Term 2, Week 1, 28/4/2025 - 2/5/2025

From the Principal's Desk

Kia ora kotou katoa, Greetings Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to term 2. Unfortunately, the weather has been terrible and we have spent a lot of time inside. We hope for some sunshine this weekend and the first few days of next week.

School Fields

We have had to close the fields at the moment. They are so flooded and water-soaked, at the moment due to being saturated, the excess water is not draining away. We are looking into this and hopefully will get some ways to solve. It is important to preserve the fields. Matthew our caretaker works extremely hard to keep them to a very high standard so they can be maximised for everyone.

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 term 2 - Performing Arts - and therefore a third class. There will be one year 7 class, one year 8 class and one mixed class.
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.

Lockdown

Next Monday we are practising a school lock down. Police Education officer, Brian Connor will be here to help us with the practice and to give us some ideas to improve the procedure and process.

Cool Schools Programme

We have a Teacher Only Day on Friday, 30th of May 2025 for the "Cool Schools" programme. 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.

Yummy Stickers

We are starting the Yummy Sticker fundraiser again, allowing us to get sports equipment and save money for other school areas. Information below to print off if needed, or gain extra recording sheets from the office.

MiniVan Update

The great news is the Toyota Hiace minivan has arrived in New Zealand. It has arrived earlier than expected, and we will be picking it up in the next few weeks. The School and BoT are working on new policies/procedures, getting insurance and understanding how it can be maximised for the school. We will keep everyone updated when we have it ready to go for Whenuakite School groups. So again, Keep working hard on the Raffles, your support has helped us get it!

Please be aware that due to insurance liabilities at the moment we are unable to hire the van to outside groups.

Thanks, Nga mihi Gary Veysi - Principal

Yummy Stickers

Fundraising For the Minivan

Thank you, everyone who has returned your raffle ticket books. If you are having a hard time selling them, please bring them back to the office in the minivan box so other people can try to sell them. Payments can be made cash or by online banking in the following account Whenuakite School Fundraising Team 031578001599100. Please make sure your  4 digits book number is included as reference. Thank you from the fundraising team.

The kids/families that have sold the most tickets are:

Jack Carter 8 books sold, 2 to go
Lucy Bramley 7 books sold door knocking
Isla Bowen and family

These kids/families have kicked off the raffle tickets sales at the fishing competition:

Jaxton Walker and family
Izzy Pauling
Jake and Tanner McLean

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. 

Being a K.I.T.E Kid Awards

Certificates presented to: -

Room 1 - Blake Thomson, Freddie McLaren

Room 2 - Billy Dozell, Ryder Coombe

Room 3 - Mila Illingworth, Gihansa Perera

Room 4 - Kassi Pearce, Sparrow Sheriff

Room 5 - Jack Drewitt-Fisher, Jake Brockett

Room 6 - Israel Black, Coco Bougen

Room 7 - Zeke Palmer, Maddie McLean

Principal Awards - Reiver Wallace , Lucy Bramley and Isla Bowen - For your well-researched and presented speeches at the Hahei and Cooks Beach Anzac Commemoration.

Reiver Wallace delivering his speech at the ANZAC ceremony in Hahei

Asset disposal

As part of the financial audit we go through and dispose of some assets that are no good for school use. This is normally equipment like technology/furniture and ICT equipment that could be maximised by outside groups and or families. See below, we have 3 large TV screens and portable trolleys. If you know of anyone who would want them, please email principal@whenuakite.school.nz

Electives

The electives have started with a variety of activities for everyone. Students buzzing with excitement at their activities. Next week students must bring appropriate clothing and shoes to participate in events like woodwork.

MOE Bus code of conduct

Draft Bus Behaviour Rules

Following on from the Bus Code of Conduct from the Ministry of Education (MoE) we are drafting up rules for when travelling on the bus and our new Minivan. These are some of the rules the students thought were important to have. We are trying to make sure the language is user-friendly for all students to understand.

Bus Behaviour Rules for Whenuakite Students

Listen to the bus driver and monitor

Speak quietly

Stay seated and face the front

No talking across the aisle

No eating or drinking

No banging on the windows

Encourage others to behave

Be Responsible and Respectful

SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

Up and coming events

Term 2 Week 2

Monday 5/4 - Lockdown practice at 10.30am

Wednesday 7/4 - Muffin and milo fundraiser

Thursday 8/4 - Electives

Friday 9/4 - Mother's Day afternoon celebration

Term 2 Week 3

Wednesday 14/5 - Pink Shirt Day