Term 1 Week 4 26.02.24-01.03.24
From the Principal's Desk
Greetings Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to Week Four of Term One.
It has been a pleasure wandering through the classrooms watching our teachers teach and our lovely students learn. I have been pleased listening to the interactions between staff and students and with the manners our students use. This is heartening in a climate where respectful interactions seem to be on the decline.
Last week we continued to be affected by staff and student illness with covid-19. On average we had 20% of the school roll away on any given day. We dont expect much change this week. If your child is presenting with covid-19 symptoms please test. We recommend the students remain at home for a minimum of 5 days and we would prefer a negaive test before returning to school.
Attendance
With covid moving through our school our attendance rates have dropped. When your child has recovered we are looking forward to seeing them back at school. For your information, this is the affect covid has had on our attendnace numbers. As of today regular attendace is down at: 63.12% Fingers crossed, everyone away is on the mend.
Nga mihi,
Bevan Clark
Principal
Whenuakite Board of Turstees Message
On Tuesday 20 February we had our first School Board of Trustees meeting. This included our AGM and election of key Board positions.
The results are:
Presiding Member/Legislation- Ray van Beynen
Deputy PM and Health and Safety Lead - Claire Norris
Finance/Treasurer - Crystal McGovern, Tim Stephens
Property - Madelyn Benn, Tim Stephens
Fundraising - Madelyn Benn
Community Engagement/Curriculum - Sophie Dickinson, Nicola Redinger
Staff representative - Nicola Redinger
Board Secretary - Carmen Wills
Our new principal Gary Veysi is already fully involved in advising and supporting the Board prior to taking up his position at the beginning of term 2.
Crystal has generously agreed to be coopted to the Board for at least the next two terms to work with the Principal and Tim on financial and related matters.
Each of the Board members will have a school email address for ease of contact and the security of school communications. The Board members have their own portfolios and will look for support from within the board and the wider school community. The idea is that the Board duties are shared and this will contribute to the effective running of the school.
The Board are in the very early stages of working on a couple of property related projects that will take into account school community wishes and future proof the school. These relate to the upgrade and eventual replacement of the swimming pool, parking outside the school and the potential to expand the school's footprint.
Bevan and the team have hit the ground running. Their focus continues to be on the development and wellbeing of our children. The Board has approved finance for a number of initiatives led by Bevan including the upgrade of key computer systems, improving the storage of school documents, enhancing some key school software packages and upgrading the sick bay area.
You will recall that late last year the Board committed to work on a number of School community requirements. These include the potential for a school sailing programme, the re-introduction and expansion of the Enviro Schools programme and the introduction of a Kapa Haka group. These are now being progressed. If any School community members want to be involved, please let me know. The Board will look to meet bimonthly and keep you fully updated on the above work.
This year we are looking at running some community Working Bee’s around the school. We are in the process of coordinating with Mat and Bevan to identify projects that are suitable for this context. More information on this will follow shortly.
In Term Four of 2023 the Board advised that a procedural error in the selection of two Board members, Claire and I, meant that the School Community be given the option of seeking a byelection to address this procedural error. The NZ School Trustees Association (NZSTSA) advice is that should 10% or more of the School Community seek a byelection then Claire and I would have to resign and a by election be held to ensure we had a full complement on the Board and that we complied with the relevant HR policy. More on the process soon.
Covid is currently impacting on the school and our wider community. We have almost 20% of pupils absent through illness at present. Please be vigilant about sick children remaining at home and reinforce the need for good hygine and the use of hand sanitisers. Currently we ask that once a positive test is confirmed the students remain away from school for five days and would prefer a negative test result before returning to school. If you need any support from the School in respect of the current Covid situation, please let us know.
I have included below my Board email address and my phone number. If there is anything you wish to discuss, please email me in the first instance or call if urgent. Please remember the day to day running of the school is a matter for the Principal and staff and they would normally be your first port of call.
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Bevan and the staff for their commitment and hard work, the pupils for their excellent engagement at school and the community for their ongoing interest and support.
Ray van Beynen
Presiding Member
Whenuakite School Board of Trustees
0278376004
Whenuakite Staff 2024
Arriving at School Early
If possible we would prefer that students are not dropped off at school before 8.00am. We do understand that from time to time there may be a need to do so before 8.00am. If this is the case, for health and safety reasons, please visit the office first to ensure someone is on site and is aware of the students presence at school.
Thank you
Bevan Clark
Principal
Whenuakite School.
Up Coming Events
Please check here for any up coming events this term.
Week Four
Tuesday 27th - Super Smash Cricket Dvelopment Coaches in working with classses.
Wednesday 28th - Year 7 and 8 Vacination Talks
Week Five
Tuesday 5th - Junior School Swim Demo
Wednesday 6th - Tuesday 12th - Life Education Caravan here at school.
Thursday 7th - Senior School Swiming Sports @ MBAS
Week Eight
Wednesday 27th - School Cultural Day.
Friday 29th - No School - Easter Friday
Week Nine
Monday 1st April - No School - Easter Monday
Tuesday 2nd April - No School - Easter Tuesday
Thursday 4th April - Super Smash Cricket Dvelopment Coaches in working with classses.
Week Ten
Thursday 11th April - School ANZAC Service
Friday 12th April - Last Day for Term One.
Yummy Stickers
A reminder to keep sending us your yummy stickers.
Day Camp
Mercury Bay Day Camp at Cooks Beach will be held 16 -18th April 2024. Every year 300 youngsters in Whitianga and surrounding districts will come to camp and have a wonderful outdoor experience. They have the choice of 9 fabulous Electives, songs and stories in the Marquee, find new friends, and create memories that last a lifetime.
The camp is overseen by The Mercury Bay Community Support Trust, a charitable trust. Our website is https://www.daycamp.co.nz/ if you would like to check it all out.
We need Teen Leaders and Adult Helpers. Everything you need to know can be found on our website - daycamp.co.nz.
Registration opens Monday 4th March