Newsletter- 9 August 2021 – Pakuranga Heights School

A warm welcome to the families who have started in Room 10 over the past two weeks. Last Saturday our Jump Jam Teams represented the school at the Auckland competition. It was great to watch the enthusiasm and spirit of the children participating. A special thank you to their coach and manager Mrs. Claire Stretch. During last week our Year 3 and Year 4 girls participated in a self-defense course, the feedback from the instructor was extremely positive about the level of enthusiasm and great manners that the girls displayed.

Colds
During the past fortnight, we have had a number of children come to sickbay with severe coughing and cold symptoms. The Ministry of Health have some great advice on their website.

If you or a family member has a cold, it means you have a virus that is affecting your head and chest, including your nose, throat, sinuses and ears.

Colds usually last 1–2 weeks. However, you could get a bacterial infection after a cold, such as an ear infection or sinus infection, which may mean you are unwell for longer.

How colds are spread:
There are over 200 different viruses that can cause colds. These viruses spread through the air when someone with a cold sneezes or coughs.

You may also catch a cold by handling objects touched by someone with a cold.

You are more likely to get a cold if you:

are tired, or emotionally or physically stressed
do not have a healthy diet
are a smoker or are exposed to second-hand smoke
live or work in crowded conditions.

People tend to get fewer colds as they get older because they build up immunity to some of the viruses that can cause colds.

To help reduce the risk of spreading the cold virus please keep your child home if they are unwell.

School Zone Update
All the local schools have had an initial meeting with the Ministry of Education and were informed that the process for implementing a zone has begun.

What happens next?
The Board of Trustees reviews all the documentation and gives feedback to the Ministry.

Later this term the Ministry of Education consults with you and the wider community about the proposed zone.

Once the Ministry of Education has reviewed all the submissions, then ratified by the Board of Trustees a date will be set for the zone to come into effect. It is either going to be Term One or Term Two next year.

Keep warm and well
Fintan Kelly

PHS vs Howick Primary Rugby Challenge

Tough game with two very closely matched teams… Fun 40 minutes of rugby played in the mud.

Final Score – PHS 6, Howick 5

Interschool Cross Country
Tuesday, 17 August at Lloyd Elsmore Park from 9:30am-12:00pm.

PTA

Great news, our school Mathathon will take place on Friday 13th August!

The Mathathon is a great opportunity for your child to learn key knowledge skills required for their current stage in maths. The questions have all been levelled appropriately for your child by their classroom teacher and supports the learning they are currently doing in class. This is a great chance to make progress towards their next steps in maths.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW + KEY DATES

Monday 9th August:
All students to bring home

Notice and information on Mathathon
Sponsorship form! Now is the time to rally friends and family to sponsor your child.
Math’s knowledge sheet.

Monday 9th – Thursday 12th August:

Children are asked to learn their maths knowledge sheet in preparation for testing.

Friday 13th August:

TESTING!
ALL students will be tested to see how far they have progressed.
Students will bring home their Mathathon test to start collecting money from their sponsors.

Monday 16th – Thursday 19th August:

Return all collected money on any one of these days.
Money to be given to class teacher on one of the above dates.

This is both a learning and fundraising opportunity. This year we are raising funds for the Junior School sandpit. We hope you can support your child’s learning and fundraising efforts for our Mathathon. The winning class in each team – Juniors, Middles and Seniors will receive a pizza lunch on Friday 20th August.

For more information or questions – pta@pakurangaheights.school.nz

East Skate Club alongside Pakuranga Heights PTA is excited to be offering students at the school the chance to skate after school with the pros!

All levels of experience, equipment provided – skateboards, helmets & pads + jumps & ramps!
Girls only & mixed session available

Learn a new sport while having fun and doing exercise!

More information including dates and times to be confirmed once registrations close.

Term 2 Disco THANK YOU:
The PTA would like to give a MASSIVE thank you to all that helped make the PHS Disco a success last term!

From the parents who signed up to help, those who jumped in when needed, the teachers who were so enthusiastic after working all day! And of course Team Tony & Cindy Wu from Barfoot & Thompson for the generous donation.

It was such a great night and a huge success!

Pak Heights Primary Parent and Community Page:
Do you have a Facebook account? If so, please join the Pakuranga Heights Primary Parent

and Community Facebook page. This is an online space to connect with other families, ask

questions and share local information.

Click on the following link or search for Pak Heights Primary and Community.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1352236104787200/?ref=group_browse_new

Upcoming events