Group Day

Lexi, Ty, Neva, Ali and Bella with goats at Group Day.

Last Friday 17  families and their lambs, calves and kid goats all went to Kumeu to compete in the annual Group Day competition for the much coveted cups and ribbons. Thank you to our parents, Kylie Allen and Nikki Browne who represent us on the Group Day committee, run the kitchen and provide a fantastic lunch for the judges and officials. If you would like to help next year please let us  know now as the Group Day committee meet once a month most of the year to ensure the competition keeps so strong. The results are being finalised – we will publish these next week. I can assure you we have done very well as a school and individuals have done very well too. We will have an assembly to present these cups and ribbons and celebrate with everyone who attended. The Group Day committee and judges are all very pleased with the standard of care and quality the animals presented all showed. This is such a special part of the life of a rural school, we are all proud to uphold and be a part of. It is one of my personally favourite parts of this job at Wainui School being able to attend the day and meet up with all the families. We even have one family committing to Easter Show day with her lamb. Duncan McNab told us all at our Ag Day that you can now let the pet lamb/ calf / go in the paddock and then pick up next year before the Easter Show – they will remember all their training!! So let us know if you wish to attend, it sounds as if there are some great rewards for you and the school.

Writing – All the teachers have participated in further development of the teaching of writing and spelling last week. This is under facilitator Gaye Byers and led in school by Sandy Blackburn. As a school we are finding this whole school development of teaching practice so valuable. It is making a great impact on the children’s understanding of the technical aspects of writing and improving engagement of the children in writing tasks. Spelling is also a key focus. Most of the children should be bringing home spelling words to learn. Younger children do best with your support and help, older children need support in self-management to learn to spell the words.

THIS WEEK 

BUG Man is here!! – In the juniors we have a company called “Hands On Creatures” – Brian Lawton is the bug man!! I have heard shrieks of excitement from the children especially with Mrs Collins having the Avondale spider on her face!! He brought in a variety of animals – blue tail lizards, tortoises and huge wetas. This experience will have you all talking at home I am sure.

Athletics – All classes are practising for the upcoming Athletics Days. The year 8 councillors are also keen to get out and provide extra practices for the students at lunchtime. If there are any parents wanting to come down at lunchtime and support and help with athletics please let us know. Haruka and Keane (school councillors) have organised some extra practices for students. They will be supported by adults – ensuring every activity is safe. We are all enjoying practising and getting outside with this warmer dryer weather.

NEXT WEEK

Athletics Year 5-8 – Friday 17th November – Tui and Takahe teams will compete in these events at Sinclair Park. Please come along to the picnic or support the cycling team as they will have a sausage sizzle for lunch with juicies and cupcakes.

EOTC Week Kiwi Team – We wish you a great week of fine weather for all your activities. Please ensure you have read all the notices carefully so you are all well prepared for the days events.

COMING UP

Athletics Years 1-4 – Friday 1st December – This will be at school, we encourage you to join the event, there will be umbrellas and areas to sit on the bank, bring a picnic or buy lunch. More details will come next week.

FINALLY  

Our new Website!! It is here and launched!! Thank you to Spectra Online (Anna Downie) for the design, format and the patience with us here at school to get this done. We look forward to hearing your feedback. We have lunches now able to be ordered online starting next week. The aim to is have the website as up to date as we can with events, news and the hub to know what is happening at our school. Thank you to Miss Jenkins, Mrs Morris and Miss Ludwig for your input as well.

Nga Mihi

Gillian Bray