FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
2023 Kapa Haka group ready to perform at Whangaparāoa College.
Kia ora koutou katoa,
This week is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week!
From the 11th to the 17th of September, Te Kura o Wainui will acknowledge and celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week. This week fosters cultural identity, biculturalism, and respect for our indigenous heritage while offering numerous educational benefits. Participating is easy, from learning basic phrases to attending local events and incorporating te reo Māori into daily life. By doing so, we honour the past and contribute to the language’s preservation, which is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural treasures. We look forward to uniting as a school community to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and show our commitment to the unique cultural fabric of our country.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
Tu Maia Festival – On Friday, the 8th of September, our kapa haka rōpū, made up of 30 students ranging from Year 5 to Year 8, participated in the Tu Maia Festival held at Whangaparāoa College. It was a fantastic experience for all involved and our tamariki represented our kura with pride. The singing of waiata on the bus to and from the venue showed how excited and united the group were. Under the expert tuition of Whaea LeeAnne Wade, Te Rōpū Kapa Haka o Wainui has continued to develop. We value the partnerships that have been forged through kapa haka, the participation of our kaiako and tamariki, and the protection and growth of our cultural competency. For the first time at Tu Maia, Te Kura o Wainui proudly wore their new t-shirts, which shared the pūrakau (story) of the whenua our kura sits upon.
We were incredibly proud of our group and their performance but also equally as proud of our whole region and the festival. It was fantastic to observe and hear the Whangaparāoa College kapa haka group! Very inspiring.
THIS WEEK
Consultation – Our Board led by Presiding member Pip Catchpole would like to hear from all parents/ caregivers over the next few weeks by way of a survey so you can have your voice heard on the future direction of our school. Please, put aside a bit of time to complete this survey. This next Strategic Plan will be in place for the next two years while this current Board is in governance. When the Board changes, then the plan will change again for the next three years.
If you need help please ask at the office and we can provide a device at school for you to use to fill in the survey.
Here is the link for the survey – https://forms.gle/
Māori and Pasifika Consultation – We have a meeting for all parents identifying in these areas on Tuesday, September 19th at 1:00pm in the hall to specifically ensure we are hearing and consulting with you on the future direction of learning, cultural connection and the voice of our Māori and Pasifika families. Come and join us for a cup of tea, kai and korero!!
Wai Factor Finals – Friday, 15th September at 1:50pm in the hall. This will be lots of fun to watch. The contest has shown to itself to be a wonderful example of student councillor leadership. Best of luck to all of our finalists, and don’t forget to let you talents shine but most of all, have fun!
School Disco
- Date – 15th September
- Time – Juniors Yrs 1-4, 4:45pm to 6:00pm. Seniors Yrs 5-8, 6:15pm to 7:45pm.
- Ticket Price – $15
- Theme – Glam Rock!
- Location – Wainui School Hall
Come and purchase your tickets in the office or on Kindo.
NEXT WEEK
Last week of term! Please collect all your clothes, shoes and lost items before you go on break. The new storage boxes are brimming over, any unclaimed items left after the 22nd will all be disposed of.
COMING UP
Ag Day Planning is well underway, and PARENTS, WE NEED YOU!
Ag Day cannot happen without you! If you can give us one hour of your time so we can cover the food and game stalls we would really appreciate it! And you will still have plenty of time to enjoy Ag Day with your children.
Manning a stall not only helps on the day but is a great way to meet other parents. Of course, if you can do more than 1 hour, we would really appreciate that too.
Don’t forget that if your child has an animal and you want to watch them, don’t roster yourself on before 11am.
Full instructions on how to run the game will be set out at each game and everything will be set up at the food stalls. A FOWS member will be coming around to check whether you need any help or have any questions throughout the day.
The timing for each volunteer hour is as follows:
9.00am – 10.00am
10.00am – 11.00am
11.00am – 12.00pm
12.00pm – 1.00pm
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Please fill in this google form to help man a stall on the day Volunteer Form for Ag day
Mrs. Allen will be in touch with you the day before Ag Day on which stall you will be on AND there will also be a roster up on a board at the entrance of the school by the coffee cart on the day. Please double check where you are rostered when you arrive at school as this is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
THANK YOU for volunteering, we appreciate you giving us some of your time on the best day of the school year!
FINALLY
I am currently in Queenstown at the annual New Zealand Principal’s Conference. The theme this year is ‘REIMAGINE REMARKABLE’. It is an incredible privilege to attend and meet with colleagues to discuss the direction of our school whilst learning about what is happening in and around New Zealand. I am also getting the opportunity to hear from world leaders and researchers regarding education, as well as uplifting stories from Keynote speakers. Thank you to Jason Irvine for serving as Principal and Leanne Stevenson as Deputy Principal this week. Our school continues to be well managed, with all of the learning and activities of school progressing forward. See you all next week.
Ka kite ano,
Gillian Bray
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- Monday 11th to Sunday 17th September – Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week.
- Friday 15th September – Waifactor Finals – 1:50pm.
- Friday 15th September – Disco – Juniors Yrs 1-4, 4:45pm to 6:00pm. Seniors Yrs 5-8, 6:15pm to 7:45pm.
- Tuesday 19th September – Māori and Pasifika Consultation – 1:00pm.
- Wednesday 20th September – Winter Sports Prizegiving – Junior Yr 1-4 at 9:10am. Senior Yr 5-8 at 10:40am.
- Thursday 21st September – World Gratitude & Cultural Diversity Day.
- Thursday 21st September – Music Concert & Kapa Haka – 9:15am.
- Friday 22nd September – Kiwi Assembly – 2pm
- Friday 22nd September – Last Day of the Term.
- Monday 9th October – First Day of Term 4.
- Tuesday 17th October – Board Meeting – 6:30pm.
- Friday 20th October – Ag Day & Country Fair.
- Friday 20th October – Final day to order Calendar Art.
OTHER
Ag Day – Friday 20 October 2023. Update #8 – only 5 weeks to go!!
Donations – Thank you to those who have been dropping off donations for Ag Day raffles and games. This week’s donation is toys for the lucky dip. Please wrap and mark “Girl”, “Boy” OR “All” e.g. $2 shop toys – stamps, bubbles, hair ties, bouncy balls etc.
Ag Day Animals – This is the last week for your animals to be born – the last day is Friday 15th of September. Any animals born after this date will be too small/young for Ag Day.
If you have not registered your animal yet, please do so here 2023 Ag Day Animal registration form
In this form How to care for your Ag day animal (Goat, lamb, Calf) there are some tips on how to prepare your animals and what judges will be watching out for in the ring on Ag Day. And here is information on How to care for your chicken/s and what judges will be looking for on Ag Day.
Market Stalls – Thank you to those who have filled in the Market Stall form. Register your Market Stall table to sell toys, clothes, books, crafts, plants, preserves, old fashioned lollies (e.g. coconut ice, fudge, toffee, hokey pokey) OR second hand goods etc. If you would like to have a stall at our Ag Day please fill in this registration form Ag day & Gala Market Stalls Registration form If you have any questions please email [email protected] and put Market Stall query in the subject line.
Volunteers – A HUGE thank you to those who have filled in the volunteer form to help us on Ag Day. We can’t do it without you! We ask you to give us one hour of your time on the day on either the food or game stalls. Here is the link to the form Volunteer Form for Ag day
And finally if you have any questions or queries please don’t hesitate to contact me on [email protected]
Calendar Art – Over the last few weeks all of the classes at Wainui have been working hard to complete a high-quality piece of art. These pieces can then be turned into various products to be purchased. These products make great Christmas gifts and are a lasting memory of your child’s creativity.
Sketch pads $16
This is a fundraiser for our school and your support with our fundraising ventures is always greatly appreciated. The artwork will also be on display in classrooms at our annual Ag Day and that will be the final day to order products. (Friday 20th October).
SPORTS RESULTS
– email your sports results to Miss Ludwig in the office, [email protected]
Basketball
Wainui School Senior Basketball vs Lightning Stars. Won 20-14. POD: Noah Mash.
Wainui School Senior Basketball vs Lightning Stars. Loss 14-28. POD: Zachary Lee.
COMMUNITY
TERM 4: LIFEcraft after school drama classes are coming to a venue near you! Personal growth for kids through the clever lens of Creative Arts! A jammed-packed hour of fun for your child each week in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Benefits & Skills Developed:
TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 4 NOW!!
The Splash Holiday Programme is a fun and safe opportunity for children aged 8-15 to improve their water safety competence and knowledge, while enhancing their swimming ability. Places are limited to 25 per day and cost $30 per child.
Splash is now in its 10th year, and our experienced instructors provide a friendly and inclusive environment where confidence is built, and kids are encouraged to give new aquatic activities a go!
Activities include lifejacket safety, snorkelling, bystander rescue, beach safety with safer boating and Manu safety (bombing) on offer for the older age group sessions.
Further information and registration is available on our website. Parents will need to enrol their children in the correct session based on age group (8-10, 11-15) and select the location and date that suits. www.dpanz.org.nz/community/holiday-programmes
