
Family Pie Orders
School Merchandise Fundraiser

The following officers were elected for the Wairakei Primary School PTA:

Chair Person Zadia Venter
Secretary Katie Sherman and Katherine Peirce
Treasurer Elena Mendez-Grey

Our heartfelt appreciation to all the parents and caregivers who have supported our fundraising endeavours over the past years. We appreciate your time, contribution and enthusiasm for the Wairakei PTA.

On Friday, June 10 2022 we farewell Ben Kidd who is leaving us to join the teaching staff at Lynmore School in Rotorua. Jenna Foley will be taking the class and will be supported by Jeannie Young when Jenna needs to be out of the class.

On Wednesday, May 25 2022 we had a visiting kindergarten come to the school. In their group were a number of students who we did not know about, who are starting at our school in the near future. I would like to be prepared for new students, and to do that I need to know their names and start dates.

This is particularly important as I am planning for 2023 and if we will need to ballot. If you know of any students who are in our school zone or would like to come to the school can you, please talk to them and get them to make a time to meet with me or talk to Val and Rhonda in the office.

The Board of Trustees election is coming up in September. Parents or interested parties are able to join into the Board meetings and watch and see what happens. Our meetings are currently on Zoom. To be able to participate in the meeting, please call the office at least 24 hours before the meeting and a link can be sent to you. Our next meeting is June 16, 2022 starting at 5.30 p.m.

Our teachers will be attending a paid union meeting on Tuesday June 14 2022 from 1.15 pm. This means I am unable to manage all the students during that meeting time. Please help our teachers by picking up your child from 1 p.m to allow the teachers to attend their meeting. The support staff and I can manage a few students who are unable to be picked up. School is not closed during this time. On behalf of our teachers, I thank you for your support with this early pick up .

Just a note that Memorial Lodge is available for booking by all families. There are plenty of weekday spaces still available.

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Ngā mihi nui
Paula