Heron Herald Term 1, Week 1, 2021

Welcome to Matua School for 2021.  We have had a wonderful start at school with children and classes jumping into the year with enthusiasm.  We trust that you had a restful summer break and were able to create valuable memories with your children.

Mihi Whakatau

We love to begin our year by welcoming new staff and students to Matua School with a Mihi Whakatau.  This will be held on the school field at 10:15 am on Wednesday 10th February.  New parents are welcome to join us for the welcome and a light morning tea afterward.

Community Picnic

We’d like to start the year with an opportunity to get together in a relaxed way as a school community.  Pack a picnic or grab some takeaways and bring the family down to the school field.  This will be a great opportunity to connect with other families, meet teachers and foster some community spirit.  See you there!

Learner Conferences

Bookings are now open for meeting times at our first Learner Conferences for the year.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to meet with teachers and share dreams, goals, and information that will support us in developing our understanding of your child.  Us knowing your child well is a critical success factor for learning, so this time is an extremely valuable part of the learning process.  School is closed for normal instruction on this day, so please keep children home and only bring them to the meeting.  If you have childcare requirements on the day, please contact Skids or Playtime.  You can book your time now by following THIS LINK and entering the code: r728v

Teacher Only Day – Otumoetai Cluster

Matua School is part of the Otumoetai Kahui Ako / cluster of schools.  Friday 12th March is set aside for an education conference that provides professional learning for teachers from across all schools.  As a result, the school will be closed for the day to enable teachers to attend the conference.

Homework

For 2021 we are making some adjustments to the way we approach Home Learning.  Homework is a traditional part of the NZ schooling landscape, however, research conducted around the world reinforces that homework in the primary years has a limited impact on learning.  There is no doubt that having a connection between home and school is an important success indicator, however much of what is traditionally given as homework is little more than ‘busy-work’.  We are very aware that children and families have increasingly busy lives with many children engaging in a number of after school activities.  Being part of a sports team, swimming club, dance studio, or music group is a valuable activity that adds depth and breadth to the development of a child.  We recognise that asking children and parents to complete well-meaning, but unnecessary homework activities can add stress to family life.  Therefore we are reducing ‘Home Learning’ across the school to include: reading for practice or pleasure and basic facts practice to cement mathematics knowledge.

We trust that you and your children have had a happy start to the new year.  We count it a privilege to work and Matua School and look forward to working with you to support children in their learning and development.