#13 29th July 2021 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Te Rapa Primary School Newsletter “Truth is Trust; seek the right path” ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— bubbles Today it’s Wednesday and today my class went to the courts to play with bubbles. The bubbles were reflecting the sun. It was like a bubble parade, I think Room 6 loved it. The bubbles are a 3D shape called a sphere and they are rainbow colours. The wind was blowing the bubbles right. By Anaya by Roomby room 6 six Principal Mr Vaughan Franklin Deputy Principal Mrs Christine Troon Head of Junior School Mrs Jane Franklin Head of Senior School Mrs Paula Brinsden BOT Chairperson Mr Anthony Pearse www.terapa.school.nz bubbles bub- bub- Blow Blow Blow Blow I Blow and then I stop for if I keep on blowing Archery - North Island Youth Champs When Cameron attended school camp at Karakariki in 2020 he had an opportunity to try Archery. He enjoyed this so much he then went home and talked to his parents about the possibility of taking this up as a sport. After some research into costs and clubs etc Cameron was able to purchase his own Archery equipment and get involved in the sport. One year on and with lots of practice Camer- on attended the North Island Youth Champs held in Auckland on the 8th-9th May 2021. He won two golds and a silver. The other images seen here also show Cameron at a competition in Tauranga during the 2021 Archery season where he came in first place, and practices at his local club here in Hamilton- River Glade Archery Club. Another big achievement for Cameron was scoring a Bullseye at his home club. By Cameron (11) Room 14 - 2021 What’s happening in Term 3 Conferences PTA Meeting Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th August Wednesday 4th August ICAS Digital Technologies Hamilton West Exchange Monday 9th August Tuesday 10th August Sports Photos Waimaths Wednesday 11th August Wednesday 11th August Principal’s Column Welcome Back – for Term 3 We welcome back our established students and staff, and their families and we also extend a very warm welcome to our new students, staff and families who have joined us beginning Term 3 2021. Students – Not Returning Please contact us on 8492232 or [email protected] if you know of a student not returning for Terms 3 or 4. Long Term Plan – Term 3 Committed – TO KEEPING OUR SCHOOL FAMILIES WELL INFORMED This went home with students yesterday for the front of your fridge door. We pride ourselves in the level of communication we have with parents / carers, and this plan outlines key events for you which are scheduled for Term 3. It is part of our school’s commitment to keeping our school families well informed. It also appears on our school APP and website. Have you put our school APP on your mobile phone yet ? Key Dates 2020 Term 3 Mon. 26th July to Fri. 1st Oct. Term 4 Mon. 18th Oct. to Fri. 17th Dec. Labour Day - Oct. 25th Mon. WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT New School Term - Everyone back safe & sound Wet start to Term 3 OLYMPICS - Lots to watch and enjoy More Parents / Caregivers yet to book-in for PRODUCTION - Our Arts focus for Term 3 Conferences please Students need “Shorts for Sports” for school REMINDER – Early School Finish Next Week Conferences Evening #1 Bell sounds at 2.00pm Wednesday 4th Aug. (Wk 2 – next week) Conferences Evening #2 Bell sounds at 2.00pm Thursday 5th Aug. (Wk 2 – next week) Please Note : Children will be dismissed for the day at 2.00pm on both these 2 x afternoons CONFERENCES : Mid-Year “Student Achievement” Focus …… Leading into Terms 3 & 4 Thanks to the many parents and carers who have already ‘booked a time’ to attend a Conference with your child(ren)’s teacher next week. Te Rapa Primary applauds you, and thanks you for getting actively involved in your child’s education. Mid-Year Conferences aim to …. (1) inform and involve parents / carers more in the second half of the school year, and also (2) re-connect with our parents / carers again after the April Conferences earlier this year. We hope to work together with you to help your children / our students progress to their potential. Our school wants every student at Te Rapa to “build on” and then “maintain” their focus throughout Terms 3 & 4, and this lift in effort will come with ongoing parent / carer input. Being Positive There are many good things going on in your son’s / daughter’s life, and we need to constantly remind them of this. Avoiding negatives and / or anything that is not so good is the key. Focus on the positives, and remember we are the role models in their lives, so we must be there to support and assist them. You are the guide at home too who helps them take on more responsibility, and this approach, along with us here at school will successfully help shape our young people going forward. Reporting to Parents / Carers on Student Achievement 2021 Schools are obligated to report on student achievement 3 x times each school year, and our programming for 2021 is as follows … Term 1 Wk 2 18th February Orientation “Meet the Teacher” Evening Term 1 Wk 10 14th & 15th April Parent – Teacher Conferences #1 : 2 x Evenings – Schoolwide assessment(s) Term 3 Wk 2 4th Aug & 5th Aug Parent – Teacher Conferences #2 : 2 x Evenings – Progress statement card and next steps Term 4 Wk 9 16th December End of Year Written Report Good Attitude & Behaviour ….. must come first at Te Rapa Primary School Growing ‘Good’ Citizens Attitude and behaviour must come before good learning can take place. We need our students to take responsibility for their own actions in all settings, even when we (parents / carers and teachers) are not watching. If your son / daughter is being a ‘good person’ they will know their boundaries and they will learn to make you / us proud. Some children can however prove to be difficult at home and / or at school sometimes. Your role is really important in helping them learn how to “make good choices” and to do so frequently. They must take advantage of the Te Rapa HEART opportunities available to them. Learning to be a good citizen in the school setting and in their wider community (and in their family too) is our schools aim for your child(ren). Many doors will open if they are being a good citizen, and they will then enjoy a much wider selection of choice in their lives. I am sure you agree that we all want our children to have lots and lots of choice(s) in their future, so let’s work together now to help them ‘work at’ the really important things … which are adopting “good” attitudes and presenting “good” behaviours. The 3 x Pronged Approach Doing it together in Terms 3 & 4 (1) School + (2) Student + (3) Home = Good Progress Please remember that in the 2020’s schools cannot do it alone. We are just 1 x part which contributes to a child’s “learning”. The student themselves along with you (parents / carers) are parts #2 and #3. We need to get the student switched on to learning and fully engaged, and couple this with an effective home-school partnership. If all 3 x are moving forward together a student is able to make good progress, and if we can all do this exceptionally well together then progress (learning and behaviour) advances even more rapidly. Student Voice Student Leadership – What does it look like at Te Rapa Primary School ? Student leadership is leading by example so that others can follow and help people achieve their goals. Our school has heaps of opportunities which are really good. Lots of these opportunities include leadership like road patrol, peer mediator and the opportunity to get to go to sports camp. Te Rapa Primary makes me happy and makes me feel like I belong because all the teachers / staff are really friendly and the kids are nice too. I really enjoy attending Te Rapa because you learn heaps and make lots of friends as well. By Kynan Rm18 Student Councillor Principal’s Column Page To me, leadership is when you take charge of something head on to benefit you and others. These are the people that bring out the best in themselves to make others the best that they can be too. This skill is something that isn't in everybody, but that doesn't matter because those who have this skill can lead / teach / coach the followers. Leaders are people who show all five values displayed in Te Rapa HEART and other virtues too. At Te Rapa Primary School we are encouraged to lead, and this leadership brings out the best in everyone and produces role models in the younger kids so they can lead the way in the future. By Ryan Rm18 Student Councillor COVID- 19 Vaccinations As Principal, and as a Board of Trustees, we are aware that some schools are being questioned by people opposed to COVID-19 vaccination. Feedback from the Ministry of Education in Wellington is as follows …. These people are peddling misinformation about the vaccines and / or suggesting that Boards of Trustees should not approve the school as a place for vaccinations to take place. As the Ministry of Education have previously noted, the Government is considering the roll out of vaccinations to 12–15-year olds. We (Ministry of Education) will update you as soon as any decisions are taken.