Newsletter 28th April, 2025
From the Principal
A warm welcome to our new families starting. I would like to acknowledge Anzac Day which occurred during the holidays. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou – we will remember them.
Attendance Matters - Government Priority
The Government is very focused on raising student attendance and engagement. As parents we know that regular attendance at school or kura has an enormous impact on young people’s engagement, participation, and achievement.
School attendance has declined over the past decade. This means children and young people are missing out on learning, friendships and connections with their classmates and kaiako.
We all have a role to play in ensuring our young people are attending and engaging in their education. We know from research conducted by the Education Review Office that 41% of parents think it’s okay for their child to miss a week of school a term. We strongly encourage you as parents and whānau to take on board the importance of their child attending school every day unless your child is sick.
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ATTENDANCE TARGET
Measure | 2024 Target | Pakuranga Heights Term 1, 2025 |
Percentage of akōnga attending school regularly (attending more than 90%, an average of 9 days a fortnight) | 80% | 71% |
We can do better together. ‘Our school vision is reaching new heights together’
Bringing Toys or Swap Cards to School
We do not encourage any toys or cards coming to school. The toys tend to get broken and arguments occur because of card swapping. The safest thing to do is to leave all valuables at home.
Parking Reminders - Parking Wardens are Monitoring School Areas
Clearway and Yellow Lines
Please be respectful of the clearway areas on Udys Road and yellow lines on Cardiff Road. The council for several reasons designates these areas. Firstly, it stops the road becoming jammed up but most importantly it is about the safety of our school community, as it allows the children on crossing duty to see if cars are coming etc.
These areas are monitored by parking wardens and they do issue tickets.
Blocking Neighbour’s Driveways
The school often gets calls from angry local residents about a parent parking over their driveway. A reminder that the minimum distance you are allowed to park from a vehicle entrance is one meter. Any closer than this and it makes it difficult for people in larger vehicles to get in and out of the driveway, and you could obstruct emergency services. The residents are within their rights to call the local council and complain.
Common sense rules- if you think it is illegal then it probably is.
School Events
Week One - 28th April - 1st May
Thursday - Senior School Trip to the Zoo
Week Two - 5th May - 9th May
Deaf Language Week
Wednesday- Parent Literacy Sessions
Week Three - 12th May - 16th May
Tuesday - We are hosting a AI Workshop for teachers from the area
Tuesday - Board Meeting
Thursday - New parent information session
Friday- Pink Shirt Day
Week Four - 19th May - 23rd May
Thursday and Friday - Year 5 and Year 6 Bike Skills
Friday -Interschool Rugby
Week Five - 26th May - 30th May
Interschool Science Challenge for Year 3 and Year 4 team
Thursday - Full School Assembly 9.15 am
Friday - Teacher Only Day - Mathematics Curriculum - School Closed
Week Six - June 2nd - 6th June
Monday - King's Birthday School Closed
Samoan Language Week
Friday - Interschool Rugby Competition
Friday - Senior School Assembly
Week Seven - 9th June - 13th June
Thursday New Parent Information Session
Thursday Interschool Soccer Competitive Tournament Day One
Thursday - Hosting East Auckland Assistant Principals Association
Friday - Middle School Assembly
Friday Interschool Soccer Competitive Tournament Day One
Week Eight - 16th June - 20th June
Tuesday Interschool Non -Competitive Tournament Day One
Wednesday Junior School Assembly
Thursday House Colour Day
Thursday Interschool Non -Competitive Tournament Day Two
Friday - Matariki Public Holiday - School Closed
Week Nine - 23rd June - 27th June
Tuesday - Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday - School Reports Go Home
Friday - Full School Assembly 9.15 am
Last Day of Term 2 School Closes at 3.00 pm
We look forward to a great term
Fintan and Sue
Celebrating Excellence
Weetbix TRYathalon
We had a great turn-out at the Pakuranga Heights School tent at the Weetbix TRYathlon Sunday 30th March. There was a range of kids from Pak Heights from 6 years up. The day was an absolute cracker and started early from 7am delivering bikes into the transition zone. The TRYathlon started from 9am where the older kids do a swim, then bike, then finish with a run and the younger kids do the swim and run. The kids all looked in great form and were elated from the event - there are a lot of people there so it is really incredible to be a part of such a large event. As one parent commented 'I think the parents are more nervous than the kids are!'. The kids all performed really well and were very proud of their achievement. Us parents were also very proud of our kids and our school for participating in this event, it is great at building confidence and an independent spirit. A huge thanks to John Hutchinson and Alex Winter (Board Presiding Member) for putting up and taking down the Pak Heights tent and supplying the sausages.
Anita Duffy (Parent of Lucia and Amélie de Young)
From the PTA
From the Community
