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Monday 24th August | Vol 36 Issue 26 | Term 3 Week 6
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The Benefits of Being On Stage
Tania Gaffney - Pūriri Head teacher
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The first few weeks of Term 3 have been extraordinarily busy with getting ready for production, and near the end of Term 2 we were busy with our Matariki concert. Our primary classes are on the stage, in front of a large audience, at least 3 times a year. By the time a primary child has finished in year 7 they will have had the opportunity to be in front of this type of audience possibly 20 times and that’s not counting all the times they are on stage when they are in preschool and again in high school. That must surely help with the fear of being in front of an audience that many people have as adults? Getting ready for this type of thing can take up a huge amount of time but is so worth it. There can be so many benefits for the individual child, the class, and the school-wide community.
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Just off the top of my head, I can think of a few things that I have noticed over the years that have really benefitted ākonga. For instance, knowing that others are relying on them and therefore pushing themselves to go through something they’d rather not. Learning what to do if a mistake is made. Managing themselves when they are practising and need to be quiet, pay attention and anticipate what comes next. Anticipating when to go on stage and come off again. Learning lines if they have a speaking part, as well as words to several songs. Speaking so they can be heard. Encouraging each other and helping each other in the many aspects of what is happening. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Seeing how others handle mistakes that might have been made while on stage, e.g. saying the wrong line or tripping over on stage.
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Also seeing the possibility of what can be achieved when their older peers give them something to aspire to. Not just with what the older primary ākonga are doing with their parts in the production, but in the High School as well. They had older tamariki making props, doing the sound and lights, being part of the orchestra, putting on make-up, being backstage gophers and helping the teachers with class management. Some of the rangatahi who were doing these jobs for the production have been doing them for years now and have become quite accomplished at them. What a great thing to be able to put on their CV. In 6–9 they don’t really notice this side of things so much, but by the time they are in Years 6 and 7, they notice more about what is going on in the background.
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When a stage performance is finished there can be many excellent aftereffects that resonate for weeks to come. I often hear a child or children quietly singing the words to a song they learned or reciting some of the lines (not necessarily their own words). Some children seem to have the capacity to learn all the words that everyone says. Ākonga may be inspired by what has happened by writing their own play or getting together with friends to come up with something together. In the past, a number of times, we have had ākonga in 9-12 go through a whole mini production with people from across 6-12 who wanted to be part of it. People had to audition for speaking parts but everyone who wanted to be involved were included in some way. Props were made, costumes cobbled together etc. Practices happened during playtime so you had to be dedicated. It was then performed for the rest of Primary one afternoon. I’m not saying that this happened without a few tears and tantrums. But adults only intervened when needed with advice and other help. This was huge work and the issues that came up were all part of the learning experience. For example, the directors needed to be realistic about what they were asking of people and they learned to be a bit more flexible. Because it was voluntary, actors learned they needed be dedicated.
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I’d like to finish this blog with a big thank you to Lottie, our drama teacher, for writing and directing this huge undertaking and coordinating the thousands of details with everyone involved.
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E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .
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Monday 24th August AREA SCHOOL CLOSED for Teacher's Only Day (PRESCHOOL OPEN AS USUAL)
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Tuesday 25th August Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 26th August Maths Club, 3:30 - 4:30pm, Tāwari
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Tuesday 1st September Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 2nd September Maths Club, 3:30 - 4:30pm, Tāwari
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Friday 4th September High School Tour, 10am - 11am
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Saturday 5th September Working Bee, 9am - 12pm
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Sunday 6th September Fathers Day
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Please check below for your eldest child’s name to attend the next working bee. Contact the office with any queries.
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Saturday 5th September
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Sailesh Prasanna Padmanabhan
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Emails About Absences
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If you have received an email regarding your child's absence from school for being away sick please don't be concerned. It is an MoE requirement that we contact you after 5, 10, and 15 days absence each term, including justified absences such as sick leave.
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We have no concerns about ākonga staying home when unwell. There are so many illnesses going around at the moment, we really appreciate it as it helps keep other ākonga and staff well. If there is any concern or query about attendance you will hear from your child's kaiako/advisor.
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Scholastic Catalogues
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Issue 5 Scholastic Book Club catalogues went home last week. If you missed out on a copy, extras can be found in the office. Orders are due by Friday 4th September.
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Just a reminder that 15% of the total from all orders goes towards the school getting rewards to buy more books for the school, which is a great help to us. Thank you to all those who have made orders in the past.
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Preschool Holiday Programme – Bookings Open
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Bookings are now open for our September / October Preschool Holiday Programme.
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Programme dates:
Week 1: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October
Week 2: Monday 5 October – Friday 9 October
Hours: 8:45am–3pm
Cost: $35 per day
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Extended hours from 3–5pm are available for an additional $20 per day and must be booked in advance.
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Bookings close Friday 28 August 2026. Spaces are limited due to staffing, and a waitlist will operate once capacity is reached. No bookings can be accepted after this date. Please complete a separate booking form for each Preschool child.
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Payment is due by Friday 11 September. Unpaid bookings will be cancelled and the space offered to a child on the waitlist. Once booked, days cannot be changed, swapped or amended, and refunds are not available for non-attendance.
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20 Hours ECE: If your child will attend another childcare centre or Preschool during the two-week break and that centre will claim their 20 Hours ECE subsidy, please let Emma know so your enrolment form can be adjusted.
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Morning tea is provided. Please send a named lunchbox that meets our Food Policy, including no nuts or nut products.
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The Holiday Programme follows some of our usual term-time routines but does not generally operate as a Montessori programme. Staff will contact booked whānau closer to the holidays with more information about plans for the week.
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Primary Parent Education Evening
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P.T.A (PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION)
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Coming Up
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Upcoming Meetings:
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Tuesday 13th October, 7:30pm (location TBC)
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Dads Go Free at Staglands this Father’s Day Weekend!
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To help families celebrate Father’s Day, we’re delighted to provide these special vouchers to primary schools across the Wellington region. Designed as fun colour-in bookmarks, they give tamariki the opportunity to create a personalised Father’s Day gift while also inviting their whānau to enjoy a memorable day out together.
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Each voucher entitles one dad to free admission to Staglands on Saturday 5th September or Sunday 6th September. To redeem the offer, Dad simply needs to present the voucher at our ticket counter when visiting with his child.
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Valued at $29, this offer is our way of encouraging families to spend quality time together, connect with nature, and create special Father’s Day memories.
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Vouchers are available in the office and are on a first come, first served basis.
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Term 4 After School Sports Sign Up
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Netball Years 1-4 (Includes preschool tamariki who have turned 5)
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Touch Rugby Years 1-8 (Includes preschool tamariki who have turned 5)
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Floorball Years 1-8 (Includes preschool tamariki who have turned 5)
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Weetbix Kids TRYathlon 2027
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We will be entering a school team into next year’s TRYathlon.
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Distances are approximate and are as follows;
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- 6 year olds 50m swim / 1.5km run
- 7 year olds 50m swim / 4km cycle / 1.5km run
- 8 – 9 year olds 100m swim / 4km cycle / 1.5km run
- 10 – 15 year olds 150m swim / 8km cycle / 1.5 km run
- Splash & Dash - 6 year olds only. Swim and run.
- Individual TRYathlete - 7-15 year olds. Swim, cycle and run.
- Teams of Two - 7-9 year olds (Juniors) and 10-15 year olds (Seniors). One team member does the swim, the other does the cycle, and both do the run.
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