Kia ora koutou

Some excellent teamwork and robust competition earlier this week at Zones Football, with all the teams putting in a great performance. Boys A team placed in the top 5, with Boys B and the Girls' team achieving significant wins through the day.

I'd like to pass on my congratulations to all of our participants for their efforts, and thank the staff, volunteers and supporters on the day.

I'd like to thank Amanda and Viv in our library for putting together fun activities themed around NZ Music Month - it has been great to see (and hear) the children so engaged with all things musical around school!

Tomorrow, we're looking forward to welcoming 'The Nukes' for their performance to round the week off.

The big news for education in the budget today is a significant investment in learning support. In a system that could be (charitably) described as woefully inadequate, there is a lot to be celebrated. While much of the funding allocated has been achieved by re-purposing existing funding, there is also some new investment. The key changes announced include:

• $266 million to extend the Early Intervention Service.
• $122 million in funding for Ongoing Resource Scheme funding (the top 1% of learning and/or health needs)
• $192 million investment in learning support coordinators (by 2028)
• $90 million investment in learning support classrooms over four years
• $3 million in funding for Teacher Aide professional development funding (between now and 2028)

Some of the areas of funding that have been cut/repurposed include:

• Kāhui Ako (also known as 'Communities of Learning' - $375 million over four years)
• $72m kura kaupapa and Māori-medium education
• $54 million from Resource Teacher: Māori and Resource Teacher: Literacy roles

At the same time, it is worth noting that the budget also manages to award an 11% increase in state funding for "Private" Schools and a doubling of Charter School funding (to $57 million).

There will be further detail to come but - for now at least, it's pleasing to see some of the key issues raised by the sector being reflected in the decision-making process.

School will be closed for instruction next Friday (Curriculum Day) and also the following Monday for King's Birthday, so a reminder to please ensure you have made alternative arrangements as required on those days.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Monday 26th May:

• Mid Term 2 Cohort Entry Starts
• Choir Rehearsal at ANI - 9am - 12:30pm

Wednesday 28th May:

• ANI Open Day - 9am - 10:30am - Please register your child on the HERO post and parents are to take their own child to and from the visit.

Thursday 29th May:

• PTA Ice Block Sale ($2) - 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Friday 30th May:

• Teacher Only Curriculum Day - Skids available

Monday 2nd June:

• Kings Birthday (Holiday)

Dear Mount Eden Normal Primary Whānau,

To celebrate the Cultural Festival, the MENPS PTA is excited to offer a special limited-time pre-sale of traditional zong zi dumplings!

These delicious sticky rice dumplings, wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with savoury or sweet ingredients, are a wonderful way to enjoy and share an important part of Chinese culture.

🌿 Zong Zi Dumpling Pre-Sale – Available Now on Kindo!

Don’t miss out — this is a limited-time offer and dumplings are only available by pre-order.

📅 Order by: Thursday, 30 May

📦 Pick-up date: tba

💻 Order now via Kindo

Whether you’re already a fan or trying zong zi for the first time, this is a delicious way to support our school’s cultural events and initiatives.

Thank you for supporting our vibrant MENPS community!

Warm regards,

Your Menps Pta

Our Cultural Festival is happening on Saturday 7th June, 12–3pm, and we need your help!

Can you spare an hour to set up, run a stall, or help pack down? Every bit counts to make the day a success!

👉 Sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/XDMYX

Let’s make it an amazing day for our tamariki!

We’re running a bake & dessert sale and a savoury dish stall at the Cultural Festival on Saturday 7th June, and we’d love your help!

Please consider bringing a homemade dish that represents a taste of home – sweet or savoury, from any culture.

🕚 Drop-off: From 11am at the food stall

🚫 No nuts, please

📋 Label with:

• Name of the dish

• Full list of ingredients

If you know what you’ll be bringing, please email us at MENPSPTA@gmail.com – otherwise, feel free to drop it off on the day.

Thanks for helping us celebrate the incredible diversity of our school.

We will be running a second hand clothing sale in Term 2, with all funds raised going to MENPS. We are accepting donations of good quality, clean kids clothes - you can drop these off to ROOM29 everyday(8:15-9:15am) and also the Second Hand Uniform Shop during opening hours only (see below) Thanks to Mel for coordinating this initiative!

Please ensure all donations are washed and in good condition - kids clothes only please.

Each year the PTA run a Parent Social Fundraiser in Term 3 - it is a lot of fun and a chance to get to know other parents in the school community. Last year we had Beats by Bingo + Auction, previously we have run Casino Night and Quiz Nights. We would love to run another event this year, but we need your help - can you lead a parent social night fundraiser this year? The type of event is open for discussion - would love to hear your ideas. If you are interested, or would like to discuss, please email: menpspta@gmail.com.

Did you know that some of Yummy apples stickers are worth 2 points? Buy and enjoy these lovely new apple varieties, Lemonade, Ambrosia and Sweet Tango and DOUBLE your points. Stickers from these varieties can be put on the side of the Collection Sheet that has a picture of trees. If you don't have a Collection sheet, head to the office to get one or collect stickers on a blank sheet of paper.

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 Pam Clifford & Svantje Reiber

Secretary April Alsari

Treasurers Paula Tran & Minaxi Chandra

PTA Advisor Chantal Brunner

Communications Gina Miao

School Representative Hilary Edwards

Full team of amazing parents/caregivers listed here

Please look for post on HERO closer to the open day date to register your child's attendance.