Notices

Dear Parents/Caregivers

I am writing to keep you informed of the outcome of the teacher industrial action ballot for NZEI Te Riu Roa Union members. NZEI Te Riu Roa primary teacher members have endorsed a one-day strike on Wednesday 31 May and a ban on meetings outside of 8.30am-4.30 from 1-30 June.

However, due to a process initiated by the Minister of Education to progress collective agreement negotiations, any decision on moving forward with these industrial actions has been paused by the NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive.

Strike action may still take place on Wednesday 31 May if the NZEI Te Riu Roa National Executive and negotiations team feels insufficient progress has been made through the new process. If action does go ahead on Wednesday 31 May, schools will be informed on Sunday 28th May, and I will then inform the school community. We will have a skeleton staff here at school and can offer supervision for those who require it. Please note that this will be very limited and we ask that children only come in if you have no other option. I wanted to give parents as much time as possible to organise arrangements for your child/ren should the action go ahead. 

Hopefully the negotiations will come to a resolution quickly and the Ministry of Education values the work our teachers do through better wages, conditions and lower class numbers

He waka eke noa

(We’re all in this together)

Mark Keenan

Principal

School Closed for Instruction on Thursday 16 March

The NZEI Te Riu Roa (Primary Principals and Teachers Union) has advised the Maraetai Beach School Board that its members at our school will be participating in industrial action on Thursday 16 March 2023. The Board has considered the number of teachers involved in the strike and decided that the school will close for instruction.

Therefore, the school will be officially closed for instruction on Thursday 16 March 2023. 

Maraetai Beach School’s annual Fun Run is happening this March to raise much needed funds to support our wonderful school!

The funds raised make a huge difference in enhancing the overall school environment and educational outcomes of all our students. Our 2023 funds raised will go towards an exciting upgrade of our school pool complex. This will include painting the exterior and installing a new heat pump which all of our students can enjoy!
As well as raising much needed funds, this event is a highlight of our school calendar! Our extended school community come together and work as a team towards a common goal, helping our school – and our students have a great time on Fun Run Day.
How will this fundraiser work? This year we have partnered with online fundraising company Go Raise It.  Collecting sponsorship online makes it super easy for everyone - no more door knocking, your child can collect more donations from further afield (friends & family living overseas, work colleagues etc) and no need to worry about handling cash!
 
How do I sign my child up to fundraise online? Each child can sign up for their very own fundraising web page to send out to collect online sponsorship from anyone, anywhere!

• Just go to our Fundraising Hub page at:  https://maraetaibeachfunrun.raiseit.co.nz/hub
• Click on the SETUP A FUNDRAISING PAGE button
• If you need any help email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for direct assistance

 
Multiple children in your family? No problem, all children can sit under the same email address. You’ll find a button to set up another page while logged in to the fundraising account you created first.
 
Do I have to sign up for an online account to fundraise? We would love everyone to have an online account as this allows the school to significantly reduce the administration overhead of collecting and dealing with cash. Go Raise It adhere to strict cyber safe guidelines and this is built into our fundraising website. If you really do not want an online fundraising page, and still want to participate please check with the school office to see if you can collect cash.
 
Prizes:
We have a great range of fundraising prizes available including spot prizes and overall fundraising prizes for classes/individuals. Please see the Prizes page linked on the Fundraising Hub page of our fundraising website.
1^st Prize                                Family Pass to Rainbows End
2^nd Prize                               $150 Warehouse Voucher
3^rd Prize                                $100 Warehouse Voucher
4^th – 10^th Prizes                    $25 Warehouse Voucher
 
Event Details:

Friday 31 March 2023 9.30am at Maraetai Beach School.  Parents and caregivers are welcome.

 
Kindest regards,
MBS PTA

Dear Parents/Caregivers You will have seen the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle in the news and on social media over recent days. Efforts to support those impacted by the cyclone are gaining momentum. From recent interviews, it would seem that donating money is the most helpful, as it provides flexibility to target needs.

To help support, Maraetai Beach School would like to have a special one-off Own Clothes Day on Friday 3 March. There will be no set amount for participation in this Own Clothes Day. You may wish to send a donation to school on Friday from the whole family/whānau.

I am sure all donations, no matter how big or small, will be gratefully received and will make a real difference in the lives of those severely impacted. All money raised by MBS students, their whānau and staff, will go directly to The Red Cross NZ Disaster Fund, https://www.redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund/ who are one of the major relief funds.

He waka eke noa (We’re all in this together)

Mark Keenan

You’ll be aware that New Zealand has moved to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.

This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.

The very positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga/students who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.

Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health  

Mask wearing is no longer required however students may still choose to wear these.

All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.

Noho ora mai

Mark Keenan