A huge thank you to those who took the time to complete the recent whānau voice sheets that were sent home. We were stoked to receive over 150 of these back. The time you took to complete these and have your say is much appreciated and will help to guide our future planning for the school. 

We are taking our time to read all responses to each question and look at the key themes and sub themes that emerge. So far we have looked in depth at the first question around hopes, dreams and important outcomes for tamariki (children) at Tawhiti. 

Your responses to this question are collated below and very much align with our current school values (learning/ako, relationships/whanaungatanga, wellbeing/hauora). From here, we will use what you have said to update our school vision statement. This statement along, with feedback from the other questions will be shared with you throughout our newsletters this term.  

Our grandparents and kaumatua are special people and we want to invite them into spend the day with us at school on  Monday 28th August.

"Nobody can do for little people what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of children"

The plan for the day is to meet in the hall at 11:30 for a cuppa and some morning tea, before heading out into the classrooms. At 1:00pm our PTA will sell kai and we can all enjoy some lunch together. After that we will head to the hall to watch an array of special items that the children are preparing. 

Starting school is a major childhood event. It can be an exciting time for children and their families. At the moment all children start school at Tawhiti when they turn 5.

Since 2018, schools have been able to implement cohort entry. Cohort entry is when new entrants start school in groups through the year rather than on their fifth birthday. There are two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term. This is the approach used in most OECD countries. ERO found that cohort entry has a range of benefits for children’s wellbeing and learning, schools’ ability to structure transitions more easily, and for teachers due to fewer disruptions and more time to teach.

As a good start at school sets children up to succeed, from 2024 our BOT is looking to begin cohort entry. We are currently seeking consultation with our community so that a final decision can be made. 

Further information and a full report about cohort entry can be found here should you wish to read it. 

If you wish to write a submission on this topic for the BOT to consider please email it to principal@tawhiti.school.nz. I will let you know their final decision around this at the end of this term. 

This year due to school holidays and date clashes we have had to move our pet day forward to the last day of term (Friday 22nd Sept). We know it's a busy time of year on the farm but we are hoping this doesn't impact you too much and you will be able rear an early calf or lamb. And on the bright side it saves the ongoing rearing and feeding of those lambs through the school holidays. This is also the day of our art exhibition so you can check this out at the same time. 

• Children are welcome to bring any small caged animals into class with them in the morning to share them with their friends. 
• We will have lamb and calf judging between 12 and 2pm with loads of prizes! 
• We will have a pet parade and prizegiving at 2pm. Any friendly dogs or other animals are welcome to be brought at this time to be paraded and shared.
• Dont have a pet? No drama - its an animal themed dress up day! 

Let us know if your child is bringing a pet by filling in this form. 

We will send home more details throughout the term. But if you have any questions please contact our organisers Murphy Jeffries, Renee Clegg or Tayla Carlson. 

Term 4 is always an exciting time with our end of year camps! We have classes going to Rotorua, Waitomo, Topec, Maunga Taranaki, Eltham and out/about around Taranaki. 

Camp Payments

• All camps need to be paid by the end of this term.
• Each class made between $400 and $500 from their gala efforts. Teachers have already accounted for this when communicating prices.
• Any questions regarding camp payments / costs / further fundraising please see your child's teacher.
• If you are having issues paying for your child's camp, please come and see Emma and arrange a payment plan that suits. We want to make sure all our children can go! 

Parent Help

We are in a lucky position as a school as we have amazing supportive whānau. This means that we always have lots of support and offers for parent help on camp. Last year we tried to accomodate all parents that wanted to come on camp. This was an organisational nightmare for our teachers, creating extra work for our teachers and taking the focus away from the children. As a result our BOT made the decision in 2022, that we will not be taking extra adults (even at your own cost). There is a set number of adults that we have allocated to attend each camp, ensuring that safe ratios are maintained. We do apologise if this means that some of you miss out, but giving children the safest and absolute best experience is our primary focus. 

• If there are more adults wanting to come than space, a ballot will be held. Teachers will inform you if this is the case and the outcome of the ballot.
• Only 1 parent per family.
• All parent helpers will need a current licence and be able to transport a car load of children. 

Our Swimming lessons for middle school are awesome and we have so many confident swimmers now!

Last week our senior classes participated in a boat safety education course. Students engaged in activities to develop their understanding and competence around boat safety, survival strokes, lifejacket use and water rescues. Fun and valuable life skills in one!

Sports Uniforms

We are sorry to inform you that the price of our sports tops will be increased to $42 when our current stock sells out. This is due to a price increase from our supplier. We will continue to sell the remaining stock for $35, so if you need a top please come into the office and get one. Payment can be made by eftpos, cash or online banking.

Touch time! Online Registrations open

CLICK HERE to register your child for Thursday night touch. Entries are due by Thursday 24th August. No late entries will be accepted.
We need some parent heros to help with coaching/managing! See Parent helpers section on form. If we do not have enough coaches this year, we will not be able to field all players/teams.

Yummy Stickers

Keep bringing those apple yummy stickers in. Stickers can be stuck to any piece of paper or on a snaplock bag and brought into school during this term to Sheri.

If you would like a collection sheet to stick them to, you can either print one from the Yummy Promotion website, or ask your child to see Sheri for a sheet to take home.

Bring your stickers to school by Friday the 15th of September to send them off before term 3 ends