Kia ora koutou,

We have had an awesome start to the term, which began with our Mihi Whakatau and the opening of our new school playground.  This has been received with much excitement, along with the new addition on the field which will be ready to go soon.  Over the coming year, we will be adding more mini playground additions around the school.  I want to thank our amazing caretakers for their work around the school over the holidays to get everything ready for Term 4.

Our Ag Day in the weekend was again a success!  Well done to all of our students who have been diligently and lovingly looking after their animals and getting them ready for the big day.  It was great to see families popping in for a look on the day.

The new classroom is scheduled to be put in over the summer school holidays.  This will mean the removal of the old playground by the caretaker's shed.  Due to its age, we are repurposing some of the equipment, but a lot of it is too old to repair to meet safety standards. 

Thank you to those who responded to the Camp and Payments survey.  This feedback is currently being analysed and will be taken to the next Board meeting.  There we will consider what changes we make moving forward in 2025.

During Term 4, we begin to finalise our classes for 2025.  This is a complex process that we put a lot of thought and time into.  If you are interested in how we make decisions on class placements, please see THIS LINK on our website for the procedure we follow.  In addition to this, if you have anything you would specifically like us to consider when making these decisions, can you please email the current class teachers or myself (julietd@tekowhai.school.nz). 

A reminder that we have our Staff Only Day this coming Friday.  This means a 4 day weekend for families if you wish to make use of it.  Our staff will be at school on Friday working through the new Literacy and Numeracy Curriculum Updates in readiness for next year's implementation.  Thank you for your support with this.

For those of you who are able to make the most of the 4-day weekend, please enjoy. 

Juliet Dickinson
Principal

In LC5 this term we are going to be exploring different texts linked to our ‘Move and Groove’ Inquiry. We read an article on ‘Dance” and how historically people have danced for many reasons—whether to celebrate important life events, connected with their culture, or simply for the joy of moving! We have been learning to use writing organisers such as TIDE and we have transferred this information to produce an explanation of why dance is important to different cultures. Check out our work in progress!

We are one of the first schools in NZ to introduce ThinkSRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) as the framework of our writing programme. This evidence-based approach helps students develop stronger writing skills by teaching them specific strategies for planning, writing, and revising their work. It also encourages self-regulation, so students can independently assess and improve their writing over time. You’ll see your child learning to set goals, organise their thoughts, use encouraging self-talk and reflect on their progress, all while becoming more confident writers. Ask your child about POWER and TIDE.

You can watch a 4 minute video to explain this in more detail HERE

There has been a significant amount of new learning for our staff this year.  Here is some feedback we received last week from our teachers regarding their reflections on this learning:
"It's having an incredible impact on our students' writing ability and enjoyment. Writing quality has improved enormously and students are much more independent and self-managed with their writing because they know what to do next."

"A win is that a lot of my students who didn't enjoy writing are really liking it and are producing awesome pieces of writing."

"My confidence in my own ability to teach writing has sky-rocketed, as well as the kids beliefs in themselves and their capabilities.   I feel there is a strong writing purpose now that ties reading, writing and inquiry together."

"Students are feeling successful because the structured approach gives them a clear framework to follow, taking the guesswork out of writing. They know what’s expected, which has helped boost their confidence and engagement."

"The win I’m most excited about is the structure and quality of their writing. It’s so well crafted, and the students are genuinely excited to share their work with their whānau. Seeing them take pride in their writing and enthusiastically share it is incredibly rewarding."

Also refer to the home page of the school website

Click the link to request Student Leave within School Term

Order School Branded Clothing - next order will be supplied in 2025

All people on site will be particiating in Nation Shake Out Day tomorrow.  We will practise this so that students, staff and visitors are as prepared as possible for a real life emergency.
If you have concerns with how your child may process this, please communciate directly with their teacher - all children should be at school though, unless they are unwell.
For your own household preparedness, click the link to the Shake Out Day website.

Once Labour Day is behind us, all students are required to wear hats during outdoor activities. Please ensure you remind your child/ren to bring and wear their hats every day.
We appreciate your support in keeping our students sun-safe!

If you would like to come along and see what it’s all about you will be most welcome. We will be discussing Last Day Fun Day as well as recapping the year.

Drinks and nibbles provided with a 6:30pm start in the Te Kōwhai School Staff Room.

 

Would be great to have you there

The event will be held on the Last day Fun Day - Friday 13 December.

Keep your eyes peeled for the sponsorship forms which will be sent home with your child this week. Once you have the form, you should sign up for a Student Profile Page at schoolfunrun.co.nz. 

Students who raise $10 or more will receive a reward, and the more money you raise the better the reward, and the more you help the school! Please note - this event is more about Fun than it is about Fundraising so don't feel compelled to tap family and friends on the shoulder for support.

We’re looking for all students to participate and we’re organising a great last day of term. Thanks for supporting the school and we can't wait to see you at this exciting event!

Of the 200 raffle tickets only 44 have been sold, so you stand excellent odds to win the Reserved Carpark infront of the School Office.

Pop in to the School Office between 8am and 2:30pm to get your ticket.

For $10 per ticket you could win your very own reserved carpark for Term 4, 2024 AND Term 1, 2025! 

This reserved car park is not only for pick ups and drop off but also all school-related events such as: Whānau Hui, Open Afternoon, athletics, Twilight Fiesta, Prizegiving, swimming showcase, school sports trainings, Harvest Festival etc. That’s a whole heap of time saved having to find an carpark and all funds raised will go to towards Year 7/8 Sports Camp 2025. 

Drawn via random number generator on Thursday 24th October, after 2:30pm.

Our school is participating in the Ministry of Education’s phonics check trial. 75 schools across the country have agreed to try out a new phonics check assessment in class to help make sure it is fit for purpose before it is introduced to all schools in 2025.

Children in year 1 and 2 who have been at school for a specified number of weeks have been identified to participate in the trial. Parents of these children have been notified directly. If you have questions about the trial, please talk to your child’s teacher or email enquiries.national@education.govt.nz

With Summer on it's way, click the link to book a Te Kōwhai School Pool Key.

Please note, once you've booked you key and paid for it online, we will email you to advise you when it is ready for collection.

Each year we have been generously supported by a grant from The Greater Waikato Veterinary Services Inc. We are very thankful of this support as it funds Ag Day costs such as ribbons, trophy inscription, catering and appreciation of officials to name a few aspects. This way we can preserve school funds for school operation.

Significant appreciation to Lisa McBrearty, Gaynor Tierney, Amanda Wisse and Tania Ricketts for their help with making this event the success that all enjoyed. Thank you too to staff members for their mahi.

Congratulations to all particpants - wonderful to see the connection between child and animal.

If you would like to see the collection of photos from Ag Day - click the link to the Ag Day 2024 photo album.  Please feel free to download photos that your own child is in, but do not share to social media any photos that include children that you have not got permission to share.

A number of students attended Group Day at Gordonton on Monday, 21st October. Another great day with good experiences and some placings.

Reader's Theatre in LC3 - looks like fun!

We want to add mulch to our gardens and other areas around the school.  If you have access to this, or know where we can source it at a reasonable price, can you please contact Lee Slomp.  lee@tekowhai.school.nz

At the end of last term Tommy Jamieson and Braxon McClennan had an awesome day representing Te Kōwhai School at the Cambridge Schools Motocross Cross Country.

Here are photos of the two of them in action.

See the image for the details of this event that is occurring on Friday, 15th November at Pirongia Golf Course. 

If you are keen for your player to participate, email Amber Weight amber@tekowhai.school.nz to register.  Register with Amber by Monday, 4th November ahead of when the entries must be submitted to the organisers.

DATE CLAIMER: This is being held at St Peter's, Cambridge on Sunday, 8th December 2024.
You need to sign your child/ren up as an individual (we don't set up a School Group). To enter, click the link so that you can book to have your child's merchandise shipped to the school for $6.

Click the link to order your child/rens Te Kōwhai School school branded clothing. You may order at any time, but the order will not be placed with the supplier until a time of the Friends of Te Kōwhai's choosing, which will be within Term 1 2025. Feel free to communicate with the team by emailing:    pta@tekowhai.school.nz

New information: You can now purchase clothing labels directly from STUCK ON YOU for our awesome school branded clothing. It’s an easy way to support our school while keeping track of your kids’ gear. Check it out!

Terms 4 and 1 require all Students to wear hats, to protect from the sun during break times.

As approved at the 11 September School Board meeting, the 2025 Term Dates are as follows:

Please note alot of the Public Holidays fall within the school holidays. The school must be open for 386 half days.
Any Staff Only Days are yet to be established - when they are the School Community will be advised.