13 February 2020 - Pyes Pa School

13 February 2020
         OFFICE HOURS – 8:30am to 3:30pm                           Term Dates 2020
           Catherine Fitzpatrick: Mon-Tues-Wed                         Mon 3 Feb – Thu 9 Apr
               Deirdre Sadd: Mon-Thurs-Fri                              Tue 28 Apr – Fri 3 Jul
View this newsletter on our website: www.pyespa.school.nz             Mon 20 Jul – Fri 25 Sept
                                                                      Mon 12 Oct – Tue 15 Dec

       Want to pay by Automatic Payment?                      Account Name: Pyes Pa Road School
  Our Account is with Westpac and the details are:             Account No: 03 1549 0008987 00

                              Absentee Texts 027 641 2046

    Tēnā Koutou, parents, families and whanau,
    Nau mai hoki mai ki te wāhanga tuatahi mō te tau rua mano rua tekau

    Welcome back to 2020, and an extremely warm welcome to those students and families
    new to our school and those new to Tauranga. I have enjoyed sharing stories with our
    students regarding their individual holidays and am sure that regardless of whether you
    travelled or stayed home that you were able to make the most of the spectacular run of
    weather we had. I have been very impressed with the start our students and staff have
    made. It is great to see the enthusiasm of teachers transpiring into engagement of learning
    in the classroom.

    Sue Walmsley:
    You would have received a newsletter yesterday detailing the organisation and
    arrangements for School in light of the plans for Sue’s funeral at 1pm on Monday. Please
    also be aware of the shift in the timing for assembly to 9.15am on Friday, and that there will
    be a small tribute to Sue at this assembly.

    At this stage, I would like to reiterate some of the points made by the Ministry of Education
    that children experience grief differently and the outward responses can be very different for
    each child. Teachers were supported in how to manage this in their classrooms in addition
    to age appropriate responses and resources for their students. Most importantly, they
    expressed for people to openly model appropriate grief responses and be kind to yourselves.
    They also encouraged seeking help if you are at all worried that you or your children need
    help to cope when the situation seems to be overwhelming; this help is best accessed
    through your family GP and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

    Once again our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Sue, thank you for
    the support of our staff, students and community.

Staffing:
The New Year signals many new beginnings, in particular we are excited about the additions
to our teaching team. We welcome:

Miss Anne-Marie Mowat - Room 2 Teacher
Miss Amber Hyde - Room 11 Teacher and Middle School Team Leader
Mrs Emily McLaughlin - Room 8 Teacher (Monday/Tuesday)

Some of these teachers have been with us previously and now join us in full time roles until
the end of the year. Each brings diversity to our school and enhances our teaching team
with their individual strengths.

Summer Weather:
A reminder with heat being such a factor at present in our community for students to ensure
they have a named water bottle, sunhat and sunscreen. Each class is equipped with sun
block and I encourage you to talk with your child/ren and encourage them to reapply
throughout the day.

Meet The Teacher:
‘Meet the Teacher’ evening will begin in our school hall on Thursday 20 February 2020 at
5pm, from there you will have an opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher in their
learning environment. We would like to see as many parents and caregivers as possible.

Once again we thank you for your understanding and consideration on this date change.

Playground:
We are eagerly anticipating the opening of our new playground. It is progressing well and
we are working on the availability of sponsors and organisations that assisted with funding
for an opening ceremony on Monday the 24th of February. This will involve all students and
a short ribbon cutting ceremony.

School Road Frontage:
Work continues on our road frontage for increased parking and a much safer pick up/drop
off (PUDO) zone where drivers will remain in their vehicle with the ignition running. We are
currently encouraging a staggered pick up time of 3.10pm – 3.15pm as a safer alternative
which will eliminate the congestion. We look forward to all the work being finished in the
coming month. In the interim, we appreciate the courtesy and patience that people continue
to display.

Thank you to those people who have taken the time to share your positive
experiences regarding your child’s new teacher to start the year. Personally, I am
excited by the year ahead and look forward to working alongside you and your students to
achieve your dreams. Best wishes for an extremely prosperous 2020.

Kia pai mō te tau nei

Blake Carlin
PRINCIPAL

Dates and Information to Remember
                     Friday 14 February – Assembly 9.15am

            Thursday 20 February – Meet the Teacher 5.00pm-6.30pm

            Thursday 27 February – Board of Trustees Meeting 7.00pm

                     Friday 28 February – Assembly 2.10pm

         Friday 6 March – Whole School Swimming Sports Memorial Pools

                      Friday 13 March – Assembly 2.10pm

                   Thursday 19 March – Photolife Class Photos

                               2020 Term Dates
Term 1
Monday 3rd February – Thursday 9th April
*Waitangi Day - Thursday 6th February (school closed)
*Good Friday 10th April (during holidays)
*Easter Monday 13th April (during holidays)
*Anzac Day – Monday 27th April (during holidays)
Term 2
Tuesday 28th April – Friday 3rd July
*Queen’s Birthday Monday 1st June (school closed)
Term 3
Monday 20th July – Friday 25th September
Term 4
Monday 12th October – Tuesday 15th December
*Labour Day Monday 26th October (school closed)

Piano Lessons available at school on Thursdays by a Registered Piano Teacher.

     Please contact Robyn Buxton 027 497 2100 to get more information.

FUSE Drumming enrolments for Term 1 are open for students in Year 2-6 (limited spaces
available). Cost $128.50 per term, includes full access to videos and all equipment provided.

Classes held at school on Monday afternoons. For more information:

https://fusedrumming.co.nz/nz-school-groups/ or email tanya@fusedrumming.co.nz

Please find attached information about our annual Pahoia School Triathlon
               https://fundraise9.wixsite.com/pahoiatriathlon