FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Kia ora Koutou,

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

With just 3 days to go before the end of term one, I thank you all for supporting your child’s learning by preparing and getting them to school each day. Our attendance is 89% on average, which makes our place a vibrant, and active collective to learn and play!!  The Board of Wainui School have completed the Strategic Plan and I have completed the Annual Implementation Plan. We have clear goals based on a consultation gathered over the last year. We have had Learning Conversations, finished another season of swimming and almost of all of us can ride a bike or at least have had the opportunity to do so!

Newsletter Focus:

  1. Bike-a-thon 
  2. Swimming Team at Hibiscus Coast InterSchool Swimming Championships
  3. Learning Conversations
  4. ANZAC Day
  5. More About Bikes
  6. End of Term 1 
  7. Term 2: Important Dates and Information 

Bike-a-thon – This is a final note to thank everyone for their generosity with Bike-a-thon!! The final figure raised with the sausage sizzle, juicies, coffee and the Garden to Table stall (with commission taken out from Raise It) has come to $23,186.00. FANTASTIC!! 

A massive thank you must go to Monique Ritchie and the FOWS Team for all their hard work in promoting this event, gathering the prizes, driving the event and feeding us all on the day. Special thank you to Pit Stop Silverdale and Platinum Homes Silverdale for your generous sponsorship. Pit Stop Silverdale is owned by a school family, Platinum Homes is also owned by a school family, thank you!! How lucky we were with the weather, what an amazing day we had.

Funds raised by the FOWS, first and foremost, support the school annual budget. These funds enable us to have more Teacher Aides than funded for, maintain a school pool, the upgrade/renewal every year of our iPads, Chromebooks, TVs, and sound systems – all vital to our learning. We are also going to be using this money to improve our Garden to Table Program, to upgrade our bike fleet, and to start our dream project – building the outdoor classroom.

Congratulations to all the prize winners! There was fierce competition in some areas. These will be announced at the last Assembly for the term on Friday 12th April.

Lastly, thank you to Mr. Cochrane for your organization of this event and to all of the staff for ensuring the children in their class were well prepared and supported. This event was well organized, and gave everyone a chance to contribute, and most of all it was great fun!!

I have shared a few photos here but have added a slide show of the photos to the website.

Swimming Team at Hibiscus Coast Interschool Swimming Championships – Last week 10 students from year 5&6 represented Wainui School in the Hibiscus Coast Interschool Swimming Sports at Northern Arena. These students were: Tiana Sweeney, Brody Kerr, Millie Dunn, Georgina Coupe, Vincent Callaghan, Jayden Lehmann, Hayden Rees, Jackson Magan, Alicia Bailey, and Teddy Callaghan. Mr. Cochrane worked with these students to have extra training to ensure everyone was prepared and achieved great results.

Learning Conversations – These are very important in the education framework of Wainui School, the partnership between home and school is paramount to achieving better success. We aim for 100% attendance. Many classes have done this already. If you haven’t had a conversation about your child’s learning with the teacher, please try and get this done before the end of term. Thank you.

Harry Browne Hale representing Wainui School in 2023 at the ANZAC service.

ANZAC Day – We have a very special tradition and opportunity at Wainui to celebrate and be a part of ANZAC Day. Every year, our school families are invited to join the local Wainui Community at the Cenotaph on Weranui Road. This year’s will take place on Wednesday 25th April at 2:00pm. The service is taken by the WVA, but is organised and hosted by members of the community with deep connections to the men that lost their lives. Our year 8 student councillors will be involved in the service. All families are welcome. If you have a Wainui School t-shirt please wear this as well.

Kylie Allen’s family, at Maureen McCathy’s homestead, welcome us all back to her house for afternoon tea. Please bring a plate to contribute to this.

More About Bikes – We are so lucky to have the use of the newly improved bike track all year-round. If you child loves biking and does so regularly, I suggest they bring their own named helmet and keep it attached to their school bag. Then it is easy to pop on and the strap will fit. You can also bring your own scooter and even your bike to school.

End of Term 1 –  Some House Keeping –

  • Have you paid your school donation? This is only $200 per child. Please do so before the end of term, either by eftpos, cash, Kindo or Internet Banking: Wainui School 12-3046-0155685-00.
  • Have you collected any lost clothes or shoes? The pile has grown!
  • Have you returned library and reading books?

Term 2 – Important Dates and Information – 

  • Term 2 starts on Monday 29th of April.
  • FOWS (Friends of Wainui School) Meeting: 1st May at 7:00pm in the staffroom.
  • NZ sign Language week – 6th-12th May (week 2).
  • Cultural Diversity Week will be celebrated from the 20th to 24th of May.
  • Matariki Week is 24th-28th of June.

Finally, Happy Holidays Everyone!

Ng mihi nui

Gillian

Harrison and Ariel ready for Bike-a-thon!!!

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

  • Wednesday 10th April – FOWS (Friends of Wainui School) Meeting – 7:00pm in the Staffroom.
  • Friday 12th April – Tui Team Assembly – 2pm in the Hall.
  • Friday 12th April – Last Day of Term 1.
  • Monday 29th April – First Day of Term 2.
  • Wednesday 1st May – FOWS (Friends of Wainui School) Meeting – 7:00pm in the staffroom.
  • Monday 6th –  Sunday 12th May – NZ Sign Language Week.
  • Monday 20th – Friday 24th May – Cultural Diversity Week.
  • Monday 24th – Friday 28th June – Matariki Week.

OTHER

Hoodies – We are now taking orders for Hoodies, please complete the order form and make payment in the office.

COMMUNITY

Brain Play is thrilled to offer an incredible lineup of holiday programmes designed to ignite the curiosity and creativity of Kiwi kids aged 5 to 13. Join us all over Auckland and Hamilton for Minecraft adventures, STEM workshops, animation, coding, robots and more! We offer a wide range of full day holiday programmes and free workshops! Book your child’s spot today at https://www.brainplay.co.nz and unlock their limitless potential.”

The Helensville Golf Club is running a Free kids “Have a go” day on Sunday 14th April.  Here is a link to learn more.

The day is centered around having fun and mostly targeted at kids trying golf for the first time, although those with some experience are also welcome.

ART DAY FOR CHILDREN (ages 7 – 12 yrs.)
With step-by-step instruction children will draw then create a vibrant acrylic
painting learning tips and techniques along the way. Fun and focused.
Venue: Estuary Arts Centre, April 15th, 9.30am – 2.30pm
Cost $70
Bookings: eion@eionbryant.com, ph.021132703