Newsletter #17
Port Ahuriri School 26 August 2022
Dear Parents & Caregivers
Tēnā koutou te hunga pānui o tō tātou hāpori. Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa
What an incredible week we have had. First, thank you everyone who came and supported at the school cross country on Monday. It was a really great morning and while we congratulate the placeholders in each event who all did exceptionally well, I would like to say congratulations to all the children who took part – especially those ones, like I was, who don’t find cross country the most exciting opportunity in the world. You did yourselves proud in your finishing – a great accomplishment.
Wednesday was a great day. Year 4-6 children went to the coastal cluster literacy quiz at Haumoana School and big congratulations to Etienne, Arlo, Riley B and Ryan who achieved the highest score and topped the competition. A great achievement by the four of you.
At the same time, 46 excited children, three staff and parents were at the Hastings Opera House with their Edible Arts entries. From feedback I’ve had, our group was exceptional and very highly though of by other competitors. Congratulations to Leo, Saul, Raven, Lola, Lucy, Lexie and Mika who have made it through to the finals today. We received an e mail from a parent of another school which I’ve copied a part of below and I believe it reflects why I am always so proud of both the effort our children put in to events but also the work by staff – especially Mrs Robertson and Miss Kate who have put hours into this group of children – and what a fantastic result was achieved. It also reflects the parental support we always get, for the children as a group and again Port School can reflect and be proud of how they are seen by others in the community.
“I just wanted to say that I went to the junior Edible Arts at the Hasting Opera House today (my daughter was part of ** Schools line-up) and I was blown away by the kids from your school. I think they all did an amazing job and was overall my favourite group that I saw today.
You should all be very proud to have such an amazing bunch of creative and talented young people, and please pass on my congratulations to them all. I know that 2 from ** made the finals – but I really hope some of your kids got through too, I’m glad I wasn’t a judge! Lol
Production practices and dances are in full swing, and it is looking and sounding great. Don’t miss out on seeing this year’s production by leaving purchasing your tickets until the last minute. It has happened before to people and was a disaster. For those of you who haven’t seen a Port School production before, believe me they are super polished and really enjoyable. Old hands at this tend to buy tickets for both nights 😊
Finally, it was with great sadness that I accepted Gavin’s resignation on Wednesday. Gavin is moving on to a new position in a filed outside of education and we will miss him and wish him the very best. His final day is 23 September – at the end of production week.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Koina ngā kōrero mo tēnei wā
Kia pai ō koutou wiki
Nāku nā
Glenn
Important Dates this Term
7 September - School Board Election Date
7 September - Coastal Cluster Cross Country
20 & 21 September - School Production
30 September - Last Day of Term 3
New Enrolments
We hope you enjoy your school days here at Port Ahuriri School.
Coastal Cluster Literacy Challenge
Congratulations to our over all Literacy Quiz Champs.
The very appropriately named ‘Big Brains’ of Port Ahuriri (self named). Arlo, Etienne, Riley and Ryan flew through all of the ridiculously difficult questions to achieve the highest score.
The competition was held today at Haumoana School where six schools were represented.
Super proud of these boys.
Cross Country
Thanks for coming along and supporting this event, it was great to see so many of you there.
Edible Arts
Check out our school Facebook page for all the photos.
Inspired Students
Daffodil Day - Friday 26 August
Wheels Day
School Caretaker Vacancy - Full-time Permanent Position
An exciting opportunity has become available for the right person. We are looking to appoint a friendly self-motivated, positive and practical person, who has excellent time management and takes pride in their work, to join our team and keep our school well maintained and attractive.
The role is full time, working 40 hours per week 8.00am to 5.00pm
The same hours will apply in the term breaks.
The successful applicant will work under the Caretakers and Cleaners Collective Agreement.
A police check will be required prior to appointment.
A valid NZ work visa is essential.
A job description and application form are available from the school office or e mail admin@portahuriri.school.nz
Applications close 9 September
Ahuriri After School - Job Vacancy
Programme Supervisor - 30+ hours per week
Office Manager - 10 hours per week
Please see Anna Ward at Afcare or email your interest to aasckids@xtra.co.nz
School Board Elections - Parent Representatives
Don't forget to get your vote in for the election of three parent representatives to the school board.
All eligible voters have been emailed a voting form, along with candidate statements.
For those not on email, you can complete voting forms at the school office. These will be on the table next to the chairs in the school office along with a voting box. Feel free to pop in and vote, or return your forms.
Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday 7 September 2022.
School Production
Don't forget to purchase your tickets before they sell out! Link below.
Needed
We are looking for something like swamp reeds or flax in pots to make up some props. Please contact Emma if you can help emma@portahuriri.school.nz
Costumes
Thanks so much to those of you who have paid their $5 and brought in the clothing required by your child. If you haven't yet done this, could you please do so next week, or contact the office if you need assistance with this. Many thanks.
Returning to School Following Illness
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the guidance for returning to schools following vomiting or diarrhoea has not changed. If a child is free of those symptoms for 48 hours, they can attend school again. We have updated the winter wellness guidance for parents, caregivers and whānau to reflect the following points:
- If a child has been unwell with a respiratory illness other than COVID-19, they can return to school 24 hours after they have significantly improved and are behaving/eating normally.
- Following vomiting or diarrhoea, a child should be symptom free for 48 hours before they can return.
- If they still have a runny nose or dry cough without any other symptoms such as a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, then they are unlikely to be infectious and can be considered well enough to attend school.
To read our winter wellness advice go to:
Winter wellness guide for tamariki [DOCX, 22.0 KB]
Term 3 Sports
Just a reminder that you can see what school sports are available for Term 3 on our school website. The link is here https://www.portahuriri.school.nz/137/pages/24-term-three-sports
Any questions please email Louise Taotahi on louise@portahuriri.school.nz
Spring Collective Event
When: September 17th 2022 / 11am – 4:00pm
Where: The inner field to the Athletics track - Mitre 10 Park
To host the Spring Collective event that involves cultural groups performing on stage, food stalls, bouncy castles, information stalls and face painting. A great chance to host an inclusive event to kick off the summer season. It is also a great opportunity to come down to get a free health check provided by Health Hawke’s Bay.
Purpose: To promote the understanding of social, cultural, mental and physical needs that everyone has. It’s a chance to bring the community together, after the effects of covid, to help network and connect in a fun and vibrant environment.
Cultural events help to develop the skills of cooperation and communication. The benefits of the Spring Collective event include building social cohesion, providing a socially acceptable area and creating a sense of place for everyone involved. It also provides the community to establish social networks.
Aim: We are wanting to make this a free event for the community so that families can come and have fun while watching some entertainment with different cultural groups within Hawke’s Bay. The event is designed to bring laughter and fun to the community after the ups and downs we have had throughout the life of covid. We emphasise the enjoyable aspect to keep everyone in good spirits with their peers.
Involvement: The below are who we are wanting to engage with to help create a fantastic atmosphere:
- The Madd Fun Company – Bouncy Castles, staging and lighting
- Food stalls – 3 food, 1 ice cream
- Information stalls – i.e. Environment Centre, Big brothers Big sisters, Health HB
- Face Painter
- Multicultural society – groups to perform on stage
Please join our Facebook page via the link below:
Contact Us
Email: admin@portahuriri.school.nz
Website: https://www.portahuriri.school.nz/1/pages/1-welcome
Phone: +646 835 7988