Newsletter 5th August 2024
From the Principal
Dear Parents
A very warm welcome to the many new families who have joined our school community. It has also been wonderful to see sportsmanship, dedication, resilience as well as all the successes at the Olympic Games. ll. Many great role models to inspire our students.
Parent Reports and Partnership Interviews Reminder
Parent Conferences 14th & 15th August
We invite you to meet with your child's teacher on Wednesday 14th August or Thursday 15th August to discuss your child’s progress and achievements. This is an opportunity to discuss your child's mid year report with their teacher and understand their next steps over the second half of the year.
We are giving you the option of either an in person meeting, a virtual meeting via Google Meet or a phone call. If you choose to meet virtually then you will be able to access a meeting link within our booking platform at the time of your appointment.
Please note that this interview is limited to 15 minutes. The teacher will need to keep to this strict time limit in order to meet with all parents on time, therefore please do not be offended if your meeting or video call has an abrupt end.
This is an important time to meet your child’s teacher and receive information on their progress to date and next steps for the second half of the school year. Your child is invited to join the last 5 minutes of the conference to share their learning with you and celebrate their successes.
Interviews will be held at the following times:
Wednesday 14th August - 1:30pm - 6:00pm
Thursday 15th August - 3:15pm - 5.30pm
Please book a time through the website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz using the code z3fm2 or book through the office. You will have the option to make an in person appointment, a video call or a phone call depending on what suits you best.
Bookings are now open.
Reminder School Closes Early for Parent Partnership Interviews
On Wednesday 14th August school will close at 1 pm. Please make arrangements to pick your child up at this time. After School Care will be available from 1pm for those students who are enrolled. If your child is not enrolled please ring Pukeko OSCAR (09 576822 or 0223822858) to check availability for a one off attendance.
On Thursday 15th August school will finish as usual at 3pm.
Art Exhibition
‘Art in Motion’
We will be holding our annual art exhibition over three days this year. The dates are 13th, 14th and 15th August. The 14th and 15th are the conference dates. All classes have been working hard to create a piece of art with the theme ‘Art in Motion’, and we will have a wide range of artworks on display. Every child will have a piece of art on display in the hall.
Your Child’s Attendance in Your Child’s Report
In each student’s report the total number of absences and lateness is noted. This is recorded electronically each day when twice a day the teacher takes the roll.
Thank you for your support in ensuring your children are not only attending school each day but are on time. Regular attendance is attending 90% and more
80 % attendance means your child:
- is absent two days every two weeks
- is absent two weeks a term
- is absent two whole school months a year
Reminder Prize draw for a $100 voucher of your child’s choice for all students attending 90% or more at school this term. A voucher draw for junior, middle and senior school so three vouchers altogether.
Property Update
Sunshade and Sunshade Official Opening
The Sunshade and Sandpit are now finished. The official opening will occur on Tuesday 13 August at 12.45 pm under the new sunshade. Our local MP the Hon Simeon Browne will officially open these. Joining us will be local principals. The builders and turf companies please join us.
12.45 pm - Welcome by students
Principal acknowledgements
Karakia by students Kapa
Haka Group perform
Official opening by Hon Simeon Browne
1.30pm - Tea and coffee in the hall
Life Education
Over the next two weeks each class will have two lessons in the Life Education mobile classroom you may have seen appear on the grounds over the weekend. Life Education Auckland Central is a Charitable Trust that delivers a flexible health programme to children in preschool, primary and intermediate schools, closely aligned with the Ministry of Education’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum and also the Science Curriculum. If you grew up in New Zealand you may remember lessons with Harold the Giraffe yourself!
The focus for lessons this year will be:
Juniors - Managing emotions and showing resilience
Middles - Managing emotions and friendships
Seniors - Identity and resilience
Parking - pickup/drop off zones
Please note that there has been an increase in people parking illegally on yellow lines outside the school near our school crossings. This obstructs the field of vision of those running the school crossings and is very dangerous for our children using the crossing. The police have advised us to report any such vehicles.
Teacher Only Days This Term
We have been fortunate to have been awarded a Professional Development Contract in Literacy by the Ministry of Education. We are required to have three days with a facilitator. Ideally we would have them all during the holidays but the facilitators are not available. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Monday 2nd September - School Closed for instruction
Friday 27th September (last day of term) - School closed for instruction
Friday 11th October - School holidays
Fintan, Sue and Monique
Sports News
The school Olympic opening ceremony started off with a fantastic parade! Students showcased their creativity and enthusiasm, marching proudly in colorful costumes and vibrant banners. The parade set a lively and spirited tone for the day, bringing everyone together in celebration and excitement.
Celebrating Excellence
Room 15 has been learning to use strong language in our writing. Check out these examples of a recount, a report and a persuasive argument.
My day at the movies
As the bright sun was taking over the moon and the white clouds were taking over the shimmering star, I was laying there spectacularly comfy on my bunk bed. My mum stormed into my room then said "WAKE UP WERE GOING TO THE MOVIES”. I was excited. I jumped up like a monkey all the way up to mars. As I was getting ready to get changed it was super intense because it was so cold like Antarctica. The coldness had me shivering. It was so cold I couldn’t get out of my bunk bed. When I finally got ready we walked to our gray car. When we went in the car it was still cold. As the car was getting warmer I was surprised that the movie we were going to was HORRIFIC. It was inside a huge mall. We explored the mall and then we went to the movies to wait for my BEST FRIENDS. We waited hours, then one by one all my friends came. My family walked to the counter. My mum said “can we get 4 small popcorn please?” The buttery popcorn smells DELICIOUS. After we got the popcorn we went up the elevator but we had to wait for 10 minutes because we were early. It was so boring but finally the employee called us. The employee said “the last movie has finished, you may go now it's number 5.” As we walked to the movie we sat down but we had to wait because the ads just kept going on like a mysterious hole that leads to more ads. When the movie finished I felt like zooming all the way to my bed like a flash and sleeping peacefully on my bunk bed. That my people is what I did at the movies.
By Penelope McArthur
Hummingbirds
What is that? Is it a bee? No, it's a hummingbird.
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. Their eggs are as small as a jellybean. They have very colourful feathers that look like scales. The hummingbird's tiny thin beak and long tongue help it to sip nectar. The interesting hummingbird weighs as much as a ten cent coin. Their feet are very weak and they have no nose.
The hummingbird’s wings are so fast they blur. The wings go in and out and not up and down. They go in a figure 8. Hummingbirds can fly up, down, side to side and sometimes even backwards.
Did you know they drink nectar 2000 times per day. They eat insects and spiders. Hummingbirds have no smell so they are attracted by colour.
Thank you for reading my report on hummingbirds.
By Delilah
Dogs do not make the best pet.
When it comes to pets, don't buy a disgusting dog. They are messy, noisy and mean.
Firstly dogs are disgustingly messy . For example dog’s poop everywhere inside and outside. When they are sleeping they drool in beds. They make puddles everywhere.
Secondly dog’s are big and noisy. They bark and bark until they get your attention. Another reason is they chew loudly when eating biscuits.
My third reason is dogs are aggressive. They chew on your bed so hard it will break. They’re not calm and they bark and scare people away.
In conclusion, do not get a dog! Dogs are messy, noisy and mean. Don’t get a dog.
By Frankie
From the Community
