This term is an exciting term as we begin rehearsals for our show The Lion King - performances will be at the end of this term - dates and times to be confirmed. Before the middle of term we will also be sending home a brief report to give you some information about the latest assessments for your tamaiti - we will then organise a parent session to help you to understand this information and to give some ideas about how whānau can support learning at home.
Health & Safety Reminders As you will know we support a number of students with some complex learning needs. It is really important that our gates stay closed at all times. Please do not prop them open for any reason - if you see them propped open please close them.
Asking for help One of the messages we give our tamariki is that there are times when we need to ask for help from an adult. We want them to be upstanders not bystanders. Sometimes our children have the idea that they "shouldn't tell tales" or "dob others in," they might also call each other "snitches" etc. It is important that we teach our tamariki that if they or someone else isn't safe or is feeling sad or scared, they should tell someone. Please reinforce this message at home - if we know something is happening we can help.
Karakia at the end of the day. It is really important to us that we honour Te Tiriti and teach all our tamariki how to participate confidently in our beautiful bicultural country. Part of that is that we start and end our day with karakia. If you pick up your tamariki, please wait for our karakia to be finished before you take them home. I know it can take a little time for everyone to settle but it is good for everyone to learn to wait calmly.
Thanks for your support for Ruakākā Primary. Have a restful weekend - stay warm and dry!
Ngā mihi Helen
Attendance Update
We know that our tamariki can only flourish in their learning and relationships when they are attending regularly.
Ruakākā attendance statistics so far this year: Overall attendance is 85% Build good habits - we would rather a child is late than that they miss a whole day of school.
We understand that from time to time many issues such as physical or mental health, financial hardship and other challenges can affect attendance - if you need support or advice please give us a call. No judgment - just support!
Bream Bay College Open Day
Bream Bay College is excited about starting preparations for students joining our school in 2025 and looking forward to our Open Day for all new students and their parents/caregivers being held on Friday 9th August.
In order to help us prepare for next year we are asking all parents/caregivers of students wishing to join our school in 2025 to complete our online enrolment form found on our website here: https://shorturl.at/PIejJ
The enrolment process and transition evening will give us the best chance to be ready for our rangatahi and start building an important partnership with our new students and their parents/caregivers. When we have received your online enrolment form our staff will be in contact to schedule a transition meeting at Bream Bay College with you and your child.
Please feel free to contact Nikki Donaldson, Principal's PA, at any time throughout the process of enrolment: ndonaldson@breambaycollege.school.nz or 0210757919.
Augmented Reality Project Showcase
During term 2 a small group of ākonga have worked alongside Ben Kenobi, ARA Journeys to develop artwork for a digital augmented reality app. The learning began with a visit to Takahiwai, our local Marae, where stories were told by Ari, Lenny, Lisa and Hollie. We heard stories about the Pou at the marae and the Pou on the beach at Ruakākā. We learnt about what the Pou on the beach represented and the various reasons why rahui were implemented.
The artwork our ākonga designed was creating their own Pou which has now been turned into ‘augmented reality’. We would like to invite you to a showcase of our learning at Ruakākā Primary on Friday 16th August @ 9.30am. You will see snippets of our learning in action, hear the stories of what the individual ākonga pou are about as well as see the augmented reality in action.
100 days at Kura
Te Kākano and Te Pihinga
The Nest
Helping Jimmy with new SHINE signs
A big thank you to Belle Bax-Quince and Jenna Daisley for helping Jimmy put our new SHINE signs up around the school - in the sandpit, swing and court area. They both selected good visible areas to put them up in.
Karere a Kura
World Choir Games
Over the school holidays, we had a number of students from our school and the Bream Bay area participate in the World Choir Games. These students have been rehearsing 4 songs for months and months.The Bream Bay Children's Choir is called - Te Korihi o te Tūī. Their hard work and dedication really paid off, as they were lucky enough to perform on the stage in The Auckland Town Hall! They competed against other choirs from around the World and were awarded a BRONZE Medal! Congratulations to Eden Tuck, Haiku Aperahama and Katy Sadler-Bridge, who showed so much dedication and commitment to this fantastic opportunity.
Mrs Wells also competed in the Opera North Chamber Choir - Their choir competed in the one of the adult sections and received a GOLD Medal! Ka Rawe!
Music Lessons with Alexis
Alexis Westlake has spots available for music lessons. Please contact Alexis on 0273419535 or email jawestlake3@gmail.com.
Sign In System - VisTab
We have a new sign in system. As our school is growing, it creates a safer way for us to monitor who is on our school site. When you arrive at school, come in to the office and sign yourself in via the tablet that is attached to the front desk. When you sign in for the first time, there will be Health and Safety guidelines to read and accept. You will only need to do this the first time you sign in. Also if tamariki are late to school, they will need to come in to the office and sign themselves in on the tablet. Amy or Kelly will be able to help if needed.
If you are not in a hurry and would like to save on shipping costs, there is a link on the website to a form to fill in to place your order. When we have 20 orders we will process them and get them all delivered to the school.
Thank you to Emma for offering the Hoodies and Tees at cost price to our school whānau.
Exciting news! Whānau t-shirts can now be ordered online for each of the whānau (Piroa, Taranga, Te Whara, Manaia, Pukekauri). These have been made available on the Design by Em website. A huge shout out to Emma Scobie-Jennings for providing us with this opportunity. T-shirts can be found at this link. In other exciting news, Emma has also made Te Whānau Harakeke kākahu available on her website. These can be found at this link. These are not being done as a fundraiser and are being sold at the lowest possible price for you all. Happy shopping.
Spare Change of Clothes / Kākahu mō te pēke
Please make sure your tamariki has a change of clothes in their bag every day. We only have a small amount of clothes in the office in case of emergencies, so we may need to call you to bring in some clothes for your child.
Lifewalk
We are really fortunate that Becky from Lifewalk will be supporting our kura as a Wellbeing Mentor. She will be available for 4 hours each week to meet with any students who are needing extra support in a low key way to chill or chat. Becky is a chaplain for LifePoint Church. All conversations/sessions will have parent permission prior and no religious aspects will be part of the sessions. If you would like your tamaiti to be able to talk with Becky please contact the office so that we can set that up.
Introducing Becky: It is a privilege to be available to support the students and amazing teachers here . My whānau : I am a grand-mother, wife, and mother of 3 children & 2 mokopuna . I live in the Bream Bay area and have enjoyed this beautiful local area for 17 years. I understand how tough some of life's challenges are and that is why I am here as a listening ear to any student that wishes to meet up.
Important Dates
Staff Only Day
All Day
End of Term 3
All Day
Start of Term 4
All Day
Labour Day
All Day
End of Term 4
All Day
Community Notices
Playball @ Ruakākā School Term 3
Playball is an international multi-sport and movement programme. We promise to provide your child with a fun, positive, and confidence-building environment to learn a broad range of sports skills.
Our innovative, energetic, and structured classes are designed to help your child develop a well-rounded sports skill set while also teaching practical social skills that will be invaluable throughout their schooling. With Playball, your child will experience a sense of fulfillment and positive self-image through achieving success in a fun and engaging environment.
When: Wednesdays 2:40pm (starting 24th July)
Who: 5-8 year olds (boys and girls)
Where: School Quad
Cost: $115 per child (10 week term) - FREE trial available - email dean@playball.co.nz
For availability and to book, please phone 0800 MY EARS (0800 693 277). The Mobile Ear Clinic is a free service for children and teenagers from six months to 18 years of age For more info, visit: www.northlanddhb.org.nz/our-services/a-z/mobile-ear-clinic
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