Kia ora Koutou,

Yes, it’s November!! I hope many of you were able to have some fun over the weekend with Halloween, tricks and a few treats, despite the lockdown restrictions.  A big thank you to everyone who has returned the chocolate money!

This is a short newsletter – Area of focus

• Update on Level 3 Covid
• Review and revision of managing higher numbers in on-site bubbles and online learning
• Chocolate drive – Amazing!!

Update on Level 3 COVID and School – Last week we were given an indication school could re-start on the 15th of November for students in Years 0-10. Yesterday we have had information that retail will open next week. It seems we are inching forward to a slow restart. This week I am participating in a number of online meets with Principals and the MOE to hear and discuss what that might look like and what the restrictions will be etc.

Review and revision of managing higher numbers in on-site bubbles and online learning – Thank you to everyone who has completed the form either as a review, or to apply to come to school whilst we are still in Level 3 times.

With the fast increase in the number of parents and caregivers having to return to work and needing care for their children, we have made a number of changes to simplify both home learning and at school “bubble” learning.

Moving forward for the next few weeks, each week there will be an inquiry theme that will engage all ages from Years 1-8. This week we have chosen the theme/inquiry of “PATTERNS”. Once we have all completed our class or group ZOOMS/MEETS  by 11:00 a.m, then the option is to choose the activities from a much smaller number of slides. As parents at home, please feel free to modify the ideas as well. The first two days with the new program have been very successful. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Please remember the office is officially closed and the office staff are at home. There is only myself in the office but Mel is doing an amazing job at home online – Thank you Mel!!

The School Gates – These are closed and secured each morning at 9:00a.m.  They are reopened at 2:45 pm. This has been really good for ensuring no contractor or visitor can access the grounds without ringing first, enabling us to put health and safety of all on site first.

This week we are celebrating  how much we have learned and achieved online!! This week I am sharing (with her consent) a video from Bella Browne Hale, a Year 8 student.

Please see link for Bella Browne Hale – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ojHcQm9jX4jfcbPlXrtCU8eLpTSkpr9-/view?usp=drivesdk

Whittakers Chocolate Drive Continues – We are thrilled with all the money being returned and hardly any chocolate!!! Keep it coming back, please send in the chocolate you can’t sell as we can arrange to on-sell this. Thank you all, it has been awesome seeing everyone as you drive in.  I so look forward to returning to more “normal” times, however, that might be.  If you need your money/ chocolates collected, we can also do this for you, just let me know.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Tuesday 9th November – Senior School Athletics Day at school – POSTPONED
• Wednesday 10th & Thursday 11th November – MasterChef Heats – POSTPONED
• Friday 12th November – Year 8 Immunisations – 9am – TBC
• Monday 15th November – Kaipara Schools Athletics Day – CANCELLED
• Thursday 18th & Friday 19th November – MasterChef Semi-Finals – POSTPONED
• Tuesday 23rd November – BOT Meeting – 6.30pm – Staffroom
• Wednesday 24th November – FOWS Meeting – Staffroom – 7.00pm
• Thursday 25th November – Junior Athletics Running Heats
• Thursday 25th November – MasterChef Finals – POSTPONED
• Friday 26th November – Young Farmer – Years 1 – 4
• Friday 26th November – Junior Athletics
• Tuesday 30th November – Graduation Dinner for Year 8
• Friday 3rd December – Final Whole School Assembly – 2.00pm
• Wednesday 8th December – Music & Cultural Performance
• Thursday 9th December – Christmas in the Country
• Friday 10th December  – Winter, Spring & Summer Sports Prizegiving
• Tuesday 14th December – Wainui School Prizegiving
• Wednesday 15th December – Farewell Assembly & Last day of school for 2021!
• Thursday 16th December – Teachers Only Day

Sports Notices

Wainui School Junior Summer Football – CANCELLED – Thank you to all the people who signed up for Summer Football. Since the latest announcement there is uncertainty around when sport can be up and running again. Sadly the competition is no longer going ahead.

Summer Hockey – The competition is still being discussed. Harbour Hockey hope to offer workshop sessions in December if the summer league does not proceed.  Families will be notified of the outcome.

If you have any questions please get in touch with Mrs Halena Howard, Sports Coordinator- [email protected]