News

Tena ra Koutou
(Greetings to you)

WELCOME – NAU MAI
We welcome Siula Simpson and Madelyn Yarker to the Kākā room.

FAREWELL – KA KITE
We farewelled Darcy from the Kākā room, and farewelled Indi from the Pukeko room. Happy school days Indi!

WELCOME BACK WHANAU
We are well and truly back at it again. The children have settled back in well, proving time and time again what resilient little troupers they are.
This lockdown and Covid period appears to have had an impact on some of our communities wellbeing and mental health. I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you all that it is okay to not be okay. These are different times we are living in and adjusting to the Covid situation, work pressures and family life is not easy. I would encourage anyone who is not feeling like themselves to please reach out to us, your friends or a support agency. Our team is happy to talk at any time and we can assist you to access community resources.
Unfortunately, our disco got cancelled for the second year running. It is unlikely that we will attempt this again this year but it will feature on our plans for next year in August. Our annual Trikeathon is planned for 6 November and we are looking forward to this and are hopeful that under level one conditions this will go ahead.
The Board of Trustees will meet next week to catch up on our August meeting as well as our planned September meeting. During this meeting we will be deciding on the Annual Christmas shut down days and this will be communicated in the next newsletter. If you are aware of the dates of your children’s time away from Creative Corner over Xmas, please let us know. The earlier we get this information that sooner I can advise the team of how many teachers need to care for your children so they can book in their holidays too.
I would also like to thank our families for respecting our increased wellness expectations during our return to operation. I know how difficult this can be managing workloads and sick children however it really is the best way to keep our children and team well.
Please find below some of the many support out there to assist with building and maintaining your well-being.
• Women’s Refuge 0800REFUGE
• Shine 0508 744 633
• Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797
• Oranga Tamariki (call centre) 0508FAMILY
• CADS 09 845 1818
• Narcotics Anonymous 0800 628 632
• Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 229 6757
• Lifeline 0800 543 354 or free text 4357
• Youthline 0800 376 633
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• Outline (LGBT) 0800 688 5463
• Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
• Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865
• The Fono West (Social Services) 09 837 1780
• Counselling (free call or text) 1737
• Healthline for COVID-19 health advice 0800 358 5453

KAKA ROOM NEWS
Kia Ora Whanau
It has been so wonderful seeing everyone’s faces again. All of the tamariki have settled back into the environment beautifully and it has been awesome seeing all there new learning. You may have noticed some new faces within the room as we have welcomed in Madelyn and Siula, thank you for making them feel welcome into the Kākā room. Now that the weather is warming up the tamariki are enjoying more water play, so please ensure they have plenty of spare clothes and their dry bag with them.
We are also creating a display with photos of what the tamariki enjoyed over the lockdown period so please feel free to email me these photos (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or attach in Storypark.
Katy - Head Teacher Kaka Room

PUKEKO ROOM NEWS
Kia Ora Whanau
The return of the warmer weather has encouraged a lot more outdoor exploration. The children have been asking for taps to be turned on so they can experiment with their ideas using watering in both the water trough, sandpit and garden areas. Much time has been spent creating gigantic volcanoes that explode with lava in the end, and many have enjoyed racing cars, trucks and marbles down the hillside track created in collaboration with Michael. The children have returned to Creative Corner happy to see their friends and to continue their learning experiences together.
Kerry – Head Teacher Pukeko Room

NEW BOT MEMBER
Maggie Harvey
My name is Maggie Harvey and I am mum to Isla who is in the Kaka’s. I am a Chartered Accountant working at a firm in Timaru.
I studied and lived in Christchurch and then moved to Timaru approximately four years ago.
I enjoy family holidays, cooking and being active.

OLYMPICS DAY CCELC
The tamariki had a fun day competing in the CCELC Olympics prior to COVID lockdown. Children dressed up and took part in various activities. Denali came prepared to be a winner on the day!

SUNHAT AND SUNSCREEN TIME!
Please remember to bring your child's sunhat and sunscreen (if you use a sunscreen other than what CCELC supplies) next TUESDAY.
All tamariki must have a sunhat on and sunscreen applied from that day, if they are playing outside. Thanks

Tena ra Koutou
(Greetings to you)

FAREWELL – KA KITE
We farewelled Evie Wilson. Happy school days! Also, Harvey Lewis who has moved to Wanaka to live.

CHARITY BIKE RIDE
We have been lucky enough to be selected as one of the recipients of the funds raised in the 2022 charity bike ride.
In order to receive this, we need to supply at least one rider. We also need to support the ride with drivers and bakers.
If you are interested in being our rider or putting together a group of riders for the charity bike ride please see Amy.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW KAIAKO
We welcomed Jen Barnes to our Creative Corner whanau on 5 July. Jen is working in the Pukekos team Monday to Friday.
My name is Jen and I am a teacher in training and have almost completed my 2nd year of study.
My childhood was spent growing up in Geraldine, attending primary and secondary school there. I also lived in sunny Queensland for 11 years with my husband Scott, returning six years ago to be closer to family. We have two boys; Lachlan (9) and Jonty (7). Our weekends are generally spent at the rugby fields and scooter parks. I love gardening, music and being creative any opportunity I can by drawing or painting.
I am so excited to be a part of the team here at Creative Corner, and getting know the tamariki and their families/whānau. Ngā mihi

NEW BOT MEMBER
JESS BACON
I am married to Ant, and Mum to Toby and Jacob. I work part-time in the Child Development Service as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.
I am passionate about and dedicate a lot of time to highland dancing. I teach a small school of girls, adjudicate competitions around NZ and I am the Treasurer/Secretary of the South Canterbury Piping & Dancing Society. The rest of my time is dedicated to my boys, family and friends.

KIA ORA FROM THE KĀKĀ ROOM
Kia Ora whanau
We have been lucky enough to have James join us in the Kaka room on a 4-week placement.
On Monday Andrew shared his tractor with us to explore which the tamariki thought was wonderful as they were able to sit in the cab. Recently the tamariki have been enjoying getting outside in the mornings with all their warm wet weather gear and finding the mud or ice from the night before.
We have just received a new set of wet bags. If you have not received either a green or yellow one yet, please let me know and I will sort one for you. We use these for soiled or wet clothes to send home.
Many thanks, Katy

KIA ORA FROM THE PUKEKO ROOM
Kia ora whanau
A big thank you to Andrew and Amy Darling for making the time to bring in their magnificent tractor. The children were so excited when it rode up the drive way and couldn’t wait to explore what it looked like inside. This has been a wonderful extension of learning for many who have into trucks and vehicles.

Tena ra Koutou
(Greetings to you)

WELCOME – NAU MAI

We welcome Louie Quinonez who joins Creative Corner in the Kākā room.
FAREWELL – KA KITE

Farewell to Finn Brownie, Jaxon Valentine and Sailor Lindsay who left the Pukeko Room. Happy school days’ tamariki! Also, George and Abigail Hoskins who have moved to sunny Nelson.

THANK YOU
We are pleased to advise the Trustees of the Community Trust of Mid & South Canterbury have shown their support to Creative Corner with the allocation of funding in the form of a Principal’s Discretionary Fund payment. A grant of $1,000.00 was approved.

BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBER PROFILE
Gareth Heywood joins Creative Corner’s Board of Trustees. He is father of Cooper and Mackenzie Heywood. He works at South Canterbury Toyota as a Service Manager, and his interests include car racing, vintage cars and mountain biking, as well as really enjoying spending time with his kids.

CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER
WOW what a night!
This was another fabulous event! Thanks to everyone who was involved in running the event, especially our hardworking fundraising team: Kerri Jopp, Kate Johnson, Amy Pateman, Clarissa Doran and Kate Burt. Our thanks also to all our sponsors and those who attended and supported the night. We must also give a big shout out to Mike and Clarissa at the Oxford for once again providing the best venue for the event.
We hoped to hit the $10K mark but were blown away with what we raised this year – just under $18,000!!
What a fantastic effort 

KIA ORA FROM THE PUKEKO AND KAKA ROOM
Pyjama day was a great hit in both the Kāka and Pukeko room. The children looked cuddly and warm all wrapped up, with some wearing their slippers and others their dressing gowns. We celebrated the end of the day with a couple of quiet time movies, which made for a quieter, relaxing afternoon.
The children have had a lot of fun exploring amoungst the mud and rain. Splashing in puddles, sliding in the thick sticky mud and incorporating many trucks, cars and animals in this form of play. We encourage our tamariki to explore, discover and learn nautre, therefore we do ask that you provide at least one changes of clothing and shoes on each of the days that attned. Thank you.
We would also like to mention that the Kākas have really enjoyed having Jen Barnes in their room completing her practicum, throughout the past four weeks. We are all very excited that she has accepted to take on a teaching role at Creative Corner. We look forward to her starting in a couple of weeks, based in the Pukeko room.
(Kerry and Katy – Head Teachers)

Tena ra Koutou
(Greetings to you)

SAVE THE DATE
CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER
Saturday, 12 June 2021 at the Oxford Restaurant

Tickets $60.00 which includes entertainment, Casino games, auctions and supper.
If you are interested in attending, please book your tickets with Kate.

Also, don’t forget to tick what support you can give to this night (on front door of Centre). Provide prizes/vouchers or a cash donation would be really appreciated to help with costs on the night.
This is our major fundraiser for the year to raise funds for new children’s resources.
More hands make light work!

WELCOME – NAU MAI
We welcome Archie Clough, Salesa Saena and Darcy Fraser who join Creative Corner in the Kākā room.

FAREWELL – KA KITE
Farewell to Nixon Stoakes, Harry Callow, Matilda Foster and Hudson Alloo. Happy school days Nixon, Harry and Matilda!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2021-2022
We welcome three new members to our Board; Maggie Harvey who will be our new secretary, Gareth Heywood and Jess Bacon. Our new chairperson will be Sam Wilson, Clarissa Doran deputy chairperson and Pip Reihana secretary. We will profile our new members in the upcoming newsletters this year.

We farewell long serving chairperson Kerri Jopp, as well as Lisa Heywood our treasurer and Natasha Hoskins. Thank you from us all for your outstanding support of the Centre, staff and families.

KIA ORA FROM THE PUKEKO AND KAKA ROOM
The purchase of some new outdoor equipment has provided lots of opportunities for the Kākā and Pukeko tāmariki to extend their physical play.
From learning to swing on a trapeze, to balancing on tight ropes, to rocking in the new rocking board. As well as learning to take risks and coordinate their balance when learning how to jump from a high box top to land on big open colourful mats.
(Kerry and Katy – Head Teachers)

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga – Fill the basket of knowledge