Newsletter:
Term 2, Week 8

Principal's Pānui

Kia ora koutou,

Matariki is upon us this weekend. Talking to our kids around school about what Matariki means to their families has been really interesting and shows how quickly our country has embraced a new public holiday as one to spend with whānau, remember those who have passed, and celebrate being together with kai. In our way of celebrating Matariki, our school is hosting our biannual hāngi next week. Ticket sales have blown us away with over 60 more sold than the last hāngi in 2023. It's great that so many in our school community can make the time to celebrate the occasion of Matariki together. It also means an extra level of pressure for Q and his team of helpers in preparing such a feast for us! We'll send some more communication early next week about the plan for the night but expect things to kick off at 5pm next Thursday - and do what you can to ensure some good hāngi weather!

Another aspect of Matariki is a chance to reflect on how we're all doing and think about aspirations for the future. As a leadership team, we're keen to take this opportunity to hear about aspirations from our students and their whānau about where we are heading as a school community and what we'd like to see happen in the coming years. We did this in 2023, which supported the development of our strategic direction and enabled some great voice from our students, staff, and whānau. We'd love for you to take the time next week to share your thoughts either online, or in our Matariki stars at our hāngi (students will be doing this) or in the office.

I was lucky to spend Tuesday at Tūranga for Tech Fest 2025. Tech Fest was an awesome two-day event for our Year 7 & 8 students, using digital tools to learn and create. It is unique to the schools in our area, and an example of another opportunity our young people are so fortunate to access. We had a number of staff heavily involved in the setting up and delivery of this event, alongside teachers from our surrounding schools and Emma Planicka, our resident digital learning expert. Tech Fest was led by Monique Stevenson, with support by Heidi Key, Jack Fraser, and Jemma Alexander. A big thanks to them for their mahi.

Some great efforts from our young athletes over the last week or so. Starting with gymnastics and chess last week, cross country runners at Canterbury's yesterday, and sport back on today for Waipātiki. A big thanks to the parents making these opportunities happen, we literally couldn't compete without that awesome support. Good luck to our senior basketballers competing at South East Zones on Monday.

Have a lovely long weekend and travel safe if you are on the road somewhere wintery.

Mānawatia a Matariki!

Nick Leith

Student Achievements to Celebrate

Primary Sports Canterbury Artistic Gym Competition

Congratulations to these talented gymnasts - Aria, Emily and Abbie who competed in the artistic gymnastics competition on Wednesday 11 June. They all did so well and were so supportive of each other.

Aria gained placings in all her events: 1st on floor, 2nd on beam, 1st on bars, 2nd on vault and finished 1st overall in her grade!
Abbie gained 3rd placings in both the beam and floor events.

Special thanks to Angela for supporting the girls during the morning!

Canterbury Cross Country 2025

Well done to these amazing runners who competed at the Canterbury Cross Country yesterday at Nga Puna Wai - Rosario, Amber, Florence, Coco, Teana, Leo, Sofia and Matai.

Special congratulations to Rosario who placed in the top 20! She came 18th out of 130 runners in her age group!

Chess Teams

Our Year 5&6 and Year7&8 teams competed last week in their repsective team events. As only our second year entering this was a great improvement with some good wins leading to credible 5th and 6th places overall.

Concerns and Complaints Policy

We’ll publish this each term so people in our community know the correct process around concerns and complaints.

You can read a full description of this policy via our school docs site linked here (log in details: Username: redcliffs, Password: beach) or check out the page on our website.

This policy provides staff members, parents/caregivers/whānau, students, and the wider school community with clear procedures for raising concerns and making complaints. Complaints may also come from members of the public.

Sports Update

Our Term 3 sports calendar is available to read here.

A reminder our Sports Website has everything on it you need to know about sports in our kura.

Thanks for all the parent support this term,

Susie Murphy

PTA

Thank you all for donating school uniforms and coming to the second-hand uniform sale last week.

Yoga at Te Raekura Redcliffs - Term 3 Class

Jane Acland is continuing her offer of yoga classes to our community in Term 3, with all proceeds donated to support Creative Arts Therapy at Te Raekura.

The goal is to ensure this therapy receives funding so it can continue to support the mental health of our kids.

Classes will be focused on developing strength, flexibility and restoring a sense of calm. No experience necessary; it will be suitable for beginners.

Feel free to invite your friends from outside the Te Raekura Redcliffs School community too!

Jane is a certified, experienced yoga teacher and mum to Angus (7, Te Urunga), Isla (6, Te Awa) and Sophie (3).

When: Weekly at 6.30 - 7.30pm on Tuesdays. 15th Jul - 16th Sep

Where: School hall

Cost: $90 for the nine week term. Or $15 per casual class.

Bring: A yoga mat, a firm blanket to sit on. If you have yoga blocks and/or strap please bring those along.

Wear: Clothes you feel comfortable moving in, bare feet.

Please deposit funds into J & G Acland 12-3148-0196007-02 (ref code: Yoga Redcliffs) and email Jane at aclandjane@gmail.com to confirm your spot.