Kia ora koutou, Namaste, Talofa Lava, Konnichiwa, Ni hao, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Chao, Hallo, Zdravstvuite, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Salam, Suostei, Hola, Annoyong Haseyo, Caio, Nei ho, Suoday, Ni sa Bula, Kamusta, Xin chào, Gutentag, Bonjour

Firstly, thank you to those whānau that came along to support our Year 4 to 6 swimming sports yesterday.  Although there was a bit of rain, our tamariki participated enthusiastically and tried their best.  A special thank you to Mr Campbell who organizes this event and ensures that every child gets the opportunity to join in and participate alongside their peers.  

I hope everyone is able to come along to school over the next couple of days to meet their child’s teacher.  I know all of our teachers are very much looking forward to meeting you all and welcoming you into their classrooms.  It is always so valuable to us as educators to learn more about your child from your perspective and I know when I was teaching full time in a classroom, meeting my students’ whānau at parent interviews, which is what we used to call them, was always a highlight for me.  You are the people who know your children the best and whatever we can learn from you to help them with their learning is super helpful and very much appreciated.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the pōwhiri at Tikipunga High School for the new I Have a Dream Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Te Whaiti.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to Andrew and look forward to the plans and aspirations he has for his I Have a Dream team.  We also say goodbye to Chris Twiss, the current CEO and wish him well on his next journey.  Totara Grove School is very fortunate to have an excellent team of IHAD Navigators supporting students and whānau at our kura and we really appreciate all of the wonderful mahi they do.  

Kia pai tō wiki.  Mauri Ora!

Tumuaki Sharon

The winners of books for the previous 2 weeks were:

Rm 1: Ky-Mahli, Gabby
Rm 2:  Reuben, Hemi
Rm 3: Tahu, Leilani, Micaela
Rm 4: Wikitoria
Rm 6: Micah, Dreyl
Rm 7: Amaia-Rose, Reign
Rm 8: Nolan, Flynn
Rm 11: Larelle
Rm 12: Odessa
Rm 14: Martha

The winners of the Ngā Mātāpono Awards for the last 2 weeks:

Rm 1: Zaira-Rose, Tama, Joanna, Denzel-Haze, Eternity-Rose, Leighton
Rm 2: Te-Koha, Journie, Kaitiaki, Chelsea
Rm 3: Julius, Wairere, Te Koha, Luke, Miracle
Rm 4: Luke, Pichetra, Tylah
Rm 6: Ella-Rose, Tukuha, Phoenix, Haimona, Jeevika
Rm 7: Learrah, Chance, Heni, Williow, Lucy, Journie
Rm 8: Owen, Arlo, Jackson, Teina-Jay
Rm 10: Liam, Connor
Rm 11: Rita, Braxton
Rm 12: Jacob, Sebastian
Rm 13: Tama, O'Shea, Tukotahi

Please remember to use our school drop off zone when dropping off or collecting your child. The carpark at our Corks road entrance is for staff, school deliveries and pedestrian access. Do not park and wait on the yellow lines. The drop off zone is on Okaihau Place, which is off Wairau Drive and has been specifically designed to help keep our tamariki as safe as possible when arriving and leaving school grounds.

The crossing by the gate at 38 Corks road is monitored by a staff member there to assist with students crossing safely between 8.35am-8.55am.

School gates are to remain securely closed at all times, when you come in to the school via any gate, please ensure it clicks shut behind you as you come in or out. This is for the safety of our tamariki and we appreciate your understanding.

Here is the menu for this's week's school lunch. More detailed information is published on the Lunch by Libelle website: www.lunchbylibelle.co.nz

A korero with your child’s teacher to talk and plan your goals, dreams and aspirations for your child this year. These are held in the classroom with the teacher. School finishes today at 1pm on Wednesday 6th March, lunch will still be provided. Bookings are still available on the SKOOL LOOP App – 15 min time slots. 

Wednesday 6 March 1:30pm – 6pm (Early school finish at 1pm ) 
Thursday 7 March, 3:30pm – 6pm. (Finish at normal time 3pm) 

We look forward to this korero to share all the great things about your child. Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau 

If you have a concern about your child’s language development, learning progress, social and emotional wellbeing, or behaviour, Te Manawa Tahi have specialists available so you can discuss your concerns directly with them.

This is a free service and each site will be identified by a Te Manawa Tahi sign or flag. Drop into a hub or make an appointment by phoning 0800 524 842 or emailing TT.Support@education.govt.nz. 

Click on the attached PDF to see the current timetable.

Term 1         31st Jan – 12th April
6th Feb          - Waitangi Day (public holiday)
27th March   - School Board Meeting 6pm in Staffroom
29th March, 1st & 2nd April – Easter Holiday *Tuesday 2nd April is also a school holiday

Term 2       29th April – 5th July
3rd June       – Kings birthday (public holiday)
4th June       – Teacher & staff only day
28th June    – Matariki (public holiday)

Term 3       22nd July – 27th Sep

Term 4       14th Oct – 13th December
28th Oct       – Labour Day (public holiday)
Oct/Nov       – Teacher & staff only day, date TBC

For school dates, office hours and school break times please refer to the school website linked here: