Tena koutou katoa
Naumai e te whanau o te kura Muritai
Welcome to term 3! The students have come back refreshed from their holiday break and have settled in quickly to their learning. We warmly welcome Zaiden Filemu, Toitu Singh, Jorja Chunga and Freddie Sclater who join room 2 and Phileas Keller in room 8 and Libelle Keller in room 24 and their families to our Muritai School family.
We also welcome Raewyn Roberts in room 3, Robyn Wellwood in room 24 and Heather Mawby in room 8 to the Muritai School staff. Our Kapahaka group gave a wonderful performance at the Powhiri on Monday to welcome them.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Government House
It was a great privilege to be invited to Government House to meet with our Excellencies The Governor-General, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife, Lady Janine Mateparae last night. Deane McKay, our Head Boy Tom Griffiths, Head Girl Emma Littlefair and myself attended the reception which was to thank selected schools for their support over their Excellencies term. Sir Jerry gave a speech and then Their Excellencies both spoke with us and discussed some of what their role entails and leadership qualities. Our students spoke eloquently and were excellent role models for our school which made us feel very proud. This occasion will be a lasting memory for them. During the reception we also visited different rooms around Government House and met the staff and students from 11 schools along with the staff who work at Government House. The refurbishment of the House was a major undertaking and is indeed one that we can all be very proud of. There is a Visitors Centre that offers regular tours of Government House for the public, community groups and also schools all free of charge. If you would like to go there please visit their website www.gg.govt.nz/tours for details or phone the Visitor Centre team on 04 382 0837 or email bookings@govthouse.govt.nz
Walking around the school this week I was pleased to see, the Juniors in their maths classes focus upon the numbers to one hundred. Throughout the year the children eagerly look forward to ‘100 days’ at school. This Wednesday, Rooms 1,4,5 and 6 celebrated this by doing a myriad of learning about the number 100 in a wide range of curriculum areas.
The New Zealand Playhouse group did an amazing performance for the students from Year 0 to 4. It was entitled ‘The fairest one of all’ and was a 21st century version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Year 3 and 4 began their ‘Football in School’s’ programme on Thursday and this will continue throughout the term.
Years 0 to 6 have started their Inquiry programme which involves different aspects of the upcoming Olympic Games. Year 5 and 6 have also begun their inquiry but are focussing upon different cultures in New Zealand and from around the Pacific using a variety of legends. Year 7 and 8 have started learning about debating and what this involves. Their major inquiry this term involves the internet and its uses.
FROM THE BOARD
CONSULTATION MEETING THURSDAY 4 AUGUST AT 6.30 p.m.
As we begin our search for a new principal, the newly elected school board would like to invite you, the school's community of families, to come and share your thoughts on what qualities are important to you at Muritai. This, along with consultation with staff and students, will assist and guide us in our search for the best person to lead Muritai into the future.
We hope to see you at the school library on Thursday August 4th for an hour or so over wine & cheese from 6.30pm
FROM THE SCHOOL
MURITAI SCHOOL CARNIVAL
We will be holding our bi-annual Carnival this year on Sunday 27 November. For all our new families, this is our biggest Fundraiser and we usually raise about $50,000. This is extremely important funds for the school as in the past we raised almost $200,000 towards the new library and have raised another $100,000 to buy new IT equipment.
It takes the whole school to make the Carnival work! We need volunteers to man the stalls, prepare and cook food, families to make goods for sale on the day, set up and take down stalls - you get the picture. We will be sending information out to you as we go asking for donations or for you to put your name against a job.
Clothing Stall
Cleaning out your clothes drawers? Have got clothes that are way too small for your family and you are unsure what to do with them?
As part of the Muritai School carnival, we are selling both adults and children’s clothes to help fundraise for more equipment needed for the school. If you are having a clean-out we would love to sell your clothes!! Please drop all your old/used/too small clothes to school reception at anytime.
Raffle
If you or your family have a business that can donate products or vouchers that we can raffle or auction for the carnival, please contact Virginia Saunderson (Tots) on totsandrew@gmail.com or 021 854 128. The raffle is a big part of the fundraising for the carnival so we would really appreciate any offers no matter how big or small. Thanks.
LUCKY BOOK CLUB
The latest catalogue is out now, packed with a great variety of books and activities. Please make your orders either online or hand into the office by Friday the 19th of August. Please note that we cannot accept cash payments and cheques need to be made out to Scholastic NZ if making an order through school. We receive a percentage of sales towards books for our school library. Thank you for your support.
HOT DOGS
Hot dogs will continue throughout Term 3 on Wednesdays. If you would like your child to have a hot dog for lunch on a Wednesday, please put $3 into an envelope - write their name, room number, number of hot dogs required and whether they would like sauce or not. Please hand the envelope to their teacher before school on Wednesday mornings.
Unfortunately, Friday FOOD FOR THOUGHT lunches are not available in Term 3. Our chef is taking a break. Keep an eye out for our new Spring Menu coming soon! Contact us at fft.co.nz or email info@fft.co.nz.
Please note pick up procedure all children must be picked up by a parent/caregiver after the disco from the hall door opposite room 3 no child will be allowed to leave the hall unless accompanied by a parent/caregiver.
PARENT HELP
As you can see above, the Home and School will be running the annual school disco on
Friday 12 August. To make this run smoothly we need some parent volunteers to help throughout the evening. If you are available and happy to lend a hand, please email Carolyn Littlefair on littlefairs@ymail.com indicating which disco session you would like to be involved in. (see times above).
Friday 12 August. To make this run smoothly we need some parent volunteers to help throughout the evening. If you are available and happy to lend a hand, please email Carolyn Littlefair on littlefairs@ymail.com indicating which disco session you would like to be involved in. (see times above).
Many thanks and regards
Hannah Watkins, Muritai Home and School Committee
DIARY DATES (staff may contact you with more details about these events)
Thur 4 Aug World of Waste Trip
Parent community meeting at 6.30
BOT Meeting
Fri 5 Aug Assembly
Year 8 Girls Gardasil immunisation
Tue 9 Aug Y5-6 Zone Netball
Thurs 11 Aug Y5-6 Rugby/Soccer v Wellesley
PP date for Y5/6 Netball
Thur 18 Aug BOT Mtg
Fri 19 Aug Assembly
Thur 25 Aug Otago Problem Solving
Mathswell
Wed 31 Aug Artsplash Choir Evening Show
Thur 1 Sept Y7-8 NIWA Science fair
Fri 2 Sept Assembly
Y3-6 Zone Basketball
Mon 5 Sept Production Rehearsal
Tues 12 - Production - Matinee on Tuesday
Thur 15 Sept Production - Evenings
Mon 19 Sept Y1-2 Parent Conferences
Tues 20 Sept Y1-2 Parent Conferences
Y1-2 Jump Rope for Heart ‘Jump Off’
Y5-6 Zone hockey
Wed 21 Sept Room 5 Parent Conferences
Thur 22 Sept PP Y5/6 Zone Hockey
Fri 23 Sept Assembly
LAST DAY OF TERM 3
TERM DATES FOR 2016
Term 3 = Monday 25 July - Friday 23 September
Term 4 = Monday 10 October - Friday 16 December
We have a teacher only day at Labour weekend.
Teacher only day two = Tuesday 25 October
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Eastbourne Rugby Club ‘After Match’ Party
Get your babysitter booked, glad rags and dancing shoes out and join us at the local party of the year on Saturday 3rd September at the 2016 Eastbourne Rugby Club 'After Match’. Held at the Muritai School Hall from 7-midnight we have the brilliant Wellington covers band ‘Hipnotics’ playing three sets through the night.
Tickets are $75 and include food through the evening (nibbles, dinner and sweat treats) as well as bubbly on arrival and two complimentary alcoholic drinks (followed by a cash bar which will feature a selection of good wine from winesale.co.nz and craft beer from the Sprig and Fern).
And if that’s not enticing enough - the After Match is a fundraiser. All profits from the evening will go towards the refurbishment of the Eastbourne Share Services Club facilities (the RSA, Rugby, Football and Cricket club)
Everyone’s welcome. Tickets are limited and selling fast so get yours now from the Muritai school office.
KULA KIDS’ YOGA TERM 3
Winter is a great time to work on the flexibility, strength and balance that yoga can offer in a warm dry studio, just a block from the school. I’ll even pick up your 5-9 year old from Muritai school in our ‘walking schoolbus’!
Wednesday or Thursday
27 July - 15 September
Ages 5-9: 3-4 pm
Ages 10-13: 4:15-5:15 pm
8 weeks for $90
Contact Jeanne with inquiries or to enroll
e: kulakidsyoga@yahoo.com
An Armenian woman studying for a PhD at Massey University is looking for family live-in, willing to look after children and the house in exchange for free accommodation. Arriving in September for ???contact ???
Private Occupational Therapy Services
If you have any concerns about your child’s development such as fine motor and gross motor coordination, handwriting, sensory processing, self-regulation or attention skills, please visit www.kidsconnect.co.nz or contact kim@kidsconnect.co.nz
BALLET on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at St Alban’s Church Hall. Tippy Toes for 2yr olds through to RAD Grade 1. It’s free to trial a class! Contact : Hannah Scott-McNeill ARAD RTS ex RNZB p: 021 207 6757 e: hannah@wellingtonballetstudio.co.nz
Fun French for kids at Muritai School for ages 5-12
- Experience French learning the fun way!
- Lots of interactive activities, role play, crafts, active games and music, and cooking
- Free trial lesson
- To register your interest please contact Stefi on Stefi@funlanuages.co.nz or phone 562 8211
visit the website www.lcfclubs.co.nz
POSSUM CONTROL WORK
This is to advise that my company, Central Districts Pest Control Ltd. will be carrying out possum control work in the Moores Valley (Wainuiomata) area, from late August 2016 and work through to the end of January 2017. If you would like further information, please contact our office: admin@cdpc.co.nz
GIRL GUIDING
Would you like your daughter to have fun and learn skills as a member of an up to date organisation? If so, we have units meeting in Petone now accepting new members to start now.
We cater for –
- Pippins 5 - 6 year olds
- Brownies 7 – 9 ½ year olds
- Guides 9 – 12 ½ years and
- Rangers 12 ½ – 17 years
Our programmes are modern and the girls get input into the activities they do whilst learning skills to help them become successful in our communities.
We would also be happy to hear from volunteers who would be interested in helping with leadership.
