We are looking to create a Sensory Space at Matua school. This space will be designed to provide a calming and engaging environment where students can explore their senses, manage their emotions, and enhance their focus.

But to make this Sensory Space a reality, we need your help!

We are reaching out to our wonderful Matua community to request donations of items that would enrich our Sensory Space. If you have any of the following items in gently-used or new condition and are willing to contribute, we would be incredibly grateful:

• Soft cushions and bean bags
• Weighted (or cosy) blankets / toys
• Comfortable couch
• Textured rug
• Hanging swing
• Fidget toys and stress balls
• Bubble tubes or sensory lighting
• Balls of wool to create sensory artwork
• Lego

Your support will play a vital role in creating an environment where all our students can thrive and learn. If you have any of these items to donate or, please contact Teresa at ht.mcclean@gmail.com or 021 544 507.

Thank you to families that have paid the School Donation for 2023.  Your support in this area would be appreciated if you haven’t done so yet.  Payment can be made via Kindo.

The Ministry of Education uses an ‘equity index’ to fund schools. A school’s equity index number impacts several funding streams, with some schools receiving more income than others depending on the socioeconomic factors identified within their community. Schools above an identified index can also opt into a government scheme where $150 per child is paid in exchange for not seeking donations from parents. Matua School is NOT eligible for this scheme and cannot access the $80,000 other schools of a similar size receive. As a result, the Matua School Board ask parents to contribute $130 per year for each child to ensure that our tamariki have equitable access to resources, activities and learning opportunities.

Your contribution supports  :

• Learning support staff
• Garden to Table staffing and resources
• School pool maintenance
• Library books and resources
• Support for school trips
• Inter-school sporting events
• Replacement of digital devices
• Learning through play resources

Did you know?
Your donation can be claimed as a Tax Credit. Receive one-third back from the IRD at the end of the financial year!

Wow, did anyone see where Term 3 went? There has been so much happening this term that it is flown by!

To round off the last few weeks here we have had East Cluster Speeches, WBOP Mountain Biking, Girls Rugby 7’s and the East Cluster Winter Tournament.

Congratulations to our two finalists Pearl and Eilidh who presented their speeches beautifully at the East Cluster Speech competition. They were so well spoken and knew their speeches off by heart which is an amazing achievement. Ka rawe to mahi girls.

We had 8 boys compete at the annual WBOP Mountain Biking event at Summerhill Mountain Bike Park in Papamoa. Within their year group they had to ride as many laps of the course as possible in their allotted time. Congratulations to our Year 4 boy winner Nick, who completed 5 laps in 20 minutes and Lachie who placed 3rd in the Year 6 boys with a total of 8 laps in 30 minutes. All the boys did a superb job and should be proud of the way they competed on the day. It was definitely a hard course after trying it out myself.

Amongst the windy conditions at Blake Park our girls’ rugby team played really well to compete in the playoffs for 3rd or 4th place. They were up against a really strong side and after 4 hard fought games, I think they had already used most of their energy. They were also lucky enough to have the NZ Women’s Sevens team training on a nearby field so when they came to check out all the up and coming talent they were quick to nab a photo with some of them.

Our last biggest event for Term 3 has been the East Cluster Winter Tournament. This event is a big one on our school calendar with most of the senior school involved in either hockey, basketball, netball, football or Rippa Rugby. Congratulations to both our Year 5 & 6 football teams who brought the trophies back to Matua School and also our Year 5 hockey team. Well done to all our teams who competed on the day. Our football and Rippa teams had to brave the elements down at Fergusson Park but played well despite those challenges.

Our winter sports have now concluded for the year. Once again I am on the round up of all sports uniforms and sports fees that are still outstanding. These will be loaded onto Kindo accounts so they can be paid. All outstanding sports fees from previous terms will need to be paid in full before a child will be named in the sports team for Term 4.

Term 4 sports teams will be sent out in the coming weeks. While I do my best to accommodate everyone’s requests, however, sometimes it is unable to happen. Please be mindful that putting together sports teams for 5 different sports, across 6 different year levels is quite a big task.

Next term we have quite a few exciting events happening with the WBOP Tennis Tournament, WBOP Orienteering, school athletics days, girls and boys cricket. There’s a lot to get involved in.

Thanks to all who have contributed and helped in any way this term. Your time and effort has been greatly appreciated.

Ngā mihi,

Stacey Sutherland

YUMMY STICKERS

TERM DATES 2023 / 2024

TERM 3 – Monday 17th July – Friday 22nd September.

Term 4 – Monday 9th October – Friday 15th December @ 12.30pm

Labour Day – Monday 23rd October

Last Day of School – Friday 15th December at 12.30pm

Term 1, 2024 – Wednesday 7th February 2024 – Friday 12th April

Waitangi Day – Tuesday 6th February

Easter Weekend – Friday 29th March until Tuesday 2nd April

Term 2, 2024 – Monday 29th April – Friday 5th July

King’s Birthday – Monday 3rd June

Matariki – Friday 28th June

Term 3, 2024 – Monday 22nd July – Friday 27th September

Term 4, 2024 – Monday 14th October – Last Day tbc

Labour Day – Monday 28th October

 

 

GOBSMACKED