week 8 term 2 2024

Tēnā koutou katoa

We are in week 8 of term 2, 2024; the year is going fast, and soon it will be the end of term 2. 

Parents of year 8 students must decide which secondary school their child will attend next year. HBHS and HGHS have definite cut-off dates for enrolments, so please ensure that you get your enrollments by the due date if you are considering either of these schools. These schools require your child's most recent school report, and so in line with this requirement, our reports will be out in the first week of term 3, along with our student conferences. 

Next Friday, 28 June, is the Matariki Public Holiday for the whole of New Zealand, so our school will be closed along with all other schools in NZ.

This is a reminder that our school will close for two weeks on Friday, July 5, at 3 p.m., and term 3 begins on Monday, July 22. 

Thank you to all the parents/caregivers who either do not allow their children to be on social media platforms or who closely monitor what their children are doing on social media. 

This week, it came to my attention that some students at Maeroa shared some very inappropriate content online with other students in chat rooms outside of school hours. This is an ongoing issue that some students regularly do. It takes a lot of our time to unravel the disruption these sorts of incidents cause in our school, even though they are not occurring. 

As we navigate the rapidly changing digital world, it's crucial to address the impact of social media on our young learners. While these platforms can offer valuable ways to connect and share, they pose significant challenges and risks for our tamariki (children).

Understanding the Risks

Many social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old, and a guideline has been put in place to protect younger users from content that may be inappropriate or harmful. Despite these restrictions, we know that many children are using these apps, often without a complete understanding of the potential risks, such as:

• Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Social media can expose children to violent, sexual, or otherwise inappropriate content.
• Cyberbullying: The anonymity of the internet can embolden bullies, leading to emotional and psychological harm.
• Privacy Concerns: Children may inadvertently share personal information that could put them at risk.

Our Role as Educators and Parents

As educators and parents, we are responsible for guiding our children in navigating the digital landscape safely and responsibly. Here are a few steps we can take together:

1. Open Communication: Encourage open discussions about the apps they use and the content they encounter. Make sure they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns.

2. Education: Teach them about online safety, privacy settings, and the importance of not sharing personal information.

3. Setting Boundaries: Establish clear rules about screen time and the types of apps they can use. Regularly review these rules as they grow older and their needs change.

4. Role Modeling: Demonstrate positive online behaviour. Children often mimic the actions of the adults around them, so showing them how to use social media responsibly is crucial.

5. Monitoring: Keep an eye on their online activities. There are various parental control tools available that can help you monitor their social media use.

Supporting Our Students

At school, we are committed to integrating digital citizenship into our curriculum, helping students understand the importance of responsible online behaviour. Netsafe offers lots of advice for parents about using digital technologies, particularly safe behaviour on digital platforms.

Some of our students are using these platforms to bully, threaten or make other students feel unsafe. This happens outside of school hours in their homes or at other students' homes. As a school, we have no control over what our students do online in their homes or their friend's homes. I encourage all parents/caregivers to keep a watchful eye over what their children are doing online. 

Ngaa mihi nui

Susan Wood - Principal

Tough Guy & Girl Challenge - Mud Run

The Tough Guy/Gal Challenge is NZ’s biggest mud run. This competition is run nationwide with the Waikato leg happening at the Ngaruawahia Christian camp in June.

 Students run 3 km over a muddy obstacle course consisting of a swamp crossing, spider web, net climb, crawling under obstacles through native bush trails,  under tunnels, over a climbing frame, through water crossings, not to mention manoeuvring through loads and loads of mud!

We had over 80 students attend the day on Thursday.

Our students had a wonderful time navigating the course, finding the tasks challenging in the slippery conditions, and eventually reaching the finish line. 

Well done to all the competitors who successfully finished the race, and thanks to the many parents who supported them during the run and helped provide transport to the event.

Mud Run 2024

Student Conferences

Student Led Conferences

These will be held on 25 and 26 July. You are invited to come along to hear about your child's learning, progress and achievement. It is an essential part of the learning cycle, and everyone has a valuable part to play. Next week you will receive information about student led conferences and a booking sheet to fill in and send back to your child's teacher. This will come home as a separate paper copy so please check your child's bag.

On 25 July, students will be sent home from school at 1:15 p.m., and student conferences will begin. If you would like your child supervised at school until 3 p.m., please fill in the form that is being sent to you to let us know. 

On 26 July, students will only come to school if they have a conference scheduled for that day. If you need your child to be at school that day, we can provide supervision, but you must fill in the form to let us know in advance. 

I look forward to seeing you come in and participate in your child's student-led conference.

Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools FUTSAL Tournament

Last Tuesday, 11th June, our boys and girls futsal teams participated in the annual WIMS Inter Intermediate Futsal Competition at The Peak in Rototuna.  This competition is traditionally fiercely competitive and asks many of our students when competing. Both teams played with positive sportsmanship, skill and determination. Unfortunately, The boy's team missed the semi-finals, having played Matamata, Berkley, Cambridge and Tokoroa.

The girls made it into the semi-finals after playing Matamata, Berkley, Cambridge, and Tokoroa. They then faced Berkley in the semi-final and Morrinsville for 3rd and 4th place. The girls dug deep and came away with a win, achieving 3rd place.

It was great to see and hear the positive enthusiasm and support that the players from last year brought to the tournament. This added to the atmosphere and is preparing these teams for the tough competition ahead of them at AIMS in September.

I cannot thank Jonelle Abbott and Glenn McLennan enough for their continued dedication, support, and development of the Futsal programme, which has included weekly before-school practices for over a year. Our students are extremely lucky to have you both as their coaches. A massive thank you to Mr H, Mr Brady, and Matua Felipe for their support and dedication to providing extra skills sessions for the past two terms. 

Lastly, a huge thank you to our parents and whaanau supporters. Without you, tournaments like this aren’t possible. Your support on the sidelines means so much, and we are very grateful.

Mel Rye - Futsal Coordinator

WIMS Futsal Tournament

Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools Chess Tournament

Last week a group of students went to the WIMS Chess Tournament at Berkley Normal Middle School. While they were not placed in the top three for the event they did extremely well, showing lots of improvement from last year. Well done to our team and thank you to Matua Felipe for accompanying the students. 

WIMS Chess Tournament

Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools 1st XV Tournament

Our 1st XV team had a great day at Te Awamutu earlier this week. They won against Morrinsville, Matamata, and Fairfield in the pool matches and Tokoroa in the semi-finals but lost to Te Awamutu in the finals. It was a great day for rugby. The students should be very proud of their effort in all the games and how they represented Maeroa Intermediate at the tournament. 

Newton Tudreu - Teacher in charge

1st XV Rugby Tournament

School Production - 'Believe In Me'

Remember to get your tickets for our school production.

Does your child ride a bike or scooter to school?

It’s wonderful to see so many of our students taking the healthy and environmentally friendly option of riding their bikes and scooters to school. It’s an excellent way for our tamariki to get some fresh air and exercise before the school day begins. However, with this increased activity, we all must work together to ensure our students are riding safely.

Here are some key safety tips to discuss with your children:

1. Wear Helmets: It is a legal requirement in New Zealand to wear a helmet when riding a bike or scooter. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries, so please ensure your child has a properly fitted helmet and wears it every time they ride.

2. Follow Road Rules: Remind your children to obey all road rules, including stopping at stop signs, giving way, and using hand signals when turning. They should always ride on the left side of the road and be mindful of other road users.

3. Be Visible: Wearing bright or reflective clothing can help make your child more visible to motorists. Also, ensure their bikes and scooters have reflectors and lights if they are riding in low light conditions.

4. Safe Routes: Encourage your child to use designated bike paths and quieter streets whenever possible. If your child is younger or less experienced, consider riding with them to help them navigate their route safely.

5. Be aware of their surroundings and look out for cars.

6. Respect Pedestrians: Remind your children to be courteous and careful around pedestrians, particularly on shared paths. They should slow down, use a bell or call out to alert pedestrians when approaching, and always pass on the right.
   

By following these guidelines, we can ensure that riding to school is a fun and safe experience for everyone. I appreciate your support in promoting a safe and active lifestyle for our students.