PĀNUI | NEWSLETTER 20 NOVEMBER 2020

Over the past few days our Rutherford students (Yr 7 & 8) have enjoyed a variety of activities during the EOTC week. They went to Ki o Rahi, went to Extreme Edge to give rock climbing a go at different heights, had a sleepover here at school with a delicious BBQ dinner and today they went to WERO to have a go at rafting.

A big thank you to Mrs Jamieson and Mr Curtin for the organisation of a very busy week and to the parents and Mr Jamieson who have helped over the week with transport and supervision.

Below are some action pictures from the week.

Quite a few students losing their hats at the moment. We're not sure why they are going missing and teachers are making sure students have their own hat during school hours but we need parents to please check the name inside your child's hat to make sure they have the right hat. Our aim is for every student to wear their hat during summer. If your child's hat has gone missing they are allowed to wear a non-school hat temporarily until their hat is found or a new hat is purchased.

Unlike the start of the year, Covid hasn't got in the way of our annual end of year Book Fair. This is a great time to purchase some Christmas presents and support our school library. The commission from book sales goes twoards purchasing new books for our school library, and of course there is also the option of parents purchasing books to donate to our library.

The Book Fair will be open before school 8-15 am until 8-45 am and after school 2-45 pm until 3-15 pm from Monday to Friday next week.

Normally we would have had this event earlier in the year. However, now that we can enjoy the freedom of Alert Level 1 we are going to celebrate the wonderful grandparents who contribute so much to the lives of our students and celebrate the love of books and reading through our Character day. On this day we invite students to come to school dressed up like a character from their favourite book. Remember, stduents must bring the book to school with them. 

We will then have the Grandparents afternoon from 12:30pm to the end of the school day. Parents can you please send along a plate of food for the shared afternoon tea.

Congratulations to all the Piwakawaka students who participated in the athletics last Friday. Below are the overall results for each year level. Well done to all students and especially the students below for a tremendous effort.

The school has signed up for Fonterra and Sanitarium's Kickstart Breakfast. Through this scheme the school receives free Weetbix and milk that we can give students.

We all know that when children are hungry they can't learn and we've noticed an increase of students coming to school without breakfast or lunch. This scheme is open before school and at breaks to all students who need some extra food so their learning isn't affected.

If your child comes home and mentions that they had some Weetbix at school, please praise them for doing so even if you don't think they needed it. We don't want there to be any stigma for any child to take up this opportunity and praising your child for having some Weetbix at school will ensure there is no stigma attached to it.

The school pool is open. 

Pool keys for out of school hours use are available for purchase from the school office now and until Friday, 11^th December. No pool keys will be available for sale during the last week of school due to workload demands. The pool form is available at the school office.

We are pleased to advise that the Franklin Local Board has provided a grant for $2000.00 to assist Te Hihi School with the pool costs, including a contribution towards utility costs, chemicals and water testing.  We are very grateful to the Franklin Local Board as the pool running costs are substantial.

Although the solar heating will be operating each day during the pool season, the BOT cannot guarantee the temperature will reach and retain its optimum level. 

Access to the pool facilities is by way of a key. The price of the key for out of school hours swimming pool use by Te Hihi School families is set at $155.00 for the season with a bond of $50 for the key that will be refunded upon return of the key. Although we expect to have the season run through to the end of March 2020, the Board may extend or shorten the swimming pool season subject to weather. There is no variation on this set fee. 

Access will only be possible between 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and between 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. school days. All access keys will be de-activated at the end of the season.  

We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with testing of the school pool during the summer holidays. Are you able to help in any way? Please contact Janet Daubermann janetd@tehihi.school.nz if you are able to help and she will provide you with further details.

Every family will be receiving a notepad fridge magnet and a pen. This is a reminder that water is precious and we all need to be aware of this and think about ways we can all reduce the amount of water we use. This can be as easy as taking shorter showers, not leaving the water running while brushing your teeth. For water wise tips please visit waterforlife.org.nz. It is looking like a long hot summer ahead.

Rosehill College Open Day for new students starting at Rosehill College in 2021 

Date: SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2020.

The college will be open for informal tours from 9.00am to 11.00am.

This event is open to all Year 8 students starting at Rosehill College in 2021 including parents/whanāu. 

Rosehill College students will be here to greet you and show you around the school. They will also answer any questions you may have about your transition to Rosehill College.   Plus you will have the opportunity to meet other new students and their families. 

Please RSVP with numbers attending to r.chitty@rosehillcollege.school.nz by Friday 20 November - thank you. 

We look forward to meeting you - hope to see you there!