FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Kia ora Koutou,
I hope everyone had a very relaxed and happy Waitangi Day and, like the staff here at school are enjoying being able to ease back into routine. Next week will be the first full week, during this week you will be able to meet the teacher and find out all about the class routines at our “Back to School Night”.
The best news that we have all been waiting for to start the year – we have three brand new toilets!! These are situated very centrally for the junior school and the year 7&8’s to use. They can be used by all ages and genders as they are built to modern specifications, three individual cubicles, with a flush toilet, hand basin, and hand dryers. A great addition to our school and officially opened for use today by our youngest and oldest children.
Not so good news is, we have designed and ordered shade for the areas of the school but it is not ready yet. This was using the a-thon money we collected last year. We are hoping these will be installed in the next few weeks, they are being made by Taylor Built Shade company. One will be over the junior area by Karaka and Puriri rooms. The other will be for the sandpit.
WHATS BEEN HAPPENING
Swimming has started – Each class has at least 4 swimming times scheduled. We are very fortunate to have a pool and the BOT of Wainui School are very committed to continuing to upgrade it. It is imperative that you help with the upkeep by ensuring your children tie hair back and wear swimming caps. This helps keep hair out of the filter and cope with the high traffic through the pool.
THIS WEEK
Leadership Interviews – On Thursday the year 8 students are participating in their leadership presentations. Each year 8 will present a C.V. outlining their goals, aspirations for 2018 and the skills they have. Myself, BOT member Nikki Browne and Mrs Taylor will make up the panel.
Powhiri followed by coffee and scones – Friday 9th February 9.15am – This is particularly for all new families to welcome you officially to Wainui School, but also to any family that hasn’t been officially welcomed, you may have arrived last year. This will be carried out following our powhiri protocol led by our kapa haka group. All parents are welcome to attend, we will follow this with ‘Kai” and coffee. Sarah Becker will be making us her amazing scones and running the coffee machine.
We would like to officially welcome the following students and their families to Wainui School; Lexi Allen (Yr 7), Yena Bang (Yr4), Gabriel Brewin-Brown (Yr 6), Amelia Bridges (Yr 3), Anthony Doherty (New Entrant), Charlotte Gooding (New Entrant), Zoe (Yr 5) & Pippa (Yr 2) Heaton, William Hewitt (New Entrant), Mitchell Ibbett (New Entrant), Boston Jones (Yr 6), Alexis McGregor (New Entrant), Cian O’Brien (Yr 7), Stephen & Johnny O’Flaherty (Yr 7s), Alissa O’Connor (Yr 2), Eva Pengelly (Yr 3), Reghan (Yr 5) & Ava (Yr 2) Portig, Andre (Yr 4) & Arno (Yr 1) Potgieter, Kyron Sams (New Entrant), Frank (Yr 6 & Lily (Yr 4), Hunter Stevenson (Yr 1), Ben Thorpe (Yr 7), Oliver Tiedemann (New Entrant), and Bradyn Yacyshen (Yr 7).
Itinerant Music Lessons – Maria O’Flaherty, Ross Hutchinson and Pete Warren are all returning to offer various music lessons. We also have Shona Fisher joining us, she is a very qualified piano teacher. Please see information for Shona in the Community section of this newsletter. Look out for information on the other music lessons in next week’s newsletter. If you have a child that would like to learn any of these instruments please let the office know and we can point you in the right direction. All of these teachers are highly skilled and qualified and come highly recommended. These lessons can be individual, in pairs or in small groups, this is your choice as a family. These lessons are fully paid for by yourself as a family and are held at school. The teachers are all given timetables of who is having lessons when and work with the music teacher to ensure it doesn’t impact on other learning activities.
The element of music and the calibre of our teachers adds a wonderful dimension to our school and enhances the culture we have. We have two sharing times with music performance assemblies throughout the year.
NEXT WEEK
Back to School Night – Thursday 15th February – Our semi-official welcome back to you all. Come and have a BBQ sausage on us and coffee will be available as well. The children will be introducing you as parent/ caregiver to their teacher and showing you around the classroom.
We wish to invite all parents/ caregivers and students to our
“Back to School” Night
on
Thursday 15th February from 5pm – 7pm.
This year once again each student will introduce their parents/ caregivers to their teacher in their classroom, even if they already know them!
Every class will share their routines and schedules using some digital means which can be viewed by parents /caregivers and students in their classrooms, please see programme below. We will then be able to upload these onto the new website for future reference.
We will also all get together to be introduced to you all for the year.
Programme
5.00pm –6.00pm Classrooms open to view video
6.00pm Whole school Introduction with the BOT chairperson and the FOWS spokesperson (Friends of Wainui School)
5.30pm onwards BBQ starts – first sausage will be free!!
7.00pm Finish
COMING UP
UK BBC TV children’s presenters Joe & Andy bring us the Ridiculous Rhyme Show – Thursday 1st March – I am very excited to be able to host Joe and Andy from the UK who are visiting schools around the country. Not only will they be presenting their humorous show but will also be running a 30-minute session after the show for all the year 5-8 children to share their story and for the children to find out more about the life of a TV presenter in London. There will be a cost to this show of $5.00 per child.
Just a note re outside performances, each term we endeavour to have an invited cultural performance at a small cost to each child. This would never be more than $10.00.
FINALLY
This year a couple of changes to be aware of !!
- Lost property – we are trialing not having a lost property box!! Last year we found the box many times overflowing!! This year we will try not to have this, improving our systems at school of managing and respecting our own belongings. Please help us by naming and labeling every item that can be taken off e.g. socks, shoes, jerseys, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, water bottles, swimming caps, togs, and towels.
- Assembly will now be on Friday mornings. Our celebration assemblies are every second week the first one will be the powhiri assembly – I am wanting to trial this change for a number of reasons: firstly it is very hot in the afternoon in summer, our air conditioning units do not cope with the heat. Secondly, we have found the music performances far more successful in the morning for engagement and performance. Thirdly, this may help families and working parents to attend assembly as they could go to work on a Friday slightly later. It has been very popular in other schools. We will also trial having our coffee machine available in the future before assembly.
Ka kite ano,
Gillian Bray
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Friday 9th February – Welcome Powhiri – 9.15am.
- Thursday 15th February – Back to School Night – 5 – 7pm.
- Thursday 1st March – BBC’s Ridiculous Rhyme Show.
COMMUNITY
Piano Lessons during school time from experienced teacher
If your child is aged 6 or older and is interested in learning to play the piano, I can offer them the opportunity to take piano lessons for 1/2 an hour once a week during school time. I am a qualified piano teacher, having been a teacher for the last 20 years, and would love to give your child the chance to find their musical potential. If you are interested in private weekly lessons, please contact me. Shona Fisher 021 174 5359.
116th Helensville A&P Show – One great day – one great place. This year marks Helensville’s 116th A&P Show. There will be traditional livestock competitions, horse show and indoor displays with everything from photographs to flowers. There will be rides for the kids and a great variety of food and drink.
When: Sat 24 Feb 2018, 9:00am-4:30pm
Where: Helensville Showgrounds, Railway Street, Hwy 16 Helensville, Auckland
Ticket Information: Family Pass: (2 adults & up to 4 children) – $25.00. Adult: $10.00. Child: (under 12): $5.00
