Kia ora Whānau, 

It has been a lovely week and the children have settled nicely back into their learning.  There has been a great buzz with their inquiry learning, around our school focus on movement. The students could chose one of three topics to focus their inquiry on this term: physical movement, art movement through enviro or our solar system. 

Ararira Cross Country event

Our Ararira Springs Cross Country event will be held on Friday 17th of May from 1:30 pm until 3pm.  We will need volunteers as the course will be different this year and marshalls are required to stand along the route.  If you are able to help please contact Whaea Meeghan as soon as possible.

Pink Shirt Day  Friday 17th May: 

Pink Shirt Day (gold coin donation to The Mental Health Foundation). Tamariki may wear their school uniform or something pink. The focus this year is 'Being an upstander'. More information can be found here.  

Sport in Term 2

The sports dates for term 2 went out in last week’s newsletter.  It promises to be a busy term on the sports fields.  If you have any questions please check the Sports pages on our school website or click on this link ASP Sports.  Please watch the notices for messages about which sports your children have volunteered to participate in.  Whaea Meeghan will email those involved directly.

Hagley High School

Hagley High school have their Open Evening coming up on Wednesday 29 May, starting in the Auripo Auditorium with presentations at 4.30 pm, 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm. Each presentation will contain the same information and will be followed by a chance to look around the College and meet some of our staff and students. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL – interested parents/whānau should head to https://www.hagley.school.nz/enrolment/year-9-enrolment/ to book their seats if they wish to attend one of the presentation sessions.

Applications for Year 9 2025 will open online from 20 May, and close at midday on 27 June. Important information for students and whānau is available here: https://www.hagley.school.nz/enrolment/year-9-enrolment/.

Our 2025 Junior College Lookbook is available to download here: https://www.hagley.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2025_Junior_Prospectus-web.pdf

We encourage teachers, members of the RTLB service and others who may be supporting students in their transition to high school to contact Sarah Parder (Year 9 Advisor) to discuss whether Hagley will be the right fit for the young person(s) they are working with: sarah.parder@staff.hagley.school.nz.

For any other queries, or for those unable to complete an application online, parents/caregivers should contact Lisa Amer on lisa.amer@staff.hagley.school.nz 

Upcoming dates

Week 2 Term 2

Friday 10th May 

Whānau Groups

Week 3 Term 2

Thursday 16th May 

Lincoln Zones Basketball Tournament @ Selwyn Sports Centre

THT AGM @ 7 pm

Friday 17th May 

Pink shirt day

Hui @ 9:15

ASP Cross Country @ 1:30 pm - 3pm

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your child’s ako teacher on their above email addresses.

Have a great week!

Michael, Larissa, Emma and Meeghan

End of Week 11 Term 1

And just like that, Term 1 is over!  Our tamariki have worked well this term and they are looking forward to the break.  We would like to thank all the parents for their support during this term.

Kaunuku Hui and Cultural Day

A very big THANK YOU! To our whānau for all the wonderful plates sent to school this morning to celebrate our different cultures.  It was wonderful to see so many parents visiting, sharing kai and having a look at our learning over the past term. Thank you for joining us for our hui as well, our presenters spoke well and enjoyed being supported by you and their friends.

Grip Leadership Conference

Whaea Emma and Whaea Meeghan took 30 Year 7/8 ‘s to the Grip Leadership conference this year.  It was a very interactive and informative day for our young leaders.  They enjoyed learning about how to use their talents and leadership skills.  Thank you Whaea Emma for organising this for us!

Year 8 Leavers Hoodies

These have been designed by some of our Year 8’s and they have made their final choice of design.  Hoodies will cost around $75 .  We are just waiting for our children to pick the names that they want printed on the back and  fitted for size and then we will be able to place the order. We estimate that they will arrive week 3-4 next term once the order has been placed.  If you have any questions about the hoodies please contact Matua Michael.

Constable Jim

Constable Jim has been working in our space this week and discussing aspects of Road Safety and Positive policing with our class.  The children were also given the opportunity to ask any questions.  Thank you Constable Jim for coming and supporting our tamariki.

Sport in Term 2

The sports dates for term 2 went out in last week’s newsletter.  It promises to be a busy term on the sports fields.  If you have any questions please check the Sports pages on our school website or click on this link ASP Sports.  Please watch the notices for messages about which sports your children have volunteered to participate in.  Whaea Meeghan will email those involved directly.

Ararira Cross Country event

Our Ararira Springs Cross Country event will be held on Friday 17th of May from 1:30 pm until 3pm.  We will need volunteers as the course will be different this year and marshalls are required to stand along the route.  If you are able to help please contact Whaea Meeghan as soon as possible.

Selwyn Hawks Basketball

We currently have enough players for two Year 7/8 teams. Unfortunately we only have one coach.  If you are able to help coach a team on Monday evenings please contact Whaea Meeghan urgently or the team will be named on a first come, first served basis.

Upcoming dates

Week 1 Term 2

Monday 29th April First day of Term 2

Tuesday 30th April

Wednesday 1st May

Thursday 2nd May

Friday 3rd May Hui 9:15 am

   BeeAwesome 1:30 pm

Week 2 Term 2

Monday 6th May

Tuesday 7th May

Wednesday 8th May

Thursday 9th May

Friday 10th May Whānau Groups

Week 3 Term 2

Monday 13th May

Tuesday 14th May

Wednesday 15th May

Thursday 16th May Lincoln Zones Basketball Tournament @ Selwyn Sports Centre

   THT AGM @ 7 pm

Friday 17th May ASP Cross Country @ 1:30 pm - 3pm

   Pink shirt day

   Hui @ 9:15

Have a great break!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

Fortnightly Notices

End of Week 9 Term 1

This week saw our Year 7’s leaving for Glentui Camp on Tuesday and our Year 8’s investigating what their trip to Wellington could look like. 

Year 8 Camp

If you have not yet completed the Google form (click) in regards to the Year 8 camp, please can you do so by the end of the week.  This will help our planning processes.

Year 7 Camp

The camp went well and fun was had by all who attended.  We would like to thank all our parent volunteers for giving up their time to join us and support us.  Have a good rest over the long weekend.

Upcoming dates

Week 10 Term 1

Monday 1st April Easter Monday - Public Holiday

Tuesday 2nd April Easter Tuesday - Public Holiday

Wednesday 3rd April Tech @ LPS 

Thursday 4th April

Friday 5th April Whanau Groups

   Curiosity Clubs

Week 11 Term 1

Monday 8th April

Tuesday 9th April

Wednesday 10th April Tech @ LPS 

   Grip Leadership Day

   Constable Jim

Thursday 11th April Constable Jim

Friday 12th April Kaunuku Hui - 9:15am

   Bee Awesome 1:30-2:30pm

   End of term - School reopens on 29th April

Have a great weekend!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

Fortnightly Notices

End of Week 7 Term 1

After a very busy week of specialist teachers for Science, Drama and Art, Technology, Inquiry and Top Team we have ended week seven on a high!  Our tamariki have worked hard adapting to the different learning styles taking place this week and we are very proud of them.

Inquiry

Thank you to our whānau who supported our tamariki with their inquiry into their family history.  We are now working on a 3-d art representation of this.  Keep an eye on our photo blog to see our projects develop.  

Year 8 Camp

Parents whose children are in Year 8 will be receiving a Google form to complete.  Please can this be done by the end of week 9.  It will help us with our planning for their Wellington trip.

Year 7 Camp

Our Year 7 camp is now only a week away.  Whaea Larissa has sent out emails asking parents to drop medication with her before the morning we leave.  Below are the dates and times she has sent out:

• Any morning Monday - Friday from 8am - 8.30 am

• Wednesday 20th 3pm - 4.45pm (in Kaunuku 3)

• Thursday 21st - 3pm-4pm

• Friday 22th - 3pm-4pm (last day to meet) 

While we are on camp we are responsible for our own morning and afternoon tea snacks.  

If your child's name begins with A through to J please can you send biscuits/home baking for sharing.   

If your child's name begins with K through to Z please can you send fruit for sharing.

Children who have specific dietary requirements please supply morning tea and afternoon tea snacks just for yourself in a clearly named container.  (These will be collected before we leave school.)

Top Team

Even though the weather threatened us all morning, we managed to complete our Top Team event.  Our tamariki enjoyed themselves taking part and encouraging others.  Some got VERY wet!  Check out our photo blog for photos of the day!

Upcoming dates

Week 8 Term 1

Monday 18th March Zone Swimming @ Selwyn Aquatic Centre

  Whakatipu Kahutu Leaders training from 9:10am - 12pm

Tuesday 19th March

Wednesday 20th March Tech @ LPS 

 Union Meeting - School Closes @ 12:45

Thursday 21st March Elgregoe, the Magician 

Friday 22nd March Whānau Groups

 Curiosity Clubs

Looking forward:

Week 9 Term 1

Monday 25th March

Tuesday 26th March Year 7 leave for Glentui

Wednesday 27th March Year 7 Glentui Camp

​​       Canterbury Swimming Competition Selwyn Aquatic Centre

Thursday 28th March Year 7 return from Glentui

Friday 29th March Good Friday - Public Holiday

Week 10 Term 1

Monday 1st April Easter Monday - Public Holiday

Tuesday 2nd April Easter Tuesday - Public Holiday

Wednesday 3rd April Tech @ LPS 

Thursday 4th April

Friday 5th April Whānau Groups

 Curiosity Clubs

Have a great weekend!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

Our Year 7/8 ‘s have been getting into their core curriculum rotation groups over the last couple of weeks and shown great rangatiratanga.  

Inquiry

Our Inquiry topic this year is based around Movement.  This term we are looking at the movement of people (migration, where we come, our identity and our culture).  You will see that they have stuck a page into their home learning book that they may need help with to answer some of the questions.  Our next Inquiry lesson will be on Tuesday where we will continue to discover our history, culture and identities.

Headphones

Please can you send headphones to school for your child to use.  Some of the apps and programmes we use have listening activities.  They can be purchased through Qizzle.

Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8 camp planning is well underway.  At the moment we can confirm that the camp will be taking place from Monday the 11th of November until Wednesday the 13th of November.  This is in Term 4 week 5.  Once we have more confirmed information we will pass it on via the Whānau Page.

Top Team

Our Top Team event will be taking place Friday the 15th of March on the side field.  Our hub will be taking part in the morning session from 10:20 until 12pm.  Tamariki can come to school dressed in their whānau colours (fancy dress too if they like!) However there is a number of water activities so whatever they wear needs to be able to get wet/muddy.  They need to bring a towel and their sports/school uniform to change back into after the event.

We are also going to need 7 parent helpers to help manage the stations.  We cannot run the day without the helpers so if you are available to help please let Whaea Meeghan know.  You will be given a brief of what needs to be done at the station you will manage.

Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit April 2024 – Applications now open!

Want to visit New Zealand’s gateway to Antarctica and experience a weekend of exploration?  Is your child someone who:

• has a positive attitude

• has a natural curiosity about the world

• has a desire to work alongside fellow explorers to learn about the remarkable world we live in

• has a willingness to share their experience with their community

• is willing to get out of their comfort zone

2024 summit applications are open! This will take place from Friday 12 April - Sunday 14 April in Christchurch.  Applications close on Sunday 3 March 2024.  Click on the link below for more information and to apply.     Young Inspiring Explorers

Upcoming dates

Week 6 Term 1

Monday 4th March

Tuesday 5th March

Wednesday 6th March Tech @ LPS 

Thursday 7th March

Friday 8th March Curiosity Clubs

Looking forward:

Week 7 Term 1

Monday 11th March

Tuesday 12th March

Wednesday 13th March Tech @ LPS 

Thursday 14th March Nature agent trip - K3 and Enviro leaders

Friday 15th Feb Top Team 10am-12pm @ ASP

Have a great weekend!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

We are gradually establishing the rhythm for the year.  The Year 7/8 ‘s have worked hard over the past two weeks completing assessments, getting to know their new teachers and each other as well as their new routines.  Next week we will start to move into our maths and literacy rotations.

Technology

We have had a good start to the year at Technology with many compliments coming back to us about our ākonga and how they are doing their best at tech.  Please can we ask that on a Wednesday you aim to have your child at school 

by 8:30 am. 

We need to do the roll before they get on the buses and again once they are on to confirm everyone is present.  The buses will leave school at 8:45am.  Please make sure your child is on time.  It is quite stressful for them if they are late and miss the bus.

Hats

Thank you for ensuring your child has a hat at school.  There have been some very hot days and we are proud to see that the majority of our hub have their hats on everyday.

Vests

Please ensure that your child has a vest to wear to and from school, especially if they are walking, biking or scootering.  This has improved, however there are still a few children who do not have one. 

Art shirts

On Tuesday the release teachers will be working in our hub.  One of the rotations is art.  Please can you put an old shirt into your child's bag for this so we can prevent any paint on their uniform.

Year 8 2024 School Based Vaccination Programme 

This year's School Based Vaccination programme will offer two dose HPV vaccinations to protect against genital warts, cervical cancer, throat and mouth cancers, and other types of cancers later in life. The programme also includes a one dose Boostrix vaccination to provide protection against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough. 

A vaccination pack is provided early in term 1 to students who have not completed their vaccinations in General Practice.. Parent/caregivers - please complete this form and return it to school. Consent for the school-based programme can be withdrawn at any time during the programme by contacting the vaccinating team directly HPV@cdhb.health.nz 

Te Whatu Ora 

Health New Zealand 

Year 7 Camp

Thank you for completing the google form that was sent home.  As we confirm the details of the camp we will now share that information via the Camp tab on this Whānau site.  If at any time you are unsure and cannot find information on the site, ask your child or your child’s ako teacher.

Upcoming dates

Week 4 Term 1

Monday 19th Feb

Tuesday 20th Feb Board meeting @ 6:30 pm 

Wednesday 21st Feb Tech @ LPS 

   Yr 5/6 leave for camp (busy bus morning please be on time!)

Thursday 22nd Feb

Friday 23rd Feb No curiosity clubs as Year 5/6 are away

   No hui

Looking forward:

Week 5 Term 1

Monday 26th Feb

Tuesday 27th Feb

Wednesday 28th Feb Swim Sports at LPS for those who volunteered to attend.

Thursday 15th Feb

Friday 16th Feb Hui @ 9:15am

   Curiosity Clubs

Have a great weekend!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

End of Week 1 Term 1

And just like that week 1 is done!  I hope your tamariki are feeling more confident now that they have spent some time in their new spaces meeting their new teachers and classmates.

Technology

Next week we start with our first Technology lessons.  All the children will be told which groups they are in on Monday.  If they are not at school we will tell them on Wednesday as we will be accompanying them to LPS for part of their first lesson.  The buses will leave school at 8:45am.  Please make sure your child is on time.

Hats

From Monday all children will be required to wear a hat during break/play/outside times.  Please make sure your child has a hat.

Vests

Please ensure that your child has a vest to wear to and from school, especially if they are walking, biking or scootering.  They are available from The Warehouse.

Year 7 Camp

Next week we will be sending out information in regards to the Year 7 camp.  Please keep your eye on HERO so as not to miss anything.  

Upcoming dates

Week 2 Term 1

Monday 5th Feb School day

Tuesday 6th Feb Waitangi Day - Public Holiday

Wednesday 7th Feb Tech @ LPS

Thursday 8th Feb

Friday 9th Feb Hui @ 10am  - Chinese New Year and Waitangi Day

Looking forward:

Week 3 Term 1

Monday 12th Feb

Tuesday 13th Feb School picnic and Hoolie with the Hapori

• 5:30 - 6pm Teretere and Huarapa

• 6:15 - 6:45 Kaunuku and Hikuwai

• Bring a picnic

• 
  

Wednesday 14th Feb Valentines day!  ❤️

Thursday 15th Feb

Friday 16th Feb Hui @ 9:15am

Curiosity Clubs start

Have a great weekend!

Larissa, Michael, Emma and Meeghan

Welcome to Kaunuku 2024! We hope you have all had a good break.  We are looking forward to working with you and your children this year.  If you haven’t already booked a time to pop in and see us on Tuesday please do so or come in and see us over the next couple of weeks as we settle into Term 1.

The Kaunuku team for 2024 consists of the following teachers:

Michael McDermot - Kaunuku 1 - michael.mcdermott@ararira.school.nz

Meeghan Coetzee - Kaunuku 2 - meeghan.coetzee@ararira.school.nz (Team Leader)

Larissa Jay - Kaunuku 3 - larissa.jay@ararira.school.nz

Emma Woolford - Maths and Literacy - emma.woolford@ararira.school.nz (Deputy Principal)

HATS

• Our school requires all students to wear plain navy coloured bucket hats in Terms 1 and 4 during break times. We have a firm no hat no play policy.

COMMUNICATION

• The Kaunuku team will be sending home notices fortnightly via this blog, on odd weeks. Please read these carefully as they have lots of important information.

• The school newsletter will come out on even weeks, on a Wednesday.

• If you would like to get in touch with us please use the above emails or come in and see us. We do ask that you go to your child's ako teacher first. 

SCHOOL BOOKS & STATIONERY

• Please label all books and stationery with your child's name (these will be your child's and live in their tote tray or with their subject teacher)

• We will write on the subjects together during the first week.

• Any additional stationary can be kept either at home until needed or given to your child’s ako teacher to store until needed. 

• Any unused stationery will be returned at the end of the year.

TECHNOLOGY

• Our technology lessons have been changed from a Thursday to a Wednesday this term.  For those parents who have not had their children attend technology lessons before, our tamariki will be picked up from school and taken by bus to Lincoln Primary School.  The bus will leave at 8:50am and return to school at approximately 12:15 to complete their school day.  The cost of these lessons is $50 and include all materials.  It will be added to your school account on Kindo.  Our first technology session will be on Wednesday the 7th of February.

CAMPS

YEAR 7 ONLY - Term 1 Week 9 

• Our Year 7 Camp is  in Week 9 from Tuesday, 25th March to Thursday 27th March.  It will be held at Glentui Lodge near Oxford.  We are currently finalising the last couple of arrangements and will send out the details as soon as possible.  We will send out a google form for you to fill in if you would like to be a parent help on the camp, however, we will look at the list from last year to see who wanted to attend but were not selected.  

YEAR 8 ONLY - Term 4 Week TBC 

• This year our Year 8’s will have their camp in Term 4 as part of their End of Year 8 celebration.  Please keep on eye on the notices as there will be important information given in regards to this camp later in the term.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your child’s ako teacher on their above email addresses.

Have a great week!

Michael, Larissa, Emma and Meeghan