At Kihikihi School we firmly believe in fostering a strong partnership between the school and our students' families, as we recognise the incredible impact it has on their overall educational journey.

We have a range of events and activities coming up that are designed to bring our community together, celebrate achievements, and create lasting memories. By participating in these events, families can actively contribute to the vibrant atmosphere that defines our school.

What ever you choose to join us with this year, please know that your presence makes a difference. Your active involvement not only strengthens the bonds within our school community but also sends a powerful message to our tamariki - one that emphasizes the importance of education, teamwork, and shared experiences.

Additionally, volunteering opportunities are available throughout the year, providing an excellent way for families to engage directly with the school. By offering your time and skills, you can make a significant impact on our students' lives and contribute to their personal growth. This is currently happening in our Garden to Table programme where we need volunteers every week and our tamariki have better experiences as a result.  If you have a couple of hours spare on a Friday morning, let us know which Friday you can make it and we can add your name.

We understand that everyone's schedule is unique and sometimes it can be challenging to find the time to attend every event. However, we encourage you to explore the wide array of options available and choose the activities that resonate most with your family. Every contribution, big or small, is valued and greatly appreciated.

As we embark on this exciting journey together, let us work hand in hand to create a thriving and inclusive community that supports the success and well-being of every student. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and sharing many memorable moments throughout the year.

Attendance Update
Our current attendance rates of regular attendance is sitting at 78.33%. This is not too bad for this time of year when we are experiencing lots more students being unwell. What is concerning is the percentage of unjustified absence which currently sits at 13.7%. Unjustified means that no one has let us know why their child is away from school or they have provided a reason which is not reasonable i.e. we are just heading away for the day to visit someone. 

Please let us know if your child will be absent from school.  There are a number of ways in which you can do this:

Heath and Wellbeing
Being sick is a justified reason to be absent from school but we need to know as there are many things that are easily caught or spread to others. If we are informed of the specific illness, we can manage our spaces safely to reduce the possible spread of infection.  Please ensure that if your child is sick, they are taken to the doctors (Clinic every Wednesday morning at school) as we have had a number of children with the following  - hand foot and mouth, strep throat, gastro, common colds, flu symptoms, and a couple of covid cases.
Your child also needs time to recover from their illness, please only send them to school when they are ready for learning and are fully well enough to do so.

Teacher only day
Please remember that we have a teacher only day coming up.  The Te Awamutu schools are hosting a combined teacher only day across the district (to reduce the disruption to families by having all different days) on Friday 16 June. This is also the same day as Field Days Friday which can often mean there is a lot of traffic on the roads that day. This teacher only day is a full day for staff to participate in professional development at the high school site. It will be a great chance for all schools in the area to be developing together all on the same day.

On Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th May each class will have the opportunity to experience and learn with ‘Fire and Flow’. During each class lesson, the students will learn 8 basic movements, 3 combination movements, and 2 group games. There is no contact involved or fire. 

While there is no fire used for these practice lessons, our tutors will host a fire performance at lunchtimes for staff and students. There are safety precautions in place at all times and there will be plenty of distance provided. All performers are highly skilled and trained. 

 

Te Ahi Ora are a performing group that will focus on movement and physical activity using equipment such as long sticks/shafts. 

Te Ahi Ora has 5 main goals: 

All tamariki will have the learning opportunity as part of our movement and dance curriculum to participate in the school lessons. 

The Free evening performance for whaanau will be for those who wish to participate. Further information is available in this newsletter and will also be sent out separately. 

We invite you and your tamariki to join us on Tuesday 30 May for a whānau evening with Te Ahi Ora from 4:30-6:30pm in our school hall initially and then outside on the field (weather permitting). 

Te Ahi Ora is a performance group that will be working with our students during the day teaching them various skills to do with movement and coordination using equipment (non-fire). The evening performance is voluntary to attend and is Free. All students and their parents who want to participate will be allowed to opt in to using fire. (All safety precautions will be strictly adhered to by Te Ahi Ora).

We have attached a copy of their information sheet specific for our kura which provides further information in detail and also provides their contact details. Check out their website as well for some awesome photos and information. 

https://teahiora.co.nz/ 

There will also be a BAKE SALE at 4pm on the same day - bring your spare change with you and pick up some delicious baking to go with your cup of tea. We’ll have cake raffles and a range of cookies, slices and cakes for purchase. The proceeds will go towards the school’s ‘Garden To Table’ programme.

Please contact us if you have any questions. 

We would like to invite you to bake something yummy for our fundraising BAKE SALE on Tuesday 30 May at 4pm.

We have 254x254x125mm boxes available for your baked item to sit in, let the office know if you want one.  Otherwise, please bring/send your contribution to the office on Tuesday 30 May.

We have a couple of prizes for the best decorated cakes:

So bring out your inner creative e te whānau!

All proceeds will go towards our 'Garden to Table' programme.

Please see the details below of our Maungatautari Trip which has been rescheduled from Term 1.  We will require parent helpers, so please email or talk to your child’s class teacher if you are able to be a parent helper on the day.   Please be aware that this is an open outdoor education experience and because of this safety is paramount, if your child may find it difficult to manage themselves in this environment we may require you to come as a helper to support your child.  We need to ensure that all of our akonga are able to display our school values to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable day and achieve the learning outcomes, if this is not possible for some of our akonga they may have to remain at school.  We are looking forward to this trip to consolidate learning we have been doing in class and strengthen our connections with our local area. 

TRIP DETAILS
Who: Rooms 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8
When: Tuesday 6 June  2023, departing school at 9.30am and returning to school at 2.30pm
Where: Maungatautari Ecological Reserve, 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua
What: Please ensure your child has lunch and a drink bottle (water only) on the day.  School uniform, a rain jacket  and shoes appropriate for walking in.
Why: Learning about Kihikihi School connections to the local Maunga.

Ngā mihi,

Doug Jenkins, Sharon Drabble, Tracy Gasnier, Sandra Curnow, Lorrayne Nowland, Julieanne Bull 

After a term of exploring the trajectory schema present in Akomanga Pīwakawaka, we went on a trip to extend our learning around this. 

Bowling in Hamilton got us to test ramps on a bigger scale and to wonder how the bowling ball still moves along a flat surface. 

ClimbZone had us testing our skills, confidence and boundaries when going vertical.

We all found success, whether making contact with the pins in bowling or mastering a new level in climbing, and we can’t wait to see where these experiences take us next in our learning. 

This programme aims to provide access to free period products for children and young people in all state and state-integrated schools and kura across New Zealand.

Students can obtain these products from the school by asking a trusted adult at school - this might be a teacher, office staff, Social Worker in School or School Counsellor.  The products are stored in the office area.  We can discreetly provide students with all the product they need for their cycle for school and at home.

Dear whānau, 

We are supporting Stats NZ to encourage everyone to complete the 2023 Census.  

So, this is a reminder that you need to return your census forms if you have not done so already.  

 
Census data is used to make important decisions that affect us all. The census is the official count of people living in Aotearoa New Zealand, and everyone who was
 in the country on Census Day, 7 March 2023, is required by law to complete a census form.  

 

Your participation will help ensure that our community receives funding for services for the number of people that live in our community. That includes education, health,
 and social services. 

 

To complete the census, you can do it online at www.census.govt.nz using one of the access codes provided in the letters sent to your household. Or you can fill out paper census forms if you have them. To request a new access code or paper forms, freephone 0800 236 787 (0800 CENSUS) or order online at www.census.govt.nz. 

 

The 2023 Census closes on 30 June, so you should do them online now or as soon as practicable. Ensure your paper forms are posted so they arrive with Stats NZ by 30 June. 

 

Census collectors are no longer visiting households providing help to complete census forms (except in the cyclone-impacted areas of the Far North, Te Tairāwhiti, and Hawke’s Bay). If you need assistance or more information: