FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Kia ora Koutou and Konnichiwa,

What an amazing week – we have just had so much fun, annual events and a big first – the opening of our artificial turf plus celebrating we now have 300 students!!

Already we are in the second week with our 24 students, 2 teachers and 2 tour operators from Hatsushiba Ritsumeikan. Once again we have all made new friends, learnt a little more about each other’s culture and enjoyed spending time together. Mrs Taylor and I had a wonderful day on Saturday being local tour guides!! We took the Japanese teachers and tour operator to the Matakana market, Puhoi Cheese Cafe and showed them some glorious scenery on the most stunning beautiful day weather-wise. It is always nice to be a tourist in your own surroundings, it really makes you appreciate the life we have. Kanako commented to me we are so lucky with the “nature all around”!!

I would like to thank the host families for making the visit so enjoyable for the students, thank you thank you, thank you!! I have listed the surname and the child of the families hosting below:

The families hosting are: Allen (Mackenzie Yr 4 & Hamish Yr 2), Baird (family from Waitoki School, Brad Yr 6), Becker-Crawford (Ashton Yr 5 & Flynn Yr 2), Cator (Matt Yr 7), Coupe (Emily Yr 3 & Georgina Yr 1), Gray (Emily Yr 2), Krynauw (Ayden Yr 3), Latham (Keelan Yr 6, Rylan Yr 4 & Felix Yr 2), Mallon (Jackson Yr 1), McMaster (McKayla Yr 4), Minton (Gabby Yr 7 & Talia Yr 5), Peterken (Zak Yr 6), Ross (Miss Shelley Ross, teacher and Mackenzie Yr 1), Seino (Honoka Yr 7 & Yudai Yr 4), Smith (Olly Yr 5), Tinsel (Anneke Yr 7, Zac Yr 6 & Keegan Yr 4) and Sweetman-Jones (Phoenix Yr 2).

On Wednesday 8th August at 1.45pm, we will have a Sayonara Assembly where we will all get together, share a highlight or two and prepare to say farewell to the students. The host families and the students will all participate in a special afternoon tea party after the assembly.

LAST WEEK

Disco – Huge thank you to Mr Irvine for a very successful night for both juniors and seniors at the disco. All monies raised go towards the end of year graduation. 


School Cross Country – A great day was had by us all last Friday at the school cross country. Thank you again to Mr Irvine for organising this for us. The place getters in years 5-8 will go on to represent the school at the Interschool cross country. The year 7&8’s go with the Kairpara schools on 17th August and the year 5&6’s go to Shakespear park with the Orewa schools on 30th August.

THIS WEEK 

Learning Conversations – These follow on from the mid-year “tracking report” on progress so far this year. We have changed the times this year, 3 – 6.00pm, Tuesday – Thursday evenings. This should ensure that if you work you have enough later times to make an appointment. If NONE of these times are suitable we are flexible and can meet you at another time that does suit you. We aim for 100% attendance as we think this is such an important partnership as it directly concerns learning. If you haven%8These follow on from the mid-year “tracking report” on progress so far this year. We have changed the times this year, 3 – 6.00pm, Tuesday – Thursday evenings. This should ensure that if you work you have enough later times to make an appointment. If NONE of these times are suitable we are flexible and can meet you at another time that does suit you. We aim for 100% attendance as we think this is such an important partnership as it directly concerns learning. If you haven’t made a time it is not too lat. Please make one, thank you.

The Learning Conversations can be booked on-line by going to: www.schoolinterviews.co.nz. Enter the code: 26wzd.

Follow the instructions to book a time with your child’s teacher, you can book for more than one child at the same time. Once you have booked a time you will be sent an email confirming the times you have booked.

FURTHER NEWS

Year 5&6 Netball Team 1 – The team has Board Of Trustees approval to represent the school at a netball tournament in Rarotonga, “Netball in Paradise”!! This is an activity organised by parents for their children to travel and play in the tournament. This is a first for Wainui School to have students participating in an event overseas. It has been timely for us to review our policy and procedure for teams representing the school around New Zealand and overseas. I am currently updating the procedures (forms) to ensure Health and Safety in all aspects is clarified. If you are involved in any team and wish the students to be under the umbrella of Wainui School, approval must be obtained from the Board. This is exactly the same as we do for camps and other EOTC events. This team may also be fundraising for their event. They have approval to do so from the Board of Trustees and book any ‘in-school’ fundraising with the school office. Again all these procedures ensure communication is clear with everyone.

FINALLY  

Strike Action (Teachers and Principal) – The outcome as you will all know is on Wednesday 15th August there will be Nationwide activity from all primary teachers and principals’ across New Zealand.

The teachers and myself would like the Wainui Community to understand the main reasons we are all striking. The teachers (11) and myself have a collective decision made through the NZEI to strike for three main reasons:

  1. More teachers – so your child gets more attention.
  2. More resources and staff to support children with additional learning needs.
  3. A pay jolt/ rise to salaries for teachers to address the teacher shortage – so that there will be enough teachers in the future.

Feel free to ask us questions. We are only too happy to have a conversation with you around this topic.

Ka kite ano,

Gillian Bray

OTHER

Stu Duval – A reminder that Stu Duval will be here for two full days this Thursday and Friday 9th & 10th August. Thank you to those who have paid. If you have yet to pay, please send in your $5 per child to the office. Thank you.

Library Team Fundraiser – Thursday 9th August at morning tea from the lunchroom/ kitchen – cupcakes $2 and hot chocolate $2.

Saturday 1st September – Quiz Night – This year’s theme is Bollywood, so get a team together (friends, family, neighbours, grandparents, fellow school parents – it’s up to you!), get dressed up and come along to this fun-filled night of all things trivial. New to the school and don’t have a team but still want to join in? Come along to the school office, buy a ticket and we’ll put you in a team! This is a great way to meet fellow parents in a fun environment and bid on some fantastic prizes! Tickets are $15.00 and are available for sale from the school office.

SPORTS RESULTS

Remember to email your sports results to Miss Ludwig in the office, exo@wainui.school.nz.


Netball

Wainui Stars Yr 2 vs St Josephs. Won: 3 – 1. POD: Charlize Taylor & Capri Fairhurst.

Wainui Gems Yr 2/3 vs St Josephs. Won: 2 – 0. POD: Rosie Gulik.

Wainui Jets (Yr 3/4) vs Greenhithe Emeralds. Won: 6 – 4. POD: Raya Sams.

Wainui Comets Yr 4 vs Kristen Flames. Lost: 5 – 6. POD: Mackenzie Allen. Sportsmanship: Ava Elliott.

Wainui Rockets vs Sherwood Spaniels. Won: 9 – 5. POD: Cory Suckling.

Wainui Tuis Yr 6 vs Waimauku Mustangs. Won: 18 – 1. POD: Serenity Harris-Hatley.

Hockey

Wainui Yr 3/4 Boys vs Albany.  Won: 1 – 0. POD: Nikolai Pelser.

Basketball

Wainui Heat Yr 6 vs Red Beach Rockets.  Lost: 6 – 10. POD: Keelan Latham.

CERTIFICATES

At the last assembly, the following students received certificates for “Respectful”.

  • Kauri: Roman Hutchison, Caleb Waller.  Writing: Lucy Elliott.
  • Kahikatea: Evie Alexander, Benjamin Baker.  Writing: Matt Cator.
  • Rimu: Samantha John, Sorelle Jonkers-McAllister.  Writing: Olly Smith.
  • Matai: Christopher Gilpin, Zac Tinsel.  Writing: Kaleisha Iremonger.
  • Totara: Isla Poninghaus, Marley Straka.  Writing: Isla Poninghaus.
  • Nikau: Pearl Glasgow, McKayla McMaster.  Writing: Jett Le.
  • Kowhai: MacKenzie Allen, Ollie Smith.  Writing: Johnny Blais-Smith.
  • Kohekohe: Madie Gooding, Eva Pengelly.  Writing: Noah Murtagh.
  • Pukatea: Sterling Purdie, Charlize Taylor.  Writing: George Clayton.
  • Rata: Lara Ibbett, Phoenix Sweetman-Jones.  Writing: Nina Keller.
  • Karaka: Ashleigh Lloyd-Read, Ava Portig.  Writing: Hannah Wallace.
  • Puriri Rua: Charlotte Andrew, Noah Ouzoun.  Writing: James Pallatt.
  • Puriri: Vuliana Lodge, Nalia Searle-Pauli.  Writing: Isla Mexted.

Our amazing Hellyer Cup Winners were Raya Sams (Kohekohe), Tyler Newman (Kowhai) and Dusty Pullen (Nikau).

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

  • Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th August – Learning Conversations – 3 – 6pm each day.
  • Wednesday 8th August – Sayonara Assembly and Afternoon Tea Party – 1.45pm.
  • Thursday 9th & 10th August – Stu Duval – $5.00 per student.
  • Monday 13th & Thursday 16th August – Stardome Trip Yr 1/2.
  • Tuesday 14th August – ICAS Maths.
  • Wednesday 15th August – Parents Social Networking Event – Northern Union Gastro Pub – 7pm – 8.30pm.
  • Friday 17th August – Interschool Cross Country Yr 7/8.
  • Friday 17th August – Collecting Ag Day Chicks that were ordered – 3pm – Remember to bring a container.
  • Thursday 30th August – Interschool Cross Country Yr 5/6 – Shakespear Regional Park.
  • Saturday 1st September – Quiz Night.