Here we are in Week 4 of the term, and boy what exciting events and learning we have had!  We had the Dinosaurs - Legends Unleashed show in to be with our junior team last week and we also had a third of our school away on camp in Raglan.  As you may have seen on our school Facebook page, they had an absolute blast.  Unfortunately, the weather has impacted a couple of events.  One of which was the LC2 Tabloids Games in Te Uku and then we had to make the difficult decision yesterday to cancel the LC6 camp in Mangawhai this week due to activities being cancelled in the wake of Cyclone Lola. We are currently in the process of redesigning a few action-packed experiences for them later in the term.  These decisions are never easy, nor made lightly, so thank you for your patience and understanding whilst working through these.

As part of our Term 4 Sport / PE programme, our students learn a wide range of skills around running, jumping and throwing.  This concludes with our school athletics events.  Our 5-7 year olds event is being hosted next Thursday 9th November and our 8-13 year old event is on Wednesday 15th November.  More information will be coming out in relation to these events, including timing, structure, what to bring etc.

Term 4 is a busy term, as we are also busy planning our 2024 year.  As previously mentioned, please let us know if your enrolment plans for next year are changing (i.e. if moving out of Te Kōwhai, or you have children turning 5 next year that will be enrolling).  Next week, we will begin sorting our class placements for 2024.  If you have anything you would like us to consider when making these decisions, please let your class teachers or myself know (julietd@tekowhai.school.nz).

As previously shared, Marcelo Sosa and Emma Tyler leave us at the end of the year as they are both moving to Australia.  I am also excited to share that Nikaela Pemberton (currently in LC1) will be on maternity leave from early next year as her and her husband Todd are having their first child. Earlier this year, we advertised our additional teaching roles for 2024, we had an overwhelmingly positive response to the ads and are really excited about our 2024 team.  We are pleased to introduce you to our new staff members for 2024 within this newsletter.  

Every two years, we are required to consult with our whānau regarding our Health and PE delivery.  You will find the information within this newsletter and a short survey to share your thoughts about our current curriculum design.  We really appreciate your feedback and time here.

Enjoy the remainder of your week.

Juliet Dickinson
Principal

It was lovely for students and staff to express to Juliet Dickinson their appreciation today as we quietly acknowledged Principal Day.  Thank you for all that you do Mrs D.

We are excited to announce that we have appointed three new staff for the 2024 school year.  We had an excellent pool of candidates and after 8 interviews, we are pleased to share who our new team members are and a little bit about them.  We will be confirming what Learning Community they will be in closer to the end of the year once class placements are finalised.

Ko Ashlee Hansen ahau.

 

I am very excited to be joining the Te Kōwhai whanau in 2024. I am relocating to be closer to family from the sunny Hawkes Bay, where I have been for the last seven years. My passion areas in teaching are reading, mathematics and visual art.

 

Outside of school you can find me baking, watching motorsport and league and going on adventures with my dog Mac. This summer I plan on moving cities, reading a few books and spending time with my whānau in Warkworth.

 

I am really looking forward to starting at Te Kōwhai School and getting to know you all. Have a safe and wonderful summer and I can’t wait to see you on the first day of school next year!

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Ashlee Hansen

Ko Paul tōku ingoa

 

I am incredibly excited to be continuing my teaching career at Te Kōwhai School in 2024.

 

After moving to the area in 2019, it was always a goal of mine to not only live in the community, but to work here also. I have two wonderful children who are also really excited to be joining me at school next year.

 

For the last 8 years I have been a Deputy Principal at two different schools, having been a Year 7/8 teacher prior to this. Year 7/8 is the area I'm most passionate about, and I'm really excited to change my focus back to just classroom teaching.

 

My colleagues will often say that I 'can't keep still' and this is very much true! My idea of a lunchtime break is playing sport with the kids (touch rugby is my fav). However it's not just sport I love. I love art and music (I'm the singer in band), Kapa Haka, and have taken many high-achieving Mathematics and Literacy groups in the past.

 

In my free time I like to play music, get outdoors, build things around my property, slow cook on my BBQ, and hang out with my family and friends. 

 

I'm so excited to be able to teach in the same community that I live in.

 

Nga mihi.

 

Paul Spicer

My name is Taylor Rigter and I am super excited to start my teaching career at Te Kowhai school in 2024.

After recently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Primary School Teaching in 2022, I have been living abroad in the Netherlands/Europe for most of the year. I had an amazing opportunity to teach English to Dutch speaking children whilst being there. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, both furry and human. I love the beach and enjoy playing sports.

I cannot wait to get amongst it at Te Kōwhai School and I am really looking forward to getting to know you all in the new year!

Ngā Mihi,
Taylor 

As a requirement of the Education ad Training Act 2020, our school informs you about the content of our Health Curriculum every two years.  At this time we also ask for your thoughts so that we can make any amendments as necessary.
We appreciate your time completing this process:
1. Read THIS draft statement about our Health Curriculum
2. Complete THIS short survey to share your responses.

Due to our growing roll, unfortunately we are unable to offer any out of zone places to new families for 2024.  New families are more than welcome to go to our website's 'Enrolment Enquiry' page in order to be put on a waiting list.

Also refer to the home page of the school website

We join the rest of the country in fundraising for this great cause - all funds raised go to providing counselling services for New Zealanders young people. 
The reason it is 'Gumboots' is that when anyone is dealing with mental health it feels as though they are wading through life with heavy feet - the gumboots give us a physical reminder of how clunky and heavy this feels and visually conveys that we want to support.

Bring a gold coin for collection in class and wear you gumboots. If you child does not have gumboots, find an alternative with them... maybe they have bulky shoes that matches the concept.

Next week we will be holding a seedling sale to raise funds for our Garden to Table programme. A variety of seedlings will be for sale before and after school on Monday the 6th, Tuesday the 7th and Wednesday the 8th of November.

We are still needing a parent volunteer to support Esther Wilson and our students in running the sale for the Monday morning slot. If you are able to help, please click this link to add your name: Volunteers for seedling sale

Our students are going to be busy whipping up delicious Lemon Honey and Marmalade over the next few weeks. This will be for sale in the office (hopefully from next week) and also at the seedling sale in Week 5. All funds raised will assist in the continuation of our Garden to Table programme. We appreciate your support of our students in this programme. 

If your child participates in GTT, please remind them to bring hair ties and shoes for every session. This is vital for hygiene and safety.

Click the links below to add your name to our volunteer rosters. We appreciate your support!

This event is being showcased the same day as the Family Fiesta, Thursday 30th November.

Esther Wilson (Art Teacher) is leading this event and needs people to help her set up and/or pack down. If you can help at all, please email esthersw@tekowhai.school.nz

Children are welcome to bring in any of the following creations to be shown in our pavilion. This is optional participation with a house point for every entry.

New division this year - Adults can enter too in their own division!  This will be a 'just for fun' opportunity as we know there is a lot of talent out there that would love the chance to play. Do what ever you like, self supporting, not too large.

All creations are to be made at home and delivered to the pavilion between 8:00 and 9:30am on Family Fiesta Day  - Thursday 30th November. They will be on display during the day for all whanau and extended family to view and enjoy as part of Grandparents Day and Family Fiesta.

Click this link for the presentation that explained to the students what their options are.

Pick up from the pavilion (or art room) on Friday 1st December.

If your child needs flowers but can not source any, please contact Esther Wilson. 

(esthersw@tekowhai.school.nz)

Each year we make the pool available for out of hours use to Pool Key hirers. 

Click the link to book your pool key for the 2023/2024 Summer. Please note - access is not open yet, we await our caretakers advising us of when that will be, likely to be mid November as they are repainting it currently.

Please read the following for the terms of use.

Following that, pay via Online Banking - $100 in to Te Kowhai School BoT 12-3454-0003074-00, code 'Pool key', ref 'your name'. When that comes through we will have it go home with your eldest child or have your key ready for you to collect from the school office.

This key gives the key holder access to the toilet across the path from the pool entrance.

SWIMMING POOL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board of Trustees has endeavoured to maintain the pool to the highest standards possible. To that end, they spend a great deal of money maintaining this facility for the benefit of our students and key holders in our community.  The pool has been freshly painted October 2023.
 
To be a key holder you will need to adhere to all of the Key Holder Responsibilities below:
 
The school requests that all users respect the rules and conditions to enable future use of the pool to continue.  Keys ARE NOT TO BE SHARED with non-key holders.
 
Please remember – there is NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY. We encourage Pool users to be first aid trained.
Key Holder’s Responsibilities:

Children are to be supervised at all times by an adult of at least 18 years of age.

The Board of Trustees Responsibilities:
1. Have a trained person checking the water quality of the pool daily to ensure it meets compliance standards.
2. All pool chemicals will be locked away from the swimming pool and changing rooms.
3. The BOT or the principal has the right to withdraw the privilege of pool use.
4. The Board maintains the pool equipment and ensures water quality.
5. The Board has tried to provide a safe environment to the best of their ability.
6. Maintaining gates – fencing – locks - key access – changing facilities

PRICE:     $100.00 (including $20 bond - refundable once returned at the end of the current swimming season)

 

Click the link to book your key.

Please check lost property - this includes LC3 & LC4 items from camp.

If your child is turning 5 at any time in 2024, please click the link and complete the form.  You will also need to collect a enrolment form from Kerry Crossland, at the school office.
Please note - if you are unsure whether you live in the school zone refer to the 'Find a School' site. If you have older children currently at school, and you live out of zone, you may enroll younger children.

At the 9th August 2023 School Board Meeting, the term dates for 2024 were set.