Term 1 Week 5 04.03.24-08.03.24
From the Principal's Desk
Greetings Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to Week Five of Term One. I'd like to start by thanking Miss Lucy and the team for arranging a great Kapa Haka practice on Friday. I'd like to thank Matua Brandon for his leadership and expertise and finally I'd like to thank the students for their enthusiasm and effort. We have the beginnings of something very special here. I am looking forward to watching our students progress as the term goes on.
This week we have the Junior School Swimming Demo on Tuesday and the Country School's Swimming Sports (senior school) on Thursday at Mercury Bay Public Swimming Pool. There is more information about both events in this newsletter. I would like to wish all students the best of luck and hope they have an enjoyable day.
On Wednesday the Life Education Trailer will be here at school. Life Education will be working with our students on programs co-constructed between the staff and themselves over the next week.
Attendance
Our full time attendance rate so far this term is 58.45%. Looking at our attendance analysis covid contributed to a 20% fall in this figure. We will continue to monitor this as the term goes on.
Students arriving late at school.
If you are dropping your child off late at school, that is after 9.00am please sign them in at the office. It has been proven that students who arrive at school at least 10 minutes before the school bell are more settled and ready to start the day than those who arrive late after the bell has gone.
Nga mihi,
Bevan Clark
Principal
Excellence in Being a K.I.T.E Kid Classroom Award Winners
- Room 1 - Huia Gemmell, Oliver Fraser, Charlotte Haynes
- Room 2 - Lochlan Riddle, Billie Goodwin
- Room 3 – Denny Stephenson, Verity Bowen
- Room 4 – Raewyn Wallace, Inara Jamieson
- Room 5 – Valerie Drewitt-Fisher, Clara Riddle
- Room 6 - Dell McDonald, Isla Bowen
- Room 7 - Isobel Heath, Ruby Olsen
Junior School Swimming Demonstration
Tuesday, 5th March – Rain off Wednesday, 13th March
This event is being held at school and will begin at 1.45pm.
The timetable is as follows. These are only indicative times as the nature of this type of event means we are unable to provide any further certinanity other than best guess.
1.45pm - Welcomes
1.50pm - 2.05pm - Room 2
2.05 pm – 2.20pm - Room 1
2.20 - 2.35 - Room 3
2.35 - 2.50 - Room 4
2.50 - 2. 55 - Farewells
Parents can take their children, once they have returned to class.
Country School's Swimming Sports
Thursday 7th March
MERCURY BAY PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL
If students are being brought to the event by whānau or friends, please ensure they are at the pool by 9:40am.
Students coming from school can take the school bus as normal as they will be leaving at 9:00am from school. Can all students traveling from school via whānau volunteers please meet in the Activities Room.
Start Time : 9:50am approx
Programme:
Event 1 - Girls 8-9 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 2 - Boys 8-9 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 3 - Girls 10 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 4 - Boys 10-11 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 5 - Girls 11 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 6 - Girls / Boys 12 yrs 25m Breaststroke
Event 7 - Girls 8-10 yrs Half Length Breaststroke
Event 8 - Boys 8-10 yrs Half Length Breaststroke
Event 9 - Girls 11-13 yrs Half Length Breaststroke
Event 10 - Boys 11-13 yrs Half Length Breaststroke
Event 11 - Girls / Boys 8-9 yrs Standard 25m Breaststroke
Event 12 - Girls / Boys 10-12 yrs Standard 25m Breaststroke
Event 13 - Girls / Boys Jnr 100 Breaststroke
Event 14 - Girls / Boys Snr 100 Breaststroke
Event 15 - Girls / Boys 8-9 yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 16 - Girls 10yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 17 - Boys 10 - 11 yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 18 - Girls 11yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 19 - Girls 12yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 20 - Boys 12yrs 25m Backstroke
Event 21 - Girls 8-10 yrs Half Length Backstroke
Event 22 -Boys 8-10 yrs Half Length Backstroke
Event 23 - Girls 11-13 yrs Half Length Backstroke
Event 24 - Boys 11-13 yrs Half Length Backstroke
Event 25 - Girls 8-9 yrs Standard 25m Backstroke
Event 26 - Boys 8-9 yrs Standard 25m Backstroke
Event 27 - Girls 10-12 yrs Standard 25m Backstroke
Event 28 - Boys 10-12 yrs Standard 25m Backstroke
Event 29 - Girls Jnr 100m Backstroke
Event 30 - Girls 8-9 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 31 - Boys 8-9 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 32 - Girls 10 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 33 - Boys 10 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 34 - Girls 11 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 35 - Boys 11 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 36 - Girls 12 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 37 - Boys 12 yrs 25m Freestyle
Event 38 - Girls 8-10 yrs Half Length Freestyle
Event 39 -Boys 8-10 yrs Half Length Freestyle
Event 40 - Girls 11-13 yrs Half Length Freestyle
Event 41 - Boys 11-13 yrs Half Length Freestyle
Event 42 - Girls 8-9 yrs Standard 25m Freestyle
Event 43 - Boys 8-9 yrs Standard 25m Freestyle
Event 44 - Girls 10-12 yrs Standard 25m Freestyle
Event 45 - Boys 10-12 yrs Standard 25m Freestyle
Event 46 - Girls Jnr 100m Freestyle
Event 47 - Girls / Boys Snr 100m Freestyle
Event 48 - Girls 10 yrs 50m Breaststroke
Event 49 - Boys 9-10 yrs 50m Breaststroke
Event 50 - Girls 11 yrs 50m Breaststroke
Event 51 - Boys 11 yrs 50m Breaststroke
Event 52 - Girls / Boys 12 yrs 50m Breaststroke
Event 53 - Girls - Jnr / Snr 25m Butterfly
Event 54 - Girls 8-13 yrs - Half Length Any Movement
Event 55 - Boys 8-13 yrs - Half Length Any Movement
Event 56 - Girls / Boys 8-9 yrs 50m Backstroke
Event 57 - Girls / Boys 10 yrs 50m Backstroke
Event 58 - Girls 11 yrs 50m Backstroke
Event 59 - Boys 11 yrs 50m Backstroke
Event 59 - Girls Boys 12 yrs 50m Backstroke
These two races will be swum together.
Event 60 - Girls - 8-13 yrs - Half Length - Flutter Board
Event 61 - Boys - 8-13 yrs - Half Length - Flutter Board
Event 62 - Girls / Boys 8-9 yrs 50m Freestyle
Event 63 - Girls / Boys 10 yrs 50m Freestyle
Event 64 - Girls 11 yrs 50m Freestyle
Event 65 - Boys 11 yrs 50m Freestyle
Event 66 - Girls 12 yrs 50m Freestyle
Event 67 - Boys 12 yrs 50m Freestyle
Relays
School House Groupings.
We are gearing up for an engaging year filled with opportunities to strengthen our school community and celebrate our local culture. To kick things off, we're inviting the entire community to participate in the selection of names for our four house groups.
These house groups will not only foster a sense of belonging (whanaungatanga) and pride but also provide avenues for recognising success in all areas from K.I.T.E. values, to sports, to the arts, sciences, or environment (kaitiakitanga), as well as promoting student leadership, and fostering positive relationships between seniors and juniors (Tuakana-Teina). With your input, we aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We're seeking names with local significance, whether they're inspired by trees, animals, people, places, or landmarks. These names will not only reflect our community's identity but also honour our cultural heritage. To ensure cultural responsiveness, we'll aim to consult with iwi as well. Together, let's build a house system that fosters positive competition, camaraderie, and meaningful connections between students and teachers.
Your voice matters! Please take a moment to share your preferences and ideas through the survey linked below. We really value your voices in helping shape the future of our school together.
[ https://forms.gle/PpQZ18txJBAFzZpG9 ]
Thank you for your continued support and participation.
Nga mihi,
Miss Lucy and the Whenuakite School Teaching Team.
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 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.
Whenuakite Staff 2024
Netball Muster
Its netball time again! Lets get together to gauge interest and have a fun game.
If you are keen to play you still need to register with Mercury Bay Netball Centre. You will choose a U18 CLUB registration form. Once in the club registration you will see Whenuakite as a club option.
We will be capping the number of players in each team this year. Yr5/6 will be 9 players. Yr7/8 will be 10 players. This is on a first in first serve basis, not based on ability. If you miss out, you can still register for mercury bay teams with Mercury Bay Netball.
Unfortunately due to anticipated popularity we will not be able to accommodate homeschooled children this year.
Practices are held at Whenuakite school. Games are on Wednesdays at Moewai Park in Whitianga.
YR 3/4
Hopefully this year we can also run a yr 3/4 team if we have enough interest and coach volunteers.
Volunteers
If you are wanting to coach/manage then please let me know.
Cheers
Kelly
0220 857 877
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