Tawatawa News

15 May 2025

He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa
Bonjour à toutes nos familles

Pink Shirt Day

It was so great to see so many people dressed in pink today! We had a hui at the start of the day where children explained the purpose of the day, plus we talked about what bullying is and isn’t, and what being an upstander is. 

The ‘decorate a tshirt’ competition produced so many amazing designs and we couldn’t possibly choose one winner per whānau. This meant the entire school got to enjoy a juicie at morning tea!  What a time to be alive! 

Silent auction - 1 week to go! We’re so close! 

We’re only $600 from our target! Thank you to everyone who’s donated and/or placed bids. A reminder that the auction closes at 9pm next Friday (23 May), so if you’ve been outbid there’s still time to try again. There are new items being added regularly (like a brand new phone!). Make sure to have another look at the website: https://auctria.events/ridgway2025. You can also donate directly; it’s a great option for whānau who aren’t local. 

It’s not too late to ​add items - please keep them coming! The more things we have, the more we can raise. Fill out the form at https://bit.ly/ridgway_auction_offer


Questions? ridgwayauction2025@gmail.com

Emergency Planning

With the recent storm in mind, it’s a good time to update your emergency contacts with the school to make sure they’re still accurate. Sometimes the person you put down when your child first started at school may have moved away or you’ve formed other friendships with someone who lives closer. You can update these via the school app or by emailing the office. 

It’s also a good time to make sure your family plan is up to date. There is some great information here to help you get prepared. 

Nits

These little critters are making a reappearance around the school. Please check your child’s hair and treat accordingly! 

Netball umpires

Anyone have any contacts for potential umpires? Our netball teams have been unable to find umpires for their games on Saturday. If you can help, get in touch with Sam Dean on samandbee@gmail.com. 

Parking at pick up and drops offs

Yay! My favourite topic! 

Auckland Transport are taking a more proactive approach than anyone seems to be in Wellington in terms of safety at the school gates. This is a great video, featuring our local hero Karen O’Leary and worth a watch if you’ve got the ol’ facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/166YpSMedg/

 

Please be mindful that the bus stop outside the school on Mornington Road is a ‘drop off only’ zone (2 minutes) before school and between 9 - 3pm it is actually a bus stop. We need this to be clear on Fridays when we have a group going to the pool and arriving back on a bus close to 3pm. We cone it off to make it obvious on the days we have buses arriving, so please don’t move the cones. Rant over. 

Fat stretchy cat - missing in action!

A possible crime has been committed and we have no intel on the whereabouts of the missing cat, Fat Stretchy Bob. If anyone sees one that looks like this at home, please contact us immediately to arrange safe return (proof of life may be required, but don’t cut off a paw). Fat Stretchy Bob may have snuck into someone’s bag…it has a friend at school who is missing it a lot. 

Upcoming Events

• 20 May - Southern Zones Cross Country

• 30 May - Mid term hui 2.15 (and display of all the tonnes of lost property)

• 2 June - King’s Birthday Public Holiday

• 3 June - Staff Only Day, school closed

• 10 June - Interzone Cross Country

• 10 - 11 June - School Photos

• 18 June - Matariki evening at school

• 26 June - Saints basketball team with Year 3 - 5 basketball teams

• Year 6 - 8 swimming - weekly on Friday