Quality learning for all in a caring community.

Kounga ako mo katoa i roto i te taiao e atawhai ana.

Dear Parents and Friends of our School Kia Ora/Hello/Kamusta

Kia ora koutou,

We hope everyone had a great long weekend. On Friday, our Ministry allocated Teacher Only Day was organised by both Te Kahui Ako o Taranki Mohoao (Stratford) and Te Kahui Ako o Kohanga Moa (Inglewood). A combined 17 schools came together to focus on the school curriculum. This included all staff - teachers, support staff and office administrators. We had a variery of key note speakers and teachers running workshops. The collaboration and connections across all of our schools provided such a great learning environment for all staff.

Just a reminder that when we have school events all tamariki must wear their Toko School t shirt and black bottoms. We had to spend quite a lot of time on Tuesday finding spare t shirts and ringing families because so many chidlren had forgotten this for swimming sports!

As a school we really like to support teachers in training. This year we have two student teachers attached to our school from Waikato University. Ashleigh in Room 3 and Ayden in Room 2. We have included some information about them both further down in our newsletter.

We are noticing that more and more children are coming to school tired and this has a big impact on their ability to concentrate and attend to the learning tasks set during the day.

Key points about normal sleep patterns

• sleep is important for children's learning and behaviour
• sleep helps to restore physical and mental health and keep our memory and immune system on track
• children who do not get enough sleep may not be able to learn as well as their school friends who get enough sleep
• sleep also helps children's brains grow
• school-aged children need between 10 and 11 hours of sleep per night
• lack of sleep may cause your child to be moody, irritable, and cranky

There is some good information about sleep and the impacts if children don't get enough sleep at Kids Health.

Please help us and your childrens learning by ensuring that your chidlren are getting all the sleep they need each night so they can be operating at their best in the classroom and the playground. :)

Nga mihi nui

Kim Waite

Principal

Rural cluster swimming sports - The Y5-8 swimming sports were held at the town pools on Tuesday. An awesome effort by everyone who participated. A big thank you to the staff and parents that helped out with this event. Results will be shared once we have received them.

Interschool Hockey - This is taking place this Friday. All information in regards to the event has been posted on Hero. Any cancellations due to weather will be sent out on Hero

Y4-6 Girls Soccer - Next Friday 22nd March we have two teams playing in the Y4-6 girls football tournament in New Plymouth. Information in regards to transport and the draw will be posted at the start of next week. Please note all players require shin pads and long socks ( sneakers are fine to wear). Please let Shelley or Tracy asap if you are having trouble borrowing these ( please attempt before contacting us as we have limited resources).

Year 0-4 Rural Clusters Athletics - On Thursday 4th April the Y0-4 classes will be participating in the Rural Clusters Athletics at Ngaere School. More information will be in the next newsletter.

Biennial Community Survey

During Term 3 we conducted our biennial community survey. We will continue to share sections of the survey each fortnight in the newsletter. The full survey is available to read on our school's website.

7. How well do we communicate information to parents? We use the newsletter, class notices, our school website and class pages. We also hold various parent meetings throughout the year e.g cybersafety, literacy, numeracy etc.

96.8% of parents feel we communicate information to parents very well and well.

• We have had a case of slap cheek and impetigo (school sores). Both of these infections are contagious. Can you please discuss, remind and show your children how important good hand washing is at home and at school.
• If you have got littlies at home can you also spend some time practising when and how to blow their noses with a tissue on their own.
• As the weather starts to get colder can you please ensure your children have an extra layer at school and a change of clothes incase they get wet.
• We do have a supply of covid testing kits that have just expired but are still ok to use. If you require any for home please pop in and grab some.

Below are 10 tips for reading to and with your children at home. Please, please make reading to your child every day a priority. It really does have such a positive impact on their learning at school.

Hi everyone!

My name is Ashleigh Sanderson. I’m a first year student teacher doing my bachelors degree with Waikato University through correspondence and will be spending this year in Room 3 having Mrs Fuller as my mentor. I’m 24 years old and live in Stratford. I was born and raised in New Plymouth but have lived in Stratford for the past 5 years. Teaching has been my dream job since I was a child and I’m excited to finally be fulfilling that. I can’t wait to meet everyone and get to know Room 3 more.

Kia Ora koutou

My name is Ayden Smith, I am a student teacher studying with the university of Waikato. This year I have the privilege of having my placement at the very primary school that I attended, Toko Primary. I will be working alongside the Yr2s and really look forward to getting to know everyone. A little bit about myself, I grew up rural, in Huiroa and then Strathmore. I have two daughters and another child on the way. When I can find the time, I enjoy riding dirt bikes and looking after my small menagerie of animals on my lifestyle block. I hope for this year not just to be able to help the students reach their academic goals but for them to help me reach my own at the same time.

15 March - 2024 Interschool Hockey Tournament

18-22 March - Year 7&8 Camp to Wellington

26 March - BOT Monthly Meeting

27 March - Weetbix Triathlon

29 March - Good Friday

1 April - Easter Monday

2 April - Easter Tuesday

4 April - Junior Athletics at Ngaere School pp 5 April

12 April- Term One Ends

29 April - Term Two Starts

Eastern Districts Hockey Club

If your child is interested in playing hockey for the 2024 season can you please fill in the form on the link below to show their interest by 15th March. Any questions please contact Tracy O’Sullivan or Brooke Wyllie

Link to form:

https://forms.gle/JW5Avh46LFfhPSWUA

Full Primary School - Year 1 - 8

Email: office@toko.school.nz
Website: www.toko.school.nz
Location: 1057 East Road, Toko, New Zealand
Phone: 06 7622849
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TokoSchool/?ref=bookmarks