FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S LAPTOP
Kia ora koutou,
This week our Senior Team camps have kicked off with classes heading out to Waihi Beach for a two-night stay. We are so thrilled the camps have been able to run while we are at Alert Level 2, with many of our students having missed out last year. Camps are a wonderful opportunity to build strong relationships, develop confidence and also learn about the local area. A special thank you to parents who have taken time off work to support the students, and teachers who work so hard to make it a successful time away.
We are just weeks away from the PTA Gala, scheduled for Saturday 27th March. Our wonderful PTA is working hard to make this event a success. However, we do need your support. There are lots of small jobs that have to be done, through both the classrooms and directly for the PTA. If you are willing to give some of your time to take on a task at the Gala, please contact Karen or Hayley by emailing pta@matua.school.nz
This year we have been reviewing the way we approach growing student leaders. As part of our self-review in 2020, we recognized that the opportunities for student leadership in school were narrower than we would like. In response to this, we have developed a new approach that aims to provide opportunities for our Year 5 and 6 students to get involved in service and leadership. The senior team is talking with children about the many opportunities on offer and is giving them the chance to apply to take on a role. Our goal is that children will develop a stronger understanding of their personal strengths, and have an opportunity to use them to serve and lead. You can see a list of the opportunities that have been presented by following THIS LINK.
Marcus Norrish
Principal
The refurbishment of Room 4 and 5 is making excellent progress. The children are enjoying watching the work being done, with special attention being given to supervising the pouring of the concrete.
New Parent Information Meeting
Thursday 4th March. 7 – 8pm
Minis & Juniors - Splash & Dash
Friday 5th March. 1.30pm – 3pm
Teacher Only Day (Cluster)
Friday 12th March
School Closed
Senior Swimming Sports
Wednesday 17th March – Otumoetai Pools
Jolly Jar Mufti Day
Thursday 18th March
Middles Swimming Carnival
Friday 19th March – Memorial Pools
PTA Gala
Saturday 27th March
Easter Weekend
Friday 2nd April till Tuesday 6th April
(School Closed)
Last Day of Term 1
Friday 16th April
DATE CHANGES
We have a couple of date changes that we would like to make you aware of.
SENIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING SPORTS – This will now take place on Wednesday the 17th March
JOLLY JAR MUFTI DAY – This is now scheduled for Thursday the 18th March
SCHOOL POLAR FLEECES
There are a large amount of un-named polar fleeces in lost property. Please name all of your child’s uniform so it makes it easier to return to the rightful owner.
If your child is missing a polar fleece or anything else, check the lost property on a regular basis. It always seems to be over flowing with items.
PTA
LIBRARY
Scholastic Book Club
Once a term your child will bring home a Scholastic Book Club Catalogue. The Scholastic Book Club, Term 1 Issue 2 will be handed out to students next week.
Our school receives 20% of the price of each book purchased through the Scholastic Book Club. In turn, the scholastic dollars are used to purchase books and literacy resources for the school. There are many fantastic books available at reasonable prices, but please do not feel pressure by your child to purchase from the Book Club Catalogues. This is a resource offered to the community.
Orders are made online with credit card payments, or an order form with a cheque attached may be brought to school. The school does not accept cash. If you would like the book or purchase to be a gift, click the gift tab when ordering online, and we will contact you when the order arrives at the school office.
Last day for orders for our Term 1 Issue 2 is Wednesday 24 March. Books purchased will be handed out to children in their classrooms unless they are gifts which are picked up from the office.
BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS
If your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, please remember to notify the school office each day. This can be done by using the Skool Loop Ap, click on the absentee button. You can also call the school on 07 576 9027 and leave a message on the absentee line.
In order to keep our students safe, they all need to be accounted for. If we haven’t heard from you, you will receive a phone call. Students do actually get marked as truant if we can’t contact you.
Please try to remember to notify the office as it can be incredibly time consuming each morning. Many thanks for your understanding
Stomach Bugs – There is a stomach bug going around our school at the moment. Sore tummies, vomiting and diarrhoea. If your child feels unwell, please keep them at home. If they have an upset stomach or have been vomiting, they need to be kept at home for 24 hours after their last vomit. If they return to school too early, they will be sent home again.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
LINEWIZE COMMUNITY CONNECT
FREE Linewize Community Connect Online Safety Information Evening
All parents, caregivers and whānau are invited to attend a FREE online safety information evening on Thursday 11th March at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School Hall at 7pm.
The aim of this session is to help parents feel empowered in the online world and to talk to parents about what to look out for and how to support their child/ren with online safety.
For more information following THIS LINK to view the flyer. Or to register for a free ticket by visiting THIS LINK at EVENTBRITE
SPORTS
OTUMOETAI EELS RUGBY LEAGUETE
DATE: Sunday March 14th
TIME: 10am-1pm
Bring Birth Certificate or Passport
Contact: 027-7332935 or
email: enzednumber001@hotmail.co.nz
PERFORMING ARTS & LUNCHTIME CLUBS
Our teachers are passionate about providing a library of experiences for our learners, and are pleased to offer a range of performing arts groups throughout the week, as well as fun clubs that take place during break times, at no cost to families. Lunchtime clubs are an opportunity for children to have fun and connect with peers, including peers from different year levels, who have similar interests and passions. Joining clubs is also an opportunity for children to increase their interests in safe spaces, and find belonging in different areas of the school.
All performing arts groups and clubs take place during school hours. No permission is needed, and children are encouraged to sign up and give things a go. Most clubs offer a “try-it-out” period, which usually spans the first few sessions, and is open to any student to come along and give it a go. After this time, club groups become confirmed. Some clubs are open to whoever throughout the year. Club notices and reminders are put in the student daily notices, which are read out to students each morning in class. Connect with your child’s classroom teacher if you would like to chat about club opportunities for your child.
Follow THIS LINK for more information on what is available.
FERGUSSON PARK ACTIVITY MORNING
At the end of week 3, the Junior team had their Fergusson Park activity morning. The children enjoyed rotating around four activities which included a taonga (treasure) hunt, crab hunting, field games and playing on the playground. Thank you to all the parents who helped supervise during the day.
PARKING & TRANSPORT
It is a busy time of year on the streets around the school. Please be extra careful when driving, parking, and dropping off at school that you are mindful of children who are crossing roads and exiting cars. Tauranga City Council is expecting to install a ‘Kea Crossing’ on Clivedene Street in the next few months. This will provide a monitored crossing area for children at the start and end of the school day.
LUNCH ORDERS
ezLunch orders are made online through your myKindo account. You can order lunch by simply going to www.mykindo.co.nz
Order anytime before cut-off or schedule in advance. Lunch will be delivered to school at lunchtime on a Friday. You have the option of Pita Pit or Subway.
Click here to view the menu.
Help? Visit support.mykindo.co.nz or tel. 09-869 5200 Mon-Fri 8 am to 4 pm.
Find out more ezlunch.co.nz or mykindo.co.nz
TERM DATES 2021
Term 1, 2021 – First Day: Tuesday 2nd February 2021 – Friday 16th April
Waitangi Day – Monday 8th February
Easter – Friday 2nd April – Tuesday 6th April inclusive
Term 2 – Monday 3rd May – Friday 9th July
Queen’s Birthday – 7th June
Term 3 – Monday 26th July – Friday 1st October
Term 4 – Monday 18th October
OUR SCHOOL APP
Our School App
We have a new school app to keep you up to date with events and notifications. Click on the button below to check it out.
SETTING UP KINDO
Setting up with Kindo
Kindo is our new prefered payment and permission system. To help you learn how it works, we’ve added their new help sheet and video. We hope it helps.
