FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Kia ora Koutou,
As we head into week 6 of term 4 we are all well aware at Wainui School that the year is fast racing to the end!! Teachers are currently all finishing writing the end of year reports on each individual child. We are collating some data on achievement levels of year groups, attendance and reporting the outcomes to the Board of Trustees at the final meeting for the year. Plus, the Garden to Table will be reporting back on their progress as a part of the innovative learning goal we have in our strategic plan.
Prizegiving – A very topical subject in our local community. This year as you will be aware, we are only having prizegiving for year 3-8 students. For the very reasons described by Silverdale School, such as ranking and sorting children at such a young age, we have consulted with the Board of Trustees and decided to not include the juniors this year. They will be celebrating the end of year with their production “The Goblin Next Door”. We also felt it was a long event to have to sit through and whilst it is great to see a sibling receive an award, for many children it is too long and difficult for them to relate to at such a young age.
Prizegiving for the years 3-6 is about celebrating attitude and achievement. Yes, it is very subjective in many of the awards but, the teachers spend a lot of time discussing these awards, in order to be as fair as they possibly can. These awards are in the form of certificates. The academic awards use test results and overall teacher judgement. The values and effort awards we now incorporate student agency.
In the intermediate area of the school, year 8 we have the much-coveted cups. Most of the cups have been gifted by past families and students. These are very precious and we try to award as carefully as we can. We spend a long time discussing and have now included the student vote in all areas, this ensures again it is as fair as can be. However, there can be times when someone or a family feels an award is incorrectly awarded. Please be respectful to those who do receive these and celebrate with them. I know for some it feels unattainable but we do celebrate as much as we can to ensure we recognise almost everything happening in the community.
Prizegiving is a very special celebration and is on Wednesday 12th December starting at 1.30pm.
The junior show is on the same day Wednesday 12th December in the evening at 5.30pm. We look forward to seeing as many of you at these occasions as can be there.
THIS WEEK
Tui Team Show – The show is called “A Big Green Adventure” by Colin Magee & Andrew Oxsprin. The evening performance is this Thursday 22nd November at 6.30pm. Doors will be open from 6.15pm, a gold coin donation would be appreciated upon arrival. We are all looking forward to watching the year 5&6 performance, this production dovetails very well into the themes around the garden that have excited their learning this year. Please come and help celebrate the hard work of our children – all are welcome, you don’t just have to have a child in this team!!
Junior and Middle School (Years 1-4) Athletics – At school all day this Friday 23rd November starting after the whole school assembly led by the Pukeko Team. Let’s hope the weather is kind as the juniors have been practicing all the activities for athletics over the last few weeks.
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge – Mr Irvine once again is leading the way with a team of year 7&8 students heading off to participate in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. The group of road cyclists take on the challenge of half the road around Lake Taupo. Each student has a parent who accompanies them. This year we also have a team competing in the mountain bike section as well, both Mrs Taylor and Mrs Howard are participating.
The team consists of Mr Irvine and Reilly Irvine, Evie Alexander and Mark Alexander (dad), Grayce Brothers and Isaac Brothers (dad), Anneke Tinsel and Marc Tinsel (dad), Honoka Seino & Yoshi Seino (dad), Cian O’Brien and Tony O’Brien (dad), Caleb Waller and Nicole Waller (mum). The Mountain bikers are Thomas Steen and Shannon Steen (dad), Bojan Paladin and Jason Paladin (dad), Mrs Taylor and Mrs Howard.
The team have fantastic new uniforms sponsored by Axiom Projects, we will all see these on Friday morning when we wave farewell to the team. All the very best to you all. I will be thinking of you as this year I have chosen not to participate!!
LAST WEEK
Interschool Athletics Year 7/8 – Last Friday a team from the intermediate area competed in the Kaipara School’s Athletics. The students all competed in the traditional athletics activities of high jump, long jump, discus, shotput and sprints. Thomas Steen (yr 8) had a great day achieving first in the 800m run, second in the 100m sprints, and third in both the high jump and long jump. Chloe Kay (yr 8) won the shot put and came third in the discus. Grayce Brothers did very well in high jump coming first for the yr 7 girls. Zoe Grey (yr 7) won both the discus and long jump and came second in both the shotput and 100m sprints. Celeste Hamilton-Dowling (yr 7) came third in the 100m sprints. Well done to all the competitors!
COMING UP
Masterchef Finals 2018 – Organised by the year 8 School Councillors. What fun everyone had in the heats, it was a very serious (but fun) competition. The juniors made sandwiches and seniors cooked omelettes, thank you to all parents for supporting this and providing the ingredients. We are all looking forward to the finals. Juniors are making a toasted sandwich and seniors a burger.
Musical Performance Wednesday 28th November, 9.30am start – Next Wednesday the students who learn instruments, guitars, keyboards, drums or singing with Ross, Maria or Pete, have an opportunity to perform. It is not mandatory, just given an opportunity. Anyone else who wishes to perform, please let Mrs Bray know. We invite you all to this celebration of learning. We will also have a performance from the kapa haka group and some songs from Kids for Kids. At 11am (or at the finish) we will have morning tea for all who wish to stay in the staffroom.
Dates for the rest of the term – Over the last few weeks we have lots on. We will endeavor to keep you well informed and have plenty of time to plan to be there!! So please read the newsletter carefully and watch the website and team notes for reminders.
FINALLY
On-Line Newsletters start today!! – If you need a paper copy please let Mel in the office know. If you hear of someone wondering why there is no newsletter, please point them in the direction of the school office, they will always help out.
Garden to Table – This is a very successful programme, the Tui team are loving being involved in and have won great rewards. It does however rely on volunteers. Thank you to those that have made time to support the programme!! Again you do not have to be a parent of the team or even have children at the school – if your neighbour, or a grandparent or other relative would like to be involved, please encourage them and ask them to contact us at school.
Ka kite ano,
Gillian Bray
OTHER
SPORTS RESULTS
Remember to email your sports results to Miss Ludwig in the office, exo@wainui.school.nz
Netball
Last Week: Wainui Stars vs City Impact. Won: 4 – 2. POD: Emily Gray, Lara Ibbett and Nina Keller.
Wainui Stars vs Browns Bay. Won: 5 – 4. POD: Ella Marshall.
Wainui Rockets Yr 5 vs Coatesville Tigers. Won: 14 – 3. Sportsmanship: Pearle Cameron and Xela Odedra.
Wainui Comets Yr 3/4 vs St John’s Clovers. Won: 6 – 4. Sportsmanship: Mackenzie Allen and Milla Glasgow
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Thursday 22nd November – Tui Team Show – 6.30pm.
- Friday 23rd November – Pukeko Assembly – 9.15am.
- Friday 23rd November – Yr 1-4 Athletics Day.
- Tuesday 27th November – Yr 5/6 Interschool Athletics.
- Tuesday 27th November – BOT Meeting – 6.30pm.
- Wednesday 28th November – Music Performance – 9.30am.
- Thursday 6th December – Christmas in the Country.
- Friday 7th December – Takahe Assembly – 9.15am.
- Monday 10th December – Year 8 Graduation.
- Wednesday 12th December – Prizegiving Years 3 – 8 – 1.30pm.
- Wednesday 12th December – Pukeko Team Show – 5.30pm.
- Thursday 13th December – Wai Day.
- Friday 14th December – Farewell Assembly – 1.30pm.
- Monday 17th December – Last Day of the Year – Finish at 1.00pm.
COMMUNITY
Michael Van De Elzen’s Good from Scratch Kids Cookbook Tour
Silverdale Primary School, 4 Longmore Lane, Silverdale, Auckland
Monday 3 December 2018 9:15am – 11:00am
Is your child shy? Do they feel intimidated by the idea of public speaking and performance? Do they sometimes find it difficult to make eye contact? Do they just need dedicated time per week to just be CRAZY?! Come and join the revolutionary self-confidence programme – Marrzipan! We run awesome classes at schools, which focus on key life skills and public speaking ability. We play fun engaging games and perform at the end of term once to parents and once to the school. All scripts are original, engaging, educational and HILARIOUS. You can sign your child up for a Trial Lesson via our website www.marrzipandrama.co.nz (we have contact numbers on there too, should you prefer to talk to a human!)
WAITOTARA IS OPEN – PERMACULTURE for free
Drop by and learn for free at the Dyer’s gorgeous property if you
– are unsure about veggie gardening, fruit trees, chooks, flower gardens, composting, green house design.
– keen to start learning about furniture restoration with Christina in the workshop
– just want to drop by to finish your own projects
Every Mon 9am-noon from Nov 12th to Dec 17th incl at 93 Bayer Rd, Upper Waiwera. Call 09 4211807/text 027 234 3242 to let us know you are popping by so we know how many bickies to put out for a cuppa.
