Newsletter 3, Term 1 Wk 9

Firstly, thank you to everyone for your ongoing support through these interesting times. Unbelievably, we have nearly completed term 1 and so far, have come through relatively unscathed by interruptions to our normal routines. Over the last 9 weeks’ classroom programmes have continued to be delivered, the majority of our students are still attending school and our usual practices, such as professional development, have been undertaken. We feel very blessed that we have been so fortunate in being able to continue to operate during this time and at such a proficient level. We wish all of our families continuing good health and a well-deserved break over the holidays. A reminder that the last day of term is Wednesday 13 April as on Thursday 14,  school is closed for a Teacher Only Day and Good Friday (15 April) is a Public Holiday for Easter.

Smile of the day – a sign of the times!

BOARD NEWS

New Covid Rules

As from 11.59pm 4 April there will be some changes to rules for schools with regard to how we operate within a Covid-19 environment. Our board and staff have discussed what this might look like for our school, whilst we await Ministry of Education guidelines. We will then inform our families as to how these will be interpreted within our school setting. We expect that this will include protocols around having adults onsite and/or in classrooms, large groups such as assemblies and confirmation around mask-wearing for onsite visitors.

Rewa Rewa School Board Elections

The next triennial board elections will be held 7 September 2022. In preparation for this, our board will be holding events during term 2 so that those who are interested in putting their names forward for the 5 places on our board can find out more about this important role that supports our school community. Only 1 of our current Board members will be standing again, so please come along to find out if this is something you could do.

The first of these events will be an invitation to an information evening 6pm, Tuesday 10 May in Term 2.

Watch out for the flier coming home at the start of next term.

Casual Vacancy

In the meantime, a Casual Vacancy has arisen on the school board for an elected parent representative.

With the upcoming triennial board election in September the board has decided to fill this Casual Vacancy by selection, so that we can maintain the 5 places available for the next election.

Interested applicants for the Casual Vacancy should email their name and a short paragraph about themselves to the Board Presiding Member: naomi.godfrey@rewarewa.school.nz by 9 am Tuesday 26 April. The successful candidate will be notified in writing by Thursday 28 April.

If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the board, within 28 days of this notice being published, the board would need to hold a by-election to fill this vacancy.

Presiding Member: Naomi Godfrey, Rewa Rewa School Board, 18 Padnell Cres, Newlands                      naomi.godfrey@rewarewa.school.nz                 

Notice Published on: 30 March 2022 

Curriculum

Next week all parents will receive a document entitled Reporting to Parents 2022. This report shares our exciting new look for student reporting, which includes ideas from last year’s November community survey. We believe that these new initiatives will strengthen how we report to parents about their child’s progress and achievement.

Next term we will have Harold and the Life Education Trust at school in week 1. Harold will be continuing to build on our healthy mind / healthy body focus. In week 3 the Yr 3 – 6 classes will be undertaking lessons with the ASB financial team, who will engage students in investigating how money works in their world.

Thank you to those who joined our recent 2^nd curriculum hui this term –  Te Ao Maori @ Rewa Rewa school. A huge thank you to Charlotte Hills and our kaumatua, Todd Wano, for organising this event. We were very excited to share ideas for developing artwork on our school hall, as well as our new connection with Kura Ahurea, who will be guiding us as we introduce our local history through stories and waiata. If you missed this hui you can find a link to the recorded session on our school’s Facebook page.

FAREWELLS AND ARRIVALS

We say farewell to Karen, one of our long term teacher aides at Rewa Rewa School. Thank you for all that you have done to support the students in our classes – we wish you well! In term 2, we will welcome Olivia and James to our teacher aide team.

Parent Home & School group

For those who would like to join this group we invite you to email naomi.godfrey@rewarewa.school.nz. In the past, this group has actively supported our school community through fundraising, sausage sizzles, triathlons, raffles etc. Money raised has helped us to purchase school sports uniforms, shade sails, PE equipment and subsidise camp fees.

School Environment

At the start of the year parents from across the school indicated that you would be able to help with gardening around the school. Current tasks waiting to be undertaken include:

• Removing weeds from the Junior Playground garden
• Removing weeds from the crib wall alongside the swimming pool

If you are able to volunteer your time, please email office@rewarewa.school.nz so that we can arrange a time for you to do this. 

Wanted – My Food Bag Wool Insulation

Lynnda Bouzaid would love donations of the wool insulation from My Food Bag orders to use as mulch in the school gardens.  Any donations can be brought to the School Office.

Local Newlands Schools Cluster Event

Next term our local intermediate and primary schools will be uniting to share knowledge and skills at a Teacher Only Day to be held on Friday 3 June (attached to Queens Birthday weekend). Our teachers and teacher aides are all looking forward to attending this event where we can learn about the amazing things that are happening in each of our schools.

Scholastic Book Club

Orders are currently delayed due to Covid-19.  Your order will be distributed as soon as possible. Please allow at least 1 more week before following up on orders via scholastic.orders@rewarewa.school.nz.

We welcome Ava and Ishika, along with their families, to Rewa Rewa School.  We hope you enjoy learning with us!

Term 1

Wed 02 February – Thursday 14 April

Mon 07 February – Waitangi Day Statutory Holiday Observed, School Closed

Thu 14 April—Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Fri 15 April—Good Friday, School Closed

Term 2

Monday 02 May – Friday 08 July

Fri 03 June—Newlands Cluster Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Mon 06 June—Queen’s Birthday, School Closed

Tue 07 June – Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Fri 24 June—Matariki, School Closed

Term 3

Monday 25 July – Friday 30 September

Term 4

Monday 17 October – Thursday 15 December (School closes at 1pm)

Mon 24 October—Labour Day, School Closed