Term 3, Week 5 19/8/2024 - 23/8/2024
From the Principal's Desk
Greetings Parents, Caregivers and Whanau, Week 5, Friday 23rd of August 2024
Help needed.
Over the next few weeks, we will have a lot of activities, events, and trips. If you can help in any way please let your child's teacher or us know. We can only offer these amazing experiences with your help. The next big trip is to the Cultural Festival at Whangamatta Area School on Thursday 5th of September.
Attendance and Engagement
This is a focus area for improvement as we look at strategies to improve engagement in learning. We can only help improve learning if students are at school. If your child is away, as parents we have a legal obligation to contact the school. This should be to the office administrator explaining why your child is away. If we know the reason we can often put down as explained, if your child is completing learning off-site, could mean they are not absent. There are a few ways this can be done, come into the office, call, text, email and now use the Skoolloop App.
New Website
The new website is up and running - whenuakite.school.nz. Please visit and maximise with the Skoolloop App.
Reading, writing and maths
We have had some good results from our mid-year assessments and we are now working on an action plan to see more improvements in progress and achievement before the end of the year. Please continue to help your child at home with their learning and if you need help please check in with your child's teacher. I like to call this "Homelink" where its a continuation of learning between home and school. When we work together we can create the best possible outcomes for our students.
New Technology Room
A big thanks to Neville - (Jesse Barnes Grandfather) who has been helping with the woodwork elective and also helping to create a technology space next to the caretaker shed. We will be using this for a variety of projects that the students will be involved with that will enhance their technology skills and the environment.
Nga mihi, Gary Veysi, Principal Whenuakite School -principal@whenuakite.school.nz
Excellence in Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards
Certificates presented to: -
- Room 1 -Oliver Fraser, Jack Carter
- Room 2 - Lochlann Riddle, Taj Yates
- Room 3 - Layla-J Moala,
- Room 4 -Noah Goodwin, Gavin Perera
- Room 5 - Ana Van Beynen, Beaudyn Yearbury
- Room 6 -Bradley Field, Izzy Pauling
- Room 7 - Vyper Hamilton, Cale Field
Principal Award
Maddie McLean - For having innovative ideas and actioning them.
Vyper Hamilton - For always giving his best in sporting activities.
New students
Daisy Land for settling into school so quickly, it’s like you have always been here, thanks for all your hard mahi!
Blake Thompson for settling into school so quickly, it’s like you have always been here, thanks for all your hard mahi!
Musical Instrument Making
This week the students were motivated by Russel, who explained, played and showed the students how to make musical instruments. A big thanks to the fundraising committee for their support helps cover these costs.
Supporting others in need
Sports Corner
Cross Country, Kapahaka, Olympics Day and skateboarding skills
Our students in action!
BOT Update
Kia ora Whenuakite School community
The Board of Trustees met this week with a very full agenda. I wanted to update you all on a few relevant points.
The BoT reviewed the mid year Progress and Achievement data for the school students. These are related to Literacy (reading) Numeracy (maths) and writing. The Principal will update you all shortly with a summary of how the school is tracking. Gary will also share with you a plan as to how the school will implement actions to address any shortfalls where required.
The BoT also had a discussion around how the school records attendance and how we could improve on our current attendance rates. Gary will follow up.
The BoT also spent some time reviewing the school policy and procedures in respect of police vetting. Gary will update you as to any changes to our current processes.
Planning is well under way for the AIMs games (thank you Chris) and the BoT is in the process of reviewing the relevant risk assessments required for the students travel, accommodation and attendance at the games.
Work on the new Learning Support Centre is progressing well and a very big thank you to Blair, Mads, Ngaire and Richard for their work.
Stay safe.
Ray
Up and coming events
Week Six
Monday 26th of August - Winter sports day for the seniors at Whenuakite School
Tuesday 27th of August - Senior Student Council trip to Thames to meet Len Salt and councillors
Wednesday 28th August - Shake Shack! Fundraiser for students' camp
Thursday 29th August - Father's Day Breakfast with Guest Speaker Sir Gordon Tijens
- Electives Rotation 2, week 2
Friday 30th of August - Daffodil Day fundraiser for the Cancer Foundation
Week Seven - Welcome to Spring
Monday 2nd of September - Fire drill practice
Tuesday 3rd of September - Thames Cross Country
Thursday 5th of September - Cultural Festival at Whangamata Area School
