Changing the world one child at a time
Welcome to
Kawerau Pūtauaki School
Changing the world one child at a time
Latest Notifications
2023 Term 1 Week 8
Fri Mar 24 02:50pm
April School Holiday Programme at the Kawerau District Council
Wed Mar 22 12:58pm
Newsletter Term 1 Week 7
Fri Mar 17 02:57pmKia ora whanau
We started the week with 11 of our students taking part in the Kawerau Interschool swimming competition. All of our swimmers swam really well and represented our school with great attitudes. This year’s competition was the smallest it has ever been. Swimming ability, especially of the strokes, has been on a steady decline over the years. It is so important that our children know how to swim. We do our best at school but without a school pool we have limited opportunity to teach the strokes. Children who take part in swimming lessons or swim clubs are at an advantage when it comes to swimming sports.
Yesterday’s strike was nationwide as you would have seen on the news. Although part of the strike was for better pay it was for so much more. Teachers love what they do but a lack of funding means that they don’t have the support they need to make sure every child has access to quality education.
The model used to determine staffing levels has been in place for 25 years. The urgent need for fundamental changes was highlighted in the 2021 Pūaotanga report. The Wāwāhi Tahā campaign calls on the Ministry of Education to implement these changes and to take bold action to ensure that all children have the education they deserve. (NZEI 2023)
Impetigo (School sores)
We are noticing a number of students who are coming to schools with sores that look to be school sores. The Ministry of Health states that students who have Impetigo must stay home until they have been to the doctor/public health nurse and started treatment (antibiotics) and can only return to school after treatment with sores covered.
School sores are highly contagious. Ways you can avoid your child catching it;
Check and clean wounds daily.
Keep fingernails short.
Wash your hands regularly
Go to the doctor if you suspect sores are turning.
As we all know it can be very hard to get into the doctor. If you are unable to get in to your doctor, you can call Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Rheumatic fever/cellulitis team on (07) 323 8027.
No vans next week as both vans will be at camp all week.
Senior Camps
Next week two of our senior camps will be going to The Lions Hut in Te Urewera. The students will be taking part in bush and water studies, bush walks, swimming in the river, team building activities and all the other fun that happens on camp. We know the students and adults will have a great time and will return to school knowing so much more about each other.
Senior camp firewood Raffle
The raffle was drawn today by Whaea Rachel and witnessed by Whaea Marcelle and Matua Jeff.
The Winner was number 104 – Raili Bellas. CONGRATULATIONS!
Top School
On Sunday we have a team of year 5/6 students competing at the annual Top School event held at Awakeri School. Good luck to those in the team. A huge thank you to Whaea Layla and Whaea Christina for coaching and managing the team.
Coming up next week
Senior Camps
Nga Puawai – Monday to Wednesday. Nga Hua Ngaruru Wednesday to Friday.
Whakatane Rip
Next week only our year 1 and 2 students will be playing Rip due to senior camps.
Important information for next week
Wed Mar 15 02:30pm
Urgent Strike Information
Fri Mar 10 05:48pmKia ora e te Whānau
As you will be aware through the media, the Teacher/Principal Strike will be going ahead on Thursday 16th March. This means our school will be closed, as we can not staff the school safely. Please make alternative arrangements for your child/ren for Thursday 16 March. If you are an essential worker or really can’t find anyone to look after your kids, we do have some staff available for supervision. Please contact the office by Wednesday 4pm if you need this.
Why strike?
We need to attract and retain high quality educators by ensuring that teaching is a valued and attractive profession. Principals and teachers in primary and area schools (along with our secondary colleagues) have considered at length the offers from the government to settle the respective collective agreements.
The offers presented did not meet the expectations, nor make sufficient steps towards the changes we need for our children to succeed. Therefore the vote to take industrial action has been made. It was not made lightly. Together with your support, building a case for better investment in our students is the priority.
You can choose to wear black on Thursday 16th March to support teachers and principals.
Nga mihi
Lynsey Chase and Sandra Collins-Reiger
Co-Presiding Members
Board of Trustees
Newsletter Term 1 Week 6
Fri Mar 10 02:51pmKia ora whanau
On Monday we met our new Mandarin Language teacher Zhang Shuang. She will be teaching our year 5/6 students every wednesday for half an hour. Mandarin is the fastest growing language in the world. This is a great opportunity to expose our students to other cultures and languages. Shuang will be teaching in all Kawerau Schools this year.
Wednesday the school was alive with wheels of all shapes and sizes. We had 124 students bring bikes, scooters, skateboards and skates. It was amazing to see so many students wearing their helmets. We will continue to focus on students riding to and from school wearing helmets. We would really appreciate your support on this.
Pyjama day
Thank you for your support and koha to kids can cyclone relief. We collected $151! This will be sent straight to Kids Can.
Whakatāne Rip
On Wednesday we had 3 teams competing in the Whakatāne Rip module. This module is all about fun and participation. Great to see over 500 students from the EBOP taking part in Rip.
Senior Camp
Reminder to please get your permission slips and raffle ticket money into the office asap. If you have any questions or concerns please come and see us. It can be a nervous time for both students and parents for their first camps.
Coming up next week
Kawerau Netball
Will be starting week 2 term 2. To help us get ready for the season we need to get notices back in.
We are still looking for coaches and/or managers for teams.
Interschool Swimming
On Monday we have 11 students competing in the Kawerau Interschool Swimming. Congratulations to the following students. Kaihautu Thomas, Rawiri Nicholson, Caley Pohatu-Ruha, Marlie-Lamar Koperu-Nicholson, Manu Peters, Barley Karekare, Aurelia Mustoe, Rongomai Nathan, Belyce Butcher, Jagga Tipene, Hiriweteri Kaipara.
Primary Teachers Strike Action – Thursday 16th
A pānui has been sent home regarding this.
It will also be posted on Facebook, or click the button below.
Week 5 has ended – here is your newsletter.
Fri Mar 03 03:44pm
There is a lot happening at school next week – find out in the newsletter what is happening!
Fri Feb 24 03:53pm
URGENT MESSAGE
Mon Feb 20 07:35am
We have 6 out of our 10 classroom teachers away today due to sickness and tangi of close family members. Even with the relievers we have been able to get, we are unable to safely staff the school today.
If you are able, can you please keep your child at home. School is open and if it is too hard to arrange care with this short amount of notice, send them to school. All the remaining staff will there to provide supervision and learning programmes.
I am so sorry for this whanau, I know it is an absolute hoha! We really appreciate your understanding and support.
Here is the newsletter for Week 3. Happy reading!
Fri Feb 17 03:05pm
Here is the newsletter for this week. See you all Tuesday for week 2!
Fri Feb 03 04:00pm
School is back next week!! Enjoy the long weekend … here’s some information to get you ready for the new school year …..
Fri Jan 27 03:11pm
