Heron Herald Term 4, Week 4, 2023

6 months ago

Kia ora koutou,

There have been heavy hearts within our staff team as we grieve with our friend and colleague Janine Stevens, as she mourns the loss of her daughter Amelie. Our thoughts and prayers are with Janine, Richard and their family, who have been part of Matua School for many years. We know this community will wrap around them at this time.

Nā koutou i tangi nā tātou katoa.
“When you cry, your tears are shed by us all”

PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY

This week our wonderful Linnea (from Room 16) took on the role of ‘Principal for the day’. Linnea took on the role with an enthusiasm to make an impression on Matua School. She visited classrooms to observe learning in action. She handed out certificates in assembly and worked with the office team on various admin tasks. Linnea also decided to organise an event for the school and has planned a Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Monday 13th November. On this day, children will be able to bring a favourite soft toy to school and enjoy lunch picnic-style with the school. Thanks, Linnea for being a fantastic Principal for the day!

WHĀNAU CONSULTATION MEETINGS

Thank you to those parents who could attend one of our Whānau Consultation Meetings this week. The Board appreciates the opportunity to engage as we review our Strategic Plan for the next two years. Our work on this plan continues over the next couple of months as we work towards next year. The final document will be shared with the community in the new year.

GUMBOOT FRIDAY

Today is Gumboot Friday and Matua School is proud to support this great cause. If you want to contribute to supporting Gumboot Friday and mental health awareness, follow THIS LINK to donate.

Ngā mihi nui

Marcus Norrish
Principal

TUI TALKS – EPISODE 4

The theme of our Tui Talks Episode 4 is:

Food for Thought and welcomes our special guest, Emma McMichael. The team talk to Emma about making healthy choices with food. This is a delicious episode we’re sure you’ll enjoy!

Please follow the link below to listen, and subscribe to our Tui Talks SPOTIFY channel for future episodes.

SENSORY SPACE

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.

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.

PARENTING COURSE – CHAT 101

Raising children is not for the faint hearted! It’s a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.

Most of the time as parents we shy away from discussing tough topics with our children because we are anxious, caught off guard with that question that nearly makes us spit our coffee out or we simply don’t know where to start.

Bethlehem Baptist are hosting The Chat 101. This is a course that runs over two evenings with the goal of empowering parents to talk to their children about sex.

This course is for parents & caregivers of children 2-12 years old and some of the topics include

Our sexual landscape
The beauty & power of sex
Having a game plan
Age guide

If you are interested in attending this course, follow this link to register: CLICK HERE

SCHOOL CAMP

Our Rakau team had an amazing time at camp last week. They spent three days at Ngamuwahine Camp in The Kaimai’s. High ropes, abseiling, kayaking and numerous other exciting activities and adventures.

SCHOOL POOL

The school pool is due to open soon.

If you would like to purchase a key to use the pool after school and at the weekend, you can do this via Kindo.

The cost of the key is $90, plus a bond of $25. A total of $115.

The bond money is refunded when you return the key at the end of Term 1, 2024.

Pay via Kindo and then pop into the school office to collect your key.

Keys are limited.

‘Inspace Joinery is a reliable and skilled carpentry company that offers quality services for kitchen and home joinery projects. With their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction, they can turn any space into a work of art. Contact them today to discuss your renovation ideas. Visit our Showroom at
301 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui.’

SPORT

Welcome to Term 4!

We’ve hit the ground running this term, quite literally with our rippa rugby league starting in week 2 which is a lot earlier than usual. I think we have the most teams competing in the module this term with 16 teams across the year groups. Flippaball is due to start next week, a week later than originally planned, but that’s probably a good thing considering the weather we had this week.

Our first event this term was the WBOP Tennis Tournament where 8 players competed in a doubles competition against other schools from across the WBOP. Our players did so well and I am really proud of the way they represented Matua School.

Next week we are holding our annual Rākau Athletics Day and we are in desperate need of parent helpers to help us out on the day! If you are able to help please click here to let us know.

Sports fees will be loaded onto kindo in the coming days. Please keep an eye on your emails to keep up to date when these are due to be paid.

If your child has taken part in the sporting event throughout the year, those fees have been loaded onto your child’s account to be paid. If you are yet to pay these it would be great if you could please do so before the year is out.

Ngā mihi

Stacey Sutherland

NEW ENROLMENTS

If your child is due to start school before the end of the year or at the beginning of next year, we ask that you please go onto the Matua School website and complete the ‘Intention to Enrol’ form.

We are forward planning for teaching spaces and teachers, and need to know who is starting with us as soon as possible.

Link for the ‘Intention to Enrol’ form here

PTA

The PTA are holding a night market on 30th November on the school grounds. If you are interested in helping out at a pta stall, please contact Amy and Hayley at pta@matua.school.nz.

WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE

Don’t forget to take part in the Wednesday Challenge. Challenge your family to avoid single-family car use on a Wednesday and make use of other modes of transport, such as carpooling, bus, walking, cycling, skating and scootering.

Do it for your health, the planet, your wallet and your community. We’re having fun and giving away prizes. Go to www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz

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.