Week 2, Term 3 Newsletter

Newsletter Contents:

1. Message From the Principal

2. Link Up Committee (Fun and Fundraising group)

3. Sport @ Dyer Street

4. Important Dates and Reminders

5. From the classrooms (Room 3 & 11)

6. Community Notices

Kia ora e te whānau, 

Nau mai, haere mai ki te whānau whānui, welcome back to kura for Term 3. It’s been a positive start with several exciting things happening over the first two weeks. 

Our pōwhiri last Friday was a real highlight. Over the last two years, we have developed this process and each time we elevate and enhance our kawa and tikanga. This time round, we have some of tamariki in their kapahaka uniforms and we also included more tamariki sitting on the paepae, and leading parts of the process. The next step is to discuss with mana whenua the tikanga of the way we lead our pōwhiri process. Expect a couple of changes as we head into the final pōwhiri in term 4.

I’ve had the pleasure over the last couple of days to attend the Hui Taumata Conference in Tauranga. This is a space for Māori leaders across the motu to come together to learn and grow their leadership capacities. There was also a small delegate from Australia representing the First Nations and Torres Strait community. A clear theme was apparent in terms of the importance of Te Tiriti and our commitment to it as a country. Hearing our First Nations people speak of the injustices that they have experienced and still do on a daily basis highlights for me that we are lucky to have Te Tiriti. It made me also reflect on how our kura gives effect to this document. Some highlights that come to mind are.

• Our Huttfest Rōpu and Whole School Kapa Haka
• We have developed a school karakia
• Daily tikanga consists of karakia, waita, and tamariki sharing pepeha
• Teachers are implementing a Te Reo Programme through the Te Reo Puna Māori programme
• Whānau hui are being held to hear whānau voice and help with strategic planning.

 

There is more work to do in this space but we can feel proud of what we have achieved so far.

 

It was fantastic to welcome whānau into our kura this week as part of the Link Up Hui to celebrate and share progress for their children at the mid-way point of the year. We hope that the hui were useful, purposeful and relevant in providing a picture of where your child is at but also gave you the chance to discuss some next steps for the remainder of the year.  

Finally, after much consultation and discussion, I can share with you the new school values that align with our school vision.

 “ Whakapiki i te mana o ngā ākonga katoa” Enhance the mana of all learners

M – Manaakitanga
Welcoming

Respecting people, spaces and resources

Valuing people’s opinions and differences

A – Ako

Awareness of themselves as a learner

Being proud of work and what you can do

Tuakana – teina

Being ready to learn

N – Ngākaunui

Kindness 

Understanding other people

Inclusivity 

A – Aumangea
Self-regulation

Strategies & feedback  when stuck

Knowing when to stop

Growth mindset

Pushing yourself

Not giving up

Goal setting

You’ll see that each value has some further criteria underneath to explain it in further detail. This is our starting point and over the next few weeks, we will begin to unpack these further with the tamariki to understand what each of these looks like, sounds like and feels like in our kura. 

I look forward to this next chapter in our revisioning process.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou. Have a wonderful weekend e te whānau.

Lee Ewington

Tumuaki

This week’s Principal’s Award Winners

The Link Up Committee (the friendly and relaxed parent-led fun and fundraising group) is next meeting on Monday 5th August at 7:30 p.m.

All supporters of Dyer Street School are most welcome. We meet in the school library. 

This month we will be preparing for next Friday’s disco – if you are keen to help with set up, decor or helping on the night please feel free to come along!

To contact the committee or be added to the Facebook group please email linkupdyerstreet@gmail.com

Holiday Movie Fundraiser

Thanks to all those who came along to the screening of Inside Out in the holidays. It was a fun holiday activity – we heard that many kids enjoyed the novelty of seeing a movie with their school friends. 

 

Both the Ako Nui and Ako Iti teams had a great time at the Dodgeball Tournaments on Tuesday and Thursday. We were happy our teams had a friendly, inclusive and positive attitude. Big thanks to the fabulous parent helpers and also to Whaea Col and Miss Clout for attending. 

 

Safe Parking/Road Patrol

Please ensure you do not park on the yellow or blue broken lines around the school. When cars are parked on the blue lines, the road patrollers can not see approaching vehicles. Unfortunately one day this week we could not run a patrol on Dyer Street (by the hall) as a car was parked blocking the signs.

Link Up Hui

We had a large majority of whānau come along to a Link Up Hui this week. If you missed yours, or did not book one, please get in touch with your child’s teacher ASAP to schedule one. Room 11 parents – please wait until Mr Ward gets in touch with alternative slots. 

Upcoming Events

5th – 9th August – Cook Island Language Week

7th August – Kapahaka – Cook Island Language celebration

7th August – Scholastic Book Orders Due Back

8th August – Naenae Intermediate Open Day

9th August – Epuni School Kapahaka Exchange (DSS hosting)

9th August – School Disco (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)

16th August – Whole School Assembly

19th – 29th August – School Swimming Lessons @ Huia Pools

 

Room 3