Newsletter 2, Term 1 Week 6 2023

In this newsletter we are very excited to welcome our first Cambodian family who have recently arrived in NZ. As our number of school families who are not NZ born grows, we are very aware of how important it is to help them with what it means to be a New Zealander. See below, a list of Māori words with their English meaning, used in this newsletter – we hope that this is helpful. Our school website also offers translation at the click of a button, to enable families to read and understand newsletters and notices in their own language. If your language is not an currently an option, please let us know and we will request that it be added.  As always, we encourage our families to let us know whenever you need support or information.

Te Reo Māori words in this newsletter:

Aotearoa = New Zealand

Pōwhiri = Welcome Ceremony

Karanga = ceremonial call

Kura = School

Tamariki = Children

Te = The

Te Reo or Te Reo Māori = Māori language

Tangata whenua = the people of the land, those who have customary rights in a particular place

Tikanga = Customs, protocols

Whānau = Family

And just in case you don’t know who the boss of the school really is, here he is, in the Principal’s Office this morning…

School Pōwhiri

Last week our community joined together to welcome our newest families to te kura. This formal welcome ceremony is an opportunity for all of our whānau to experience first-hand, the very special Māori tikanga that helps us know what is so special about living in Aotearoa and about the tangata whenua.

It was also a very timely reminder as to how very multicultural our school community is. With 67% of our 144 students representing 19 different countries from around the world, it is important that we not only upskill families in local protocols, but that we also learn what is special about your homeland.

To support those in our kura with Te Reo/tikanga practices we are:

• Providing an English translation of Māori words used in each of our newsletters
• Our school website has the capability to translate newsletters & notices into other languages
• Introducing Māori practices and protocols into all of our curriculum and practices
• Inviting our community to participate in events that are culturally significant, such as a pōwhiri

Extra-Curriculular Activities

We offer a wide range of opportunities outside the classroom including Garden Club, Ukulele Club, EPro8 technology challenge, Mathswell, Otago Maths, CAM competition, free EasySwim lessons, sports experiences such as gymnastics and cricket, as well as Artsplash. Where possible, we have teams competing at local events such as cross country running and athletics. Ian Svela (DP Seniors), is busy undertaking soccer trials so that we can enter a team in the Northern Suburbs competition. Recently we have had someone from Special Olympics working with students in our school, teaching team skills and developing eye/hand/foot co-ordination skills.

Communication Between Home and School

Our private Facebook group is a great way to keep up with reminders about school events, photos of what is happening at school and important updates, such as school closures and emergency messages.  Please request to join on FB, if you would like to.

NZ Ballet Dance Workshop

Our classes were recently able to participate in a workshop with a dancer from the NZBC. Thank you to Mrs Pine for organising this wonderful learning experience for our tamariki.

Fire Performance

Mrs Pine has also organised an amazing free “Fire Performance” event for our community to attend on Friday 24 March.  Details will be sent home soon, families are invited to bring a picnic tea. Please note, if bad weather causes cancellation of this event, there is no postponement date. This group will be working with each of our classes during the day to teach them fire safety protocols.

STUDENT CITIZENSHIP ROLES

At Rewa Rewa School we grow young leaders who love to give to our community. We are very proud of them, as these roles are offered to students from as early as Year 2. We also have a number of interest groups that offer opportunities for service in other ways. We would love more of our parents/grandparents to help us, just email office@rewarewa.school.nz to let us know about your interests or skills and how you could contribute to this awesome team of volunteers. Our thanks to our growing gardening group, Scholastic Book Club volunteers, and PTP reading tutors.

Congratulations to the students pictured below who have volunteered to serve our school community this year.   Each newsletter we will introduce more amazing tamariki who lhelp in our school.

2023 Student Leaders (Yr 2 student absent from photo)

2023 Peer Mediators

2023 Librarians

2023 Karanga Leaders

Bike & Athletics Track Update

We are nearly there! We are just finalising the quotes and booking contractors, then work will start  – very exciting. The Quiz Night last weekend was a huge success, with over 100 people supporting us at this event. We raised over $2600 towards the Bike & Athletics Track. Our huge thanks to Miranda and Dave for their amazing entrepreneurship! Hot Cross Bun Order packs will be coming soon from Naomi! Thank you for your support.

Quick Snippets

The Board recently attended a meeting held for all the local school boards in our area. This was a great opportunity to meet each other and to find out about each school’s story

Property developments continue. We are currently extending the Year 6 working space by adding a covered deck in the space outside their classroom and the admin block.

PARENTS – Road Safety!

• Once you are on Padnell Crescent, PLEASE CROSS YOUR CHILDREN AT THE CROSSING outside our school – regardless of whether the patrols are out or not
• DO NOT EVER drive through this crossing when 1 or both signs are out across the road. This means people are crossing and you are required to stop!
• DO NOT drive into the staff carpark, not to turn around, not to drop off your child and certainly not to back out across the footpath and onto the road

Have a care for the safety of every child, not just your own! Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

We welcome Asriel, Hanshing & Willow, along with their families, to Rewa Rewa School.  We hope you enjoy learning with us!

Friday 24 March              6-7pm

Monday 24 April

Fire Performance

Teacher Only Day – parent participation invited

Term 1

Tuesday 31 January—Thursday 06 April

Monday 06 February – Waitangi Day Observed, School Closed

Friday 07 April—Good Friday, School Closed

Term 2

Wednesday 26 April – Friday 30 June

Monday 24 April – Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Tuesday 25 April—ANZAC Day, School Closed

Friday 02 June—Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Monday 05 June—Queen’s Birthday, School Closed

Term 3

Monday 17 July – Friday 22 September

Term 4

Monday 09 October – Friday 15 December (School closes at 1pm on the last day)

 Monday 23 October—Labour Day, School Closed