Friday 25 October 2024

Tēnā Koutou Katoa

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend. Labour Day means there is no school on Monday. Most of our tamariki are remembering to bring their hats to school and wear them when outside. If tamariki forget their hats they will be directed to a designated shaded area. Tamariki who repeatedly forget to bring a hat to school or wear their hat outside will have to be removed from the playground. Whānau, can you ensure your children are being sunsmart. 

Short survey: 
As a school, we value the input of whānau around the future direction of our school. This short survey is designed to gather further parent feedback. Once over 200 surveys have been completed, all tamariki will receive an ice block from Mr Elder. Last year, we had nearly 240 whānau complete the survey. At the time of writing this message we have had 85 completed surveys. 

Click here to complete the survey. 

Production Reminders:
Our Year 7 and 8 Production is Moana Junior.  Everyone has been super busy.  We are excited for you to come and watch.

Performances are on the following days; Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 6.30pm, Thursday 7 November 2024 at 1pm and Thursday 7 November 2024 at 6.30pm.  Please be seated early as the shows start promptly.

Tickets are $8.00 each, with a maximum of 4 tickets per family until 30 October, after this date we will open up sales to everyone to purchase as  many as they require.  Ge in quickly to guarantee your seats.

There is a waiting list for people that may require extra. You will be notified if any extras become available.
Note:- Your programme is your ticket,  please  bring it with you.

Staff Updates for 2025:
At the end of this year, Mrs Karen McDonald will be leaving SPS to take up a new position at St Joseph’s Stratford. On behalf of everyone in the community, I would like to thank Karen for over tens years of dedicated service to our tamariki.  Miss Portia Richmond will also be leaving us. We wish Portia well for her future. 

Miss Greer McQuay and Mrs Phai Carr will be on maternity leave in 2025. We look forward to meeting their new babies in early 2025. Miss Lauren Giddy will also be on Study Leave in 2025. Ms Bronwyn Bazeley will also be coming out of the classroom. She will be supporting teacher release around the school. 

Next year, we will be introducing a new and exciting PE and Health Programme. This will be run by Mr Chad Jacob who will come out of the classroom to lead the programme. Mrs Kim Chadwick will lead the Year 5-6 Team. Mrs Sheenagh Fairclough will continue her specialist role, which will include Te Reo Māori and History. She will also start a new Science Programme, using the House of Science Kits. Both Specialist Teachers will be utilised when teachers have their planning and assessment release.

We have several new teachers joining the SPS Team. Mrs Jo Patterson returns to SPS. She brings a wealth of experience and community connection to our school. Miss Tori Goble is an experienced teacher who is currently teaching at Tikorangi School. She will be leading the Year 3-4 Team. Miss Nicole Bellringer and Miss Jayla Berge will also be starting in 2025. In addition, we also have Miss Angela Chubb and Miss Lydia Barber both are former students of SPS. Angela is currently working in a New Plymouth School, while Lydia has been with the team since the start of Term 3. 

We are still in the process of finalising teacher placements for 2025. Once confirmed, we will share the 2025 SPS Team with the Community. As our roll has grown, so has our ability to employ more teachers for classrooms and specialist roles. 

# Year 7-8 Camp to Forest Lakes in 2025:  We are holding Parent Meetings to go over the expectations for next year’s camps. Parents need to attend to be considered as a Parent Volunteer. Parents can choose which meeting to attend. Tuesday 29 October and 5 November: Time: 8.30am, 3pm or 5.30pm Where: Staffroom.

# Gumboot Friday – Gold Coin Donation: Next Friday we will be supporting Gumboot Friday. Fundraising will go towards supporting this organisation who support people with mental health challenges. The Ākonga Council will share more details early next week. 

Week 3, Term 4: Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November
# Monday 28 October: No school – Labour Day
# Tuesday 29 October: Pre-Camp Meetings for Parents. 
# Wednesday 30 October: Swimming (Yr 5-8); Puanga – Teina Roopu. 
# Thursday 31 October: Swimming (Yr 1-4); Puanga – Tuakana Roopu.
# Friday 1 November: Assembly at 9.15am (All whānau are welcome to attend); Gumboot Friday. 

Important Links:
Touch at SPS
Food in School: KDJ Menu
Staff contact emails
Enrolment for Out of Zone Students
Notices/Team Newsletters/School Bank Details/How to use the School App
School Newsletters
# School 0800 Number: 0800-000-352

Ngā Mihi

Jason Elder
Principal
Stratford Primary School