Newsletter 1 term 1 2023
Welcome to Maeroa 2023
Kia ora Koutou and a very warm welcome to all of our students, families, and staff new to Maeroa in 2023. I am looking forward to getting to know you in the coming year. I would also like to welcome back all of our returning students, families and staff - it is wonderful to see you all back enjoying your first day of 2023 even though it is raining!
The team of Maeroa teachers have been working hard to prepare for an exciting year of learning and fun in 2023 and we aim to ensure the start of our school year is a very positive experience for all of our learners and whaanau.
This newsletter contains information needed to ensure that you are well-informed and ready for the year ahead. There is a lot of information here, but please take the time to read it with your child so they are fully prepared for a smooth transition to Maeroa.
The start of a new school year is a busy and exciting time, with opportunities for all students to set new goals, work with new teachers, make new friends and engage in a range of challenges and learning experiences. Parents can support this process by asking students about their day and talking about goals, learning and new friendships.
All learners have been provided with their stationery lists and so over the next week I expect that they will all have their stationery to start their new school year.
We are pleased to welcome new staff members to our Maeroa team: Rena Jones room 48, Eva Gilchrist room 71, Maya Champion room 30, Annalise Hayward room 16, Deepal Naresh room 50, Aylssa Evans, Visual Arts. A full list of our 2023 staff can be found on our website.
On behalf of all the staff, I would like to say how proud we all are to be part of Maeroa Intermediate and how we are all looking forward to working with your child and you this year.
Ngaa mihi nui
Susan Wood Principal
Term 1 Diary Dates
1 Feb - Term One begins at 8:45 am
6 Feb - Waitangi Day - public holiday - school closed
13 Feb - Rooms 23 & 24 go to camp returning 14 Feb
14 Feb - Rooms 26 & 27 go to camp returning 15 Feb
15 Feb - Rooms 57 & 58 go to camp returning 16 Feb
16 Feb - Rooms 12 & 16 go to camp returning 17 Feb
20 Feb - Rooms 70 & 71 go to camp returning 21 Feb
21 Feb - Rooms 47 & 48 go to camp returning 22 Feb
22 Feb - Rooms 59 & 60 go to camp returning 23 Feb
23 Feb - Rooms 65 & 66 go to camp retuning 24 Feb
9 March - Makuhari students arrive
13 March - Rooms 49 & 50 go to camp returning 14 March
14 March - Rooms 17 & 18 go to camp returning 15 March
15 March - Rooms 29 & 30 go to camp returning 16 March
16 March- Rooms 31 & 38 go to camp returning 17 March
21 March - Makuhari students leave
6 April - Term One ends at 3 pm
24 April - Term two begins
Daily class and break times
The first part of the day at Maeroa Intermediate is a really important learning time and we like all students to be at school by 8:30 am ready to start their learning at 8:45 am. All students arriving at school after 8:45 am must sign in at the school resource room as they will be late for school.
Any students needing to leave school before the 3 pm bell must bring a note explaining to their teacher the need to leave school earlier. They must be collected by a parent/caregiver (listed on their enrolment card) and sign out from the school office.
Absences
Please ensure our attendance officer is informed of any absences by phoning or texting 021847015 or emailing attendance@maeroa.school.nz
State your child's name, room number and reason for absence or lateness.
If we do not hear from you we will either text or phone you. If absences start to become regular we will refer to the attendance services.
Road Safety
It is a timely reminder that the Ministry of Transport continues their campaign to monitor the speed of 40 kph of motorists near schools.
This emphasises the importance of all of us as a team working to ensure that our students get safely to and from school in particular those walking and riding bikes or scooters and crossing busy roads needs special attention.
We ask parents/caregivers to take particular care in Churchill Avenue when dropping off and collecting their child from our school. Churchill Avenue is a very narrow street that becomes jammed up very easily. It is preferable that students are collected from one of the side streets such as Matai St or Carey St.
Please also speak with your child about taking care on the roads, all roads that lead to Maeroa Intermediate are very busy.
School Lunches
We are very fortunate to have school lunches suppled to our school by Bite Lab. These lunches are very nutritious and delicious. Your child's teacher will be checking if your child has a dietary requirement so we can notify Bite Lab so they can provide that for your child.
If you do not want your child to recieve a school lunch for the year, meaning you would rather provide your own, please let their teacher know.
Immunisations at School
Our Public Health Nurse will be delivering two school based immunisation programmes at Maeroa during 2023. An information session for all students will take place. Students will be given information and consent forms to bring home before immunisations take place.
Communication at Maeroa
We have a number of communication methods at Maeroa to ensure that information is timely and accessible for all students, parents and caregivers.
- Newsletters every 2nd week on a Friday. Todays newsletter will be the only one we print all the rest will be sent via email. If you do not receive one then please phone the office to check that we have your correct email address.
- Daily notices - these are read to students daily and posted on our school facebook page as well. Please like us on facebook to ensure you see them each day.
- Emails and text messages - sometimes we will send every parent a message via email or text so please ensure we have your correct phone number and email address.
Please call us if you have concerns about your child at school.
Our School Values
Makuhari Homestay
We are very excited to be able to bring back our annual exchange visit with Makuhari Junior High School in Japan.
Traditionally each year we host a group of students from our sister school in Japan and later in the year six Maeroa students will have the opportunity to visit Makuhari in Japan.
Our students have the option to travel to Japan in September 2023. There are six places available and preference will be given to those students who have hosted students from Makuhari.
Please give hosting a student from Japan consideration, it is a wonderful experience for your family, If you are keen to do this and you haven't put your name forward please contact Racheal Dyer: rdyer@maeroa.school.nz
There is a homestay fee paid to families that choose to host a student from Japan.
Take up the Challenge
One of our core philosophies at Maeroa is that we want all students to get to try a range of opportunities that we offer here at Maeroa. We have found that students learn new things, make new friends and build confidence by participating in activities outside their classroom e.g. sports, cultural or academic activities. Encourage your child to join in.