Newsletter – 28 June 2021 – Pakuranga Heights School

Lego Space is Coming

We are setting up a Lego space led by students for students. Playing with LEGO individually and in a small group can benefit children in so many incredible ways. There are a number of articles about the benefits of children playing with Lego including:

Teamwork and Social Skills.
Communication and Language skills.
Problem solving, Mathematics and Spatial Awareness.
Creativity and Experimentation.
Physical Development.
Perseverance and Management of Frustrations.
Self-Confidence.
Lowering Anxiety and Stress.

We anticipate this space will be open at break times and want to start developing this space by the end of the term. If you are able to donate any Lego it will be greatly appreciated. Please drop in at the office with your child’s name and class so we can acknowledge your donation.

Holiday Ideas

Holidays can be expensive but there are alternatives as you strive to find ways to keep your children busy and balance online time with active play. Here are a few free or cost effective activities around Auckland.

Hanging out at the beach	Rock pools, rubbish left or washed up on the beach collection
Auckland Botanic Gardens	Western Springs
Barry Curtis Park	Auckland Museum
Bike riding	Maddils Farm playground
Visit the library	The Kauri Park glow worm walks
Playground at Stonefields	Ambury Farm
St Heliers Beach playground	Exploring the tunnels at North Head
Play a game of Monopoly	Art Gallery
Shakespeare Regional Park	Arataki Visitor Centre nature trails
Shopping mall kids club and craft activities	Woodhill Mountain bike park
Bunnings have workshops for kids	Mangemangeroa Valley Walkway
Take the Ferry to Auckland Central	Explore Howick Historical Village
Howick Village Market	Walk the Musick Point Walkway

Lost Jumpers
Has your child lost their jumper- please check the lost property box by the Whanau Centre, as there are a number of jerseys waiting to be reunited with their owners.

Parent Interviews
Great to see the booking times filling up. If you have not had a chance to book, please follow the following instructions.

You can book interview times online. Simply access the online booking site via the web at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz or the live link on the school web page: www.pakurangaheights.school.nz then enter the School Event Code: u38fr Or Please ask one of our office staff to make the booking on your behalf.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing your child’s successes, progress, achievement and next steps.

School Photos
On Thursday, 1 July starting at 9:00am, PhotoLife will be at school for class, individual and sibling photos. Photos are taken in class order from junior, middle and senior classes, we do not have set times.

The sibling photos are generally taken first thing in the morning too (please check with the school office staff for further details) – if you would like your children to have a sibling photo you will need to collect a sibling photo form from the school office and complete and return to the school office before Wednesday, 30 June.

In the first few of weeks of term 3 your child will come home with a Photo Shoot Keycode card. This Keycode is a unique individual code for your child. This code is used for ordering the photos online at www.photolife.co.nz. If you do not have access to a computer our office staff will happily assist in placing an order on your behalf.

Please ensure on this day that your child is wearing the correct school uniform.

Teachers Paid Union Meeting – School Closed for Instruction – Wednesday June 30th from 1pm
We have been given formal notification in accordance with section 26 of the ERA 2000 of the intention of NZEI Te Riu Roa to hold paid union meetings for all NZEI Te Riu Roa members whose employment is covered by the Primary Teachers Collective Agreement (PTCA).

The purpose of these meetings is to confirm the focus and direction for the renegotiation of the primary teachers employment agreement as such, the meetings are a critical component of the negotiation process.

The After School Programme will be operating from 1 pm for those children enrolled.

We apologise for any inconvenience but this is a legal requirement, the majority of teachers are members of the union so will be attending this meeting.

Spare School Uniforms

We are short on spare uniforms in the office to loan out when needed to students – with the winter months ahead, usually for those that come in close contact with mud. If you have any spare shorts, long pants or tops – particularly in larger sizes (Yr 4 up), we would be grateful for any donations.

Events Coming Up this Term
30 June – School Closed for Instruction from 1 pm

1 July – School Photos

2 July – Interschool Rugby Competition Game

2 July – Reports go home

2 July – PTA Disco

2 July – Senior School Assembly – 11.45 am (earlier due to the disco)

6 & 7 July – Parent Conferences

6 July – Board of Trustees Meeting

9 July – Full School Assembly (2 pm)

9 July – Last day of Term 2

26 July – First day of Term 3

Need to Know

How many jellybeans are in the jar?

Guess correctly and the jar is yours!

Guesses are $0.50 per guess can be made via house captains in the school office Monday 21st June – Friday 2nd July | 8.30am – 8.50am.

School DISCO and MUFTI day this FRIDAY!!!

Disco entry, disco credit and mufti donations available via Kindo (9am Friday 18 June – 9am Thursday 1 July) & In Class (Friday 2 July – cash only).

Don’t forget disco entry INCLUDES a free glow stick.

Take a look at the pricing below for our food & beverage options that will be available on the day. We will be accepting PHS Disco Cashless Cards and cash ONLY.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

PHS DISCO CASHLESS CARD

What?

A cashless card to help take the hassle out of sending your child to school with cash on disco day!

Each child whose parent purchases food & drink credit online via Kindo will receive a PHS Disco Cashless Card + lanyard with their name & room number on it.

Cashless credit will be marked on the relevant card for use the night of the disco.

How?

Parents you can purchase food & drink cashless credit via Kindo online now right up until 9am, Thursday 1st July.

When?

Each card will be loaded with the relevant credit purchased in $2 increments and delivered to your child’s classroom on disco day.

Why should you purchase one of the new cashless cards?

1. Your child will get this awesome keepsake to take home with them!

2. You don’t have to worry about them losing their money during the day!

3. You can buy the credit online with a credit or debit card, no hassles of hunting around for spare change.

4. Any unused credit on the night can be used at future discos

If you have any questions or would like to know more you can email us – pta@pakurangaheights.school.nz

Upcoming events

House Captain title