Term 1, Week 6
The side panel of the Newsletter
You may find the side panel on the left helpful when looking for further information in the Newsletters. You can visit our website from here, view old newsletters and consult the School Calendar.
Up-to-Date Contact Information
It is essential that we have your most up-to-date contact information. Please make sure that we have your correct address and telephone numbers AS WELL AS at least one other person whom we can contact in an emergency situation - someone who would be able to make decisions on your behalf and/or collect your child if need be.
School Duathlon
This will be whole school over the day on 21st March. Please look out for notices with further details.
Little Heart Mufti Day
What a fantastic effort! We raised $389 for this organisation today. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Early School Closure
Our union (NZEI) has called a meeting during school hours on Wednesday 27th March. Every union member has a right to attend this meeting but it will mean we cannot adequately staff the school. Therefore, Tinwald School will be closing at 1.30pm on this day. Please note this on your calendars.
Parent Teacher Association
Thank you to the parents who attended our PTA AGM meeting this last week. Attached is information about how the PTA helped our school last year. If you get a chance, have a look at our wonderful evolving shared space/shade area. The PTA, BoT and construction team have worked very hard to design and develop this area to be a super space that will have many uses now and into the future.
Easter Holidays 2024
Please be aware that all schools are closed for Easter Holidays on the following days:
Friday 29th March - Good Friday
Monday 1st April - Easter Monday
Tuesday 2nd April - Easter Tuesday (this day is often absorbed by the break between Terms 1 and 2)
Rare Disorders Mufti Day
Well done to all those who dressed up in bright colours and brought along a donation for Rare Disorders. We raised $600 toward this very worthwhile cause.
School Gates
Just a friendly reminder that we need everyone to be vigilant about closing our school gates. We occasionally have children (especially in the junior area of the school) who want another cuddle from a parent and forget to stay inside the gates, or become distracted following a ball or such like, running outside our perimeter. It is important for their safety that we all help by closing the school gates each time we use them.
Reading books
Last year we had over $3000 of our instructional readers go missing. Can you please have a hunt around at home (we are hunting at school too) and return them to your child's class teacher or the office if you do happen to find any labelled Tinwald School.
Cultural Week
What a fantastic week we had learning about our school diversity. We started the week off with Colin from the Ashburton Pipe Band playing the bagpipes for us out on the courtyard before leading us into assembly.
After that, over the week, we had several parents, teachers and other adults coming in to talk with groups of children about their heritage. Some showed their country's flag and explained the meaning behind the shapes/pictures and colours of the flag. Others talked about events, clothing, music, food and dance that holds meaning in their country.
We had a fabulous display in our library of items and artefacts from various cultures. Classes were able to go through and look at these, discussing what they were and which countries they represented.
At the end of the week, we had a parade around the courtyard. Classes had made banners for different countries and we asked the children to dress in their national costume from the country or countries they identified with. The children had also made small flags for their country - many children had two or three flags to wave.
Around lunchtime we had tables set out with bite-size portions of food from around twelve different countries for the children to try - just a taste for them to enjoy. This was an amazing experience that took a lot of work from our wonderful parents who offered to help. We also had some generous donations from individuals and local businesses. Please support and acknowledge these businesses if you can.
I would also like to acknowledge the preparation and support from teaching staff to make this happen. Also the tireless mahi/work by our Teacher Aides, Carolyn and Carmeena, in organising materials and ideas for our banners, the display of items in the library and the co-ordination of parents making and delivering food for our tasting.
School Lunch Ideas
Are you in need of some fresh ideas when it comes to making school lunches? Head along to the Ashburton Public Library on Wednesday March 13 at 6.30pm to get some new lunchbox ideas and inspiration from dietitian Megan Copland. Details and free tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/school-lunch-ideas
Subway Lunches
If you wish to order Subway for your child's lunch, you can do this through their website www.subwaylunches.co.nz You must log in and register on-line first and nominate our school for delivery. Only available Thursdays. Orders must be placed before 9am. Please remind your child to collect their lunch from the office on the day it is ordered.
Holiday Activities
Free interactive Workshop coming up in Rakaia
