Newsletter Week 1, Term 1 – 2023

Newsletter Week 1, Term 1

Principals Message
Kia ora Tahuna School parents and whanau,
Welcome to our first newsletter of the 2023 school year!

We hope you all enjoyed time spent with family and friends over the wet summer time! Our children are settling into their learning routines quickly and re-connecting with their friends. We would like to welcome our new children and their families to Tahuna School. Our new children are Tia, Megan, Melvin, Ayla and Lucas. 

Our aspirations for all of our children are through our School Vision ‘Learners for Life’ and Our mission is ‘To develop dynamic learners who make a positive contribution to our community.’ Our vision and mission is underpinned by our ICARE Values of Integrity, Challenge, Ambition, Respect, and Encourage.

Introducing Our Proud Tahuna Team
Principal – Mr Phillip Otto
Endeavour and Deputy Principal – Mrs Alana Simmonds
Endurance – Miss Phoebe I’Anson
Maungaturoto – Mr Eric Karshagen
Adventure – Miss Jessica Brownlee
Discovery – Miss Leasa Craw
Learning Assistant – Mrs Sheree Austin
Learning Assistant – Mrs Kimberley Slooten
Office Administrator – Miss Emma White
Van Driver – Martin Foster
Cleaner – Cecilia Banuelos

Our new ICARE Pathway (Localised Curriculum)
To support Implementing consistent school-wide processes that support students to be aware of their achievement & learning we have developed the Tahuna learner ICARE Pathway. Our priorities for our learners are relationships, learning and culture and in conjunction with our ICARE values. The pathway tracks progress that each learner is making and can then be monitored and learning practices modified appropriately. In this way, further progress is ensured and sustained so that learners are able to take responsibility for their own learning; the foundations for further and ongoing learning ‘Learners for Life’

ICARE Values Cards
Our values focus for Term 1 is ‘Challenge’. To us this important value means – try new things and not/never give up.

Already this week we would like to share some examples of our children displaying our school values:

Eden (Integrity) being helpful and kind
Liam (Integrity) helped Arlo when he fell and hurt his ankle
Eva (Integrity) helping Lottie find a friend
Indie (Encourage) encouraging her friends to do things on the monkey bars
Eddie (Challenge and Respect) having amazing manners and entering Discovery Class ready to take on any challenge
Jack (Challenge and Respect) having amazing manners and entering Discovery class ready to take on any challenge
Lakaia (Ambition) working together, collaborating and sharing her ideas
Sophie (Ambition) working together, collaborating and sharing her ideas
Mason (Challenge) for always being a courageous learner
Emerson (Ambition) returning to school with a quiet ambition to complete her work efficiently and to a high standard
Eva (Ambition) striving to achieve in all areas of the curriculum
Quinn (Challenge) being courageous in his learning, always trying his best to extend his knowledge and be the best he can be
Decovan (Challenge) coming back to school with a super positive attitude and a desire to learn
Tia (Challenge) being so courageous, starting a new school. Tia it’s so good to have you in my class again!

Meet the Teacher Evening
On Monday the 13th February we are having a meet the teacher evening. This will be a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and hear about their learning programmes and expectations for this year. It will be an opportunity to ask questions. We look forward to seeing you there. The junior classes start at 5pm – Endeavour, Endurance and Maungaturoto (middle) Adventure and Discovery at 5.30pm.

Swimming
Swimming is an important focus in Term 1 and our classrooms will swim everyday. Our children will be developing both their swimming and water safety skills. Therefore it is important all our children bring their togs and a towel to participate in their class swimming lessons. Please ensure that the children have their togs and towel each day (named) regardless of the weather. If your child is unable to swim please notify your child’s teacher.

Property update – Court Shade Cover
The major project funding has been allocated to go towards our Court Cover Shelter. The date set by Pacific Membrane for foundations to start is the 27th February. This will be an awesome addition to our school facilities for many years to come. When the first stage is complete the court will be 2/5 covered. 

Ngaa mihi
Phillip and staff