Term 1, Week 5 3/3/25 - 7/3/25

From the Principal's Desk

Kia ora Kotou katoa, greetings to parents and caregivers, 

We have been busy with swimming this week! With a junior school swimming demonstration for Rooms 1 - 4 and then the senior school swimming for our 8 year olds up. We do hope you had a chance to come and see the water safety, swimming skills we have been practising. School is more than just 1 hour a day for Reading, writing and Maths, Kia kaha whanau!

A huge thanks to Tim, BOT and many others who gained extra funding to get the heat pump ready for this season, the pool is being maximised to its full potential, and if we have volunteers for the next holidays to run the pumps and pool filters, we could possibly extend the season and run some more swimming cklasses.

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.

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 and 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 week 2'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 now have 40 returns and are keen to get at least 50 returns back to make the survey valid. We are giving you until Monday 10th of March to get them in and then we are starting to analyse the data. The following is the purpose or reason for the survey.

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.

Reiver (blue sail) and crew mate Leon Lingard placed 3rd in the green fleet at Hamilton Burnsco Regatta last weekend

Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards

Certificates presented to: -

Room 1 - Jordi Scotland, Arlo Morcom

Room 2 - Billie Harrison, Ezra Shortland

Room 3 - Fae Charles, Harper Monrad, Jake McLaren, Hailey Hert

Room 4 - Denny Stephenson, Verity Bowen

Room 5 - Noah Goodwin, Seazyn Tansey

Room 6 - Corey Fraser, Noa Jensen

Room 7 - Alex McLean, Isla Bowen

Principal Awards -   Hunter VT - Giving 100% effort!         

                                           Sophie J  - Improvements in swimming!     

Welcome - Yuhausa Wijesiriwardana - For getting involved in every activity with a huge smile! Tino pai!                                            

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

Whenuakite School Art Escape

The Great Art Escape

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. 

Oh Goodness! What a difficult task the judges had.  Congratulations to ALL for the spectacular artwork showcase.  Truly a very special event.  You have all done such a fine job - congratulations.

Room 1 - Charlie Farrance, Mabel Drewitt-Fisher, Nico Eggmann

Room 2 - Roxy Dunn, Huia Gemmell, Mila Gore

Room 3 - Gihansa Perera, Benji Norriss, Thea Pavitt

Room 4 - Ada McInnes-Brink, Florence Probett, Sparrow Sheriff

Room 5 - Pounamu Shelford-Woodcock, Oscar Greenwood, Kahu

Room 6 - Flo Sheriff, Nyx Jackson, Valerie Drewitt-Fisher

Room 7 - Hunter Velvin-Turner, Harsimrat Kaur, Awana Clow

Prizes were given out at assembly today.

Art and fine dining

Up and coming events

Week 6

Wednesday 12th of March - Hockey for selected students going to Ngatea - Thames Hockey. Information should have come out about the transport and support we need on this day. We do need all students going to this event at school by 7.30am to leave by 7.45am. This will give us plenty of travel time to get there. This is event is being organised by Mr Veysi - principal@whenuakite.school.nz if you need any further clarification

Week 7

Wednesday 19th of March - Rippa Rugby for selected students going to Te Aroha

Junior School Swimming Demonstration

Senior School Swimming