Week 11 Term 1 2025

Tēnā koutou e te whānau, ngā mihi o te wā Ngāhuru ki a koutou. Autumn is definitely upon us, with the beautiful tree top colours appearing, the leaves slowly falling and the darker and slightly cooler mornings. Daylight saving has come to an end which means we will all be finding a new rhythm to our daily routines with the shorter days and longer nights. 

It’s unbelievable to think this is our FINAL newsletter for Term 1. Let’s take a moment to look back at what we’ve achieved, celebrated and done this year so far…





 

KAHURĀNAKI MAUNGA

Kahuranāki maunga (mountain) sits heavily within our Ngā Ara Mātauranga (Place based curriculum) and Kaitiakitangi (guardianship) is one of our school values. We have a historical and very significant opportunity for our tamariki and whānau to act now and give back to our whenua here in Heretaunga. 

We are holding a mufti day (wear your brightest clothes), selling sausage sizzle & juices for lunch on Tuesday 8th April for whānau to order and join us for lunch as well. 

All money raised will go towards the “He Maunga Ka Taea - Let’s get our Maunga back” fund that is iwi and hapū led organised by Kelly-Aroha Huata.

Please support our kaupapa in helping to get our maunga back!

STAFF ONLY DAY

Last Friday the staff were involved in professional development based on Writing. The Kaiako (Teachers) and Kaiawhina (Learning Assistants) spent the day further developing their knowledge in teaching and supporting your tamariki within written language.

MESSAGE FROM NURSE WENDY

Please ensure ALL UNIFORM IS NAMED CORRECTLY.

If you are aware that we are still waiting on forms to be signed or any other documentation such as birth certificates and immunisations, please get these to the office ASAP. We are still waiting on some forms from 2023/2024! Any borrowed uniform also needs to be returned.

Please remember to send a water bottle and a piece of fruit for brainfood with your child/ren’s every single day.

IF your child/ren’s are unwell, please keep them home and let the office know either by text: 027-351-9488 or leaving a message on the absentee answer phone: 878-8757, press 1 to leave a message. PLEASE do this before 8.50am.

Covid is still in the community so please test your tamariki if they are unwell.

Attendance

Every minute of the school day is important to your child's learning and more importantly to their relationships with their kaiako and classmates. Therefore it is important we work together to ensure our tamariki are at school every day. 

If your child is sick or is going to be away from school, please contact the school office 8788 757.

SCHOOL and HOUSE LEADERS ~ NGA RANGATIRA

This term our School and House Leaders have been very busy engaging in many kaupapa. They have had two great days together working up Te Mata o Rongokako and at Houngarea Marae with Mr Pearse and Whaea Tania focussing on “What it looks like to be an effective Leader” They have been working hard in the background on an exciting end of Term event for the whole school.​​​​​​​

MITRE 10 TOUGH KIDS

This year we set out to send two hundred students to this awesome event. We were two short! This is a non competitive activity where tamariki challenge themselves to complete a challenging and fun course full of different obstacles. We are so proud that so many children were keen to give it a go. Thank you to our wonderful parents who were free and able to support us to walk to and from the venue. Check out the video on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064250040625


EASTER RAFFLE

Could we please have all Easter raffle cards returned to the office by 9am tomorrow, Tuesday 8th April.

The draw will be taking place on Wednesday 9th April. All winners will be contacted on Wednesday to arrange collection.

Ngā mihi for your continued support of our kura.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN HERETAUNGA ARARAU THIS TERM…

Nau mai, haere mai…come and meet the best little team in the kura! Heretaunga Ararau is made of our youngest tamariki and we have so much fun learning through play and building brand new friendships to begin our schooling years. Already we have had many adventures. We have visited Te Mata o Rongokako, created masterpieces in our class, celebrated learning all our letter sounds with Milo the Monkey and been amazing sponges as we learn what school is about, where we belong at kura and so many more.

Important Upcoming Dates

End of Term 1: Friday 11th April

Term 2 Starts: Monday 28th April

Staff Only Day: Friday 30th May

King’s Birthday: Monday 2nd June

Matariki Public Holiday: 20th June