MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

This term has certainly flown, but with a real sense of hitting the ground running and keeping the focus on high quality teaching and learning.

I'd like to acknowledge those responsible for the mahi behind such a positive start to the year - our dedicated staff, amazing tamariki and also the whole community who support our work.

There is a great deal of truth to the expression that it takes a village to raise a child, and this term has been no exception!

Overall, we're extremely proud of the excellent start to the year the children have made, and we'll be looking forward to sharing updates about their progress and some of the highlights ahead for next term.

You'll be aware that attendance has been placed in the spotlight with some recent government announcements, and it is great to see this being taken as seriously as it deserves to be at a national level.

While attendance is generally high at our school, not everyone achieves the expected 90%+ that is considered to be optimal. In most cases, this is unavoidable (due to illness), but there are a small proportion of unjustified absences also. For Term 1, 2024, our data breaks down as follows:

Justified Absences: 3.53%

Unjustified Absences: 1.73%

Intermittent Unjustified Absences: 0.16%

Attendance Rate: 94.58%

A great result overall, although it is always worth reinforcing our Policy that only exceptional circumstances warrant non-attendance at school. This might include something like a car breaking down, an extreme weather event or bereavement, for example.

As you'll appreciate, we're not able to make exceptions for holidays, recreational trips, non-medical appointments, private off-site tuition during school hours or any other absence that is elective in nature during school hours, and it's worth being aware that this seems likely to become more of a focus for any central data collection protocols that may be introduced.

With Anzac Day falling in the holidays, I'd like to finish by acknowledging this significant memorial, honouring all those who served in the armed forces during WWI, WWII or subsequent conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Particularly for those with family connections, this is a time for somber remembrance for service given, and many sacrifices made, with hopes for peaceful resolution to the terrible conflicts we see in the world at this time.

With thanks again and best wishes for an enjoyable, restful break - see you in Term 2!

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson

Principal

Friday 12th April:

• Whole School Assembly (2:30pm - 3:00pm)
• LAST DAY of TERM 1 - PTA ice block sales $2 (3:00pm - 3:30PM)

Monday 29th April - Term 2 Begins

• Term 2 New Entrant Cohort begins
• Whakatau (10am)

End of Term 1 already! In Term 1, the PTA has raised $32k (net) and already donated $17k of that to the school. The funds raised are due to the time and energy given by a wide group of parents and caregivers and a huge thanks goes to all those who helped at the welcome picnic, mid-term iceblocks, the school uniform shop and the inaugural Colour Run fundraiser and event. Thank you to everyone who participated in the initiatives and gave generously.

In Term 2 we will continue with the ice blocks and uniform shop, run the Yummy Sticker collection & Kids Art Works and our biggest community event of the year - our second Dragon Boat festival on June 8. Watch the newsletter for updates!

We hope you all have a wonderful term break - see you in Term 2!

Every year, the Yummy Fruit Company runs a sticker promotion for North Island primary and intermediate schools. Schools collect stickers and cut out labels from Yummy apples and at the end of the promotion these are redeemed for a share of the $200,000 of Sports equipment. Last year MENPS collected 10,388 points which resulted in being allocated with $1548 worth of sports equipment that children will be using during both class P. E. lessons and at lunchtime.

We are asking MENPS families that purchase Yummy apples from supermarkets and fruit shops to again collect the stickers and labels. A copy of the collection sheet was sent home to the eldest child or only child in a family (please check your child’s bag) or can be downloaded from the Yummy Apple Website www.yummyfruit.co.nz or picked up from the box in the office. Yummy apples sold individually have a Yummy sticker on them. Most of the stickers are worth 1 point but stickers from the varieties Lemonade, Ambrosia and Sweet Tango are worth 2 points and can be stuck on the pictures of trees that are found on one of the sides of the sheet that was sent home. One point stickers can be attached to the side of the sheet with the 100 square grid.

Cut out labels (or bar codes) from Yummy apples bags are worth 10 points and can be glued to a black piece of paper. All stickers can also be attached to a blank sheet of paper and do not have to be on an official collection sheet. Completed sheets can be dropped back to your class teacher or the office at any time until the 20th of Sept 2024. Thanks for collecting!!

Celebrate the end of Term 1 2024 with an ice block, $2 each!

Save the date for the Dragon Boat Festival, returning to MENPS on Saturday June 8th!

Details to come.

Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook

Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities

Co-Chairs Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber

Secretary Chelsea Chen

Treasurer Linda Waddington-Miller & Paula Tran

PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner

Sponsorships Rayni Chung

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here