Newsletter Nov 2013

What’s been happening AT Pukeko Corner?

 It has been such a busy and exciting time of learning and adventure.

After reading an article in an Early Childhood magazine about intergenerational relationships and the benefits for both we now are off to Lexham Park, our local rest home, once a month on a Thursday. What a sight to see, our

children making  friends, bringing smiles and laughter to our older generation.  We have even be asked by some of the residents  to send some art for their walls.

What a fantastic Grandparents Day. Thanks for your

support.  We had so many grandparents visit, some coming a long distance to spend time with their precious

grandchildren.  What a lot of aroha (love)!

Dinosaurs are still of great

interest. The children are learning many more facts.  Are they

talking about dinosaurs at home?  

Kapahaka  Almost every second Friday at about 12.15, after an early lunch, we head off to the Katikati Primary School hall to watch Kapahaka practice.  We just watch at the moment but with time we are hoping to participate. Of course on the way back we can’t resist doing a bit of tree climbing in the park.

Te Rereatukahia Marae visit This has been rescheduled to March next year. Sorry to those who will  miss out.

Sunhats, Sunhats, sunhats!!

Yes it’s that time of year! Please provide a sunhat for your children, wide brim is better.  We have a rule for Term 1 and 4... No hat no outside play. Sounds harsh but it’s the sun that is harsh on the young skin of our

children. For those new to our summer routines, please sun block your children at home and we will re-apply after lunch with our natural sunblock.

Student.  We have Kelsey McGregor with us for three weeks from Tertiary College.  Kelsey is in her last year of Early Childhood training; very soon a fully trained kaiako.

Hua Whenua The children have planted some peas and dug up our potatoes.  They were eaten on Grandparents Day and mashed again later with Grandpa Gary making potato cakes.  Both very delicious. The children enjoy the gardening process from planting, watering, harvesting and cooking with the results! This is a very productive and fun way to learn about our environment and how if we look after it, it will look after us!

Lunch Box Challenge

Another way to look after our environment is to reduce the rubbish we create.  One of our mums suggested we could all reduce the different wrappers in our lunch boxes.  One option is using brown paper bags (2c each from Gilmours), and reusing them.  Also using containers, or lunch boxes with compartments.  Or take on the challenge of no prepackaged items.  There are so many healthy options available. See the enclosed lunch box tip for ideas.

Birthdays Just a reminder that as we have a variety of

dietary requirements among our children, we would like families to consider balloons, stickers or other novelties

instead of lollies etc as gifts to the children. These “gifts” are not a requirement as it is your child’s birthday!

Christmas Parade

We will be entering another float in the Christmas Parade on 7 December. We have won 3 times in previous years

already! This is a family event and we NEED your support.  If you have any ideas for the theme ‘Christmas spirit’ please write them down on our noticeboard.

Christmas

Our last day of the term is Friday, 20 December.  We will be having our Christmas Party that day.  The new term next year will begin Tuesday 21 January 2014.

God Bless from Cathy, Jody, Kim, Corina, Gary, and Dianne.