Term 3, Week 3 5/8/24 - 9/8/24

From the Principal's Desk

Greetings Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,                                     Week 3,             Friday 9th of August 2024

Community Meeting

We had a community meeting on Wednesday 7th of August from 5.30 - 6.30pm and listened to some great ideas that we will take back to the teaching team, BOT and fundraising group.

Update on the new Website

Parents, please upload the Skool Loop App - this links to the new website. When you do download look at the ways to make our communication easier. The new website -

Survey on upgrading the swimming pool

The votes are in and the majority 95% of people surveyed agreed with the need to gain a start-of-the-art swimming pool complex. The Board Of Trustees will now work on a plan to move to the next stage by getting a geotech in to survey the grounds. The process of obtaining a feasibility study is underway, applying for funding, then plans from architects for building consent. 

Nga mihi, Gary Veysi, Principal Whenuakite School -principal@whenuakite.school.nz

Below is the information on drawing ideas that might be used in Murals around the school and community. If you are involved in a community group please let me know and we can see what we can do for you. We will then set some dates to do a wananga (a long day) for our artists/students to get together. Due back on 23rd of August

Excellence in Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards

Certificates presented to: -

• Room 1 -Roxy Dunn, Willow Frost
• Room 2 - Tanner Brockett, Hailey Hert
• Room 3 -  Denny Stephenson, Gihansa Perera, Verity Bowen
• Room 4 -Oscar Frost, Hazel Matson
• Room 5 - Christopher Olsen, Flo Sheriff
• Room 6 - Van Goodwin. Nyx Jackson
• Room 7 - Jaxon Walker, Violeta Popadich

Principal Award -   Corey for helping build projects to improve our school environment!

Sports corner

Year 5 & 6 Netball had their end of season festival last weekend. Winning one of the three close fought games. Player of the day went to Maddie McLean.
Thanks to the extra players for joining the festival, we hope to see you next season. Thanks to our season umpires, Alex, Jaxon & Reiver. And a big thanks to coach Kelly & manager Chelsea for all your time & effort, the players & parents really appreciate it, a fun time had by all.

Whenuakite Netball
The 2024 season for our Years 1-6 was wrapped up last weekend with lots of fun and fabulous displays of netball skills at the annual Future Ferns Festival.  The players all got dressed up in an array of bright colours in all shades of the rainbow for a day of sharing what they have learnt through the season with their friends and whanau.  Thank you to all who came to supports the players and cheer from the sideline.
Not only were the players fabulous, but there were also Whenuakite umpires controlling the Year 5/6 games with new and improved umpiring skills - nice work guys.
Each team from Whenuakite played so well, with Players of the Day for the two Year 3/4 going to Lacey Fraser and Indie Hayward, and the Year 5/6 team to Maddie McLean.  Well done to all!

Hot Shotz

On Wednesday Levi had the opportunity to go out fishing for Southern Bluefin Tuna.  These fish only come into local waters for a very short season and with the weather conditions so good he had to make the most of it.  Not only did Levi catch his first Bluefin, it was a NZ record!  Levi caught this Bluefin on 15kg lineweight.  The lineweight is the weight/pressure that line can hold before snapping, so with his fish weighing in at 22.24kg, it is well over what the 15kg that line is weighted for.  Levi and his brother Hunter are well known nationally for being two of the top ultra-light and light lineweight fishermen in the country.  It takes a lot of patience and skill to get a fish, especially one as strong as a Bluefin in on lighter line as the second you put too much pressure on the line it will snap.  This is Levi's second NZ Record, the first being a Skipjack Tuna on 4kg line that he caught last year.  Thank you to the school and staff for being understanding of his need to have the occasional day off to follow his passion.

Fundraising Committee

Join the Fundraising Committee and Make a Difference for Your Child!  Do you have a knack for taking good notes and keeping things organized?

• Are you a natural leader with a passion for driving projects forward?
• Are you detail-oriented and skilled at turning big ideas into reality?
• Are you creative and energetic, with great ideas for fun activities?

If any of these describe you, we need your help! Join us at the Fundraising Committee AGM and see how your involvement can directly benefit your child's education and school environment.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Monday 12 August ⏰ Time: 6pm 📍 Location: Cooks Beach Fire Station, 26 Banks Street, Cooks Beach

No matter how much time you can spare, whether it's a few hours a month, just occasionally, or on the day of events, your help is invaluable. Every bit of support helps create a better, more vibrant school experience for your child.

Refreshments will be provided! 🍪☕

We look forward to seeing you there!

Caught Being Awesome! Tino Pai

Library fun with Jess

Any help appreciated

We have set up a woodworking space in the Garage. The following is a list of supplies, gear and equipment to start our projects. Please email principal@whenuakite.school.nz  so our senior leaders can start these projects.

• Natural materials for different gardens - rocks, boulders, shells, gems, driftwood, sand 
• Timber posts/ decking timber, wood, railway sleepers for Maori Po, entranceways, garden edging 
• Native plants, shrubs, Harakeke, toi toi 
• Anything else, just check in. 

Up and coming events

Week Four

Monday 12th of August - Meeting for the fundraising committee at Cooks Beach Fire Station 6pm!

Thursday 15th - Electives week 3

Friday 16th - Cross Country at MBAS for some of the Year 3-8 students

Week Five

Tuesday 20th of August - Instrument Making for Kids

Wednesday 21st August - Whenuakites Olympic Day

Thursday 15th - Electives - Rotation 2, week 1