MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

As Teacher Appreciation Day technically fell in the term break, we have elected to celebrate it today, which offers an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the amazing team of educators we have at MENPS. Thanks also to all those parents/families who sent their own messages to the teacher - they are very much appreciated - feel free to keep them coming if you haven't had a chance yet and would like to pass on a few encouraging words!

We also have Book Week ahead next week, celebrating all things literary, including a parade that looks a little different this year. The children will be collaborating on their own book themes/costumes in their class, which I’m sure will be a lot of fun (and will help ease a little pressure at home!). If you happen to be able to come along, you are more than welcome to attend if you wish to.

Even in a saturated media and short-form video age, books hold a unique kind of magic for children, opening doors to worlds of imagination, sparking curiosity and nurturing lifelong curiosity. When children immerse themselves in a text, they do far more than read words on a page—they build empathy by gaining insight into characters thoughts and feelings, sharpening their critical thinking, and expanding their language skills in a natural way.

Any opportunity to celebrate reading sends the essential message to our tamariki that literacy is not just another subject or part of the curriculum, but an opportunity for adventure, imagination and discovery that enriches and empowers as much as it entertains and informs. Sincere thanks to Viv in the library, who will be overseeing Book Week in the library for us next week.

Back in the real world, we are, of course, in the midst of the upcoming election, which often brings education policy to the fore and questions of how we invest in a future we all want to see for children and young people. There are certainly starkly differing views and visions for how this can best be achieved, so it’s particularly important for all parents of school-aged children to consider the Education policies of the parties on offer, have their say and help shape the system our children are a part of.

Finally, despite the weather this week, another reminder that sunscreen and hats are required for the remainder of the term. Please make sure these are clearly named as they do tend to get mixed up or lost very easily!

Ka kite anō i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Thursday 29th October:

MENPS PTA Halloween Disco Jnr - 5:00pm - 6:00pm

MENPS PTA Halloween Disco Snr - 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Door sales available - cash only

Friday 30th October:

PTA Second Hand Uniform Shop - 8:15am - 9:15am

Monday 2nd November - Friday 6th November: BOOK WEEK

Tuesday 3rd November:

Zone Softball - Keith Hay Park (Save Day - Thurs 5th)

Wednesday 4th November:

Mid Term 4 New Entrant Cohort Visit 1

Team 2 Visit to Ambury Farm

Thursday 5th November:

School Parade for Book Week - 9:45am - 10:30am

On Tuesday, 20th October, our student Travelwise Leaders stepped out to lead an exciting safety initiative outside our school. Working alongside an AT School Travel Coordinator, our leaders learned how to safely operate a handheld speed radar to record vehicle speeds along Valley Road and Sherbourne Road.

We were delighted to find that on Valley Road, the vast majority of traffic was traveling safely within the speed limit. A big thank you to all the drivers who take extra care in our school neighborhood!

The data collected on Sherbourne Road showed us where we can all lend a helping hand. 65% of the vehicles monitored were traveling above the speed limit, with one vehicle recorded at more than double the limit.

School areas naturally see high volumes of both student foot traffic and vehicles, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times. Keeping speeds low around our school roads gives drivers much more time to react and ensures the safety of our entire community—students, parents, and neighbors alike.

Let’s keep working together to make all our surrounding streets as safe as possible. Next time you're driving along Sherbourne Road or Valley Road, please take a quick glance at your speedometer to help keep our young learners safe. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Tonight is our spooktacular Halloween disco is Online ticket sales have now closed, door sales are available :$5

Junior disco Y0-3 from 5-6pm

Senior disco Y4-6 6.30pm-7.30pm

Pizza is included in the ticket 🎟️ and nibbles, candy floss and drinks will be made available at the cash bar.

Water is freely available with jugs and cups.

Got questions or want to volunteer?

Email: menpspta@gmail.com

Or join the volunteer/ planning group on WhatsApp https://chat.whatsapp.com/FXmnTeaBrsPFp8BRFOasPz?mode=gi_t

Junior Disco: 5.00–6.00pm
Senior Disco: 6.30–7.30pm

Prizes for Best Dressed, Best Dancing, and Best Colouring Contest!

Tickets

There are no paper tickets this year. Your child can simply queue outside the disco, where one of our friendly volunteers will tick their name off the list. Pizza, treats and water included in the ticket.

Door sales ($5) will also be available if needed.

Drop & Leave Event & Pick up

Unless you’re a parent helper, this is a drop and leave event. Children need to be picked up from the Hall at the correct time. Juniors 6pm, Seniors 7:30pm. Children are not allowed to leave the Hall to find you.

Year 0/1 Quiet Space

If you’ve purchased a ticket for the Quiet Room, please queue with your child outside the disco. One of our friendly parent volunteers will tick your name and your child’s name off the list and direct you both to the Quiet Room. This space connects to the hall, allowing children to pop in for a short break or reassurance.

Please note:

-Children can move freely between the hall and quiet space.

-Caregivers (except helpers) cannot enter the main hall.

Drinks, Ice Blocks & Treats

A range of drinks, ice blocks and treats will be available for purchase.
Most items cost $2 so send your child with a little money if you’d like them to enjoy something extra!

Volunteers still needed!

Please have a look at the volunteer sheet and sign up if you’re able to help. We’d especially appreciate a few extra hands for pack-up after the Senior Disco. Thank you so much for your support! This is a PTA event so it relies on parent volunteers. Many hands make light work!

Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qeALBsg3MClh4IT56ATqXoVMGNUHYnqjvr0XTdLBNvA/edit?usp=drivesdk

We’re slowly transitioning to a new way of connecting and organising our PTA volunteers, and we’d love you to join us!

Our WhatsApp community makes it easier to see the different PTA groups you can join, connect with other parents, and find ways to get involved that suit your interests and availability.

We’ll be moving things across gradually, so please bear with us as we make the transition. The goal is to make volunteering easier, more flexible, and more connected for everyone!

Every little bit of help makes a difference, and everyone is welcome.

👉 Join the community here:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FteVnGpciSZ3J94DtAieRY

Our second-hand uniform shop is urgent need of all sizes to be donated.

If your child has outgrown any clean, good-quality uniforms in these sizes and others, we’d be incredibly grateful for your donation. Your generosity helps keep school uniforms affordable and supports families in our school community.

Donations can be dropped off:

* At the school office during school hours

* At the hall during late afternoon/evening pick-ups

* At the PTA room during Uniform Shop opening hours

Thank you for helping us keep our Uniform Shop stocked and supporting our MENPS whānau!

• 8.15 - 9.15am (30 Oct.)
• In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gatesR
• Order by emailing Kitty at menpspta@gmail.com.
• Pay via Cash or Bank transfer

Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook

Refer to the PTA website for information on the various fundraising and community activities

Co-Chairs Svantje Reiber and Sunny Nathu

Secretary Chantal Brunner

Treasurers Minaxi Chandra and Victoria Couto

PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner

Communications Gina Miao

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here