News / Panui - Latest Newsletter


 


Term 4 Week 2


Principal's Message


Kia Ora e te whanau



I read with interest recently, the voting for the New Zealand Bird of the Year. It's always amazing to see the vast variety of native birds we have, and which is most popular. During the voting period, different organizations made a plea for their favourite bird to be the winner. A popular choice was the Whio, the native blue duck in serious trouble of extinction. In addition, the fantail is always a popular choice, and then there's the kiwi, the yellow-eyed penguin and the black petrel to name just a few. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the New Zealand bird of the year for 2021 was not actually a bird, but a bat. That’s right - the pekapeka or  long-tailed bat! Fancy that. How can a bat be our bird of the year? Its selection naturally caused controversy given that a bat simply isn't a bird. It does have wings and is native to New Zealand.  In fact, New Zealand only has two land mammals, and they’re both bats. This is the first time our native bat has been included in Bird of the Year, and it has flown away with the title. These flying furballs are threatened by the same problems as our native birds - predators, habitat loss and climate change. The more we do to protect them, the more it helps their feathered friends, and vice versa.


The bat’s win made me stop and reflect on the fact that we are a country where, as New Zealanders, we can take a wide perspective on a simple definition of what something can be. We are flexible enough in our thinking to focus on the whole, and what it means to be us. Totara School is one in which we have the same perspective, and I think that's what makes us stand out. At the Board of Trustees meeting last night we were talking about our vision for our Totara Kids. What is it that makes them so special? Why do they stand so tall when they leave us to take steps into the big wide world? My thoughts - at Totara, as a staff and community, we focus on teaching and supporting our students to understand that it is okay to be exactly who you are. You don't have to fit an exact mold - just like the bat. We  encourage our students to use their strengths and grow their passions. As a result, we hope they learn to stand strong in their own skin. Of course we're always going to challenge them to achieve at levels even higher than they thought they could. But we welcome the different, the individual and that is something we should be proud of. And we value the same in our staff. 

Our staff and students are special, you totally rock! And with your ongoing support we will keep celebrating their strengths and passions.


Tomorrow's the day of our local community trip. The students will be visiting Clarke's Mill, Totara Estate and Teschmakers as  I mentioned  in our newsletter last week. I can't wait to hear the stories they come back with and I'm sure you all look forward to them too. We thank all the people involveand showing our students around for making time for us to visit we look forward to sharing the learning with you


 

  


Ngā mihi, Whaea Sandra







Level Two Update


Kia Ora Whanau


Thanks for continuing to follow our Level 2 guidelines. We hope to return to Level 1 soon but given the increase in cases in Auckland - it may not be any time soon. In the meantime, please note the new requirements for all schools :-


·   Mask use on School Transport - Face coverings are required to be worn by students aged 12 and over while on school transport (both Ministry and regional council-operated services) under all alert levels.

 

·   School Drop-Offs - For parents conducting student pick-ups and drop-offs, these should occur in an outdoor environment where face coverings where  physical distancing measures are retained and we request you wear masks - as per the Ministry of Education guidelines. While these are not compulsory, we would like to ask for your continued support in wearing masks and to remain out of rooms until we change levels or move to the new traffic light system. Parents, whānau and caregivers are not required to be vaccinated or tested in order to pick up or drop off children.  There has been a change to the requirements for parent helpers who will be required to have had their first vaccination by November 15th for such activities as going on school trips, camps, RICH activities, sports coaching etc. I will send out a separate document around this to clarify the requirements set by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. Please note, we are duty bound to follow the Public Health Orders. These changes are not something we are introducing as an individual school but as part of our legal requirements and responsibilities.

 

 

Upcoming Events




3

1 November

 


Staff Only Day

2




7 p.m. BOT meeting

3

4

Trip to Totara Estate/ Clark’s Mill/ Teschemakers 

5





 R.I.C.H. Afternoon

4

8 November




pm - Cricket Skills

9


9 a.m. Youthtown

10

11




pm - Hockey & Cricket Skills

12





 

5

15 November


 

 

16


 

17

18


9 a.m. Youthtown


pm - Cricket Skills

19




Year 8 Transition to High school day

 R.I.C.H. Afternoon



School Photos


A quick reminder that your photo orders are due back on Friday. Please drop these into the office if you are wanting to order them.




PTA Fundraiser


The PTA had planned to run a quiz night this term, but unfortunately due to the Level 2 restrictions they have decided to cancel it. However instead of this fundraiser they are going to be running an eco product fundraiser. Products included in this are the very popular stainless steel pegs, bamboo toothbrushes and fruit and vegetable bags, along with some other cool products. The order forms will be going home early next week, check your child’s bags next week.




Celebrations and acknowledgements


Welcome to our two new students Loui and Matai who have joined us in Karaka.















Kōwhai Practising their Athletics Skills





The Army Band Visit





The Very Hungry Caterpillar - By Karaka Class





Seasons Recounts - by Kowhai Class

    Cool bananas!

    We went to the Opera House to     watch a show.  The show was         called Seasons.  

    First we got on the bus.  I was         excited.  I sat beside Indie.         We were laughing. 

    Next we were in the room.  It         was dark.  The seats went up         and down.

    Finally it started.  I loved when     the butterflies came.  It was         fun.

        By Lilly

WOW!

We went to the Opera House. 

First we got on the bus.

Next we sat down.  

Finally the show started.

I loved it. 

My favourite part was when one of the actors went and hid.

It was amazing.

By George.







LUNCH ORDERS


No PTA Sausage Sizzle tomorrow due to our trip



 

 



















 


Term 4 Week 2


Principal's Message


Kia Ora e te whanau


Whenever I am out on duty, or watching the students playing on the field, my eyes are taken to the Brydone Monument sitting on top of Sebastopol Hill. For those of you who, like me, are new to the area, the monument honours Thomas Brydon, who oversaw sheep processing for New Zealand’s first frozen mutton shipment to Britain in 1882 - if the sources I read are correct. As a part-time farmer, with 70 ewes and over a hundred lambs, it impresses me that our school sits in such a prestigious,  historic area. Totara Estate had a huge role to play in this with over 10,000 sheep being farmed in 1881. It certainly makes my mob look small.  When I gaze at the monument, I am taken straight to Ed Sheeran’s waiata - Castle on the Hill. The Brydone memorial is our castle on the hill, Totara Estate, our fields of history, and Fortification Road not simply our address, but a sign of our history, whakapapa and all that came before. We have much to be proud of.  


In honour of the history of our area, and I haven't even touched on the  whole market garden history, our topic this term is Social Sciences. We will be looking at areas of importance close to our school including the monument, Totara Estate, Clarke’s Mill and Teschemakers.   If our students are to be our future, then they need to be grounded in our past. If we can honour and acknowledge what came before, we can  shine a light going forward. We look forward to hearing your stories of the past, and sharing what we learn with you during the term.  I hope when our students leave Totara, they take a piece of this place with them and a sense of pride for all that came before and all that they will be. In the words of Ed, I hope that they will  reflect on their time and think….


And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real

When we watched the sunset over the castle on the hill

Over the castle on the hill

Over the castle on the hill



We are already into Week 2 of this term and the time is fast disappearing. 

We will keep updating the term planner as events have to be added or  

removed. We are hoping to have our camp go ahead in Christchurch and

 will plan as many school activities as we safely can. We are aware that

 students have already missed out on a great deal over the last two years. 

  


Ngā mihi, Whaea Sandra







Level Two Update


Kia Ora Whanau


Thanks for continuing to follow our Level 2 guidelines. We hope to return to Level 1 soon but given the increase in cases in Auckland - it may not be any time soon. In the meantime, please note the new requirements for all schools :-


·   Mask use on School Transport - Face coverings are required to be worn by students aged 12 and over while on school transport (both Ministry and regional council-operated services) under all alert levels.

 

·   School Drop-Offs - For parents conducting student pick-ups and drop-offs, these should occur in an outdoor environment where face coverings must be worn, and physical distancing measures retained. Parents, whānau and caregivers are not required to be vaccinated or tested in order to pick up or drop off children. 

 

 

Upcoming Events



WEEK

2

25 October

 

Labour Day 

26



pm - Hockey & Cricket Skills

27


28



PTA Meeting 7pm

29




 

R.I.C.H. Afternoon

WEEK

3

1 November

 


Staff Only Day

2




7 p.m. BOT meeting

3

4


5





 R.I.C.H. Afternoon

WEEK

4

8 November




pm - Cricket Skills

9


9 a.m. Youthtown

10

11




pm - Hockey & Cricket Skills

12





 




Sunhats - Reminder


As we have now hit Spring and more sunshine  (well hopefully) we need to have our students wearing their lovely red bucket sun hats. Please ensure your child has

 a named sun hat at school to wear each day.



Touch Teams


We now have our two touch teams operating - Years 1-3 and Years 4-6. You should have received an email by now from Aimee about the details. Thanks to our parent coach/managers for your support and to Storm for coaching one of the teams.



Strategic Plan Survey

We have sent out the link for this survey to help us plan for the future. If you did  not get the link please email Aimee at office@totara.school.nz. We apologise for the issues initially getting onto the survey. We need responses by Friday 5 p.m. please. So far we have had two and would love to hear from more of you if possible.


Celebrations and acknowledgements


Welcome to our new student Te Arahi who has joined us in Kōwhai.



Kakariki Descriptive writing 

The feel of the wave rumbling at my feet makes my body tremble with fear.

To see it hurtling towards me, makes my brain freeze. You can't hide or you will be dead. All you can do is stand there in horror and see your life flash before you. It approaches at such a pace….

By Quin


My brain is screaming at me to run, but I know it's too late.


The giant blue wave a few metres in front of me casts menacing shadows over the crowd pressing up against the white railing of the concrete pier. Most of them are taking photos like they’ll be able to look at them later when they survive. More like if.


It's a dangerous sort of beauty, a mass of dark blue water shone and rippled like shattered crystals.


As the wave gets closer, I can feel the stone pier I’m standing on starting to strain against the fast retreating tide, which is pulling closer and closer to the tsunami.


I can smell the salt lingering in the air, it leaves a dry feeling in my mouth, it's disgusting.


The people who aren’t taking pictures are screaming and running in the opposite direction, my mother broke through her fear induced trance and became one of those people running.


 She grabs my wrist with her calloused hands and tries to drag me away and further inland, but my feet are refusing to move.


Before I knew it the wave was upon us, crashing down with bruising force.


By Storm.



Cricket and Hockey Coaching - Week 2


 




LUNCH ORDERS


PTA Sausage Sizzle - Thursday


$2 per sausage, with or with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to the PTA account 03-0937-0206673-00



Brydone Wholefoods Lunches


As per our email last week, these lunches will no longer be available. 


We do have the pie warmer in Kikorangi, for students who wish to bring along something to be warmed up. Please make sure it is wrapped in tin foil or a heat proof covering. 





 

HELP!


We have a family asking if any parents that travel into town after school, would be able to take their son with them. Many thanks and petrol will be given from the family. If you are able to help them out, please let Aimee know.

 





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 


Term 4 Week 1


Principal's Message


Welcome to the first week of Term 4.  Over the holidays I actually found some time to stop, think and reflect on what had  been a crazy term. I had just got settled into Totara when we were thrown into another lockdown. Those few weeks were spent really trying to connect with the individual student and with each of you as a whanau. Then we were back into school and straight into routine. My time over the holidays really gave me the time to take stock as to how my first term had been. I kept coming back to one question – what was it about this school that made it so special to me? Why did I feel so connected so fast? And then I realised Totara felt like home, like the school I had been searching for.

 

The Oamaru Mail has been chasing me for the last term, for an interview  about my arrival at Totara. As I discussed with our Presiding Member of the BOT recently, that’s just not my style. Totara is about us – our whanau. If I was going to say something to the reporter, it would be this: Totara is a “heart”  school.  Many of you know that I breed horses – mainly miniatures. If you are lucky, as a horse owner,  you might get a chance to share your time with a heart horse – one that you were destined to own, who you bond with on another level. You can’t describe the feel and connection, but it exists. I have one of those. 

She is a Clydesdale  named Annie I have had since four months of age, 

and she is now 12. It just so happens she was born less than 3 kms 

from Totara School - another weird connection I have to the area.

 Totara School is for me, a heart school. It is one you fall in love with, 

and feel you could never leave. There is something indescribable

 about the place, something about the way it draws you in

 and let's you be just who you are meant to be. 

 It shows in the laughter of our kids, the dedication and passion

 of all our staff, and the welcoming nature of you, our community.

  To each and everyone of you -  I thank you for the part you play.


 

Word continues to get out, with five New Entrants starting up this term, and already four new students signed up to join us for 2022 including three who will be Year 7’s.  The future looks bright and I am proud to be part of the Totara Team,

 

This is going to be a busy term and we will continue to juggle Covid and the Alert Level guidelines that come with it. We appreciate the way you continue to sign in, wear masks and help us keep things as normal as we can. There is a term planner coming out with this newsletter, but please be patient with us. Many activities may have to change or be removed if alert levels change. We will always endeavour to keep you up to date.  There is also a survey link being sent out on behalf of the Board of Trustees and Staff to help us to continue to plan our future of the school.  It is important that we hear your voice so please add your responses to the online survey or request a paper copy from the office.



Ngā mihi, Whaea Sandra




Level Two Update


Kia Ora Whanau


Thanks for continuing to follow our Level 2 guidelines. We hope to return to Level 1 soon but given the increase in cases in Auckland - it may not be any time soon. In the meantime, please note the new requirements for all schools :-


·   Mask use on School Transport - Face coverings are required to be worn by students aged 12 and over while on school transport (both Ministry and regional council-operated services) under all alert levels.

 

·   School Drop-Offs - For parents conducting student pick-ups and drop-offs, these should occur in an outdoor environment where face coverings must be worn, and physical distancing measures retained. Parents, whānau and caregivers are not required to be vaccinated or tested in order to pick up or drop off children. 

 

 

Upcoming Events




1

18 October


19

20

21


HPV Vaccinations

22 Non Uniform Day





 R.I.C.H. Afternoon

2

25 October

 

Labour Day 

26



pm - Hockey & Cricket Skills

27


28

29




 

R.I.C.H. Afternoon

3

1 November

 


Staff Only Day

2




7 p.m. BOT meeting

3

4


5





 R.I.C.H. Afternoon




Sunhats


As we have now hit Spring and more sunshine  (well hopefully) we need to have our students wearing their lovely red bucket sun hats. Please ensure your child has

 a named sun hat at school to wear each day.




Touch Teams


We now have our two touch teams operating - Years 1-3 and Years 4-6. You should have received an email by now from Aimee about the details. We are looking out for a parent to coach/manage the Year 1-3 team please.


School Transport Survey


We have been approached to support a survey around School transport in the Oamaru area. Alyssa and Breanna Greaney are working with the Waitaki District Council (WDC) and the University of Canterbury to conduct research regarding how primary/intermediate and high school students travel to and from school. This survey will help  identify the transport needs and concerns of Oamaru’s school community. They  hope that by developing safe, low-carbon routes for children, we will improve safety, traffic congestion, children's health, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. If you wish to participate please follow this link to the survey


Oamaru School Transport survey



Celebrations and acknowledgements




Welcome to our two new students who have joined Karaka this term - Bruno and Adeline.



Thanks to those businesses who provide sponsorship for our Skool Loop App. You help us to keep in touch with our community. Please see the list at the bottom of the newsletter and support them whenever you can.  


A huge thanks to Brydone WholeFoods who have done an outstanding job providing our students with lunches on a Wednesday. Sadly, they are not able to continue this service. We hope you continue to support this amazing local business. I had a chance to pop down during the holidays and was impressed with their wide range of products and fantastic looking local vegetables. 


https://brydonewholefoods.co.nz/




Outstanding Student Work


Karaka - great writing and self portrait from last week of term 3.

 






Holiday Recounts from Kōwhai

Wow!  I finally got to go to my holiday house in Queenstown for one day and a night.  It was fun at Queenstown.  I went on the swing.  The swing was hanging from the tree.  I swung into the water.  It was freezing!

By Reed. 


“Moo!”  I woke up and I ran into the dining room.  I saw Mum and Dad outside and I saw the funniest thing.  A cow was piggybacking another cow.

By Gemma.


I stayed at my Grandma's house.  Lucy was in the bedroom next door.  I heard her yelling.  I went to Grandma's room to sleep there.  I slept in my Grandma's room in the middle of the bed.  Grandma had to go to Lucy's room because she was not asleep.  I was glad I was there.  We had been tailing the lambs.

By Olivia.



LUNCH ORDERS


PTA Sausage Sizzle - Thursday


$2 per sausage, with or with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to the PTA account 03-0937-0206673-00







MESSAGE FROM THE TOTARA PTA


Unfortunately, due to the Covid restrictions we are postponing our disco.

 


HELP!


We have a family asking if any parents that travel into town after school, would be able to take their son with them. Many thanks and petrol will be given from the family. If you are able to help them out, please let Aimee know.

 

 

 

 

 

 









______________________________________________________________________________________________




 



Term 3 Week 10


Principal's Message


Kia Ora e te whanau


Welcome to the last week of Term! I am not sure about all of you, but this term has felt like two terms rolled into one. As a new staff member starting at Totara, I was just getting into the swing of things when Lockdown hit. We worked  from home for a few weeks, and then back into school. On the whole, it was like we had never had that break. I am proud to say that because of everyone’s efforts, learning continued at home, communication continued between students and staff, amongst staff themselves, and between staff and our parent community. The support and care that was shown by all was fantastic. And then the students seamlessly returned to school once again. 


 A personal highlight for me this term was our weekly school Zoom Assembly.  We enjoyed  games of Red Elbow, our combined singing all be it all at different times and pace, and even our staff baby photo competition. While we are not keen to go back to Lockdown again, I think we did a great job of supporting each other. As the new Principal at Totara, I personally thank each and every one of you for making my first term such a highlight. There is not a day that I have regretted accepting the job, and every day I have been able to find time to marvel at just how amazing our Totara Whanau really is. 




It seems that it is not just me that has fallen in love with Totara School. The word continues to get out and we are getting inquiries each week from prospective parents wanting to bring their students to our school. We are happy to be welcoming four five year old students into Karaka next term. We also have two Year 6 students who are visiting our school as soon as they are able, with a potential 2022 start. 



I just want to finish with a few administrative points. There is no WOW afternoon this term due to Level 2. We have also had to cancel our Student Led Conferences as with the busy term ahead this will not be possible to fit in. We will still be following our usual Term 4 reports. If you need to talk to your child’s teacher about progress, please email them. We can look at individual meetings when required at Level 1. A Term Planner for Term 4 will be out before the end of the week. We will also be confirming the dates for 2022 at the same time. 


Lastly, I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank the Board of Trustees for appointing me as Principal. They have offered me a great deal of support, and have shown trust in me to lead the school. I am proud to lead such an amazing team of staff, with such an amazing student group and such a supportive group of parents, whanau and community. Please enjoy your holiday break. It is well deserved! We look forward to seeing you in two weeks time. 


Ngā mihi

Whaea Sandra




Level Two Update


Kia Ora Whanau


Thanks for continuing to follow our Level 2 guidelines. We hope to return to Level 1 after the holiday break and have guidelines ready to go for that return. We will be sending out a survey, hopefully this week, to gather your feedback about how Lockdown went - communication, home based learning and our return to school. 

Totara School Staff

 

Upcoming Events




WEEK

10

27 September

28




7 p.m. BOT meeting

29




30




 

1 October



Last day of Term

Date for 2021:
Term 3: Monday 26 July to Friday 1 October
Term 4: Monday 18 October to Thursday 15 December.



School Uniforms


Our staff never want to be seen as the Uniform police, however, we do have a great uniform and our students wear it with pride. We have noticed a few students adding extra items to the uniform, including non-uniform polar fleeces. Can we please take the chance of the holidays to check we have everything ready to go for Term 4. We would also like you to take this chance to find your child’s sun hat, ready to go! 




Touch Teams


There is the chance to enter touch teams again but we need to know urgently if your child would like to play. We also need some coaches/managers for each team. Please contact Aimee in the office via email if you would like your child to play and also if you can help coach a team. 




Celebrations and acknowledgements


A huge thank you to our Te Reo Māori Tutor, Whaea Tania, who has been working with us for two terms. We have loved having you as part of our team. You have made learning fun and we look forward to building on the progress that we have made. 



Thanks also goes out to those different groups that support us. These include


  • Our neighbours who came and helped remove a tree that fell across the road

  • The wonderful team that brings our milk twice a week.

  • Awamoa Bins who take away our rubbish

  • Brydone Wholefood for our Thursday Lunches

  • The individual Parents who come in to run the PTA sausage sizzle on a Wednesday

  • The volunteers who come in and help with RICH, cooking and various other activities during each week. 



  

Outstanding Student Work


Karaka Star Writers - 

 

 

 




 





Kōwhai Star Writers - Hide And Seek Recounts

“Ready or not, here I come!”  I was scared.  Yes I was last.  I was hiding behind the whiteboard.  I want to play it again.

By Lilly.

I hid in the school bag cupboard.  I didn't get found until the end.  I won.  I can’t wait to play again.

By Reed

I was hiding behind the couch.  Florence said “I found you Reihana.”  “Yay!” I thought.  I want to play again.

By Reihana.

Wow!  I was the first one to be found.  “Shsh Olivia, stop pushing me otherwise she’ll know where we are.”  Florence found me.

By Gemma

Damn it!  I got found.  I couldn’t stay quiet.  I was hiding under the computer chair. I don’t want to play it again.

By James M










LUNCH ORDERS


PTA Sausage Sizzle - Thursday


$2 per sausage, with or with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to the PTA account 03-0937-0206673-00




MESSAGE FROM THE TOTARA PTA


Pencil in Friday 29th October for the Totara School Disco! 

 


HELP!


We have a family asking if any parents that travel into town after school, would be able to take their son with them. Many thanks and petrol will be given from the family. If you are able to help them out, please let Aimee know.

 

 

 

 

 

 










______________________________________________________________________________________________



 



Term 3 Week 9


Principal's Message


Kia Ora e te whanau


My Inspiration to be the best teacher and principal has come from many sources in my life. 

Sometimes it has come from the powerful words carefully scripted by an author with a message. One such example  are the words of Maya Angelou shown below.


At other times my inspiration has  come from a stunning masterpiece, painstakingly created by someone with a message to share but in a visual way. Or  in the simple moment  drawing breath on a sunny morning and hearing the laughter of family and friends.


This week, inspiration for me has come from two sources. Firstly, it came from a message I received over the weekend. The message simply asked if we had plans to clean up after our hedge trimmer and then stated we are going over to school to clean up all the hedge trimmings on the roadside and inside the grounds. These families headed over on what was an already busy Sunday for them, and set to work. The results - fantastic! The students appreciated the effort put in and jumped in to help finish off today. The simple act of stepping in without hesitation to help is truly inspirational, and something I will look to pay forward. 





The second source of inspiration came from our students themselves. Seniors took it upon themselves to set up a great lunchtime game which lasted most of the lunch break. It catered for all levels and resulted in many laughs. One student sat on the sideline watching, unsure quite how to join in. When I went over with him, a senior student came over and offered to help. Five minutes later, the student was in the midst of the game, surrounded by students and also having a great time. The simple act of that senior student, to ensure all students were involved was inspiring. To that student (you know who you are) and to the others that followed suit, we thank you. 


Since I started at Totara School, things have been hectic. Four weeks in and lockdown hit. A few weeks later, and we're back at school and in routine. While things are a little different right now, the students are taking it all in their stride thanks to your support. We have again updated the term planner - see below. While many things have been postponed or cancelled it won’t be long until we are back at Level 1. Until then, I hope that you find moments of inspiration in your day that keep you motivated. Every day I am grateful that I work at Totara School. Together, we make a great team.  


Ngā mihi

Whaea Sandra




Level Two Update


Kia Ora Whanau


After the announcement today from Jacina Ardern, we look set to be at Level 2 for the rest of the term. We have therefore made the decision to cancel the WOW afternoon for this term, but am sure we will make up for it next term. Thanks to all of you who have been following our Level 2 Guidelines. We are adding them below just to keep them in the forefront of everyone’s minds. Thanks everyone.

Totara School Staff

 


Level Two Guidelines

We thought it timely to remind you of our key Level 2 guidelines so here they are. We are also limiting external visitors at this time including pre-school visits to help keep our students safe. 

  • School is open for all pupils. Please notify us if your child is not attending.

  • Children and staff who are sick should stay home.

  • Drop off is at the gate and you need to scan the QR code please. If needed,                 you can walk your child to the door but please stay outside. We do encourage                  parents to wear masks on the school grounds and to limit contact to                     your own children.

  • Hand sanitiser is at the gate and door of each classroom.

  • The school has had a thorough clean and surfaces and equipment will be cleaned regularly.

  • Our initial focus will be on re-establishing routines and getting back into work. We will be limiting visitors.

  • Lunch orders and sausage sizzle are back up and running. 

 

 

Upcoming Events




WEEK

9

20 September

 


Gymnastics Festival

21



 


North Otago Cross Country

22





7 p.m. PTA meeting - Kakariki

23


School Photos


24





Kaupapa Festival @Kakanui

WEEK

10

27 September

28




7 p.m. BOT meeting

29




30




WOW Afternoon

1 October




Date for 2021:
Term 3: Monday 26 July to Friday 1 October
Term 4: Monday 18 October to Thursday 15 December.



Celebrations and acknowledgements


A huge welcome to our new Board of Trustee members, Paegan Dalziel and Rihi Schultz, who have their first meeting next week. 








A big welcome to Hunter who has started at Totara. He had already completed all his visits before Lockdown so was able to seamlessly join us. We love having you at Totara School Hunter.


  





Spring Morning Tea fun

Outstanding Student Work


Karaka Star Writers - 

Lockdown Memories

What can I do at school at Level 2?

I liked doing gymnastics. I liked playing red elbow on hangout.

By Mason


I like sharing my toys with Storm. I can not share my pencil case and my rubber and my shoes and undies!

By Dorothy

I liked feeding my lambs milk. I liked playing red elbow on hangout.

By Morgan

I like sharing my lego with Jade. I can not share my undies!

By Morgan 

I played playstation. I did stuff in the shed. I did chores.

By Kainui


I like sharing my motorbike. I can not share my drink bottle.

By Jack





Kōwhai Star Writers - 

I went to jump on the beat board.

By Allysra.


I just can’t wait to go on the beat board.  I wait.  It’s my turn.  I jump high into the sky.  I jump on the box.  I land with my hands up.

By Sienna


I can’t wait.  I run fast.  I jump high into the sky and land on the box.  I walk to the end and jump off.  I land on the mat.

By Prue.

Kazam!  I spring myself onto the beat board and fly up in the air.  I land on the box and put my hands up in the air.  Finished.

By Lilly.

I can’t wait to see my friends do gymnastics.

By George




Kikorangi


 




 



Kikorangi Writing - Cinquain Poetry

Bunnies

Fluffy, cute

Jumping, running, eating,

Bringing love to life.

Like a lump of cloud.


By Feenyx



Emu

Scary, feathery

Runs, pecks, sees

Runs in a herd

Like a big brown pom pom.


By Elodie

Motorbikes

Extreme, exciting.

Practicing, jumping, racing.

Spreading fun around track.

It's like a race car.


By Connor



Peacock 

Unique pretty

Walking, searching, sleeping 

Performing show with their feathers

A beautiful butterfly


By Kaitlyn R

Thor.commons.wikimedia.org

Amazing   handsome.

Hunting, eating’ meowing.

Smooching everything.

A big, alive teddy.


By Zade





Kakariki Health topic - personal statements


Are healthy and happy the same thing?

Healthy and happy are NOT the same thing. Example one, I'm sure you would love to stuff your mouth with potato chips and gulp down bottles of soft drink yeah that's right, you, BUT tell me, is that healthy? Example two, 50 km Hike, or watching cartoons all afternoon, which would you choose? (Be honest)  I bet you would be happy

Marlow


I don't think that healthy and happy are the same thing because you could be healthy and not happy or the other way round. Being healthy does not mean you are happy because if you are on a diet it's not going to make you happy because you could be craving junk food lots of the time and not being able to eat it will make you sad. Even if you did eat the junk food your diet would be ruined then you might gain weight, that would not make you healthy or happy.


By Tabitha



I believe that happiness and healthiness are not the same thing.

For example, I, along with a lot of other people, enjoy fizzy drinks such as Coke, L&P and Fanta. While these drinks may taste nice they are nowhere near healthy. They are pumped with sugar and caffeine.

People may go on a run but hate it the whole time, lungs burning and all.

By Storm


 

Healthy and happy can be the same but can also be very different for example if you like eating healthy food and it like your favourite thing to eat then you are healthy and happy so in that case they are the same but if you like junk food and think it like the best thing in the world and you hate healthy food and don’t eat it often then your happy not healthy and that makes them different.


BY ALEXIE 



Burns Memorial Art Exhibition 


 Check out our Totara students' art work, on the ground floor at the Forrester Art Gallery.









LUNCH ORDERS


We have Brydone Wholefoods on a Wednesday and PTA Sausage Sizzle on a Thursday. Lunch orders can be emailed to the office on office@totara.school.nz or dropped into the office, by 9am, on the morning of your order. If we don’t get an order, we can’t order your child’s lunch.


Brydone Wholefoods Menu - Wednesday 


Chicken Nuggets & Chips

$5.00

Chips

$3.00

Cheese Roll

$2.00

Toasted Sandwich

     Ham & Cheese

     Cheese & Pineapple

$3.00

Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap

$8.00

Frozen Juice

$1.20

Piece of fruit

$1.00


You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to Brydone Wholefoods 12-3226-0062099-00.


PTA Sausage Sizzle - Thursday


$2 per sausage, with or with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to the PTA account 03-0937-0206673-00




MESSAGE FROM THE TOTARA PTA


We are having a PTA meeting tonight, 22nd September, 7pm in Room 1.

 


HELP!


We have a family asking if any parents that travel into town after school, would be able to take their son with them. Many thanks and petrol will be given from the family. If you are able to help them out, please let Aimee know.


 

 

Dates: from 1st of November to 6th of December (every Monday)

 

Venue: Waitaki Recreation Centre, 43 Orwell Street, 9400 Oamaru

 

Cost: Free

 

Grades:

  • Year 1-2s – play 4v4 half court (no Goalkeepers) – 6 players min recommended per team

  • Year 3-4s – play 4v4 half court (no Goalkeepers) – 6 players min recommended per team

  • Year 5-6s – play 5v5 (with Goalkeeper) full court - 7 players min recommended per team

  • Year 7-8s – play 5v5 (with Goalkeeper) full court - 7 players min recommended per team

 

Times * notice this is a guide and might change slightly depending on the number of teams entered

  • Year 1-2s – 3:30 to 4:00pm

  • Year 3-4s – 4:00 to 4:30pm

  • Year 5-6s – 4:30 to 5:00pm and/or 5:00 to 5:30pm

  • Year 7-8s – 5:30 to 6:00pm and/or 6 to 6:30pm

 

All games will be 12min halves with 1 min half-time.

 

No Coaches needed! All you need is an adult to support the team and make the substitutions – we recommend the adult person to sub players on/off every 3 or 4 min.

















 



Term 3 Week 8


Principal's Message


Kia Ora e te whanau


Well - we made it. We got through another lockdown and have returned to school with smiles on our faces. After receiving numerous emails from students and staff (and the odd parent) saying We miss School! It was great to welcome everyone back. Again we want to thank you for all your hard work during this time. I am posting below my Thanks  message from  Facebook and Seesaw as I think it is worth mentioning again. (See below) We would also like to thank you for following our Level 2 guidelines, dropping off at the gate or door and using our QR scanner. Let’s hope we move to Level 1 shortly.  In the meantime, please be aware there is a tummy bug doing the rounds at school and the community. If your child is sick, please do keep them home. 


Since being back at school, we have been working hard to get students back into routines and settled. This has been very successful and we have noticed the students really enjoying being able to spend time with their friends. Many activities were cancelled due to the Lockdown so we are in the midst of rescheduling events such as our Student-Led Conferences and our Staff Only Day. We will update you as soon as we can. 


This week is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and we have been celebrating by using as much Te Reo as possible. There are new songs/waiata being learned, daily words and language activities in most classes. Please feel free to ask your child what they have been learning. 


Please continue to message or email us with any questions or ideas. We will be carrying out a post-lockdown survey before the end of the term to hear how things went for you in terms of our communication and home learning. We look forward to hearing from you all.




Ngā mihi

Whaea Sandra




Level Three and Four Thanks


Kia Ora Whanau

Today's image is a bouquet dedicated to all of our amazing Totara Whanau.

It goes to each and every parent, grandparent, whanau member and friend who supported our amazing Totara Students over lockdown. It also goes to each and every one of you for helping make the pathway back to school a smooth one. We were greeted with your smiles and words of thanks at the gate this morning. You all did a great job of scanning our QR code, and dropping at the gate and door. We thank you.

The bouquet also goes out to our staff. You seamlessly pathed the way for our students to continue learning during lockdown and then to return as if we had simply been on holiday. Your efforts to greet our students and get them back into routine were outstanding - teachers and teacher aides alike. We also thank our Board of Trustees for their ongoing support during Level 4 and 3.

This bouquet also goes to our bus driver who welcomed our students back onto the bus today, like they were returning from  just a weekend break.

And lastly but not least, this bouquet goes to our amazingly resilient students. Today you showed us all of your RICH values. You came back with smiles and a desire to be in routine. You worked hard, played with your friends, and shone as brightly as ever.

It is days like this, when we could have lots to be worried about, that we truly realise how lucky we are to be part of the Totara Bubble. To each and every one of you, a huge thank you.  Now we get to do it all over again tomorrow.

Totara School Staff

 



Level Two Guidelines

We thought it timely to remind you of our key Level 2 guidelines so here they are. We are also limiting external visitors at this time including pre-school visits to help keep our students safe. 

  • School is open for all pupils. Please notify us if your child is not attending.

  • Children and staff who are sick should stay home.

  • Drop off is at the gate and you need to scan the QR code please. If needed,                 you can walk your child to the door but please stay outside. We do encourage                  parents to wear masks on the school grounds and to limit contact to                     your own children.

  • Hand sanitiser is at the gate and door of each classroom.

  • The school has had a thorough clean and surfaces and equipment will be cleaned regularly.

  • Our initial focus will be on re-establishing routines and getting back into work. We will be limiting visitors.

  • Lunch orders and sausage sizzle start this week. 

 

Upcoming Events



WEEK

13 September

 

 

14





15

16


a.m. Youthtown Sport lessons

17



11.50 a.m. Assembly

1.30 RICH Programme

WEEK

9


20 September

 


Gymnastics Festival

21



 


North Otago Cross Country

22




7 p.m. PTA meeting

23


School Photos


24





Kaupapa Festival @Kakanui

WEEK

10

27 September

28




7 p.m. BOT meeting

29




30




WOW Afternoon

1 October




Date for 2021:
Term 3: Monday 26 July to Friday 1 October
Term 4: Monday 18 October to Thursday 15 December.




Outstanding Student Work



Kōwhai Star Writers - Based on the Picture Prompt

The Cub is tired of walking. So he jumped on his mother’s bottom for a free ride.

By Florence

Stop climbing up on to my back. You can walk by yourself. 

By Gemma.

“Get off” said Mum.

“No. I don’t want to.”

By India

Don’t fart please mum. Thanks for carrying me.

By Louie.



Question and Answer Poetry by Kikorangi


 

 







Kakariki Lockdown Writing


The Eye

In the sweltering depths of the misty marsh, it lay there. Waiting.

Your heart was pounding as you stared right in the eye of an inland taipan, the most venomous snake in the world. You knew one bite of this snake you would be dead in seconds. So you are lying on the ground face to face with this snake. You could feel the breath of the snake cold and cool. The tongue tickled, and it felt like a spider was slowly crawling up your face. The snake was so motionless you could have thought it was dead. After 30min the inland taipan slowly went away and once again you made it out alive again, but maybe next time you won't be so lucky.


by Manon

By Aaliyah


By Quin.




By Bailey.



Kakariki Lockdown  Art


By Amelie


By Eryn


By Marlow


By Teddy




LUNCH ORDERS


We have Brydone Wholefoods on a Wednesday and PTA Sausage Sizzle on a Thursday. Lunch orders can be emailed to the office on office@totara.school.nz or dropped into the office, by 9am, on the morning of your order. If we don’t get an order, we can’t order your child’s lunch.


Brydone Wholefoods Menu - Wednesday 


Chicken Nuggets & Chips

$5.00

Chips

$3.00

Cheese Roll

$2.00

Toasted Sandwich

     Ham & Cheese

     Cheese & Pineapple

$3.00

Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap

$8.00

Frozen Juice

$1.20

Piece of fruit

$1.00


You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to Brydone Wholefoods 12-3226-0062099-00.


PTA Sausage Sizzle - Thursday


$2 per sausage, with or with onions, mustard and tomato sauce. You can either pay cash to the office or direct credit to the PTA account 03-0937-0206673-00




MESSAGE FROM THE TOTARA PTA


We are having a PTA meeting on Tuesday 21st September, 7pm in Room 1.

 


 

Dates: from 1st of November to 6th of December (every Monday)

 

Venue: Waitaki Recreation Centre, 43 Orwell Street, 9400 Oamaru

 

Cost: Free

 

Grades:

  • Year 1-2s – play 4v4 half court (no Goalkeepers) – 6 players min recommended per team

  • Year 3-4s – play 4v4 half court (no Goalkeepers) – 6 players min recommended per team

  • Year 5-6s – play 5v5 (with Goalkeeper) full court - 7 players min recommended per team

  • Year 7-8s – play 5v5 (with Goalkeeper) full court - 7 players min recommended per team

 

Times * notice this is a guide and might change slightly depending on the number of teams entered

  • Year 1-2s – 3:30 to 4:00pm

  • Year 3-4s – 4:00 to 4:30pm

  • Year 5-6s – 4:30 to 5:00pm and/or 5:00 to 5:30pm

  • Year 7-8s – 5:30 to 6:00pm and/or 6 to 6:30pm

 

All games will be 12min halves with 1 min half-time.

 

No Coaches needed! All you need is an adult to support the team and make the substitutions – we recommend the adult person to sub players on/off every 3 or 4 min.





































 



Term 3 Week 4


Principal's Message


I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying some whanau time and sunshine. Today I am sitting writing this newsletter in a very different context to what I expected. Rather  than sitting in my office, I am at the dining table having just come in from 

counting more lambs.  We have been plunged into Level 4 and once again 

restrictions apply. This time is different though as we have experienced before.

 We have robust plans in place, systems that work and, as always,

 a can-do attitude. Teaching staff have already had their first
Zoom meeting and will be keeping in touch over the next few days.


This newsletter will not be the usual one but contains important information about the next few days and beyond. Of course, we will have to await and see what happens with the announcements before firm decisions can be made. Until then, please connect with us via Seesaw or phone.  Instructions on how to access Seesaw if you are new or need a reminder have been sent out along with a video.  Please do reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Further information will follow once we know more about next week.


Ngā mihi

Whaea Sandra





School Closure - Wednesday to Friday

The nation is heading into Covid Level 4 as of 11:59pm last night. Totara School will be closed for the next three days, Wednesday 18th August 2021 - Friday 20th August 2021. Beyond those dates we don't know the situation but will advise you as soon as we know more. It's possible that we will stay in Level 4, or move to level 3. At the moment the lockdown is very short so will not impact learning significantly. Over the next three days our teachers will be preparing to deliver home learning from next week, if required. They may put small bits and pieces on Seesaw but please do not expect a full programme of work.  As a school we are very happy for your child to enjoy a mid-term break – read, refresh and rest for the remainder of this week.

You may even want to spend the next three days in quality time with your kids, reading books, playing games, watching movies and generally having fun with them, and reassuring them that they are safe.

 

POSTPONED EVENTS

Student-led conferences to have been on Wednesday and Thursday  have been postponed.

Whole Ski Day - Monday 23 August - this has been postponed. We have a possible replacement date of Monday 30 August but this will be dependent on a number of factors.

 

 

ACCESSING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Staff are not able to access the school grounds over the next three days. In the event of an extension to the lockdown, we may be able to get together and distribute devices and learning packs for a home based learning programme.




Upcoming Events - all TBC




Week 5 - Tuesday 24th August -  Youthtown sports activities

Wednesday 25th -  Hockey coaching afternoon

Friday 27th August - RICH afternoon


Week 6 - Tuesday 31 August - Friday 3rd Sept - Year 7 & 8 Technology





Celebrations and acknowledgements


Thanks this week to our staff who have not only made me feel super welcome but every day go out of their way to make sure their programmes meet the needs of each and every child. While we might expect this of all teachers and teacher aides, it is not always the case. Thanks team for always doing a stellar job! 



Outstanding Student Work



Kōwhai Star Writers

“Yay!” I grabbed the parachute.  I threw it up.  “Blue!”  I let go and ran.  I got stuck in the parachute.

By Reihana 12.08.21

“Blue!”  I let the parachute go.  I raced under it to find another blue.  I was dodging everyone.  I got there.

By India 12.08.21



Diamante poetry by Kikorangi.

 


Kaitlyn S 




Kaitlyn R  

 



Ayda



  Taurima






Cross country           Friday 13 August 



After lunch we got on the bus and headed off to Maheno rugby field and set up the tent and tarpaulin. Year group by year group, we walked the track. Then when the Y1s went then the Y2s and so on and so on. Then it was the Y6s turn. “Take your marks, get set, go!!!”  By the time the fence was crossed and I was over the hay bales  my shoe laces had come undone. I had to run the rest of the race with my laces undone… By the time I got to the trees I was pooped.

Then I got ahead of the Hampden girl and then when I got to the hay bale jumps I got excited. I crossed the finish line 2nd.  The Maheno girl came first and the Hampden came second and others came 4th, 5th and 6th. After I lay down I was given a cold refreshing ice block. Then I almost fell asleep on the bus…        Displaying IMG_8924.JPG


By Amelie 





A sample of our students in the Zone Cross Country

Thanks to all the parents who supported us on the day and to our amazing marshall. And a huge thanks to Debbie for the photos.

 

 

 

 




 

 





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