Newsletter - August 2015

What’s  happening AT Pukeko Corner?

Never a dull moment around here.  Thanks for all your support and delicious kai for our Matariki celebration. Changing it to a night event was a good move. I think we had a record turn out. We must remember to do the sparklers again next year.

 Animals

There is still a interest in animals however for some children it has moved to birds.  After talking to the children we thought we would go by bus to Bullswool farm for the day. The children get to view a wide variety of animals and birds and they also get to feed them!

 Bus Trip

Our exciting trip to Bullswool Farm will be on Wednesday 12 August, leaving here 9.30am and returning at 2.30pm.  If your child does not attend on a Wednesday, they can still come on the trip with an adult.  The subsidised cost per person will be $10.  The permission slip will be handed out, and needs to be returned ASAP.

 Te Wiki o te Māori

The children have loved learning new words and singing waiata for Maori Language week.  We will be focusing soon on Kei te pēhea koe? How are you feeling, as emotional literacy (understanding and controlling emotions) is so important for your children.

 ERO

For those who haven’t heard yet, we had our visitors from the Education Review Office here in the holidays.  They observed, examined, and questioned us over an intense day and a half.  We came out the other side excited and reassured that we are good at what we do. Everyone will get a copy of the confirmed report in about a month.

 Incredible Years Parenting Course

This well established parenting programme is available to all families in Katikati at no cost! The programme acknowledges that parenting is one of the most important jobs an adult can do. The course provides practical suggestions and strategies for challenging behaviour that support positive relationships with your children. It starts on 11th August, from 6.00 to 8.30pm at the Memorial hall lounge.  The course runs for 14 weeks. Doing this course is a big commitment but well worth your time and your sanity! Join Cathy who will be attending by contacting Ruth on 021848521 for enquiries and registration.

 Positive Behaviour For Learning

This course is the teacher’s version of Incredible Year’s parenting programme, providing strategies intended to reduce challenging behaviours in children and to increase their social and self-control skills. Kim and Corina will be attending a workshop each month for 6 months and as always their learning will be shared with us all!

 Corina’s Misson Trip

On 21st of August Corina will be away for two weeks to Cambodia. She will be working with an amazing organisation, Agape International Missions, who successfully fights sex trafficking.  While there she will be helping run a Kids Club for children who live in a notorious area for trafficking very young children near Phnom Penh. You can check out Corina’s Give a Little fundraising page which will all be donated to Agape on the Givealittle website.

 Multi-Cultural Day

As a fundraiser for Corina’s mission trip we will be having a special multi-cultural day on Thursday 6 August.  We also want to honour all the wonderful different cultures at our kindy.  Please bring a gold coin donation and if you wish your favourite cultural food for a shared morning tea.  We would love to see your children wear their cultural clothing where possible.

 Kindergarten Resources Going Home

We have recently invested in new resources for our kindergarten. We have new games, puzzles and books with more to come. At Pukeko Corner we view our learning environment as the third teacher (you being the first then us!) and our resources as our tools. If you happen to notice that your child has come home with these tools it would be appreciated if they were returned.

 Disco

The children are excited that we will be having our annual disco on Friday 11 September, from 5.30—7pm.  Get your boogie moves and your dance outfits sorted.  There will be prizes for the best dressed adults !  We would love you to let us know what your favourite dancing music at home with your children is, so we can play it at our disco.

 Fruit for Morning Tea

Please ensure you bring your 3 pieces of fruit each week per child for the children’s morning tea. 

 Relievers

We have to say a sad farewell to the amazing Janet Horn who has been relieving for us for nearly 8 years.  She is retiring, but we are sure we will see her occasionally.  Our other relievers are Coral, Janet, Juliet, and Stacey.

 Heating Lunches

On the rare occasion that your child has food that requires heating, please ensure you let us know in the morning, as setting up for lunch is very busy for the teachers.  We often discuss however that having a communal lunch is such a wonderful experience, with rich language, and children learning social skills and building deeper relationships.

 Signing Out Times / Late Fees

Can you please ensure that you sign your children out from kindy with an accurate time.  We rely on your honesty and as you can appreciate we do not want to have to monitor it.  Currently if you are late we charge you $1.50 per 15 minutes.  So if you pick up your child at 3pm you would be charged $1.50.  Our late fee on your child’s enrolment form is higher, but we only charge this at our discretion if lateness becomes an issue.  One centre in Katikati charges $1 for each minute they are late!  We want to be fair as late pickups can tie up valuable teacher time if unplanned.  However we know that it is unavoidable at times, so let us know if you will be late.

Important Dates:

Multi-Cultural Day                                     Thursday, 6 August

Bus trip to Bullswool Farm                       Wednesday 12 August

Lexham Park                                            Tuesday 18 August

Disco Friday                                                   11 September                                

Thanks for all your wonderful support

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