Term 2 Week 2 - 6/5/24 - 10/5/24
From the Principal's Desk
Greetings Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,
This week I want to start by thanking the great whanau we have in the community and the amazing support everyone has shown in one way or another. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Last week I could sum up my first impressions of Whenuakite School in one word, it is a place of "Harmony". This week's thoughts/word is "Kindness", it is great to see in a world that can be out of control - "It doesn't cost me anything to be kind" - a quote from Paddington.
"Vision Map" for our future
A big thank you to everyone who has handed back their ideas for improvements for our kura -school. This was a home link task for students to take home for ideas so we can continue to make our spaces around school safer, more fun and linked into what the students can be engaged in. We have had 75 returns with lots of outstanding ideas. Our senior leaders will now complete a statistical investigation - some R&R -Reading and Research to prioritise the first projects. This will be made into a 3-year plan, then sent out to the whole community for more consultation, and consideration and ultimately to gain support. The final approvals are by the fundraising committee and then the Board of Trustees.
Senior Student leaders
Next week our seniors start giving mihi, speeches on what attributes and skills they will bring to their House Group and leadership roles. Then each group will vote for leaders for a variety of roles in and around the school and wider community.
Health Survey
The Health survey was sent home with students for Parents to give us feedback on. This is only at the consultation phase. We need your feedback to ensure we are teaching the right health units, for the needs of the students. This needs to be back by next Wednesday to have your say. More paper copies in the office!
Mothers Day Breakfast
We had our first Mother's Day Breakfast, a celebration for all women! To be honest, I have been blown away by the participation of parents and the amount of Mahi --work the teachers and students put in.
To all the Women out there have a great Mother's Day on Sunday.
Nga mihi,
Gary Veysi, Principal Whenuakite School - principal@whenuakite.school.nzExcellence in Being a K.I.T.E Kid Classroom Award Winners
Welcome Certificates presented to: -
- Room 1 - Billie Harrison, Tui Clow
- Room 2 - Jake McLaren, Tanner Brockett
- Room 3 – Sparrow Shrieff, Layla-J Moala
- Room 4 – Jake Brockett, Olivia Goldsworthy, Kahu Gemmell
- Room 5 – Raala Gray, Satine Jackson
- Room 6 - Riley Rameka, Bradley Field
- Room 7 - Owen Sims, Violeta Popadich
Principal Award - I have had heaps of Superhero helpers this week, these are just a few.
Lacey - Room 4: Amazing ideas for the vision map for a Parkitect - Parkour+Zip Line+Adventure course
Levi - Room 6: For getting your work done, helping others and being Kind.
Ella - Room 7: A positive role model to others by demonstrating our "K.I.T.E" Values
Charlie - Room 7: For being a high-level Thinker and an Action plan-doer
Whenuakite School BOT Message
Dear Community
While Ray van Beynen is away, I am stepping in as the vice presiding member of the Board of Trustees - BoT. I would like to thank Don Walker, our next-door farmer, and neighbour for chopping the trees down on his paddock to let in more light for our fields. Keep an eye out for progress in this space.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is completing the vision map/health surveys as a starting point for us to gain a better understanding of the needs and wants in our community. There will be other surveys out soon and we encourage you to have your say. In turn, this will help us (BOT) make more appropriate choices, and decisions for positive change and improvement in student achievement.
Updates on the decisions made at the BOT level
- Shipping container ordered and will be delivered next week.
- Minivan ordered, unfortunately, the wait time is 10 months. Can you help with access to a Minivan in the meantime?
- Learning Support Coordinator space final sign-off and building starts in June.
- Funding applications started and are in for a variety of projects.
- Bookings made for Year 7/8's to go to the AIMS interschool games in Tauranga in term 3.
As always, we are so grateful to have such a dedicated teaching team.
Kind regards
Claire
Vice Presiding Member, Board of Trustees, Whenuakite School
Learning Support Assistant
We are looking for a kind and energetic person to support our learners. Specifically to support the transition of younger children into school. This would be a fixed-term position until the end of the year, Monday to Thursday, 9.00-1.00 pm. The preferred start date would be as soon as possible, but we are open to negotiation.
Please send an email of interest to nicola@whenuakite.school.nz by 14th May 2024.
Whenuakite School Policies
All of our school policies are available online at:
https://whenuakite.schooldocs.co.nz/
This term, these policies are up for review:
My New Gallery
Having fun in the sun, skating around, Girl Power and helping each other. "Growingthe Green"
Welcome home "Rocky"
Welcome back to Whenuakite....
Mr Lane is known in the pool/billiards world as "Rocky". A previous student at Whenuakite School. Keep an eye on the informer as we make a guest appearance soon. Learn more about this World Champion at https://www.youtube.com/@ngsaichin1
Rocky talked to our senior students about the importance of having a passion for what you do. He explained the importance of working hard and following your dreams/passion and this would lead to success. His motto - Hey kids "Play pool, keep cool and stay in School"
Our team - support staff, teachers and myself were also mesmerized by the stories that Rocky explained. He remembers Whenuakite in the 195os and his Dad and other Fathers who dug out the area to create the space for the swimming pool area with shovels and picks.
My New Gallery
Groups of students giving up their breaktimes to help make more space by cleaning out storage areas to build new shelving to keep our rip sticks/skateboards and safety equipment. We also had the girls in action at the hand ball championship
Mothers Day Breakfast
With the help from Master Chef Chris, Mat taking care of the BBQ Dish,
With several students who were really Keen, we created a breakfast fit for the Queen.
So, once again, we thank the important people in our lives, because without Mums, we would be in real strife!
From the Crazy Cooking Crew and the Mumma Master Chefs
To add a bit of fun - congratulations to the winners of our secret Mother's Day raffle
Room 1 - Vanessa Dunn, Alana Fraser
Room 2 - Rose Muir
Room 3 - Claire Norriss
Room 4 - Madelynn Benn, Sarah Nicholson, Hannah Matson
Room 5 - Mel Orbell, Deidre Van Beyen
Room 6 - Deb Bahr, Tracey Bowen, Lauren Jensen
Room 7 - Kathryn Fraser, Yolanda Jamieson
Sports Corner
I am so impressed with all the students who are getting involved in either Winter sports or recreational activities. This would not be possible without the support from the Coaches, Managers and supporters. GO TEAM WHENUAKITE!
Up Coming Events
Please check here for any up-and-coming events this term.
Week Three
Monday 13th - Health and Safety "Lockdown" practice. New Homelink learning set!
Wednesday 15th - Girls tackle rugby in Whangamatta
Thursday 16th - Electives start - Any help from parents or community appreciated
Friday 17th - Pink Shirt Day for anti-bullying. 
Week Four
Monday 20th - Health and Safety "Lockdown" practice
Tuesday 21st - BOT meeting, 3.15 pm
Thursday 23rd - 2nd week of Electives
Friday 24th - Hellers Sausage sizzle fundraiser for senior student camp.