This term is whizzing by.  It is hard to believe that we only have 3 weeks left of Term 2.  

As I write this newsletter I am looking out my window watching our senior students collaborate, communicate and problem solve with their peers on a  pretty tricky STEM challenge (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics).  We are so fortunate to have such an amazing bunch of tamariki at our school.  The challenge today has been to work together with a small group to create a cardboard chair.  However, to make things more challenging students cannot use glue, tape or staples to put their chairs together.  This morning I worked with them as they drew their designs.  Mrs Hunt is now supervising them as they get creative and start to build their chairs.  It will be interesting to see their finished products. 

This week we have had some contractors onsite (Chris Dunn Technologies) - working to upgrade all our internal and external lights to LEDs.  Rooms 1, 2 and 3 have had acoustic ceiling panels put in to help improve the acoustics in our teaching spaces and the hall roof has had some much needed insulation installed.  They are also replacing all our current power sockets with RCD power sockets.  This work is making our school warmer, brighter, quieter and safer.  

Check out some photos below of our learners in action this week.

Happy Friday to you all.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and let's hope we get to enjoy a weekend without ANY rain.  It has been so awesome to have a week of chilly, frosty mornings and bright, warm sunny days.  Long may that last.


Ngā mihi


Shirley Bailey

Back by popular demand.  We are excited to confirm that we will be holding a Fancy Dress Dance and Matariki Celebration at the Kuratau School / Community Hall on Thursday 29th June.  Our students have started practising their dances and are looking forward to sharing what they've been learning with their whānau.

Details:
When:  Thursday 29th June, 2023, 6.00 - 8.00 pm
Where:  School Hall
Who:  All students and their whānau
What: 

Our school photos are scheduled to be taken by Photolife on Thursday 29th June.  There is flyer coming home with your child today which will give you important information on how to order these photos following the scheduled photo shoot.

PLEASE NOTE:  All children (unless NO PHOTO CONSENT was advised at enrolment) will have their individual photo taken and will be part of their class photo.  If you require a sibling photo (including any siblings not currently attending Kuratau School) please complete and return the flyer requesting the sibling photo and confirm your consent prior to Thursday 29th June.  You will need to ensure all siblings are available to have their photo taken on the day.  Without this form your sibling photos will not be taken.

Thank you.

Four of our students competed in the Taupo-Tongariro Competition with the New Zealand
Modern School of Music on Saturday, 27 May. They performed songs in their age categories
alongside 80 other students from the Taupo District and Tokoroa. Many times, there were
anywhere from 8 to 12 students in each category. They all enjoyed the day and were happy
to receive some medals and/or certificates for Highly Commended and Highly Commended.

Results were as follows:
Briana You – 3 Highly Commended
Brian You – 2 Very Highly Commended and 1 Highly Commended
Jetson Scrimgeour – 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, and 2 Very Highly Commended
Jaedyn Sowry – 1 Silver and 2 Bronze

Congratulations. The time spent in preparation paid off.

Our next Bike Day meeting will be held on Monday 12th June from 6pm at school.  With less than 1 month to go until our 2023 Kuratau School ATV Bike Day this meeting will be where we finalise any last minute planning details. 

A huge thanks to those people who have volunteered their time to help us out on this day.  If you are wanting to help on the day please contact the school office and let us know - 07 386 5801, or email Rachel: ksadmin@kuratau.school.nz

This is our major fundraiser for the year.  Money raised this year will be put towards some necessary hall roof repairs/replacements, with remaining money going towards some planned playground upgrades. 

Bike Day Details:

We have recently reviewed our Bus processes and have updated the Ministry of Education about our procedures and processes for:

As part of this review we are also updating our Bus Code of Conduct.  A copy of the revised Bus Code of Conduct has been sent home with students.  Please take the time to read this with your children, sign and return to school as soon as possible.  Thank you.

The Ministry of Education require us to keep parents informed about bus safety.  We encourage you to please read the attached 'Keeping Safe While Using School Buses' document from the Ministry. This provides some great safety tips for parents and students who travel on our school bus service.  

The Turangi Bus is operating at maximum capacity meaning our ability to take casual children (normally assigned to Omori or Western Bays Buses or by Car) is largely restricted.   If your child is not normally on the Turangi Bus and you make arrangements for them to travel home with another child on this bus, PLEASE contact the school directly to ensure there is space.  We cannot guarantee that we will be able to transport your child on the Turangi Bus if they are not a regular student on this bus.  Our apologies but our regular students must be catered for first and we now have a wait list for this service.