Maeroa Intermediate Newsletter Thursday 17 June

Principal's Message

Welcome to our new newsletter format - we are currently in the last stages of building our new website as well.  Thank you for your patience, in the meantime please contact the office with any questions.

Talent Time

Last week we started Talent Time, this happens twice a week on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for 1 hour.  Students had a choice of 30 options to choose from and there was teaching and learning about making decisions and what and or who influences your choices.  They had to fill in a google form with their choices, another key skill taught in filling in a form.  Most of the students got one of their top 3 choices and have been to Talent Time where they are trying something new, growing an existing interest or skill, learning to work with another adult, managing their time and fitting in within a new group of students.  This is important work as practising and growing from change is a key indicator for success when they move on from here.  In addition for those students that have needed extra support, having the confidence to come and ask for change or help has been great to see. I appreciate the teachers and staff supporting the students in these extra initiatives that provide real-time learning of some important life skills.

Matariki 

Next week we will have a variety of learning and celebration opportunities that are directly connected to Matariki.  You are welcome to come and celebrate on Tuesday 21 June at 7.15 am Matariki Breakfast, we will share food and stories together as we learn about the importance of Matariki. Reminder school is closed Friday 24 June for the Matariki Public Holiday.

Maeroa Enrolments 2023

If you know of anyone who wants to enrol at Maeroa in 2023 we are having our open night on Wednesday 10 August and enrolments will open on Monday 15 August, with enrolments closing Friday 16 September 2022. We do have a zone and will be able to confirm the number of places available on the ballot for the out-of-zone enrolments in July 2022.  Further details to come.

3 Way Learning Conversations  -Thursday 4 August and Friday 5 August

Early next term you will have the opportunity for a 20-minute appointment to discuss your child's learning, progress and achievement. The first 10 minutes will be led by your child and the remaining time will be led by the teacher.  You will also be able to book time with our specialist teachers if you need to. A booking sheet will be sent home next week for you to return to the classroom teacher.

The school will close at 1.15 on Thursday 4 August and on Friday 5 August for the day unless attending a learning conversation.  If you need supervision for your child on the afternoon of the 4th or for the day of the 5th of August please indicate this on the booking sheet.

High School Visits

We have had St Johns and Hamilton Boys High come and visit our students that are interested in attending in 2023 and Fraser High is coming this week on Thursday 16th June.  I encourage families of Year 8 students to check out high school websites for enrolment deadlines and requirements most high schools have 2023 Enrolments open now.  Time will pass by quick enough and before we know it students will be heading off on new adventures.

Winter Blues 

We encourage you to keep your children at home if they are unwell as we try to minimise the spread of cold and flu bugs and germs.  This is a fine line we realise as we are also trying to encourage students back to school having missed so much day-to-day schooling over the past two years.  We are encouraging mask-wearing, hand washing, keeping up extra cleaning, balancing ventilation and the warmth as we head into winter and are still very aware that COVID is still infecting many people.  We have tried to minimise disruption to day-to-day learning for our students however we have had increased staff absences due to illness so will keep you up to date if we need to change our plan to accommodate staff absences.  

Late to School

School starts at 8.45, if a child arrives after 8.45 they go to the Resource Room to sign in with Lafayette. The students receive a sticker with the sign-in time to give to their teacher and it is recorded on our computer system.  So if a child has not arrived at school by 9.00 and you have not let us know then families will get a text message to let them know that their child is not at school. This is a safety measure to ensure that if your child has not arrived at school then you know about it.  At times there are double up's or mistakes and we try to work together to get it right to ensure everyone is safe.  Thank you for working with us on this as some mornings we have 50 students arrive late, so it is a busy time of the day.

Next week we welcome Susan back after her absence and look forward to seeing her smiling face back here at Maeroa.

Take Care

Amanda Taylor

Acting Principal

Intermediate Visual Arts Day

ART CLUB

We took a group of Art Club students to represent Maeroa Intermediate at the Waikato Intermediate and Middle School’s Art Day at Hamilton Junior High School. The students got to experience and participate in a range of activities including bookmaking, cake decorating, taonga making, watercolour and acrylic painting with eight other schools from across the region. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were ready to do the day all over again! Thanks to all students that participated for making it such a great day out.

Whaea Alice,
Visual Arts Teacher 

Arbour Day 2022

On Wednesday 1st June, Room 23, along with students who participate in environment activities across the school, travelled to Waiwhakere Natural Heritage Park near the Hamilton Zoo. The morning was organised by the Hamilton City Council and Whaea Linda.

There we spent 3 hours planting native trees such as kaamahi, cabbage trees, kahikatea, kowhai, manuka and more, within a wetland area. Those trees will grow for many years to come and create a new habitat for native animals. 

Zoe Yalgonitzer
Rm 23

Samoan Language Week

Samoan Language Week was filled with a variety of language and cultural activities that were enjoyed by many including volleyball, lolly lei making, Siva and Sasa.  Mrs Tawake guided the Pasifika council by leading these activities to enjoy.

During the current Talent Time, we have Bula, which is a dance, language and music option or Pasifika Art and Design for students that are interested in finding out more about our Pasifika cultures.  Pasifika Club also take place on a Friday after school for those interested contact Livia Tawake at ltawake@maeroa.school.nz

Rippa Rugby Tournament

On Tuesday 14 June Maeroa dominated at the local Rippa Rugby tournament at Swarbrick Park taking out 1st and 2nd place.  Our teams worked well together showcasing outstanding individual skill and ability which was matched with dynamic teamwork.  

Thanks to the parents that supported Mrs Carter in taking the teams.

Inter Intermediate Futsal

On Tuesday a group of 20 students represented Maeroa Intermediate at the Inter Intermediate Futsal competition at The Peak, Rototuna. Both teams played with excellent sportsmanship and there were some very exciting moments with great skill displayed. While both teams missed out on making the semi-finals they can hold their heads high as they gave their absolute all. A big thanks as always to our amazing parent support for coaching, supporting and transporting our students - Jonelle, Glenn, Justine, Gavin and Paul. Without your support this event would not have been possible.

Mel Rye,
Teacher Coordinator of Futsal 

Inter Intermediate Hockey

On Tuesday 7th June we sent our school 'A' hockey team that plays in Friday night competition to participate in the Inter Intermediate Hockey comp against 8 other intermediate schools from the Waikato.  The team was fairly confident as they have played well on Friday nights going undefeated so far. We did not place in the final three however the matches were close throughout the day and the semi-finals were decided on goals for and against from pool play. The team represented Maeroa well with good skill, sportsmanship and determination.

Gully Workshop - Sat. 2 July, 9 am to noon.

Saturday Gully Working Bee

We have had three working bees so far this year and the next one is Saturday 2 July 9 am-12 pm. There are plenty of tasks that all ages and fitness levels can do. Please consider bringing yourself and as many people as you can to help in our gully. We provide a delicious morning tea, students receive at least 6 sign-offs on their Enviro Koru Card, and it's a great chance to meet new people. Our aims are to lay more weed matting, plant trees, pull out weeds, and add mulch around the smaller trees. If you are able to assist please ask your child to return the slip below to Julie Yeoman in Rooms 70/71 or you can email  jyeoman@maeroa.school.nz

Many Thanks,
Julie Yeoman

Reminders

• The date of the next BOT meeting will be on Wednesday 22nd June at 5:15 pm.  All parents/caregivers are welcome to attend.
• First Credit Union collects banking from the school every Monday morning, if your child would like to open an account, they may collect a pack from the school office.
• Phone /text the school by 9 am if your child is going to be absent from or late for school.  Phone 847 5014 then press 1; or text 021 847 015.  State your child’s name, room number and reason for absence/lateness.
• Bank account number for making direct credit or automatic payments:  12 3454 0024510 00
• Uniform is sold from NZ Uniforms, corner Tristram and Rostrevor Sts
• Notify us immediately if your address, phone number or work details alter.
• School finishes at 3 pm daily- No short days (due to weather) at all.
• The phone number for general enquiries: 07 847 5014