Term 2 Week 5 27/5/24 - 31/5/24

From the Principal's Desk

Greetings Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,                                                          Week 5, 31st of May 2024

Next Monday is the King of England's Birthday and then a Teacher Only Day. So school is out until next Wednesday.

I have now completed my first full month, only 162 months before I retire. So let's just "Do IT". I am keen to work with the TEAM on making this amazing school not just better but as Sir Gordon Tietjens said making it the best it can be. Next week I will have a list of supplies, equipment and help we will need to achieve exactly that. Whenuakite Kura world leading in education 

Next week we start having our junior and then senior school head out on trips related to our topics around the "Moving Earth"- linked into the geology/history of the area. If you are aware of any great spots to visit for fossils please let us know. I am keen to be the first principal who finds a Taniwha fossil. We need to ensure we have enough transport and an adult-to-student ratio. These amazing opportunities allow our children to understand our amazing fauna and flora to then grow their skills in Reading, Writing and Maths - (Literacy and Numeracy)

Newsletters

In discussions with many parents, whanau and community we have decided to print the newsletter to go home each Friday with students and to also have extras available at school and in the wider community. We will be having extra newsletters at the Hahei store and Gobblers in Cooks Beach. Be aware we use Canon photocopiers, an eco-friendly printing company and we purchase recycled paper to print on.

"Vision Map" to "VisionScape" small steps for our future

We have extended the time for YOU to get ideas in! Nothing is yet set in concrete, however, we do want to start moving to the next phase which is creating a digital "VisionScape"- a professional digital drawing map completed by a Landscape/Architect. Can anyone in our community help with this? This will help direct us for the next 3-years as part of our Strategic Direction. This will then be sent out to the whole community for more consultation, collaboration, consideration and ultimately to gain support for the big Ideas. This creates an Action plan, then we need your support to make our students' dreams a reality. 

House Groups - Whare nui and Kaitiaki

Each House group- Whare nui voted for leaders - "kaitiaki, mana tangata whenua" for a variety of roles in and around the school and wider community. Then these students will be the link between the students, myself and the BOT to allow us to have more "Student voice - Student Agency" in our kura.

Surveys -Get these in.

The Vision Map, Health Survey and Lunches in Schools are due back on Wednesday! Last chance.

Rugby

On Wednesday I was very fortunate to go to the Girls Rugby at Whangamata. A special thanks to Paige Bailey for allowing me to be the water boy on the trip. The problem there was too much water and wind.

Nga mihi,

"Legends in the making"

Excellence in Being a K.I.T.E Kid Classroom Award Winners

Welcome Certificates presented to: -

• Room 1 - Oliver Fraser, Ezra Shortland
• Room 2 - Benji Norriss, Sage Thompson
• Room 3 – Arlo Guilford, Brock Norriss
• Room 4 – Indi Haywood, Kate Walker
• Room 5 –Ella Newton. Coco Bougen
• Room 6 - Levi Nicholson. Jesse Barnes
• Room 7 - Chloe Breen, Isla Fogarty

Principal Award - The "Jackson Five" for having fun and helping make "the world  a better place"

Famous Five Tidy Up Crew

Safety - In and around the carparks

As we are all aware the biggest Health and Safety issue that the BOT is trying to solve is the car parking at the front of the school. We have gained a registered report - Traffic Management Recommendations on the areas we need to fix as a school and what Kotahi Waka need to do. This is being followed up as an area of high concern and urgency. A copy of this report defines the changes needed and is available for viewing from the office. New signage is on its way.

PLEASE NOTE

Safety is everyone's responsibility.

The drop-off area is exactly that, a drop-off only.

Only enter the car parking near the front entrance gate and everyone needs to drive slowly down to park near the field and/or leave at the far end only.

Everyone helps to keep our students and community safe.

If you wanna be a boy racer go to Auckland or you wanna be a cowgirl, live in the South Island. We will not tolerate incorrect behaviours at the Gate! From next week I will be checking that this advice is followed. We are growing the "Green" and building a Positive Culture 4 Learning.

Shake Shack

Shake shack is back in business we will be doing it on Wednesday 5^th of June the price will be $3 for a blueberry and banana smoothie you can bring your own cup or buy one for 50c this will be at lunch and will be said over the loud specker when we are ready to start thank you.

ICE SKATING EXPERIENCE

From the 18-20th June, we have been offered an amazing opportunity to take our students to a temporary ice skating rink in Whitianga situated between the Museum and Fishing Club.

The surface is not cold, but skates like ice.  The lessons are 45 minutes and include a safety briefing and getting skates on and off. Please see the timetable below. 

Cost: The cost for each child is $9.  The school will subsidise each entry by $4 (Thank you to the Fundraising Committee), making the cost $5 to each child. Permission forms will be sent home next Wednesday. 

Sports Corner

Player of the Day

Karate

Counties Shotokan Karate Whenuakite
A huge congratulations to all of our fantastic students who brought the magic last Thursday and achieved the next step in their karate journey.
We have new yellow, orange, green, and purple belts in the dojo now.  We also have our dojo’s first brown belt.  This is a great achievement that has involved many hours of commitment and hard work. It was amazing to see these students get out there and show Sensei Ray, (our examiner) from Pukekohe, the skills we have in Whenuakite.
The whanau support was absolutely outstanding and helped create a very exciting and encouraging environment for the students.
 We are so very proud of you all.
Sensei Steve and Sensei Leigh

Football Fever

FOOTBALL REPORT SATURDAY 25TH MAY

UNDER 6 MINI KICKERS
A fun Saturday for the U6 team
Even though there wasn't an official soccer game on Saturday, 25th May, our enthusiastic U6 team came together before the U8 game to play an in-house game. It was a great opportunity to practice those skills, to have fun and for our youngest team member, Jasper, to give it a try. 
We also farewell our friend Sage who is moving to Taranaki. Sage, you have been such a great member of our team and we will miss you! All the best for you and your whānau!

UNDER 8S
Last Saturday the U8’s were lucky to have another beautiful morning of soccer at Whenuakite school vs Whangamata. The U8s separated into two teams and played two Whangamata teams playing three games each. The teams were evenly matched and everyone had a blast. We had two players of the day - Lacey and Sophie. We now head into a bye for the long weekend and then back into with a Tairua Festival on the 8th of June!⚽️

UNDER 10S
We had a home game this week against Mercury Bay who are always a very strong team.  Was great to see some excellent passing through the midfield and our awesome goalies, Archie and first-timer Digby did so well to save as many goals as they did.  Some good lessons were learnt and the team had a great theory session with our coaches while sheltering from the storm on Wednesday's training session, so we'll be ready to take on the Thames in a couple of weeks time.  Players of the day were Levi Nicholson and Digby Palmer.

UNDER 12S
 We played Whitianga this week and it was a fast-paced game on the good quality pitches at Moewai Park. There was lots of good passing and communication.
 Player of the Day - Charlie Bahr

Hot Shots

What is happening in the next few weeks

Week 6

- Monday  3rd and Tuesday 4th of June "NO SCHOOL"

- Wednesday 5th of June - Junior Hot Water Beach trip - Years 1-4

- Friday 7th of June - Mayor Len welcomed -Mihi Wakatau at the front entrance

                                          - Uniform Survey goes out.

Week 7

- Monday 10th of June - Fire Drill practice at 10.30 am

- Tuesday 11th of June - Community Pot Luck Dinner - Nau mai, Haere mai..., Everyone Welcome - start arriving at School at 4 pm for games and activities, 5.30pm - First viewing of our Vision Scape - Our dream school. Then dinner is approximately at 6 pm , 7.30 pm - Clean up - 8 pm - Mr V's bedtime. 

- Thursday 13th of June - Electives