Kia ora everyone, our orchard visit will now be next Fri, 25th June. Thanks, Copland’s for offering us another date.

Orchard Visit postponed

Our Orchard Visit tomorrow for the school is postponed due to weather. School is on as normal. Thank you and we will give you a new date as soon as we have one.

Weather warning

Kia ora, from the Ministry of Education

Looking like another significant weather event coming. Latest data suggests parts of Canterbury may receive over 250mm, with significant snow about the higher hills and ranges.

The current ‘feed zone’ covers most of Canterbury, with a strong possibility of high intensity rainfall setting in over the weekend.

Current modelling is that Sunday rainfall rates may exceed 15mm/hr about the foothills, however, for many areas, heavy rain looks set to linger through a large portion of Monday.

This system has tropical origins, enhancing rainfall intensity, with cold south-easterly winds. The perfect ‘recipe’ for more significant rain and snow events here in Canterbury.

Snow levels will be significantly lower than the major rain event in late May, possibly having an influence on the water catchment area and associated river flow levels.

Updates

Good luck to our Choir performing tomorrow night at the Music Festival. You are a group of brave and dedicated singers. Thank you to Mrs Gosling for your support.
We will be having the main hedge on Cridland street trimmed and topped on Monday so all children will be well away from the courts on that day. It has not been done for 20 years and is in desperate need of some work. Please remind the children that they will be off the courts and huts for one day. Thank you.

Farm Visits and parent help…..

Thank you to all the parents who have offered to help on our farm visits – we had an amazing response.  It was wonderful to receive all your offers of help.  I (Mrs. Jenkins) have been in touch with parents and confirmed who is needed for parent help.  With only 6-8 parents needed across the whole school, we couldn’t take up all your offers of help.  This means if you have not heard from me, unfortunately, we do not need you this time around.  Again thanks for all the wonderful offers of help – we are lucky to have such wonderful parents supporting the kids and school.

School closes Tuesday June 15th at 1pm

We have our termly Professional development work in Methven on Tuesday and so school will shut at 1pm. Buses will run at 1pm as well. Thank you for your understanding. 

June 8th Newsletter

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Jubilee registrations are open.

https://bit.ly/3im26KB

Rakaia School is back to normal tomorrow Thursday May 3rd. All children are expected at school. No buses are running. Drink bottles please.

Second Hand Uniform Sale.

The next second hand uniform sale will be this Friday the 4th of June from 2.45pm until 3.15pm outside the shed at school. Come and see what we can help you with for your winter uniform requirements we have plenty of polar fleeces and sweatshirts.  Eftpos will be available, we still do cash and good quality swaps. No I.O.U’s thanks.

Any donations of uniform are always welcome; we are particularly short on polo’s if you have any spare. 

Thank you Clare Stewart                         

0274 190020

Mt Hutt College open day postponed

We wish to inform that the Mount Hutt College Open Day scheduled for Thursday 3 June has been POSTPONED till Thursday 17 June 2021. If you could please pass this message on to your school community, it would be greatly appreciated.

Clarification

Clarification :

School is open tomorrow Wednesday June 2.

If you can manage at home with your children then that is first preference to ease the load as staffing and roading and weather is dynamic.

We are open if that does not work for you however you will be transporting them to and from school due to no buses running.

Hope thats clearer for you.

Thank you for sharing feedback.

School open tomorrow for those needing the children in care for your work responsibilities.

Hello everyone

I hope you are all well. It has been a dynamic few days with weather and roads. We have appreciated your understanding.

I have spoken with our BOT Chair and we have agreed :

School will reopen tomorrow Wednesday June 2. There will be no Manual Training for Year 7-8 so they just come to school as normal.

Whanau swimming has been cancelled for the week and we hope they can reschedule soon.

No buses will be running tomorrow and maybe like that for the rest of the week.

Roads are open in most places but travel is restricted to necessary travel only.

We should have most staff on deck as long as things don’t change again so expect an adjusted programme at school.

The message is we are open if you need you children at school so you can work.

Thank you
Mark Ellis Principal

School closed Tuesday

Hello again Whanau and friends,

Rakaia School will be closed Tuesday June 1st due to the weather event. We have staff isolated and buses are not running so please stay safe at home.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Mark

School closed Monday May 31st

Rakaia School is closed Monday May 31st due to the weather event. We have had the recommendation from Civil Defence.

Thank you for understanding and stay safe!

Mark Ellis
Principal

School buses will not run tomorrow Monday May 31st. At this point in time school is still open. Please stay tuned for further updates.

School Updates – Weather event!

Hello whanau and friends
We are in contact with the Ministry Of Education and Civil Defence about the situation we have in Mid Canterbury.
We will update you when we know answers to buses and schools ASAP.
Difficulties we envisage are getting children and staff to and from school and so I will liaise with the BOT chair about any decisions regarding the school remaining open or closed for Monday.
Please keep an eye on things and use the sharing page if you ant to put updates.
Thank you Mark

May 25th 2021 newsletter

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Book week parade and display starting at 10.15am tomorrow. All welcome to watch. Space themes.

Hello everyone. SSG meeting at 7.30pm at the Railway Tavern tonight. All welcome to attend.

Farewell Mrs McNeur and welcome back Mrs Doody.

Dear Whanau
Mrs McNeur has tended her resignation for the end of term 2. Jenna has supported O Tu Roto and Team Ako as a team teacher with Mrs Hall. Jenna is moving to Bankside with family to extend their development in the Dairy industry and will be supporting her husband and family on the farm. We will miss her IT support, fun and efficient teaching. We extend best wishes to her and family.
Mrs Pauline Doody will join team Ako for every Thursday and Friday in term 3 and 4. Welcome back Mrs Doody.Mark Ellis

Principal

Staffing Update – Mrs Jenkins away.

Hello Rakaia Whanau

An update to inform you Mrs Jenkins has had a knee injury and is off work until at least May 25th. Mr Platt and Mr Ellis will cover her with the support of Mrs Currie who joined Mahtahi this term. Mrs Stapleton will work full time in Whakamatau (Room 8). We wish her a speedy recovery and can guarantee a smooth time ahead with no disruption to learning.

Mrs Jenkins will still join meeting virtually and will be available for any organised parent meetings online. 

Thank you

Mark Ellis

Principal

Cross Country Information and Directions

Important reminders for tomorrow’s cross country:

 
–Food Please ensure children have plenty of food, water, and money if they wish to buy a sausage, drink or ice block. Even if they are buying lunch, they will still need a packed lunch for fruit break and morning tea. 
 
– Warm clothing is essential! There is minimal shelter from the weather at the site so children need to have plenty of layers. We suggest wearing a jersey and jacket over their sports top, and track pants over their shorts or tights. Pack a winter hat (and gloves and a scarf if you wish) and some spare dry socks as well. It is much easier to take layers off than to warm up in the cold wind. 
 
– Directions: Follow Acton Road from Rakaia. Turn at Harrisons Road. The paddock is on the right and about halfway between Acton Road and Dorie School Road. There should be some signs out near the paddock, and look out for the buses and the people getting set up.
 
– If you wish to take your child with you after their race, you MUST sign them out and let a staff member know before leaving!
 
Look forward to seeing the community out there tomorrow…. don’t forget to wrap up! 

School Support Group fund raiser – Working bee

SSG are excited to announce a great opportunity from one of our families for the community to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to raise some funds for Rakaia Kura. 

When: Sunday 19th May 

Time: 10am -12pm

Where: Florence’s Farm- off Sommerton Rd

Type of work: Vegetation clearance (Picking up sticks)

Please contact the office or SSG if you would like to help out: https://www.facebook.com/rakaiassg

So grab the rake, grab the glooves, grab the kids and come get stuck in 

Parent Help needed – Marshals for Cross Country tomorrow

Kia ora hapori! 

We are needing a few parent volunteers to help out with marsheling for the cross country tomorrow….. so get ready to throw those thermals on and wrap up! 

If you are available and are keen to help out please get in contact with the office or email Miss Anderson alissaanderson@rakaia.school.nz 

Nga mihi nui! 

Newsletter May 3

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Hi parents, Term 2 and 3 are our hot food terms…….

…..Each team/syndicate can bring food to be heated in the ‘hot food warmer’ on the following days:

– Ako: Monday

– Whanau:  Tuesday

– Mahitahi:  Thursday

Please ensure food is in the right wrapping – no plastics e.g. containers etc that will melt.  Food must be clearly named with the child’s room as well.  Hot food is given out at second lunch (1.30 pm).

Thanks,

From the Mahitahi Hot Food Monitors

We are Looking for a Teacher aide for term 2. Working with one child, supervising and supporting. Confidentiality is a must!

Can you work Monday 9-2pm and Tuesday -Friday 9-12. A total of 17 hours. If you are interested then please email markellis@rakaia.school.nz with your CV and cover letter detailing why we should consider you for the position.

Hello everyone. Yes any children who can match in uniform tomorrow for Anzac Day please assemble at 9.45am at the Rakaia hall. Thank you .

Whole School Assembly – Parents Welcomed

Ata marie community, 

It’s the end of Term 1 and we would love to invite you to come and celebrate our learning with us.  

Whole School Assembly

Mahi Tahi

2:15pm

Ka pai! 

Football (Soccer)

Evening Parents

Children who are interested in playing football (soccer) this winter need to organise their own registrations. Due to numbers there will not be a school team entered. Players can register via Mid Canterbury United Football Club (https://www.mcfootball.co.nz/). Registrations close tomorrow, 16 April.

Rakaia Rugby Players

Wednesday 14th April – Rakaia Rugby Club JAB training starts 4.30pm start at Rakaia domain. Unregistered and registered players all to attend please. We will see you all there. Go Rakaia!

Year 7/8 shared lunch tomorrow (Tues). Each student to bring a plate of food, please. All family welcome to pop in 12-1 pm to join us.

Parent invitation to join us at Hakatere Marae

Kia ora e te hapori o Rakaia

We would like to invite all our Whanau and Ako parents to join us on Wednesday 14th April to celebrate and show gratitude to our tangata whenua as we visit Hakatere Marae. 

We are lucky enough to be able to experience a full traditional Powhiri which will be followed with a full day of traditional Maori learning activities. 

So if you are available, we strongly encourage you to come along and join us in this cultral experience of Ko wai au. Come for part of the day or all stay the whole day and join in with our tamariki.

RSVP – Please fill in here

Hakatere Marae

Date: Wednesday 14th April 

Time: Be there before 10am  

Transport: Please make your own way there 

Other info:  Bring some kai (food) for lunch if you plan to stay for the day

Want to find out more about Powhiri? – Click here

If you have any old magazines/newspapers can you please send them along to school tomorrow (Thursday) for the year 7/8 students (MTJ), Thx.

Sorry. A very late message due to a busy day and just attending to emails now.

Reminder for Rakaia Hockey registration day – today at 4pm at the Domain.

Second Hand Uniform Sale

Last second hand uniform sale for this term will be this Friday the 9th of April from 2.45pm until 3.15pm outside the shed at school. Come and see what we can help you with for your winter uniform requirements we have plenty of polar fleeces and sweatshirts.  Eftpos will be available, we still do cash and good quality swaps. No I.O.U’s thanks.

Any donations of uniform are always welcome; we are particularly short on polo’s if you have any spare. 

Thank you Clare Stewart                         

0274 190020

Field to be drilled tomorrow Tuesday March 30

Hi team, I am sorry for any disruption. The field is being drilled for new seed tomorrow around 10am. The children will need to focus on the area outsiude the pegs that Dave will put in the ground. Please ask the children to use the turf or bike track and huts but to stay off the newly drilled grass. We want this looking its best for next years Jubillee so we are starting now. Thank you for your co-operation. We also appreciate the time and resources donated by the community for this to be achieved. 

March 26th Newsletter

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RAKAIA NETBALL CLUB 2021 NETBALL: JUNIOR Musters: Yr3-8 this Wednesday 24th March and next Monday 29th March @ 4.30pm…

….. @ Rakaia Domain Courts.

 
Rakaia Netball Club is a small but successful club and welcomes players at all levels.  We are a friendly, social club with a supportive and hardworking committee.  We have excellent court facilities located at the Rakaia Domain, where we train.  Games played indoors at Ashburton’s EA Networks Centre.

Juniors FutureFERNS:  Yr 3-4 Term 2 Fridays.  Yr 5-6 Term 2 Saturdays
Intermediate FutureFERNS:  Yr 7-8 Term 2/3 Saturdays
Yr1-2 FutureFERNS is run by Mid Canterbury Netball at the EA Centre Ashburton in Term 3.

Boys can play Netball.  Boys must be under 14 years of age as of 1st January to play this season.

Register to play for Rakaia in 2021: https://www.sporty.co.nz/ viewform/114433

Lara Reihana, Junior Co-ordinator (027 226 6134)
email: rakaianetball@gmail.com
Fb: @RakaiaNetballClub