HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY EVERYONE!

SEE YOU ON TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2020

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whaanau,

NZEI Te Rui Roa and PPTA have announced combined strike action in the form of a full day strike on 29th May 2019. As all of our Horotiu teaching staff are members, we are unable to provide classes for students on this day. We ask you to make alternative arrangements for your children as Horotiu School will be closed for the day.

On behalf of all our teachers we do wish to express our thanks to the Horotiu Community for supporting us throughout this negotiation process. This is a key moment for us and despite mixed political messages, education in NZ really is in a crisis and we certainly feel your support.

We are strongly encouraging families and whaanau to join us on the 29th of May to show your solidarity and support for our teachers. We will advise venue and times closer to the time.

Quick facts about the challenges facing our teachers today:

The average NZ teacher is paid $20,000 less than their Australian colleagues;
There is an actual shortage of 850 teachers across NZ today;
We have a growing population and a there has been 40%decrease in teacher trainee numbers in the last 8 years. Scary considering another 50,000 students will attend school by 2030;
The average age of a teacher in NZ is 50 and 20% of these are over 60. There is a genuine concern around who will fill the void when these teachers retire;
The majority of schools in NZ report real challenges around finding or accessing relievers. Many schools will now merge classes or cancel lessons;
Nearly half of all new teachers quit the profession in the first five years;
The average working week for a teacher in NZ is 55 hours, with many regularly working around 60-65 hours;
The increasing number of children entering schools with high level needs, behaviour challenges and hidden challenges (anxiety, depression, ADHD etc) is rapidly escalating.

Thank you for your support. It is very much appreciated.

Leo Spaans David Kimber
Principal Horotiu School Horotiu BOT Chair

Students involved in placing wreaths, reading poems or leading the service have been asked to wear their school tshirts.  It would be lovely for as many of our other students to do the same if possible. 

The service will be begin at 9.15am on the court beside the flagpole.  It is expected to take 30 mins at the most. 

Please join us if you wish.

Thank you to all our VERY GENEROUS sponsors who supported us this year (and so many from years gone past as well!).  Your support is greatly valued by our students, staff and whaanau, and we continue to be blown away by the amazing items, goods and services that you send our way to share as prizes, raffles, tenders and food and craft stalls. 

We are so grateful to all those who came to enjoy the day and support us also. Your enthusiasm and eagerness to part with a dollar or two is greatly appreciated, and will directly impact learning at Horotiu School. 

We will post the winners of our Raffles tomorrow, and endeavour to contact those who have won raffles and/or were successful in their bids in the Tenders or Silent Auctions tomorrow as well. As soon as we have a finalised profit amount, we will let you know....WATCH THIS SPACE.   For now, check out a few moments of our day on our Horotiu School Gala Facebook page. 

Today was an awesome display of our School Vision 'Strive Together for Success!' 

From all of us at Horotiu School, thank you one and all!

To think that this hall was the reason for our very first Gala (and second, and third and possibly fourth!) It took a lot of planning, organisation and effort in the early days, but after a few years of hard work and perseverance, we finally raised enough to break ground and eventually open it in 2003. Our Hall has seen many events, celebrations, productions, PE sessions, King Dodge games (and the list goes on) over the years, and is a reflection of what it is to 'Play the Game', participate and contribute.

To the many hands that have helped out at School Galas over the many years ~ THANK YOU!

Thank you to those who have sought, found and provided sponsorship, allocated donations, wrapped raffles, , taken tickets, made burgers, washed cars, played music, helped at the stalls, counted money, lost their voices on the quickfire raffles, found friends and brought them along, parted with a dollar and even occasionally bid against their own partners in the tenders ~ THANK YOU! Because of you our kids have gained so much, and together we are so much more! — feeling proud.

Our Gala day is at the end of next week and it is that exciting time when we are asking families to send in items. All donations can be placed in the relevant Collection area for your child(ren)'s House in their learning hub.Points are hugely contested during the week, and donations will be collected and allocated daily. Collated House Points will be on display in the staffroom window each day. Remember: Double points on Monday!

We are looking for:

* Jars of Goodies for the 'Jar Game'. (Be creative and fill a jar with lollies, balloons, pencils, dinosaurs, marbles etc then decorate the jar). This game is extremely popular and a favourite at our Gala so we need as many jars as we can. Hint: Smaller jars are easier to fill.

* Easter Eggs - These become part of our delicious Easter Raffle along with a few Quickfire Raffles. It would be great if each family could donate an egg or two for this.

* Grocery Items - These are put together to create our 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes for the Grocery Raffles. (Please check the expiry dates before sending them to school) . We cannot include items past their dates.

* Wrapped Lucky Dip Items: Please wrap any suitable Lucky Dip prizes with a sticky note stating suitable age, boy/girl/gender neutral. We sell these for two tickets (equivalent to $2) so would appreciate prizes being this in value.

* Garage Sale: We are looking for quality, clean unwanted items in good condition. Clean clothing, working appliances, bric-a-brac and stable clean furniture are a few ideas. If you would not bring ithome to your house due to age, state or cleanliness, please do not send it to school.

* Preserves: All preserves are most appreciated. Please ensure they are labelled and dated.

* Baking and Sweets: Baking to be gladwrapped and labelled. Any baking, sweets and bagged sweets can be dropped off Saturday6th April or directly to the stall on Gala morning.

* Plastic bags will be used for the Garage Sale and we welcome any you have at home so that we can reuse them, however we also suggest in caring for our environment, you may wish to bring your own reusable ones along on the day.

* Pink Slips - If you haven't yet returned your pink slip or let us know when you can help on the day, please do so as soon as possible so we can complete the roster.

* Remember to join/like/share the Horotiu School Gala Facebook page to drum up support and interest amongst friends. The more the merrier!

Once again thanks for your ongoing generosity and offers of support. Together, this Gala will be a great success!

We really appreciate the support of our VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS for our Annual Gala!  All items will be involved in our Raffles, Tenders Board, Silent Auctions, Mystery Envelopes, Food and/or Craft Stalls, and many of the other events and activities that are taking place on the day.  Please check out the Sponsors list below and support these businesses where you can.  Be sure to mention your connection with Horotiu School and our Annual Gala so they are know their support is worth their while. Sponsors list.pdf

If you haven't already returned your pink slip, please fill it in by letting us know when you are available to help on the day and return it as soon as possible.  The roster is coming together but there are still places that we need to fill. 

We will starting Hub Collections for donated goods and House Points next week during school hours but we also have Garage Sale Drop-Offs (at the Hall) available after school hours as below from Wednesday 3rd April (not from this Friday as previously advertised): 

Late Night Garage Sale Drop-Offs:

* Wednesday 3rd April 5.30-7.30pm

* Thursday 4th April 5.30-7.30pm

* Friday 5th April 5.30-7.30pm

We really appreciate all the support we receive from our students, whaanau and the wider community, and look forward to another great opportunity to strive together for success!