Kia Orana Welcome 2018! 

Term 1 so far...

Positive guidance & Engagements

The beautiful summer weather has enabled opportunities for our tamariki to engage in many outdoor experiences. Teachers also continue to encourage a 'Tuakana/Teina' approach to learning for our tamariki. 

The tuakana/teina relationship is a Maori concept to teaching & learning, it provides a model for buddy systems where the older person (tuakana) helps and guides the younger person (teina).

Whanau  & Community Relationships

Walks through our local community is a favourite learning time for our tamariki. On-going support from our parents & whanau is always encouraged & welcomed during these times (Relationships). On this occasion, our teacher's Rosie & Mary organised a walking excursion to our local Glen Innes Library. 

Building New Relationships

Teacher initiated visits (Rosie & Mary) to Glen Innes Library has enabled us to develop a new friendship with librarian Genevieve.  

Genevieve has kindly visited our apii on a few occasions, and brings her wealth of Maori knowledge to share. 

Chinese New Year

 All cultures should be acknowledged and valued, and during this particular week our apii used books to help us learn about the significance of Chinese New Year.

Did you know that the word "Fu" is usually pasted on doorways, and is supposed to bring good luck?

 Kuki Time with Phoebe Happ

As our tamariki are huge fans of music, we were fortunate to have Phoebe from the Cook Islands come to visit us. Phoebe and her daughter Kura promote Kuki Airani Reo (Cook Island Language) through music & dance...ROAR!

Promoting Kuki Airani Reo on 531 PI Radio

Papa Apii was approached by 531 PI radio station to ask how we teach and promote Kuki Airani Reo in Apii Potiki Glen Innes. From here, Papa invited the radio station in to our apii to see for themselves how our tamariki are confident in speaking the language.

Mama Tere, Papa Apii and many of our support teachers are our experts in teaching kuki airani reo. Mama and Papa take turns at leading our daily        'Kuki Airani Reo Sessions' for all of our tamariki who choose to participate.

Parent/Teacher Bonding
Our first get together for the year with our families allowed teachers, parents & whanau the time to engage in a relaxed environment.

Let the FUN Begin!

Through all the laughter...there was some actual learning and sharing of knowledge going on:) Mama Tere planned tonight's activities which included tie dying & healthy smoothie making stations.

                                                 

Smoothie Time (Yum)

Children's Day 2018

Anytime is a good time to have Dress-up Day & shared kai. 

Consultation on options for cohort entry into primary school

Worth a conversation, feel free to speak to us should you have any pressing concerns:

In 2017 the Education Act was changed to enable schools to adopt a cohort entry policy. At schools with cohort entry policies, children start school in groups at the beginning of the term closest to their fifth birthday.

Starting school can be a challenging experience for some children. Being part of a group can help children build relationships and support their transition to school. Under the current policy some children can start school up to two months before their fifth birthday.

The Government is proposing to change the law relating to cohort entry. The proposal will allow children to start school in groups, but only after they have turned five. This is in line with the recommendation of the 2015 Advisory Group on Early Learning.

The Ministry of Education is now consulting with the public on two options for introducing cohort entry for children over five:
•    once a term at the start of the term, or
•    twice a term at the start of the term and at the term mid-point.

The Ministry is also seeking views on whether schools should be able to adopt either of these options, instead of only having one option in legislation.


We would love to hear your views and those of parents, whānau and communities
Consultation closes on 19 March 2018. More information about the proposal, options and how to make a submission is available here. Please share this link with your community.


Schools will still be required to consult with early childhood education services me ngā kōhanga reo before introducing cohort entry
The change to cohort entry for over fives only will not affect the requirement for schools to consult with local early childhood education services me ngā kōhanga reo and the wider community before introducing cohort entry.


The age at which children must start school has not changed 
Although most children start school on or just after their fifth birthday, it is not compulsory to start school in New Zealand until a child turns six. This will not change.

Regardless of whether a school adopts cohort entry, parents and whānau will retain the right not to start their child at school until they think they are ready – up until the age of six.  When a school adopts cohort entry, a child can start with any cohort up until their sixth birthday. There is no requirement for a child to start with the first cohort they are eligible for.

To find out more and make a submission see www.education.govt.nz/consultation-on-options-for-cohort-entry 

KiwiHarvest

Congratulations to our friends at KiwiHarvest, Our community truly appreciates all that you do.  

Click link below to read about this fantastic charitable organisation.

Twelve days of Christmas: KiwiHarvest

Kids Kingdom

With the support & commitment from our parents & whanau, we traveled to Manukau City for our last excursion for 2017...

 There was no stopping our tamariki today, they saw what they wanted to do, and they went for it!

 Our parents & whanau had a big input into making this day possible for our tamariki. We are so grateful to all our families who pitched in throughout the whole year...you guys are awesome!

On return back at apii, Marina read out a special letter left by Santa. Tamariki were very excited to learn that Santa had left everyone a present under our Christmas tree while we were at Kids Kingdom.

A special thank you to teacher's Tare & Pamella for persevering with all the paperwork & organisation needed for this trip. Appreciation also goes out to all the Apii staff & parents for the time & commitment that has gone into all the planning, and fundraising...Awesome TEAMWORK!

#tbt Apii Potiki Glen Innes Community Preschool

#throw back Thursday  

Humble beginnings 4 years ago  

Halloween Disco

 Apii Potiki is truly blessed to have fantastic, supportive whanau who are always willing to contribute & lend a helping hand. In a few weeks time we will be on our way to Kid's Kingdom only because our tamariki & their whanau played a major part in raising the money needed to fund this excursion.

From pirates, to witches & pumpkins to princesses...many of us were unrecognizable & some were just down right scary...

It was so much fun catching up with some of our past students...it's really amazing how fast everyone has grown...

We must also acknowledge all the efforts put in by our Apii Potiki staff...Well Done Team!

Thank you Esther (Hemi & Jasmine's mum), for organising the donation of 'Calico Bags' as well as working alongside our tamariki to produce some creative artworks on their bags.

*Please Note: We are continuing to sell our Calico Bags, Song Books & Cook Books if anyone is interested in purchasing any of these items (See any of our staff for questions:)

Well Done & Congratulations to everyone who got involved to make this happen for our tamariki!

As our trip to Kid's Kingdom is planned for 17th November 2017...Keep your eyes open for further information...

Meitaki Maata Whanau

Disco Fundraiser

DISCO TIME IS ALMOST HERE...

We are in need of 'Parent Help' on the night. We are looking for whanau to assist with the following...

* 3x BBQ Assistants

* 2x Bake Sale Assistants 

* 1x Book Sale Assistant

* 2x Door Assistants (1x Front Entry & 1x Backdoor)

REMINDER...

Please remember to bring your contributions for the 'Cake Bake' this Friday morning...

Meitaki Maata Whanau