PĀNUI | NEWSLETTER 29 MAY 2020

As you will no doubt be aware, Monday is Queen's Birthday holiday so school will be closed. 

Last week it was great to be back at school and everyone had high energy levels. This week, the novelty has worn off and teachers have noticed tiredness affecting many students. This is to be expected after everything we have gone through as a country so enjoy the extra day this weekend.

The weather for Auckland doesn't look great for the weekend which means we don't need to feel guilty about having a sleep-in, curling up reading a book, or watching a movie or the Warriors.

Thank you to all parents for being so effective with dropping off and picking up your children. As we still have to maintain tracking registers, we will continue with the 'drop and kiss' in the morning before school. Many parents have expressed to staff just how much easier life has been for them with the 'drop and kiss' and not having to walk their child to the classroom. As a staff, we have also noticed that this has allowed students to develop a greater level of self-management and resilience. Clearly a bonus for all sides.

Now that we are able to assemble in groups of up to 100, we no longer require parents to stay by their car. You have the option now of standing outside the gate while observing social distancing.

Ag Day planning for 2020 has begun!  FoTHS and the Board are super excited to announce that Ag Day will be going ahead this year (in line with any govt guidelines on social distancing etc that are in place at the time) but with a slightly different focus to previous years.  In light of the current post lockdown environment in NZ, the focus will not be on fundraising.  Instead, this year it will be about coming together as a community and having fun. 

An exciting change to this year is that calves are back!  The Ministry for Primary Industries has stated that calves may be part of rural Ag Days this year as long as we take care and follow some simple guidelines.  Refer here for more info.

Another exciting change is this year we are moving Ag Day to Friday 25 September.

Chickens will be available to raise again this year.  Only chickens ordered through school can be taken to Ag Day.  Chickens must be picked up in the first week of Term 3 on Friday 24^th July.  They must be taken home in private transport in a box or cage and can’t go on the bus or to SKIDS.  They will be female, 6-7 weeks old and are great layers, usually starting to lay soon after Ag Day. All chickens need a friend, if you are only meaning to get a chicken for one child, be sure to purchase a friend. Spread the word to all friends and family, anyone wanting to purchase chickens are more than welcome.  Ag Day chickens will cost $8 each with additional chickens costing $10 each.

Remember, if you want your child to be involved in the rearing of an animal but don’t want the hassle of them afterwards, we are happy to assist in re-homing them post Ag Day provided we are contacted early. There are usually plenty of local families keen to take quiet, friendly Ag Day animals. For re-homing please email Claire at westmuir@xtra.co.nz

If you don’t wish to raise an animal, the school will be sending out info on the alternative inquiry project.

Please note the following important dates:

• Ag Day will be held this year on Friday 25^th September
• If you wish to raise an animal then please note:
• Lambs must be born between 1^st  May and 31^st July
• Kid goats must be born between 1^st  May and 31^st July
• Calves must be born between 1^st June and 31^st July
• Chicken order forms and the animal info booklet will be sent home Mon 22^nd June and will need to be returned by Wed 1^st July
• Chickens MUST be picked up on Friday 24^th July at school
• Lamb, kid goat and calf entry forms will be sent home in the first week of Term 3 and need to be back on Friday 31^st July

Any questions, feel free to contact Ana on 021 402 620 or Gina on 021 929 452

Last term Hillary class worked hard on their inquiry into 'Who we are'. We explored the connection to our family and friends, being a good friend and the relations in our families. Together we came up with a unique Te Hihi community map which the children planned and made collaboratively. Each child made a whare (house) and added their families into their house. We also added other unique features of the Te Hihi community onto our maps like the Te Hihi transport, farms and much more.

Here are some pictures of Taylor's Mindfulness learning from last week. 

Kathy Ganter will be resuming music lessons with her students next week. Please remember to bring you music books.

Amber Sims will also be returning next week to resume lessons with her students.

For more information about music lessons in school please go to our school website.