Purakanui School News Feed

The Junior News

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We are well into our term 2 programme. This term we are studying mini beasts. The children are really enjoying looking at the insect world around us and in our gardens. We have discovered what makes an insect an insect, which is helping us identify creatures in our school environment. So far, the most numerous mini beast we have noticed are slaters.
We have also been enjoying visits from Mr. Muskett who has been running sessions about cooperation, friendship and acceptance.
Lots of our children are playing winter sports which is great. This coincides nicely with soccer which is our PE programme at the moment.
Our health topic is the firewise unit which is very interesting and will culminate with a visit from the fire brigade in their big machine.
We are looking forward to visits to the ecosanctuary as part of our topic work and the kapahaka festival later this term.

ski trip dates 2012

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SKI TRIP DATES 2012

This year our community ski trip will be at Treble Cone, the weekend of 25 & 26 of August.

Up and coming events

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Pipis Playgroup - every Thursday morning (phone Katherine 482 1800 for more details)
Ski Trip - 25 & 26 of August
Queen's Birthday - 4 June

Friday 29 June - 2pm, End of Term

Mrs Allen's Corner

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Three Peaks Cluster
There are eight small schools dotted up the coast heading north from here. Each one of them is regarded as the focal point of their local community. Together, we call ourselves the 'Three Peaks Cluster' ; the three peaks being Mihiwaka at the southern end, Mt Watkins near Waikouaiti, and Puketapu in the north. The eight schools, besides ourselves, are Waitati, Warrington, Karitane, Flag Swamp, Waikouaiti, Palmerston and McCrae's-Moonlight. One of the great things about belonging to this cluster is our joint sporting events. Instead of trying to run all the sports for ourselves, we get together for these events. The various schools take turns at organising; for example, Flag Swamp and McCrae's are famous for their cross-country / orienteering; Warrington for the triathlon on their beach; and Palmerston for the athletics days. Our specialty is a multi-sport try-out day held at the Edgar Centre , featuring at least a dozen new sports to have a go at.
Cultural events benefit in the same way. When all the eight schools combine we have about 350 children in total. Some of our regular events are a spelling bee, wearable arts show, a bienniel Kaupapa Maori Festival; and our new one this year is a choral Jam where we will all get together in the hall at Waikouaiti and sing our hearts out.
The Three Peaks Cluster is just as important for the staff as it is for the students. The eight principals meet at least once each term, and find it is invaluable as a collegial support network. We share ideas on curriculum and pedagogy. We also use our combined experience to help each other with organisational issues such as Charters and Targets. Sometimes we bring in all our staff, or even our Boards of Trustees too, to a joint professional training session.
Each of us in the cluster knows we are the centre of a tight-knit school community. It is very good to know that we are also part of a vibrant, energetic and supportive wider community ; The Three Peaks Cluster.

Term dates for 2012

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For our school 2012 -Term Start date End date

Term 1    January 31     to      Thursday 5 April

Term 2    Monday 23 April     to    Friday 29 June

Term 3    Monday 16 July    to     Friday 28 September

Term 4     Monday 15 October   to   Friday 14 December