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The Weekend Sun
Rock the rock pools
The Tauranga branch of Forest and Bird is hosting a children’s event at Mount Maunganui on Saturday, November 8. The rock pools children’s event will have marine biologist Meg Graeme. Families can meet at the Mount Maunganui Surf Club at 1:30pm. To book, or for more information, call Kate on 07 576 6510 or email:tauranga.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Michelle and Elijah Jamieson, Toni and Danielle Thomas, Natasha Brokenshire, Bella and Georgia Davoreen, Milan Lee, Sophie Amott and Reign Hammond. Photo by Bruce Barnard.
Papamoa’s class of 2015 is waiting A new kindergarten being built in Papamoa East to cater for the growing number of families moving into the area will open next April - but right now the focus is on fundraising. The foundations are laid for Wairakei Kindergarten in Golden Sands and builders are on-site, but establishment committee member Michelle Jamieson says they need to raise $20,000 to cut even when the dream facility opens. “The money our committee raises will go towards physically building the facility. We weren’t given full funding, so now we have to fundraise for it,” says Michelle. “It’s quite a sought-after area and there is heaps of property being sold here for homes which bumps up the values,” says Michelle, who adds that the facility is costing $1 million. The building on the corner of Wairakei Ave and Golden Sands Drive – with a name reflecting
Wairakei Stream as a significant cultural and environmental feature of the area – will cater to 40 two-five-year-olds, with other groups planned and a whanau room available. “This kindy is part of the Tauranga Region Kindergartens,” says Michelle. “Like all other TRK kindergartens it will be an Enviroschool – so very much focused on the environment, being green and living with nature.” Michelle says while Golden Sands has daycares, kindergartens are a different option – and there isn’t one in Papamoa East. “I don’t think people realise the difference between kindergartens and daycare. “Kindergartens are peer grouporientated; they aim to group children of the same age for learning and are more structured. “At kindergarten you get to know the children, the parents and become a community of learners who grow together through their school years. “We are still in communication with the community about what
they want and what they need – it’s quite different to daycares, which are open all day.” TRK principal Peter Monteith says kindergarten focuses on education of children, not just their care, and all teachers will be trained and registered. He says: “Wairakei Kindergarten’s proposed hours, including term breaks, reflect the nearby school’s hours. “This is a good preparation for children when they move onto school. “We’ll support children in transition with regular school visits and by maintaining professional relationships with new entrant teachers.” Peter says no fees will be charged for those using their 20 Hours Free ECE. “We do however request a donation of $4 per family, per day. This makes kindergarten the most accessible early childhood service.” To donate funds or help the kindergarten call: 07 578 0452 or search for the Wairakei Kindergarten Facebook Page. By Merle Foster