Kia ora Koutou,

So hard to believe that it’s the last week of Term 3!! This week has been lovely, dry and warm- we are even playing on the field and it feels great. So, end of term means: celebration, clean up and ready for a chill out!

The New Zealand Principals Conference was excellent. It was the best line-up of speakers- both global and local- I have heard for a while. The venue & location was awesome.  Many of my friends and colleagues attended, giving us opportunity to exchange ideas and have conversations about our schools.

A brief report back includes global perspectives, as well as some amazing stories of resilience and achievement.

The Keynote speaker was Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish Education Expert.  He spoke about what the Finnish are doing as one of the top countries in the world in terms of educational outcomes. Reading levels are going down everywhere in the world, while the Finnish gap is the same as 10-15 years ago. In Finland, some key things they are doing and have done for a while: more breaks and shorter learning times, lunch is free for everyone, and they all eat together. Children are with same teachers for 2 or more years, called “looping” which enables continuous evaluation between the teacher and pupil.  There is a huge emphasis on the importance of teacher and student relationships. 

We had a wonderful address from Dame Valerie Adams, which was inspirational, yet humbling.  Dame Valerie Adams lost her mother at 15, and was 6’4″ at age 12. She just hated intermediate school, but at high school a teacher could see her talent in sport/athletics, bought her a pair of training shoes and she was away. Her life has been incredibly challenging and continues to be. She is now a single mother with two children, one diabetic and one recently diagnosed as autistic. But she is continuing to contribute to Pasifika women’s sport in many ways, and coaches her sister whilst being a mum!

This is a tiny snippet of my week, I also went to visit Queenstown Primary School.  All schools in the area are full primary schools, so it was great to see what they are doing in their year 7&8 learning programmes. I will be sharing a full report with the teachers, the Board, and of course, if you would like to chat please come and do so!

Dame Valerie Adams talks at the New Zealand Principals Conference.

Newsletter Focus:

• Waifactor Finals
• Disco
• Winter Sports Prize-giving  
• Cultural Diversity Day
• Whole School Assembly -Kiwi Team
• Ag Day 
• Strategic Planning 
• Ag Day and Country Fair 
• Final Clean Up for Term 3 

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• Waifactor Finals – Congratulations to everyone that participated in the finals, you were all amazing! The judges have had to make some very hard decisions and the winner will be announced on Friday at the whole school assembly. A special thank you to Student Leaders: Oscar Price, Eva Pengelly, and Lyla-Rose Muaiava for all of your hard work and Miss Stevenson for your support in getting this event finalised.

• Disco- What a glam & fun night had by all! A huge thank you to Mr Irvine and Miss Stevenson for all your work and all the teachers and parents that supported this event. All funds raised are going towards the Intermediate Graduation Evening.

THIS WEEK 

• Winter Sports Prize-giving – Will take place on Wednesday 20th of September, Juniors at 9:10am and Seniors at 10:40am. We must celebrate the end of the winter sports season, as we have never had so many sports teams!! We celebrate the wonderful coaches and managers that have supported our students in Hockey, Netball, Basketball, and Flippa Ball. Big shout out to the managers of each code- Cairin Long: Hockey, Milly Mexted: Netball, Tanya Cummack-Ledger: Basketball and Luke Cochrane: Flippa Ball. Thank you to Mr Cochrane and Mrs Howard for your hard work managing the after school sport and for organising the prize-giving that has grown even bigger and better! Students please remember to bring your sports uniforms.

• Cultural Diversity Day – We can’t wait for Thursday 21st September – Cultural Diversity Day! Hopefully by now you have thought about how you will dress to identify with your culture! Whether you are born and bred Kiwi, South African, Australian, Tongan, Maori -we will be talking, sharing, and eating things that represent you. As a part of this day our music groups and Kapahaka groups will perform.

• Whole School Assembly – Kiwi Team- This Friday September 22nd, the Kiwi team will present their Term 3 focuses and special work and the Hellyer Cup to one wonderful student! This is our last assembly of the term and we look forward to celebrating it with you all.

• Strategic Planning – It’s the last week to fill in the strategic planning consultation survey. We would like a few more families to do this quick survey and contribute to the future direction of our school. Big thank you to those that have! Here is the link for the survey – https://forms.gle/4P5pPFawobwM98dm6

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• 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

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, exo@wainui.school.nz 

Netball

Year 3 Wainui Stars – Placed 2nd in their grade (Grade B) for the Winter Netball Season.

Basketball

COMMUNITY

TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 4 NOW!!https://app.classmanager.com/portal/lifecraftnz/register

 Join Us for an Unforgettable Holiday Adventure!
Are you ready for a holiday filled with excitement, creativity, and learning? Look no further! Bricks 4 Kidz is thrilled to invite your learners to an action-packed holiday program that promises endless fun and educational enrichment.
LEGO Builds: Unleash your child’s imagination as they embark on LEGO building adventures. From constructing towering skyscrapers to crafting intricate vehicles, our LEGO-themed activities will ignite their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Arts and Crafts: Let their artistic talents shine! Our arts and crafts sessions will encourage self-expression and hands-on creativity. Your child will have the opportunity to explore various art forms, from painting to sculpture, and bring their unique creations to life.
Science Experiments: Watch their curiosity take flight during our captivating science experiments. Our budding scientists will explore fascinating concepts through hands-on experiments, sparking a lifelong love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Master Challenges: Challenge accepted! Our master challenges will put your child’s skills to the test. From brain-teasing puzzles to teamwork-building games, they’ll have a blast while developing essential life skills.
Safe and Secure: We understand that your child’s safety is paramount. Rest assured, our program is designed with safety in mind, and our experienced staff will ensure a secure and nurturing environment.
Parents Can Work with Peace of Mind: As parents, we know you have responsibilities. That’s why our program allows you to go to work with confidence, knowing that your child is not only safe but also engaged in a day filled with educational and enjoyable activities.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity for your child to learn, play, and grow. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!
Let’s make this holiday one to remember—a time of adventure, exploration, and cherished memories. We can’t wait to welcome your child to our holiday program!
Bricks 4 Kidz – Where Learning Meets Fun!