Term 1, Week 9, 31/3/2025 - 4/4/2025

From the Principal's Desk

Kia ora kotou katoa, Greetings Parents and Caregivers

With one week to go we want to ensure we have everything finished off for the term. It is important that all students are here so they can benefit from the events and activities set up by the teachers. The following are a few items to help us finish the term in a positive way.

Lost Property

The basket is nearly full of lost property and we will start displaying the clothing for parents to look at next week. If you are missing any clothing the basket is behind Room 7.

Tech/Arts for Year 7/8 students

We have been in discussions with Mercury Bay Area School.  Following is the information received from MBAS about technology on Friday and due to class sizes they will be introducing a third rotation from next term - Performing Arts - and therefore a third class. The proposal is one year 7 class, one year 8 class and one mixed class taking a Tuakana Teina approach.
All classes will do the new Performing Arts rotation.   Then in Term 3 and 4 the Technology rotation will also change to design work using the Laser and Vinyl cutters to make products, so there will not be a repeat of term 1 or 2 technology for any students.

Future dates and events for term 2

Our "big theme" learning in term 2 is celebrating our shared history. Learning more about our localised curriculum and  Aotearoa/New Zealand history. This learning will be showcased with a school production in week 8. Another focus is on the "Cool Schools" programme. We have a Teacher Only Day on Friday 30th of May 2025. Parents/community are more than welcome to join us, just rsvp to principal@whenuakite.school.nz. We are also looking at programmes that support positive relationships, social development and building friendships.

Thanks, Nga mihi Gary Veysi - Principal

Changes to the sports field

Football NZ are requesting that by 2026, football fields/goals meet the standard and size for the different football teams. We will be moving the outdoor cover and re-positioning it closer to the fence to give us the space needed. We will be aiming to do this soon and any help is appreciated. Please contact Mat - Mathew@whenuakite.school.nz .

Fundraising For the Minivan

"Thank you to everyone who brought back their sold tickets already. All sold ticket stubs and cash need to be returned in the box at the office. If using internet banking, please transfer the money in the Whenuakite School Fundraising Team 03 1578 0015991 00 and put your family name and book number (the number on your first ticket). Whole book transfers only, please. Thank you from the fundraising team"

A big thanks to Rachel from the Whitianga Warehouse who has given us lots of main prizes, spot prizes and giveaways as incentives for the students/families to help keep us motivated as we sell tickets. We will do these at Friday's assemblies in term 2. 

Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards

Certificates presented to: -

Room 1 - Nico Eggmann, Yuhausa Wijesiriwardana

Room 2 -Oliver Fraser, Daisy Land

Room 3 - Billie Goodwin, Fleur Palmer, Kaan Oztekin

Room 4 -Inara Jamieson, Ada McInnes-Brink

Room 5 -Luke Graham, Digby Plamer

Room 6 -Izzy Pauling, Ana Van Beynen

Room 7 - Kurtis Seath, Mya Orbell

Principal Awards - Huia Gemmell - For being kind and caring.

House Groups and Points

We have lots of exciting games and challenges ahead. Leaders are you ready to lead your  House into the battle for next week in House Challenges to gain extra points for the House Shield 2025!

Well done Kotare for being the first House past 500 points. There will be a special treat for you next week!

Updated House Points

Social Skills and Friendships

As a school we are looking into different social skills programmes to support our students with this important learning and relating to others.  We continue to teach our school values and key competencies. At break times we ask our students to use their WITS! (check in with your child on what this means) 

As a first step, we have asked Sherie Hughes our across school Learning Support Co-ordinator to come into school to observe in classrooms and the playground.  This will allow Sherie to make some suggestions around social skills programmes that may be helpful for us.  

Great work Room 1 on playing together and sharing the playground equipment

Sports

Hockey 

Again we would like to thank Laura Stephenson who works for Thames Valley Hockey who came in and worked with all classes. Next term she will start working with our seniors on hockey games.

If parents and students could ensure they have suitable footwear in term 2 - covered shoes for the day. If students don't have shoes they will not be able to join in. The students who have mouthguards and shin pads please also bring these.

Soccer

On behalf of the school and community, we would like to say a big thanks to everyone who is involved with sports and helping our children/students with the extras.

Trees for Survival

Trees for Survival is a charitable trust which works with over 180 schools and local communities across New Zealand to enable students to nurture native trees at the school and plant these along waterways and on erosion-prone hillsides.

Our environmental education programme provides an opportunity for schoolchildren to make a practical difference to their environment as well as learn about conservation, revegetation, wetland restoration and protecting stream quality. For more on who we are and what we do  go to: www.tfsnz.org.nz

We are looking for a site around 800 square metres to plant 800 natives grown by the Whenuakite School children, a mix of Kanuka, Manuka, Cabbage Tree, Flax, Karamu, Toetoe and wetland grasses. The area needs to be free of invasive weeds and fenced if stock is on the property.

If you are interested please contact Jayne Nightingale on 021 799694 or email jayne@tfsnz.org.nz
Thanks Jayne

Up and coming events

Week 10

Principal Update comes out - Term 2 Overview events and possible changes that are happening

Attendance and House Reward

Friday 11th of April - Last day of School of school