Kia Manawanui

Pānui #06 / 2nd May 2019 Te Rā Waldorf School, Te Rawhiti Kindergarten, Nursery and Playgroups 89 Poplar Avenue 162 Wellington Road Raumati South Paekakariki Phone: 04 299 0812 Phone: 04 292 7072 Mobile: 021 2958618 e-mail: office@tera.school.nz www.tera.school.nz

Kia ora koutou, dear Parents, Whānau, and Friends,

At the beginning of the term break a good number of teachers attended the Waldorf 100 Conference at Michael Park School in

Auckland. This was not only a great opportunity to catch up with our colleagues from around the motu and participate in inspiring workshops, but also to hear and discuss some thought-provoking insights about how Waldorf education may continue to evolve in the next 100 years. The main keynote speaker was Stephen Sagarin from the USA. Stephen Sagarin is one of the leading edge thinkers, practitioners and communicators in contemporary Waldorf education. You can find his blog “What is Education” here. Another highlight of the conference was Te Rā’s artistic contribution. 12 of us gave a Eurythmy performance – yes, it takes a lot of practice but it is very energizing and inspiring at the same time! - and Rongo and

Elien performed a groundbreaking performance which combined Rongo’s mau rakau school with Elien’s artistic Eurythmy.

Term 2 has begun well. Next week the school will be abuzz with the activities of “Te Wiki o Te Mahi Tahi”. Classes 2-7 are taking part in the workshops, and we ask that you support you child or children by ensuring they are equipped appropriately (e.g. clothing, bikes, materials), depending on the workshop they are doing. Specific

information is provided, and if you are not sure about something we are very happy to answer questions.

Please ensure you attend the whānau hui this term. Attendance

overall has been very low, and it is unhelpful and frustrating for teachers and the whānau who do come along. Creating a positive, successful class culture needs kanohi ki te kanohi – face to face – meetings. Additionally, it is one of the most important commitments we all make when we enroll our children, as whānau involvement and participation is cornerstone of successful Waldorf education. Please engage. Finally, we welcome Hanu Chaplin and his whānau to the Ruru kindergarten group. Nau mai, haere mai. Noho ora mai, Andrea Sorger Tumuaki / Principal

Board of Trustees 2019 Elections

Nominations are invited for the election of three parent representatives to the Board of Trustees. A nomination form and a notice calling for nominations will be posted to all eligible voters by Friday 10th May 2019.

You can nominate another person to stand as a candidate, or you can nominate yourself (make sure you sign both parts of the form). Nomination forms can also be obtained from the school office - 89 Poplar Avenue, Raumati South. Nominations close at noon on Friday 24th May 2019 and may be accompanied by signed candidates’ statements. Election Day is Friday 7th June 2019.

If you would like more information about what being a Board member entails, please contact Grant Carpenter (current Board Chairperson) on 021 2669919 or email : gigcarpenter@gmail.com

From Our Executive Officer

As you are all aware, school lunches are now able to be ordered

through KINDO. This is our preferred way to receive lunch orders from Term 2. Below is a step-by-step guied on how to get your lunch orders loaded through KINDO. You can order weekly, or for the whole term. You can also place one-off orders as needed if your child does not regularly get a lunch. With changing the lunch orders over to Kindo, we ask that you place your lunch orders asap for your child/ren. Cut-off for lunch orders via Kindo is 10.00 am Wednesday morning. Please do not send cash to the office for lunch orders.

From the Office

Whooping Cough There has been a confirmed case of whooping cough in one of our school/kindergarten families. While the affected person is not a student at the school or kindergarten, they have been in recent contact with children and adults here. Please be vigilant if anyone in your whānau develops a persistent cough, and consult a medical professional sooner rather than later.

Winter Flu and Measles We have recently received information from Regional Health regarding both measles and influenza. Please be vigilant and make sure you are aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice early, if you or the children develop any of symptoms. Message from KCDC for Parents At Te Rā School the majority of parents are considerate in their driving, parking, and helping get children to and from school. However, we feel it is timely for us to remind everyone of

the correct traffic behaviour when dropping off and collecting children from school to ensure everyone’s safety. With thoughtfulness, common sense, patience and courtesy we are sure we can continually improve traffic congestion, parking, and the safety of our children whilst getting to or from school. Thank you for your anticipated co-operation and support for this.

Please ensure that anyone else involved in helping get your children to or from school reads these notes. Fines can be issued around schools if drivers choose to park unsafely, on broken yellow lines, in bus stops or disability parking spaces without an appropriate permit, and over or within one metre of residents’ driveways. Please give everyone a fair go and above all keep our kids and everyone safe. Bruce Johnston Transport Safety coordinator Kapiti Coast District Council

Unused Hockey Equipment Wanted

Hi everyone, We have had a big increase in the number of children who have registered to play hockey this year (23 children!) which is fantastic. If anyone has any unused hockey equipment at home that they would like to donate to a good cause please drop the items/s into the school office.

Results from Kapiti Interschool Swimming Championships

Congratulations to the following children who received certificates

for their placings last term. It was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all who attended!

3rd Milah Nicholls, Year 5 Girls 25m Backstroke

3rd Stefan Hill, Boys Year 6, 25m Backstroke

2nd Stefan Hill, Boys Year 6, 25m Breaststroke

3rd Maria Thomas, Year 7 Girls, 50m Backstroke

1st Hinemoana Parsons-Bryce, Girls Year 8, 50m Backstroke

1st Gaby Van Wyk, Girls Year 8, 50m Freestyle

2nd Gaby Van Wyk, Girls Year 8, 25m Butterfly

1st Gaby Van Wyk, Girls Year 8, 50m Breaststroke

Harvest Fair

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who made the fair happen, it was a wonderful day. It really does take everyone doing their bit to make it all come together. We were very lucky with the weather and people commented on it being a "quieter vibe" but that this was enjoyable. We are awaiting on final figures and bills to come in, but it is looking like we made a very similar amount to last year. As always parent liaisons are collecting any feedback. Please feel free to pass it on to them or email Tash or Marliesje directly ( tashrobertsonmidwife@gmail.com or Marliesje). If you think you would like to join the Fair Core group for the upcoming 2020 Fair then please be in contact.

2019 Harvest Fair Raffle Results

Thanks all for contributing to our yearly raffle. Winners are: 1st prize: Wally Penetito 2nd Prize: Vanessa Anderson (class 4 mum) 3rd Prize: Kay Wilmshurst (sister-in-law to teacher Sharon). The raffle for firewood went to the Daniels family in Raumati South.

The winner of most raffle ticket books is Gemma Aiken, we have a prize coming your way.. Thank you The Fair Core Group Marliesje, Tash, Charlotte, Carrie, Tikky, Susan, Tonia, Tessa & Teresa.

Wananga Hapori - “Prince, Princess and the Happily-Ever-

After Finale – What’s the Story with Gender Representation?”

On the 10th of April a small but excellent group came together to discuss the theme of gender representation in the stories told in kindergarten and school. The conversation also included the broader question of gender identity and rainbow inclusivity.

The Faculty has been working with the question of the stories, and especially the fairy tales, through last year and into this. This space is not sufficient to describe in detail everything that has evolved, so we will give you an idea of what has been happening:

No one tells the “Disney-fied” fairytales. These have been more or less “stolen” from the canon as the visuals and interpretation offered prevent the children from accessing them in their own imaginations.

Teachers very carefully think about gender role (i.e. stereotypes) representations in stories, and adapt them where indicated (e.g. The King of Ireland’s Son).

Teachers are researching and presenting strong female characters to include in the history lessons which take the children from ancient times to the recent past.

Teachers are becoming ever more mindful to dissolve gender stereotypes (e.g. the farmer – she, the police officer, the dancer – he).

We have begun on work on creating a rainbow-inclusive school. Kindergarten and school teachers worked with this question on

the recent Teacher Development Day where two young people from “Gender Minorities Aotearoa” gave a presentation. A first step was to un-gender two of the bathrooms; also, teachers are mindful of avoiding “girls – boys” groupings, and we are researching implications for kapa haka. Naturally we avoid “girls/boys do/don’t do this …”.

We will develop an inclusiveness policy which will support the culture we envisage.

Obviously all of this is needs ongoing work, and we really appreciate the importance of whānau support with this.

He ika kai ake i raro, he rapaki ake i raro.

We would like to develop a culture where children are safe in their identity, and keep others safe in theirs, here and when they go out into the world when they move on to secondary school. Obviously the same is true for all adults in our community.

Coming back to the fairy tales, here is some interesting research which seems to confirm that some fairy tales may be, in fact, very ancient.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/04/some-fairy-tales-may-be-6000-years-old

Craft Group

The craft group will continue to meet in the handwork this term on Fridays 9am - 3pm. Please come along or call in for a bit. This is often our learning term when we work on teaching others any skills they want to know.

From the Woodwork Room

Woodcarvers- the carving project is under way again. We meet with Chris Gerretzen and storytellers next Thursday at 7:00pm.

Paul Denford Ph 027 246 3065

Community Notices and Advertising These notices do not reflect the opinions of the editors.

Milk in Glass Bottles I am wanting to see if there is any interest in ordering milk in glass bottles. Eketahuna farms are delivering milk to the Kapiti coast and the appeal for me is the reduction in plastic due to using glass bottles. If you would like more details or think you might like to get this delivered as a group to reduce the delivery charges then please email Tash on tashrobertsonmidwife@gmail.com

Available For Sale - Two High Quality Riding Items

# one RENNRAD child’s convertible 2 in 1 runner / pedal bike, by Coolproducts. This balance bike is currently set up as a pedal bike, but can be set up for use as either a runner bike or pedal bike. # one QUAX Luxus 20" Unicycle, with an additional second 200mm seat post to allow for taller riders. Both items include instructions and all the original parts they were bought with. They have been used and stored carefully, and have been a joy to use. You are welcome to see and test them. (We are

here in Raumati.) We are looking for around $150 per item, but happy for the cost to be split into several payments if required. Please call or text - 0274 332908.

Natural Ease A 1-day mindfulness and movement retreat with Rachel Tobin, Te Ra hall, Sunday 12 May, 10am- 4.30pm. (Mother’s day, I know!) Replenish your energy and vitality, and practice a more ease-full state of being. For more info please check out: http://www.theartofmindfulness.co.nz/retreats or ring Rachel on.021 473 012

Storytelling Workshop Series with Tina is postponed New date is to be advised Saxophone Wanted Does anybody have a saxophone Hunter could BORROW for a couple

of weeks as he has begun lessons and I am saving to buy him one. If so please call me. Vanessa 020 41166196. Thank You! Hoop Club Kapiti – Basketball Coaching Programme – Term 2 2019 Paraparaumu Sessions: Sunday 5 May to Sunday 30 June Paraparaumu College Community Sportshall, Mazengarb Road, Paraparaumu 9.30 to 10.30am 5 to 7 year olds

10.30 to 11.30am 8 to 10 year olds 11.30 to 12.30pm 11 to 17 year olds ALL NEW PLAYERS MOST WELCOME Contact – Angelo Robinson 04 9040142 or contact@hoopclubkapiti.nz Neurodiverse Student Evening - Kāpiti College You and your children are invited to join a group of our neurodiverse students for an informal evening of sharing experiences, ideas and tips for success. This is primarily aimed at primary school children, but older children are most welcome.

When: Thursday 16th May Where: Kāpiti College. Staffroom. Time: 7 pm - 8.30 pm

Refreshments provided. Koha appreciated. Please go to https://www.facebook.com/SharpeMindsNZ To register your interest in coming.

Diary of Dates

Week 2 of Term 2 Wiki o te Mahi Tahi Classes 2-7 Monday 6th May Information Afternoon 2:30pm Tuesday 7th May Class 1 Whanau Hui Thursday 9th May Interschool Mountain Biking Now

Postponed until 22 October Thursday 9th May Classes 3, 6 and 7 Whanau Hui 7:00pm Thursday 16th May Board of Trustees Meeting 7:00pm Friday 17th May Class 3 String Programme Concert for

Class Parent 10:00-10:30am Tuesday 21st May Kakariki Kindergarten Parent Evening

7:30pm

Wednesday 22nd May Tough Guy & Gal Challenge–Classes 6 & 7 Thursday 23rd May Tough Guy & Gal Challenge–Class 5 Thursday 6th June Keruru, Ruru and Korimako Kindergarten

Groups Whanau Hui 7:30pm Monday 10th June Information Afternoon 2:30pm

Waldorf Education

on the Kapiti Coast

❖ How can we help young people develop a lifelong enthusiasm for learning and work?

❖ How can the way in which children are educated foster a healthy self-awareness?

❖ How can education help them understand the needs of people of all cultures and the needs of the environment?

All prospective school and kindergarten parents are warmly invited to our next

Information Afternoons at 2:30pm on

Monday, 6 May, 2019

Monday, 10 June, 2019

Information Evening at 7:00pm on

Tuesday, 2 July, 2019

at Te Rā Waldorf School, 89 Poplar Ave, Raumati South There will be plenty of opportunity for questions.

You can also contact the office for an information pack.

04 299-0812 or email office@tera.school.nz

www.tera.school.nz Find us on Facebook