Upcoming marae experiences

This term our unit is 'Te Marae'. As part of this unit, we have some marae experiences planned. Originally we had planned to take the whole school out to Taiporohēnui marae, however, planning a worthwhile experience for 300 tamariki of different ages at the same time has proved a wee bit challenging. So plan 2 it is...(and I must say it is shaping up to be a cool experience for all involved!)

Thursday 13th & Friday 14th June: Kahikatea/Kauri/Totara & Pohutukawa will have an overnight stay at Taiporohēnui Marae. 

Tuesday 18th June: Rata/Kowhai/Kawakawa & Nikau and will have a one day wānanga (learning experience) held at Aotearoa Marae.

Wednesday 26th June:  Koromiko/Rewarewa/Puriri/Manuka & Rimu will have an introductory experience at school, led out by our staff alongside some of our senior students.

We will send out further information in the coming weeks. We are sending out a karanga (call) though to all our parent whanau who may be able to come and tautoko (support) one or more of these events. We're looking for people who may have particular expertise in an area of Te Ao Māori that they'd be prepared to share with our tamariki. Examples are Harakeke (weaving), Māori Performing Arts, Te Reo, Carving, Māori Art, Karanga, Whaikorero (speaking), Kēmu (games), Mara Kai (gardening), Ta Moko etc. If either you, a member of your whānau, or someone else you know may be able to support, please contact or pop in and connect with either Shane or Narnz. 

Shane: shane@tawhiti.school.nz (022 451 5809)
Narnz: narnz@tawhiti.school.nz (021 256 1436)

Children's achievement and progress

Throughout this term you will receive 3 small posts on HERO outlining how your child is progressing in reading, writing and maths. Dials on their report will continue to move as children achieve their learning goals and the graphs will be updated at the end of the term. Our next official whānau hui to discuss learner's progress and achievement are scheduled for the beginning of Term 3. However, if you have any questions or would like to sit and discuss your child's learning further you are more than welcome to make a time to come in and catch up with your child's teacher. 

One of our little guys, Axton, is having a real tough time!

Axton is 7 years old and has been diagnosed with Aplasitc Anemia. He has already tried ATG (Anti-thymocyte globulin) treatment and unfortunately this has been ineffective. He has now been in hospital for a total of 124 days and sadly still counting. The next step is to undergo chemotherapy to prepare for a bone marrow transplant.

We want to get in behind Axton and his whānau by raising some money through a community disco to help with costs associated with travel and not being able to work over this time. Whānau from other schools are welcome and encouraged to attend so please spread the word - lets get as many as we can there!

In order to help with queues etc on the night of the disco you are welcome to come and purchase the entry wristbands from the school office in the week leading up to the disco (20th June onwards). Cash only please. 

Sports offer more than just physical benefits for our tamariki. Through sports they learn how to win, how to loose, how to overcome adversity, how to work in a team, how to be a leader and how to respect others - all essential life skills. So thank you to all our sport parents for the role you play from paying the subs, to dropping them at games and practises, to coaching and cheering on the sideline. 

The sport calendar for Term 2 is a busy one full of opportunities for involvement and growth. We have gymnastics, basketball, netball, rugby, football and hockey sessions already underway. 

Where possible we encourage involvement and participation from all tamariki in sport. However, there are times when there are restrictions on the number of children that can be involved and there are times when we need to enter our most competitive team. In these cases we run trials. We understand that it can be disappointing for both parents and children when they miss out on being selected and we ask that when, or if, this happens you encourage and support them through this. We have had many upset and sometimes rude messages to Sheri when children haven't made teams, please do not do this. It is unfair to Sheri and doesn't help your tamariki develop the skills of resilience and overcoming adversity. 

Below is the process and dates for trials this term...

1. Tamariki MUST register interest with Sheri prior to the date of trials
2. Trial dates have been set
3. Tamariki must turn up to trials (the trial alongside performance/attitude at games leading up to trials will be taken into account)
4. If they are away sick on the day, they must make contact with Sheri once they have returned 
5. If tamariki are away with an unjustified absence on the day of the trial, do not register or do not turn up, unfortunately they will miss their chance in being selected and there is nothing we can do about this
6. Any tamariki demonstrating unacceptable behaviour on or off the field will not be selected to represent our school

Rippa trials: 16th May.
Tournament date: South Taranaki Rippa tournament 5th June (note this tournament and trials are for Y5-6 only)

Year 4-6 trials for Bhana Cup Winter Tournament: 27th May - Netball, 28th May - Rugby, 30th May - Football and Hockey. Tournament date: 26th June. 

Contacting us in regards to sport...

• Sheri's work hours are 10-3 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• If you have any questions in regards to sport please contact either Sheri or Ash using email only. (sheri@tawhiti.school.nz or ashleigh@tawhiti.school.nz) 
• Please do not facebook or private message. We have 300 children at our school and both Ash and Sheri are busy working mums with families so you can imagine the impact that constant private messages after hours can have. 
• Sheri and Ashleigh will reply to messages within their work hours.

Some good advice for all the sport parents out there as winter sports is upon us...