Kia ora koutou,
Welcome back to an action-packed term!
A special welcome to our new families who have just started with us at Matua School, from within Aotearoa New Zealand and also new International students from further afield in South Korea. Despite the wet weather, it’s been great to see and feel such a positive vibe around in the first two weeks back to learning.
Of note, the participation in We Run the Night last Saturday evening at Mt Maunganui was outstanding, with a great turnout of students, parents and staff turning up in fluro gear to represent Team Matua. Whether it was a walk or run, every member of the team did us proud.
Over the term break, a number of property projects were completed, including brand new solar mats to help extend future swimming seasons. A special thanks to our wonderful PTA, who recently made a generous donation towards the cost of this project and other upgrades across the school.
It is great to see Rms 22 & 23 in action, with the new classrooms proving to be a hit with the students. A special shout-out to Mrs Millar and Mrs Needham for the care and attention to detail made to ensure a smooth transition for our youngest Matua Learners.
For new families, it is important to keep an eye on the school calendar found on our school website so you are aware of upcoming events this term including Cross Country Wk 4, TOD Friday 30 May Wk 5, King’s Birthday 2 June Wk 6, Matariki events, hangi and PTA Disco Wk 8, Learner Conferences and Book Week including Book Character Day in Wk 9.
We are excited to have a Geo-A-Thon coming up during Weeks 4 to 9, with children doing lots of learning in class, ready for testing in Week 7. Updates about all these events will be shared regularly via HERO in the coming weeks, and we thank you in advance for your support with this special fundraiser.
As always, our students continue to impress by demonstrating our key Matua Learner values as they go about their learning and play.
Ngā mihi nui
Angela Barlow
Acting Principal
TŪĪ TALKS – …Follow, Like & Subscribe on Spotify!
SCHOOL CALENDAR
WHOOPING COUGH
Whooping Cough Update
Aotearoa New Zealand remains in a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic, with cases and hospitalisations continuing across the country.
Whooping cough causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. It can be spread easily between people, usually by coughing and sneezing. It is particularly serious for pçpi (babies), tamariki (children) and older adults, and in some cases, can be fatal.
Symptoms start like a cold before developing into a persistent cough. If you or a family member develop symptoms, stay home and contact your GP for further advice. Immunisation is the best protection and is free for children aged under 18, pregnant people, and some adults. Good hygiene also helps reduce the spread. For more information, phone 0800mynurse (0800 696 8773).
Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (DGSE) is an award-winning architect practice with studios spread across Aotearoa. Formed by a large team with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, their services include Architecture, Interior Architecture, Master Planning, and Landscape Architecture. Acknowledging the weight of their responsibility as architects, a deep understanding of people, place, and culture are at the heart of their design processes.
WE RUN THE NIGHT
Last Saturday a bunch of our Girls Run Club crew took part in We Run the Night. They lit up the streets of Mount Maunganui in their fluro and glow sticks and then smashed out a 5km run!
Along with these girls there were some amazing parents and teachers out there with them. We had about 70 Matua School representatives which is amazing!!
Some of these girls had never run 5km and some of them took minutes off their previous 5km times. The girls should be so proud of their efforts and commitment in turning up to Run Club every week. Very inspiring, girls. Keep it up!
It’s so cool to see so many girls keen on running and getting out there!
If you’re a y4-6 girl and you want to join us, bring your runners on a Monday lunch to join us!
SCHOOL DONATIONS
LIBRARY
MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC
The mobile dental unit will be onsite from Monday 28th April to Friday 27th June
Our dental team will be seeing the most overdue tamariki/children during this visit. As the clinic will be prioritising all their appointments, it may not be possible for the dental staff to see all students during this visit.
Our dental team will notify the whanau and families prior to their tamariki’s dental appointment.
When you receive this notification, please contact the team to update any contact details, confirm medical details or renew permissions for examination and dental x-rays.
Current service demands and delays weigh heavily on our teams and your kindness and support is appreciated.
If you have any queries or urgent dental concerns, contact (07 576 6752) or 0800 TALK TEETH for further help and advice.
SCHOOL POOL
The school pool is now closed until Term 4.
Don’t forget to return your pool key to the school office and collect your $25 key bond.
ROLL GROWTH CLASS
We are in the process of looking at our roll growth classes.
If you have a child who is turning 5 within the next 12 months, please can you complete an Intention To Enrol Form by clicking on the following link.
https://www.matua.school.nz/enrolment/
SCHOOL HOURS
A friendly reminder that school is not open until 8.30am. If you require childcare before these hours, please contact SKIDS either by email – matua@skids.co.nz, phone – 027 586 0408, or book online – www.skids.co.nz/Matua.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
LUNCH ORDERS – EVERY FRIDAY
Lunch orders are available for delivery to Matua School each Friday.
SUBWAY
Simply order your SUBWAY lunch online through you myKindo account by CLICKING HERE
Order (or cancel) any time before 9:00am on the day or schedule in advance.
Help? Visit support.mykindo.co.nz or call 09-869 5200 Mon-Fri, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
TERM DATES 2025
Term 1, 2025 – Monday 3rd February – Friday 11th April
Waitangi Day – Thursday 6th February
Teacher Only Day – Monday 17th March
Term 2 – Monday 28th April – Friday 27th June
Teacher Only Day – Friday 30th May
Kings Birthday – Monday 2nd June
Matariki – Friday 20th June
Term 3 – Monday 14th July – Friday 19th September
Term 4 – Monday 6th October – Tuesday 16th December
Labour Day – Monday 27th October
SETTING UP KINDO
Setting up with Kindo
Kindo is our prefered payments system. To help you learn how it works, we’ve added their new help sheet and video. We hope it helps.
KINDO VIDEO HELP
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Come along to celebrate the opening of The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre at the Community Fun Day this Saturday 10 May from 10am-2pm at 483 Cameron Road, Tauranga (previously The Warehouse).
There will be fun activities, games, food trucks, and plenty of fun for the kids, including a special play area with an inflatable slide.
We can’t wait to see you at the newest Tauranga City Council community facility opening celebrations!
Follow Event Details https://ow.ly/fkLQ50VMIHh
