Pūkeko Newsletter Term 1 2020
Welcome to Pūkeko 2020!
We are looking forward to getting to know you and your children. It was wonderful to meet many
of you during our Getting Connected Meetings this week. Get a cuppa there is a lot to take in!
of you during our Getting Connected Meetings this week. Get a cuppa there is a lot to take in!
Getting to know us:
Kia ora,
My name is Paul Page. I am the teacher in Pūkeko 2 with Ros Tippen who will be teaching on
Fridays. We are looking forward to getting to know you all in the coming weeks.
Fridays. We are looking forward to getting to know you all in the coming weeks.
My wife Martina and I have 3 children, Ben, Ivanna and Malia. They are all big kids now.
We have 2 pets; Sniggles the cat and Luna the dog. The thing I like to do best is have
adventures big and small! I can't wait to hear about your adventures too.
We have 2 pets; Sniggles the cat and Luna the dog. The thing I like to do best is have
adventures big and small! I can't wait to hear about your adventures too.
Kia kaha.
Kia ora,
My name is Ros (Rosina) Tippen and I am lucky enough to be a part time teacher in the
Pūkeko Hub. I will be teaching the tamariki in Pūkeko 2 every Friday and on Thursday for
Marisa in Pūkeko 5 for her Team Leader release. I also teach in the Kāhu hub every Thursday.
Pūkeko Hub. I will be teaching the tamariki in Pūkeko 2 every Friday and on Thursday for
Marisa in Pūkeko 5 for her Team Leader release. I also teach in the Kāhu hub every Thursday.
I have two wonderful children, Olivia, 15 and Sam who is 12. My husband is Matt and we
have a crazy, busy (but cute!) Labradoodle puppy called Milly!
have a crazy, busy (but cute!) Labradoodle puppy called Milly!
I am looking forward to meeting with you and getting to know your wonderful children
throughout the year.
throughout the year.
Kia ora.
My name is Marisa Spear. I am the Pūkeko Team Leader and teacher in Pūkeko 5.
My husband, Cam, and I have 3 children, Bella, Phoebe and Millie. We spend most of
our spare time following their passions for cricket, volleyball and hockey.
our spare time following their passions for cricket, volleyball and hockey.
I am so excited about our year together, and look forward to getting to know your children.
Ngā mihi
Kia ora,
My name is Lucy Whyte. I am the teacher in Pūkeko 6. I had five fantastic years teaching
in Year 1 and am very excited to now be part of the Year 2 team. I have a very active kitten
called Cass. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, walking and spending time with my
whānau. I am really looking forward to our learning journey together this year.
in Year 1 and am very excited to now be part of the Year 2 team. I have a very active kitten
called Cass. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, walking and spending time with my
whānau. I am really looking forward to our learning journey together this year.
lucy.whyte@stalbans.school.nz
Kia ora, my name is Kirsty Ford and I’m one of the teachers in Pūkeko 1. I work Thursdays
and Fridays. My husband Aaron and I have two boys, Charlie, 5 and Bodie, 3. We have an old black
labrador called Maddie who snores really loud! I hope everyone is as excited about this year as I am.
I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and their families.
and Fridays. My husband Aaron and I have two boys, Charlie, 5 and Bodie, 3. We have an old black
labrador called Maddie who snores really loud! I hope everyone is as excited about this year as I am.
I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and their families.
Kia ora,
My name is Tina Norton and I teach in Pūkeko 1 with Kirsty Ford. I teach Monday to Wednesday.
My husband Paul and I have four children. I have two lovely step children, Josh 24 and Emily 22.
Our Grace is 14 and our youngest, Lily is 11. We have a cool, crazy dog called Charlie who makes
us smile every day. Last year we got our cat Archie from the SPCA and he is settling in really well.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and your child and being part of their special
learning journey.
My husband Paul and I have four children. I have two lovely step children, Josh 24 and Emily 22.
Our Grace is 14 and our youngest, Lily is 11. We have a cool, crazy dog called Charlie who makes
us smile every day. Last year we got our cat Archie from the SPCA and he is settling in really well.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know you and your child and being part of their special
learning journey.
Starting the year
We will begin our year getting to know each other in our own classes. This time will be spent
setting routines and expectations.
setting routines and expectations.
All About Me Bags
To begin this we have a ‘getting to know me’ activity that will come home. This should be a
prepared sharing of 3 items that are important to them or reflect who they are (photos are great!).
We recommend you spend some time talking about these items with your child so they are able to
share the key ideas/feelings connected to them.
prepared sharing of 3 items that are important to them or reflect who they are (photos are great!).
We recommend you spend some time talking about these items with your child so they are able to
share the key ideas/feelings connected to them.
As the children transition through the school we aim to develop a stronger ability to manage
themselves. In Pūkeko this year we encourage children to take on the responsibility of carrying,
packing and unpacking their bags. We will attempt to challenge children to stretch themselves and
build resilience as a learner in a safe and caring environment. Clearly some children may find this
more challenging than others and we hope to work with you to help build strong growth mindsets.
themselves. In Pūkeko this year we encourage children to take on the responsibility of carrying,
packing and unpacking their bags. We will attempt to challenge children to stretch themselves and
build resilience as a learner in a safe and caring environment. Clearly some children may find this
more challenging than others and we hope to work with you to help build strong growth mindsets.
Please ensure your child knows they are required to wait on the blue
astroturf until the bell at 8:30 signals the opening of school.
astroturf until the bell at 8:30 signals the opening of school.
Term program
Our year theme will be ‘Adorn a bird with feathers so it can fly: Ma te huruhuru, ka rere te manu’.
Reading books will begin to come home soon and Maths will get underway. As the term continues
you may find your child moves to another teacher for one of these learning areas as we begin to
group children to meet their specific needs. Writing will continue to take place in your child’s own class.
you may find your child moves to another teacher for one of these learning areas as we begin to
group children to meet their specific needs. Writing will continue to take place in your child’s own class.
Throughout the year your child will have the opportunity to experience science, dance, music,
computational thinking, P.E. and art across the Pūkeko kahui. If you have a particular area of
expertise you think you can help with, please let us know.
computational thinking, P.E. and art across the Pūkeko kahui. If you have a particular area of
expertise you think you can help with, please let us know.
News
As part of our oral language development, children will be encouraged to bring items to share on
a Friday or to share their weekend plans.
a Friday or to share their weekend plans.
Special Events
Friday 7 February Top Team (thank you to those parents who have volunteered to help)
Monday 23 February Royal Jelly - Theatre Performance (no parent help required)
Tuesday 24 / Wednesday 25 February STOMP Dance workshops (no parent help required)
Health and Wellbeing
We have a number of children with tree nut allergies. Please be mindful of this when packing
your child’s lunchbox. We would ask you to reinforce with your child that they only eat food in their
own lunch box.
your child’s lunchbox. We would ask you to reinforce with your child that they only eat food in their
own lunch box.
Absences
Absences must be advised to the school office but it is always nice to hear from you directly if your
child is going to be absent.
child is going to be absent.
Birthdays
We love celebrating birthdays with your children. Some children like to share lollies or cake but with
the increased number of food allergies we request that these are saved for your child’s party at home.
the increased number of food allergies we request that these are saved for your child’s party at home.
Swimming
We will begin our sessions this week. The timetable for classes is on the kahui blog. Please ensure
all clothing is named - including underwear. We aim to build confidence in the water and basic water
skills.
all clothing is named - including underwear. We aim to build confidence in the water and basic water
skills.
Aquagym lessons will take place at school again this year in week 3 (17 February-21 February).
Headphones
Many children will still have these from last year. Please pop them into your child’s reading folder
and we will continue to use these at school. If you did not have them we would ask you to purchase
a set for keeping at school. Please ensure these are named. The headphones to the right are $6
from Kmart.
and we will continue to use these at school. If you did not have them we would ask you to purchase
a set for keeping at school. Please ensure these are named. The headphones to the right are $6
from Kmart.
Hats
Term 1 and 4 are compulsory hat terms. Please make sure your child has a named hat every day.
Sunblock is advised.
Sunblock is advised.
Assembly
Pūkeko assemblies will be held in Week 3, 5, 7 and 9 at 2:30pm in the school hall. During these
assemblies our focus is coming together to celebrate our learning. You can expect to see what some
of the children have been doing and hear some amazing singing. We will email parents on Thursday
evening if children are receiving a certificate.
assemblies our focus is coming together to celebrate our learning. You can expect to see what some
of the children have been doing and hear some amazing singing. We will email parents on Thursday
evening if children are receiving a certificate.
Timetable:
Week 3 - Pūkeko 1
Week 5 - Pūkeko 2
Week 7 - Pūkeko 5
Week 9 - Pūkeko 6
Home Learning
We expect regular reading will occur at home. There are links on the blog to word study and
maths activities for those who would like to do something extra.
maths activities for those who would like to do something extra.
Communication
Please make the blog your first place to look if you are unsure about events and happenings
as this is updated regularly. You will find lots of information about what is happening in Pūkeko on
this site. If we have new, urgent or changes in information we will email you directly or send a notice
home. You will also find regular photos of work and events from the hub.
as this is updated regularly. You will find lots of information about what is happening in Pūkeko on
this site. If we have new, urgent or changes in information we will email you directly or send a notice
home. You will also find regular photos of work and events from the hub.
The school app is also a great source of information.
Toys
We know children like to bring toys to play with at school however these can cause issues in the
playground or become lost and damaged. Some, such as those that simulate weapons, are not
suitable and should not come to school. Please assist by making your child aware we would prefer
toys remain at home but if children choose to bring them to school, they are responsible for them.
playground or become lost and damaged. Some, such as those that simulate weapons, are not
suitable and should not come to school. Please assist by making your child aware we would prefer
toys remain at home but if children choose to bring them to school, they are responsible for them.
Friendship List
As children explore new friendships you may want to organise playdates outside of school. We
would like to share a list of contact details to help enable this. Please email your class teacher by
Friday 14 February to give express permission for your contact details to be shared. We will be
sharing this list by email with those on the list.
would like to share a list of contact details to help enable this. Please email your class teacher by
Friday 14 February to give express permission for your contact details to be shared. We will be
sharing this list by email with those on the list.
We look forward to a fabulous year together.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kirsty, Marisa, Paul, Ros, Tina, Lucy
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete