Pukeokahu School

Marama’s eMail: principal@pukeokahu.school.nz

Office eMail: office@pukeokahu.school.nz

School Phone Number: 388 0529

May 21st – 23rd 40hour Famine

May 22nd – Waimarino Pony Club Horse Trek

May 24th – Pow Wow Evening

May 26th: BOT Meeting @ 7pm

June 5th-7th: Queen’s Birthday Weekend

Hi Everybody!  I am writing this newsletter in Palmerston North at the Sole Charge Principals Conference.  It has been a wonderful past few days here with Sharee from Taroa and Jan from Papanui Junction.  Did you know that over 60% of New Zealand schools have less than five teachers.

The kids at Pukeokahu School have been very busy this week with our awesome new sandpit filled in (you can see the movie on the website) and their Winiata Marae visit today (I’m quite sad I can’t be there with them today).  The kid’s visit to Winiata Marae is part of the Matariki Celebration or Traditional Maori New Year.  I hope you all had a wonderful day guys, and I can’t wait to hear all about it on Monday.

Matariki is the traditional Maori New Year and is celebrated in conjunction with the appearance of a particular group of stars known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters.

Traditionally, Matariki is when new seasons crops would be planted. The brighter the stars indicated the warmer the season would be and thus a more productive crop. It was also seen as an important time for family to gather and reflect on the past and the future.

We at Pukeokahu School have been studying an amazing artist named Tiffany Matthews.  The children have each created a couple of awesome pieces in her style.  When they were finished I popped them on our website and then, out of courtesy, left a message on Tiffany Matthews site to say thank you for her ideas.  And you know what?  The next morning Tiffany Matthews herself had looked at the kids art and left a comment for us!  That’s sooo cool, I am not going to tell you what she said, you guys can visit our site and see for yourself!  And don’t forget to leave a comment!

Sandra Spiers will come out and take anyone who is interested in a First Aid Course.  If you have done a course and it is less than two years and three months old you can do a refresher which will keep it current.  She is very flexible to when she can come out.  If you are interested, please ring Maryanne 388 0327.

A one day trek over Puke Hill – Pukeokaka.  Raising Funds for the Waimarino Pony Club.  For further information please ring Sue or Kendra 388 1430 or email k.s.pye@xtra.co.nz

All are invited here at the school from 7pm onwards.  Our first project for this year is a beautiful quilted Christmas Stocking.  You will need – your sewing machine; scissors (+ cutter and board if you have them); red sewing thread; and pins.

We will also be having an informal book club attached to the evening.  Just bring along any books or magazines that you would like to share.

Thanks Marama and Heather

Sorry the sports results are on the board at school and I forgot to write them in my diary.  I will make sure I have both lots in next weeks newsletter.

http://www.pukeokahu.school.nz

Come and visit our site and don’t forget to leave a comment!

“Yeah!  We Have A Sandit!” A movie showing Andy and the kids filling up the sand pit.  “Tiffany Matthews Inspired Art” A cool slideshow showing the student’s art and their descriptions.