MENPS News

Kia ora koutou

Next week, we’re looking forward to celebrating Chinese Language week, with fun cultural activities for the children to engage with and opportunities to share (and learn) words and phrases in what is one of the most commonly-spoken languages in NZ after English, Te Reo Māori and Samoan.

A reminder that the Board Election is in full swing, and we encourage you to put in your vote and make your voice heard!

Voting is still open, and you should have received all the required information via email. If you do not have this for any reason, please check your spam/junk folder and let us know at admin@mteden.school.nz so we can notify the Returning Officer.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the work of the current Board following the final meeting last night. The work of the Board is not always directly visible, but the role involves significant oversight and decision making relating to Strategy, Policy, Finance, Property and many other areas of school governance. It isn't always easy, and I am always personally and professionally appreciative of the time that is generously volunteered by our trustees to help deliver the best opportunities for our children.

With that, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks on behalf of the school community to Anna, Annette, Fleur, Martina, Mei, Mike, Nigel and our Presiding Member, Virginia Brown. Their work has made a real difference and added tremendous value, and I am sure you will join me in thanking them all for their efforts.

Finally, a plug for the Student Council’s outreach food drive, which is focused on our school Touchstone of Whanaungtanga and giving to others in need of community support. Every little helps, so we hope you are able to contribute to this collective effort, initiated and coordinated by the children.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Friday 29th August:

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

The Student Council is running an outreach project next week and are asking for support from all students, families and staff in our school to make this a great success. This year we have chosen a charity called "Communities feeding Communities" - a charity that helps our local community by providing food parcels and basic hygiene products to support families to thrive. We think this is a great opportunity for our students to develop and practice and put our school touchstones into practice. Manaakitanga asks us to show kindness and caring, whanaungatanga asks us to be good members of our community and make contributions that help others and kaitiakitanga asks us to look after and respect others. Helping someone - without expecting something in return - will make us feel really good about ourselves, as we can make a change for another child in another family in our community.

Each year level is asked to bring a specific item - listed below:

Year 1: tinned vegetables e.g. baked beans, spaghetti, corn, tomatoes etc

Year 2: A basic toothbrush and toothpaste

Year 3: Long Life Milk

Year 4: Breakfast cereal

Year 5: Tinned fruit e.g. peaches, pears, pineapple etc

Year 6: Toilet paper ( a 4 pack or 6 pack only please)

School staff: Shampoo and Conditioner

We ask you to support us by putting 1 extra item into your shopping trolley over the next weekend and giving it to your child to donate next week. Collection days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week. We will be running a small competition and award for the class that brings the most items.

Thank you so much for your support

MENPS Student Council

Great news! Orders for Kids Artworks have been extended until Sunday 1st September.

If you’ve misplaced your QR code, no worries – just email menpspta@gmail.com and we’ll help you out.

Don’t miss this chance to order your child’s beautiful artwork on calendars, cards, diaries, mouse mats, and sketch pads!

Ps: Please be advised, This order will be placed as a second batch and may not arrive simultaneously with the first batch of orders.

Bid, Win & Support Our School

It’s that exciting time of year again – the Mount Eden Normal Primary School PTA Online Fundraiser is officially open!

We’ve gathered an amazing selection of items and experiences for you to bid on – there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you’re planning ahead for the holidays or treating yourself, you can feel good knowing every dollar raised goes directly back to supporting our school and students.

Some highlights include:

• 🎭 Front-row seats to the much-loved school showcases (for Years 0–2)

• 🏖️ Holiday programmes to keep the kids entertained

• 🎵 Lessons – music, language, sports, and more!

• 🎁 Perfect stocking fillers and gift ideas

• 💆‍♀️ Spa & beauty vouchers for a little self-care

• 🧗 Kids’ activities from climbing to crafts

🔁 New auction items are being added regularly, so be sure to check back often and keep an eye on your favourites!

Spread the word with whānau, friends and neighbours – every bid counts! We are raising funds for new play spaces.

Start bidding now:

👉 https://app.galabid.com/menps25

💡✨ Calling All Legends! ✨💡

Got a bach stay, luxury experience, high-value prize, voucher, or service you can donate?

We’ll auction it LIVE on stage + online to raise funds for MENPS! 🎤🏝️

📩 Email: menpspta@gmail.com Let’s make this year’s fundraiser shine! 🌟

Thank you for your support – together we’re building a stronger Menps community!

👕 Donate Your Pre-Loved Uniforms!

Support the MENPS Second-Hand Uniform Shop

Have your children outgrown their uniforms? We’re always in need of good-quality, clean second-hand MENPS uniform items for the PTA Uniform Shop.

You can donate by:

📍 Dropping items into the collection box located by the school office

🕒 Or bringing them in during Uniform Shop opening hours

📅 Next drop-off opportunity:

In PTA ROOM, 8:15–9:15am (pls refer Menps term timetable or newsletter)

Your donations help other families, reduce waste, and raise funds to support our school. Thank you for your support! 💙

We’re excited to share that we’ve set the date for next year’s **Cultural Festival** at Mount Eden Normal Primary!

This special event coincides with the **Chinese Dragon Boat Festival** and will celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our school and the wider Mount Eden community.

🗓 **When:** Sunday, 21 June 2026

📍 **Where:** Mount Eden Normal Primary School

⏰ **Time:** To be confirmed

The festival will once again showcase performances, food, and activities that highlight our community’s many cultures. We hope to make it even bigger than this year!

We’d love to see our **Kapa Haka group** involved again and welcome conversations with anyone interested in sharing their talents, traditions, or activities (such as food, weaving, crafts, or other cultural experiences).

👉 **Expressions of interest:** If you would like to be involved, please email menpspta@gmail.com with the subject line *Cultural Festival 26*.

More details to follow in the coming months – but for now, please **mark your calendars** and join us for what promises to be a fantastic community celebration!

**MENPS PTA Bingo Night** is on its way!

📅 **Saturday 11th October**

📍 **Irish Club, Rocky Nook Avenue**

Expect an evening packed with laughs, friendly competition, and fantastic prizes – all while raising funds for our school. It’s the perfect excuse to round up your friends, book the babysitter, and shout “BINGO!” in style.

More details on tickets and prizes coming soon – but for now… **pop it in your calendar!**

It’s time to bring in your Yummy Apple sticker collection sheets! Please hand them in to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday, 5th September.
All sheets received by this date will count towards our 2025 total.

Note: Sheets do not need to be full — every sticker collected makes a difference!

Thank you for your help and support with collecting stickers this year!

• 8.15 - 9.15am (Fri 29 Aug)
• In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gates OR
• Order by emailing Jane 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 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

Event Details

Performance: Landscape of Traditional Korean Art
Cost: Free
Venue: Aotea Centre
Date & Time: Tuesday September 23rd, 6.30pm (during the school holidays)

About the Performance

The Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre, renowned throughout Asia for their authentic interpretations and artistic excellence, presents this rare cultural experience featuring delicate fan dances, powerful percussion sequences, and mesmerizing choreography that captures Korea's artistic soul.

This once-in-a-lifetime cultural event provides your students with exposure to world-class performing arts while celebrating the timeless beauty and depth of Korean cultural traditions.

Booking Information

This is a completely free event and there are limited seats available. Please visit this booking link:
https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/landscape-of-traditional-korean-art#tickets-times

Upcoming planned rail closures

Getting ready for CRL’s opening in 2026 requires a complete upgrade of Auckland’s rail network, in addition to fitting out the new stations, and testing and commissioning of new systems.

Throughout late-July and August, there will be some weekend closures that will impact the Southern Line and the Western Line.

Following this closure, during the September school holidays there will be temporary changes to the timetables on most lines and on the Southern Line, buses will replace trains between Puhinui and Pukekohe Stations.

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July

Western Line: full closure

Southern Line: partially closed between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August

Western Line: partially closed between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket and New Lynn and Swanson

Southern Line: partially closed between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August

Western Line: partially closed between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket and New Lynn and Swanson

Southern Line: partially closed between Waitemata (Britomart) and Newmarket

Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August

Western Line: trains are running at a reduced frequency between Swanson and Henderson station.

Thank you for your patience as we get ready for the faster, more frequent trains the City Rail Link will bring.