Term 1, Week 4 24/2/25 - 28/2/25

From the Principal's Desk

Kia ora Kotou katoa, greetings to parents and caregivers, 

We have been busy with the Arts this week! The whole team have been pitching in to get the art up in the Activity Room. We hope you have a chance to come today or tomorrow (Saturday 1st of March) to have a look at the amazing talent we have. School is more than just 1 hour a day for Reading, writing and Maths, Kia kaha whanau!

The Great Art Escape

Don't have an Ärt Attack" if you couldn't make it to have a look today. We are open on Saturday from 10am - 4pm for anyone in the community to come into the school to look at the beautiful art. The theme for every class was on "Identity" then senior students could also submit other work with a theme "Belonging". We are so proud of what the students have completed and achieved. We will leave it up until Tuesday afternoon if you would like to see during school time.

School and Community Minivan

Our new 2025 Hiace Minivan should arrive around the 28th of July! So our fundraising efforts have started! With parents feedback/support we have planned a few different events that will need sponsors and student helpers. Mauri Mahi,  Mauri ora! We need everyone to pitch in. We will let you know how you can help in the near future.

Parking and Pickups

Please ensure you come to the office to pick up your child during school hours. At the end of the day, all children should be picked up by an adult from within the school grounds. We have created an easier entry and exit from the drop-off carparking, please be careful when you indicate to go out onto the main road.

Thanks, Nga mihi Gary Veysi - Principal

How to use the information below to help use Skool Loop

How to download the Skool Loop app to your phone or computer. 

How to use the App even if you don't have data.

Attendance - Please be aware that the government, Ministry of Education, and schools are now required to enforce new attendance protocols and processes. We need to know where every child is every day

We have new codes that we have to use, and the information that is completed electronically gets sent to the MoE every day to be analysed for trends/issues arising. With follow-up by other agencies, including truancy.

Legally every Parent must send their child to school every day unless there is a justified reason. This reason must be shared by the parent to the school. Parents must contact the school prior to the child being away. Donna is in the office from 7.30 am and is here to take phone calls, emails and check SkoolLoop. 

If we know the reason, we can often ensure we mark the child absent with justification or can link to off-site learning, so this does not affect the child's attendance. Please help us to help your child.

Parent/Caregiver Survey

Dear parents, caregivers and wider whanau,

Inside last week's newsletter were copies of the  "Parent/Caregiver Survey" This survey will only be done every 3 years to help us in the following ways. We already have 20 returns and are keen to get at least 50 returns back to make the survey valid.

1. Give us feedback on performance in areas, for us to then look at an action plan to make a positive change.

2. Help the current and next BOT set the Strategic plan for the next 3 years

3.  Continue to develop positive community connections

4. To give us a better understanding of the aspirations our parents have for our children.

5. Help improve student outcomes.

Please fill out the survey and return it to the box in the office by next FRIDAY 7th of March. We have sent 2 surveys per family, if you require more surveys for your family/whanau please ask at the office.

Room 1 hard at work  doing the structured  literacy programme. Helping to improve the basics and gain fundamental learning skills and also having lots of fun.

Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards

Certificates presented to: -

Principal Awards -   All or the Whenuakite Whanau - teaching team, support staff, students, parents and our community for the support they have given for the Art Escape!                                                               

House Groups and Points

We now have our House Leaders in place and we have lots of exciting games and challenges ahead. They are ready to lead their Houses into the battle for the House Shield 2025!

Tui: Alex McLean and Reiver Wallace                                        Kauri: Jesse Barnes and Karwyn Bahr

Kotare: Awana Clow and Louie Jensen                                        Pohutukawa: Zeke Palmer and Bougen

Updated House Points

Board oF Trustees

Hi All,

The Board of Trustees (BoT) had its first meeting on Tuesday 25 February. There was a great deal to work through and thank you to Gary and his team for pulling together all the relevant documents.

A couple of highlights:
You will have received your school survey forms (2 per household) by now. Please take the time to read and respond to all the questions as this document will help set the school's course over the next 12 months.

With school holidays the BoT meeting dates are as follows:

Term 1. Wednesday, March 26 at 3.30pm             

Term 2.  Wednesday, May 21 at 3.30 pm and Wednesday, June 18 at 3.30 pm

Term 3.  Wednesday, August 20 at 3.30pm

Term 4. Wednesday, October 22 and Wednesday, November 26.
Please feel free to attend, everyone is welcome.
The BoT has a number of portfolios and these will remain unchanged until our election mid-year.
Portfolio holders are: Community Engagement: Sophie, Health and Safety/policy Claire/Mads  Finance/Property: Tim/Mads,  Staff representative: Nicola,  Deputy Presiding Member; Claire, Presiding member/ Compliance/legislation Ray,   Principal: Gary
Fundraising is about to start for our new school van due at the end of July. More information to follow.

Ray

Shake Shack Fundraiser

School Mini Van Fundraiser

Wednesday 5th of March

$3  if you bring your own cup

$3.50 if you require a paper cup

Football Fun

Up and coming events

Week 5

Tuesday 4th of March - Junior Swimming Demonstration from 1.45pm

Wednesday 5th of March - Senior School Swimming at Mercury Bay Area School Pools

Thursday 6th of March - Emma Evangeline  - Painter/Author visiting the school to share her work

Week 6

Wednesday 12th of March - Hockey for selected students going to Ngatea - Thames Hockey