PĀNUI | NEWSLETTER 21 FEBRUARY 2020

What an awesome turn out we had last night for our Family Fun Night!

It was great to see so many of you come out, to see everyone enjoying the activities on offer or just taking time to catch up with people. Thank you to those of you who took the time to chat to staff. The feedback we had last night was very positive, reflecting the great start to the year we've had.

Next Wednesday 26th February the Y0 - 4 children will be having their Swim Fun Day. The emphasis will be on enjoyment and participation. 

We will need some helpers to give out place getter rods.  If you can assist on the day, please email Mr Curtin at davidc@tehihi.school.nz.

The day begins at 11:30am starting with the year 4 events and working down the year levels. There will be a lunch break from 12:30 - 1:00pm. The events will continue after lunch.

Parents and caregivers are very welcome to come along to watch and encourage the children. We look forward to a great day.

Last Friday when Taylor dressed up in yellow and green to support our neighbours Australia, we went for a trip down to the native bush to imagine being in those bush fires. We used our key concepts of causation, change and perspective to put ourselves in the shoes of the Australian people. We also wrote some stories using our senses. We hope you enjoy. 

Australian Bushfires 

Looks like the fire was getting redder and it was getting higher.

Sounds like elephants’ feet.

I feel sad because the animals were getting hurt. 

Grace 

Looks like a dark place, but also very bright and scary.

Sounds like a humongous giant stomping!!!

I feel more than shocked because my house is going to be burnt down.

Cooper P

Looks like a very hot, hard, crazy fire zooming around Australia’s animals.

Sounds like an earthquake with roaring lions and whistling trees falling and crackling.

I feel terrified to see how big the fires are.

Nathan H 

Looks like black and grey ash.

Sounds like trees cracking, crashing and like a lion roaring.

I feel upset because schools are on fire.

Cyrus

Looks like it was scary. The flames were getting higher and the sky was black, yellow and a bit orange. Heaps of koalas are dying.

Sounds like it was really bad and it scared lots of people.

Sounds like animals stomping through the bush.

I feel angry because the bush fire burnt all the leaves off the trees and only the trunks were left.

Lily 

Looks like a dangerous area for living things.

Sounds like the echo of an angry lion’s roar.

I feel worried about my grandpa because he lives in Australia where the fires are.

Amelia

Looks like orange flames.

It sounds like flames crackling. It sounds like being tired.

I feel sad because the animals get burnt.

Tyler E

Looks like the sky was grey and the smoke was bad.

Sounded like some sticks cracking and it’s so loud.

I feel sad because the school was on fire.

Jade

What a beautiful sunny day we had for the year 5-8 swimming sports last Friday. There was great competition throughout the events. Congratulations to all our students on the day for placing and participating. It was nice to see everyone that came along to support the children. Thank you again to Erin Burnside and Rose Arthur for helping on the day.

Whilst there is still no cases of coronavirus, the school is still following the government's advice. Should a case arrive on our shores, I am sure Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education advice will ramp up. In the meantime, we have reviewed our pandemic plan to ensure it meets ministry requirements, we have ensured there are supplies of hand sanitiser and we are talking with students about healthy practices. Therefore, I want to reassure all parents that your child's health and safety is not being compromised.

Kukri winter jacket pre orders are being taken now!

Get you winter jacket ordered now to be here before the bad weather kicks in. It takes 2 months to get these in as they come from overseas. 

Payment must be done at the time of ordering.

You can order on KINDO, or order at the school office payment by cash or online only. No eftpos available. Jacket sizes are available to try on at the uniform shop on Friday mornings.

All orders for the jackets need to in by Wednesday 26 February.

Te Hihi School  water polo got off to a great start this week. This is a sport which combines the teamwork and strategy of rugby and hockey as well as the fitness benefits of swimming. Our water polo players come in all shapes and sizes, with different positions requiring different strengths. Getting together on Saturday afternoons is also a great time to socialise, both in the water and out.