Our Whanau Group meets once a term and has its first meeting next Wednesday 23 February at 5 pm.
This group supports and assists with the inclusion of Te Reo and tikanga Maori within all components
of the Tainui School curriculum and school life. The proposed “Pou” project this year is to create two
painted pou (posts) that represent the connection our school has with mana tangata and mana whenua.
All parents are welcome. Please bring some food to share for a BBQ tea.

The Senior School classes, Rooms 6, 7, 8 and 10 started their Swimsation lessons at Moana Pool this
Tuesday. They will be having 10 sessions on Tuesday afternoons.
Rooms 11, 12, 1, 2, 3 and 4 swimming starts on Thursday 17 February for 5 sessions until 24 March.
Parent help with dressing is appreciated in the Junior and Middle Syndicates

On Monday 13 December the school formally farewells our 42 Year 6 children. The P.T.A gives each
child a dictionary for their future learning. A group of Year 6 children will share their memories of
Tainui. Emma Thompson from Year 6 has written a farewell story. It is included in this newsletter.
A presentation of three special awards will be made-Rotary Outstanding Achievement, Cultural
Award and Sports Award. We invite all parents to join us at 2.15 pm in the Hall. The Kapahaka will
open this assembly

An invitation is extended to all parents who have supported our learning programmes this year to a
Parent Help Morning Tea on Wednesday 8 December at 10.30 am in our Library. The school
appreciates and values the way our parent community is so supportive with our programmes.

Today we celebrate and recognise Christine Whitehead’s 22 years of teaching service to Tainui
School. Christine leaves her position on Thursday 2 December. Christine is a very passionate,
energetic teacher who is very committed to both children’s achievement and personal development.
With her great experience she has lifted individual children’s achievement and supported confidence.
We will miss her soft smiling face. At our assembly today we will be joined by Christine’s husband
Michael, her daughter Miriam and grandson Max and other close friends. The Board of Trustees and
P.T.A will be giving Christine gifts.

Next THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER we invite all parents to a special assembly to recognise
Christine’s 22 years of teaching service at Tainui School and farewell her as she leaves her position on
Thursday 2 December. The assembly will start at 2.15 pm in the hall. Christine is a very passionate,
energetic teacher who is very committed to both children’s achievement and personal development.
With her great experience, expertise and caring attitude she has lifted individual children’s
achievement and supported confidence. We will miss her soft smiling face. Mrs Wendy Bates will be
relieving in Christine’s position until the end of the year. A teacher will be appointed to this teaching
position to start at the beginning of next year, 2011.

Yesterday I visited our 41 Year 6 children at Camp Iona. They are all making the most of the outdoor
activities and look happy. After finishing a Search and Rescue activity we travelled to Moeraki
township and took the long walk along the beach to the boulders. Many treasures of shells, sticks and
rocks were investigated. From there we travelled to the Lighthouse and took the track to see penguins
and seals. To the groups delight a Yellow Eyed Penguin appeared on a hill above us and moved very
near on its walk down to the beach. Our 3 teachers, Kaye, Craig and Wayne have very impressive
support from parents at camp. We acknowledge the teacher’s efforts in planning and running such a
successful camp and their 24/7 effort this week. A special thanks goes to the parents who gave their
time to support the camp. An amazing experience for our Year 6 learners
Athletics

Next week our Year 6 group of children will be at Camp Iona. They will be participating in a range of
outdoor activities-abseiling, kayaking, tenting, hiking and cooking outdoors.
Ms Ballantyne, Mr Wilkinson and Mr Henderson will be at the camp along with several parents.
We wish our campers all the very best for their week in the outdoors.
Athletics

School photos will be taken on Monday 1 November by McRobie Studios. Class and individual
photos will be taken for every child. Family and sibling photos will be taken for those who have
requested them. The family photos will be taken at 8.30 am. Please be at the office by 8.30 am if you
have requested a family photo.

On Tuesday, we were invited to Tahuna to take part in Room 14’s Commonwealth Games. After the
opening ceremony, the children took part in a variety of exciting activities which the Tahuna children
had created especially for us. Some of the favourite activities were an egg and spoon obstacle course
using real eggs, throwing wet sponges at the Tahuna kids and throwing water balloons at the big kids
on the climbing wall.
We all received a gold medal and certificate for our efforts and had a wonderful time.