MENPS News

From The Principal

Kia ora koutou

Parent Conferences This Week

Our thanks for such positive engagement with the Parent Conferences this week - we really value the time and opportunity to build partnership, and hope that it helps build a clear picture of your child’s learning so far this year, alongside the information contained in the Mid-year Report.

We encourage taking a holistic view, noting not only where your child sits in relation to expected curriculum levels or achievement indicators, but also gaining insight into the latest chapter in their learning progress so far.

As I have mentioned previously, meaningful progress can look different for every learner. A child who has made significant gains in confidence, resilience, independence, social skills, or engagement with learning may have achieved something just as important for their success in the long run as improvements in academic results.

It’s helpful to consider where they were six months or even a year ago in terms of the new skills they have developed, and how they are growing both as a learner and as a person. It's a particularly valuable time as a parent to look for:

Evidence of progress and growth over time
Strengths and interests that can be nurtured
Next learning steps and goals
Development of key learning dispositions such as perseverance, curiosity, self-management, and collaboration
Comments about wellbeing, relationships, and engagement in learning

Children thrive when they feel valued for who they are, not just for what they achieve. Celebrating effort, improvement, and personal growth helps build confidence and motivation for future learning.

If you have unresolved questions about your child's report or any concerns at any point, we encourage you to make time to talk with their teacher at any time of the year (not just the scheduled conferences) so we can continue to work together in support of their growth, learning, and success through the Primary stages their educational journey.

Farewell to Mr Reed

Sadly, as some of you may know, we will be bidding farewell at the end of this term to Dom Reed in Year 6 as he takes up a new position.

Dom has not only supported the learners in Room 2, but has always been a positive and valued member of the professional team, in addition to his expertise and the many lunchtimes sacrificed in his role as Sports Coordinator!

I’m sure those who know Dom will join us in thanking him for his time with us at MENPS, and wishing him well for the future.

Taking over the reins in Room 2, we’re delighted to welcome back a familiar member of the MENPS whanau who many of you will know well, with Martina Stevenson returning as classroom teacher from Term 3.

PTA Cultural Festival

Finally, I want to pass on thanks on behalf of the whole school community to the PTA, volunteers, food stall helpers, sponsors, community groups and, above all, Festival Coordinator and PTA Co-chair Svantje Reiber, who brought the whole project together.

Undeterred by the slightly damp weather, the day was a great success and a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity that enriches our school community.

Thanks to all who helped make this a success, and to everyone who was able to come along in support.

Ka kite anõ i a koutou

Alan Jackson, Principal

Events & Reminders

Friday 26th June:

Jammies in June PJ Day - wear your pj's if you have donated pj's - gold coin donation

Final collection day for donated pj's for Jammies in June

Monday 29th June - Friday 3rd July: Matariki Celebrations

Monday 29th June:

Sports Assembly 2:30pm - 3:00pm

Wednesday 1st July:

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

Term 3 New Entrant Cohort Visit 2 - 9:00am - 10:30am

Friday 3rd July: End of Term 2 - usual 3:00pm finish

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

End of Term Assembly/Mana Awards - 2:15 pm - 2:45pm

PTA End of Term Ice Block Sale - $2 - 3:00pm - 3:30pm

Kia pai ngā hararei/Have a good holiday and we look forward to seeing you in Term 3

Monday 20th July: Term 3 begins

Notices

Jammies In June

MENPS Walking School Bus

We are getting our MENPS Walking School Bus back up and running and in light of recent petrol prices think this is the right time for it. We have 2 routes that we will be launching. The ‘Henley Route’ and ‘Prospect Route’. Please click on the link below to find out more information about them and to sign your child/ren up for them. Initially they will run in the mornings but we are hoping to extend to the afternoon buses if we can have more parent volunteers.

If you are able to help be a parent supervisor for either of these routes or would like to start one around your area, please email aonel@mteden.school.nz We are looking to expand the routes we have but it all depends on the parent volunteers we can get. Thank you to those who have helped get these walking buses up and running.

Walking School Bus sign up

A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Festival Community! ❤️

What an incredible day! Our festival simply would not have been possible without the generosity, energy, creativity, and dedication of so many wonderful people.

To everyone who helped behind the scenes and on the day itself – thank you.

Thank you to those who prepared and shared delicious food, from dumplings and zongzi to samosas, sausages, baking, bake sale treats, candy floss, smoothies, and Gong Cha. Thank you to everyone who cooked, baked, sold, served, donated ingredients, and kept hungry festival-goers happy throughout the day.

Thank you to those who collected supplies, transported equipment, picked up and dropped off items, set up before the event, and stayed behind to pack down and clean up afterwards. These often unseen jobs are absolutely essential and deeply appreciated.

Thank you to our activity providers and volunteers who brought the festival to life through Playball, face painting, flower crown making, the tea ceremony, Chinese paper cutting, cultural games, and so many other wonderful experiences that created joy and connection throughout the day.

A special thank you to all of our performers and organisers of the student talent show. To every student, teacher, family member, and cultural group who shared their talents, traditions, music, dance, stories, and heritage with our community – thank you for making the festival vibrant, meaningful, and memorable.

To our hosts, coordinators, sponsors, supporters, teachers, PTA members, whānau, students, and volunteers—whether you gave an hour, a day, or many weeks of your time—please know that your contribution mattered.

This festival was a true community effort, and it is a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with generosity, enthusiasm, and a shared purpose.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping create such a special day for our school community. We couldn’t have done it without you.

If we’ve accidentally missed mentioning a contribution, please know that every helping hand was valued and appreciated. Whether you donated, volunteered, performed, organised, transported, encouraged, supported, or simply showed up and took part, you helped make this festival the success it was. Thank you for being part of our festival village.

Ngā mihi nui and thank you all!

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors, Supporters and Performers ❤️

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible businesses, organisations, and performers whose generosity and support helped make our Cultural Festival such a wonderful success.

A huge thank you to Eden Orthodontics for their generous sponsorship and ongoing support of our school community. Their contribution helped make many of the festival activities and experiences possible.

🌐 Eden Orthodontics: www.edenorthodontics.co.nz

Thank you also to sKids Mt Eden for their support and commitment to our local families and tamariki.

🌐 sKids Mt Eden: www.skids.co.nz/locations/mt-eden-normal

We are incredibly grateful to Hellers for their support through the donation of sausages, helping keep our hungry festival-goers well fed throughout the day.

🌐 Hellers: www.hellers.co.nz

A big thank you to Gong Cha for their support and contribution, bringing a much-loved treat to our festival community and helping make the day even more enjoyable for everyone.

🌐 Gong Cha New Zealand: www.gongcha.co.nz

And a very special thank you to Kumo Taiko for their stunning performance. Your energy, skill, and passion captivated the audience and provided an unforgettable cultural highlight of the festival. We are incredibly grateful for the time and talent you shared with our community.

🌐 Kumo Taiko: www.kumotaiko.co.nz

Together, your generosity, enthusiasm, and community spirit helped create a vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and belonging. We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to continuing these wonderful community partnerships in the future.

Ngā mihi nui – thank you for helping make our festival such a special day!

Please support the businesses and organisations that support our school community whenever you can. Their generosity helps make opportunities like this possible for our tamariki and whānau, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment to our school community.

School Culture & Our PTA

At Mount Eden Normal Primary School, our school culture is built on community, inclusion, and the belief that every family plays a valuable role in supporting our children’s learning and wellbeing.

The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) helps strengthen the connection between families, the school, and the wider community. We organise events, support fundraising initiatives, build relationships, and help create the vibrant school environment that makes MENPS so special.

One thing many parents don’t realise is that every parent and caregiver at MENPS is automatically part of the PTA. Whether you are active in a community chat, attend school events, volunteer regularly, help from home, or simply support your child’s learning, you are already a valued member of our PTA community.

There is no requirement to attend meetings or volunteer regularly. Participation can be as much or as little as suits your family and circumstances. The PTA is not just a community—but a group of friends and families you haven’t met yet working together to support our tamariki and school.

If you would like to stay connected, we invite you to join our general MENPS PTA WhatsApp community chat:

MENPS PTA WhatsApp Community Chat⁠

There is no commitment and no obligation—it’s simply a great way to stay informed, connect with other families, hear about upcoming events, and be part of our amazing MENPS whānau.

Every contribution, big or small, helps make a difference. We warmly welcome everyone to be part of our vibrant and supportive MENPS PTA community. ❤️

Many parents don’t realise that all parents and caregivers at MENPS are warmly welcome in our PTA community. Whether you join a community chat, come along to school events, lend a hand when you can, help from home, or simply support your child’s learning, you are part of what makes our PTA so special.

There’s no expectation to attend meetings or volunteer regularly—your involvement can be as much or as little as suits you and your family.

Our PTA is more than a community; it’s a network of families and friends - many still to be met - working together to support our tamariki and our school. If you’d like to become a formal member of the PTA, we’d love to have you - just follow the link to join

Here's the consent link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfY24Q6hvm6h5XnYjkvg1boXzLIkyHZnLMVcxwTMn7RcF__w/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Second Hand Uniform Shop will open next Wed.& Friday

8.15 - 9.15am (1July&3July)
In the PTA Room: follow signs from Valley Rd gatesR
Order by emailing Kitty at menpspta@gmail.com.
Pay via Cash or Bank transfer

Ice-Blocks for Sale ($2) next Friday ! 3July 3pm - 3:30pm

Celebrate term end with an ice block! Ice blocks are for sale on next Friday at 3pm under the sports canopy. $2 each!!

Keep collecting those Yummy Fruit/Apple Stickers!!

The 2026 Yummy Apple Promotion ends on Friday, 4th September. This is the date that all Sticker Collection Sheets must be given to your child's teacher. Any collection sheets that are currently full can be brought to school for early counting. Otherwise, keep collecting and return your collection sheet closer to the due date.

Email menpspta@gmail.com I Follow us on Facebook

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