Kia ora Koutou,

2023 has now become another unprecedented start to the year! Thank you everyone for working together to ensure we are all safe in these extreme weather conditions!! I am sure hoping for a long dry autumn!! Many of the local roads have suffered slips and have been hit time and time again by the torrential rain. Fortunately the school buildings have not been too affected by the weather and we can continue each day. The torrential rain that blocked the driveway on Friday was quite incredible!! We are now working on ensuring all culverts are as clear as they can be. I hope everyone got home safely on Friday.

Newsletter focus:

• Meet us All 
• BSLA (Better start Literacy) Parent Meeting
• Buses
• FOWS 
• Bike-a-thon
• Sports Registration – Teams
• Safer Speed Limit 

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

Meet us All – Was wonderful to see so many of you at the “Meet us All” evening. This was a time to hear about the “big picture”, what the school has planned for the year, from the strategic goals and targets to all the leadership team of Wainui sharing their roles and passions. We heard from the FOWS (Friends of Wainui School) lead by Leslie Ann Linn, this group are well into action with a number of fundraiser and activities already in the planning!! Not only are they poised to help the school but will raise the much needed funds we can use to reach our goals for 2023. The Wainui School Board were represented by Chris Scott (Deputy), Joe Long (Property), Annaliese Hewitt (Community), absent but very much part of the Board was Pip Catchpole (Presiding Member) and Chad Mexted (Finance). The Board are responsible for governance of our school ensuring that everything that needs to be done gets done – legally, ethically, and as well as possible in the best interests of the Wainui students.

The Board outlined how vital it still is to contribute the school donation – $200 per child. Thank you to those that contributed on the night!! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed. I have attached the slide show from the evening if you would like to see it. Please feel free to ask us any questions, we are always happy to explain.

Meet us All – presentation

BSLA (Better Start Literacy) Parent Meeting was held before the “Meet us All”. A great turnout demonstrates to us how much our community is on board with learning. If you missed this first meeting we are going to put the presentation on the website for you. If you missed the presentation Mrs Blackburn or Miss Cavanagh are also willing to discuss this program.

Buses – Many of you will know the bus routes over the last few weeks have been affected by the state of the roads or as was the case on Friday the torrential rain as well, that caused flooding all over the area. We had five children and a bus diver stranded on Upper Waiwera Road when water came from both sides of the bus as it was travelling on Upper Waiwera Road. The bus driver was able to move the children to safety and contact parents who were able to come and meet their children in this spot. All were helped by a member of the community who once all children were safely with their parents then dropped the driver home when the water subsided. I am in discussions with GoBus and the Ministry in reviewing the protocols around safety in extreme weather and the current status of the roads. Both bus drivers caught on roads that became impassable followed all their company protocols. The bus company and the Ministry of Education were in touch with me throughout the incidents. All parties have the safety of the children as the number one priority. If any parents wish to talk further about this event please do come down to school and we can chat or phone us. I have already had messages from many of you. Thank you for keeping in contact. Please note, the Tahekeroa bus route is still running the adjusted route due to the condition of the road.

FOWS – Held their first meeting last Wednesday!! The new committee has been set up. Huge thank you to all these parents for stepping up and into these roles. The Committee are Leslie Ann Linn Chairperson,  Cairin Long Secretary, Melissa Stevenson Treasurer, new families liaison Lisa Vermeer, team Melissa Mexted, Tammy Fuller, Monique Ritchie, Nikki Mallon. Huge thank you to Tanya Ledger for all her work over the years especially with Bike-a-thon and chocolate sales as she steps down. Thank you to Nikki Mallon for being the secretary for many years. Team Reach is being used for communication within the committee. We would love new members to join this fun, caring positive group. Some fundraising events have already got dates, please refer to the website, first date to launch is Bike-a-thon which is on Tuesday 4th April!! Details to come over the next weeks.

Safer Speed Limit – This will be enforced outside Wainui School from 2nd March!! We are all thrilled with this!! The speed limit starts from outside Progressive Maintenance by the intersection of Wainui and Waitoki Roads to Whitehills Road.

THIS WEEK 

Sports Registration – How exciting to see so many of you register for the coming sports!! Registration is open for another 3 weeks there is an online form you can register on.  The sports are Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Flippa Ball, Touch. After school sports rely on parent volunteer coaches and managers, it has been amazing to see the number of parents and caregivers come forward to support children’s sport.

These parents have put their hands up to oversee the different codesm thank you to Luke Cochrane and Halena Howard for setting up the registration

• • Cairin Long – Hockey
  • Millie Mexted – Netball
  • Tanya Ledger – Basketball

Hockey Fundraiser – Second Hand Book Fair on 15th March – Please donate your good quality children’s books. Collection days Friday 3rd March, Monday 6th March & Friday 10th March. Collection in the hall from 8:20 am to 9am and 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Tuesday 7th March – Board Meeting – 6:30pm (Note date change)
• Friday 10th March – Whole School Assembly – Pukeko Team – 2pm
• Wednesday 15th March – Yr 0-4 Water Safety Swimming Carnival
• Tuesday 4th April – Bike-a-thon Day
• Thursday 6th April – Last Day of Term 1

OTHER

SPORTS RESULTS

– email your sports results to Miss Ludwig in the office, exo@wainui.school.nz 

Basketball

Wainui Yr 7/8 vs Horizon School.  Won: 30 – 2.  POD: Whole team.

The yr 7/8 team is looking for more players if you are interested please contact Nikki Browne the team manager on brownehalefamily@gmail.com

CERTIFICATES

At the last assembly, the following students received certificates for “Respect”.

•  Puriri: Isabella Kranenburg, Teddy Williams, Sailor Sandwell (Resilience).
•  Pukatea: Logan Venter, Sophia Wright, Jet Cameron (Resilience).
•  Kohekohe: Mac Koster, Jace Ritchie, Dante Broederlow (Resourceful).
•  Rimu: Sanskruthi Gopinath, Liam Scott, Hudson Stannard.
•  Matai: Louis Brown, Megan Uhe, Milo Laurie (Resilience).
•  Koromiko: Vlad Maties, Mia Trail, Queenie Zhao.
•  Kawakawa: Kara Pretorius, Dayton Rata, Austin Perry (Resilience).
•  Pohutukawa: Adriana Magan, Elle Olivier, Mikey Smith.
•  Rata: Chloe Epp, Zain Ouzoun, Hunter Stollarz (Resilence).
•  Kowhai: Ella Dicks, Anthony Doherty, Meela James.
•  Nikau: Jett Robertson, Summer Starr, Leah Andrell (Resilience).
•  Kahikatea: Travis Dunning, Isabella Lehmann, Lexi Albert (Resilience).
•  Kauri: Jakob Brown, Noah Mash, Mia Pretorius.
•  SENCO: Noah Hill, Mia Pretorius.