Kia ora Koutou, Haere Mai,

Lambs, daffodils, and warmer temperatures!! Spring is here and the ground is drying up. The fields are beginning to dry up enabling us to use all of our grounds again, the mud has certainly been a challenge for us all in terms of play area and having enough room. I congratulate the children of Wainui School!! They are respectful of this and relate well to this challenge ensuring however much of  a squeeze it is, everyone gets to play. Our Wainui School student voices are coming up with all sorts of ideas for creating more play space. It is exciting to see children take this authentic issue and create ways to overcome this. Watch this space as they are suggesting some wonderful changes.

WHATS BEEN HAPPENING

New Zealands Principal’s Conference – I had the privilege of attending the New Zealand Principal’s Conference in Queenstown last week. There were over 700 other principals from across the country including the Principal from Silverdale School, and Orewa North. It was excellent to be able to hear and discuss issues that are affecting us all across New Zealand, and hear stories from leadership experts. The conference theme was “Remarkably different” focussing on just this – well being, leadership and challenge plus how things are for our young people. We had Mike King sharing his message around the youth suicide and how to help our young people, “cool to Korero”. Pete Burdon a media training expert “when your school is in the headlines”. Graham Henry and his story on self improvement, leadership under pressure and how he did achieve what he did with the All Blacks and as a high school principal. Minister Nikki Kaye shared with us her thoughts, the National Party’s priorities for Education and the key areas of focus; scrapping of deciles, digital curriculum, learning Support including mental health and, teacher supply and quality. Please feel free to ask me any questions or have a discussion if you wish.

OTHER

Kapa Haka Uniforms – For the first time in many years, Wainui School will be sending a kapa haka roopu (group), of 24 children, to a performance festival. The Tu Maia Festival, which is being held at Orewa College on Thursday, the 30th of November, brings together a number of kapa haka roopu from various schools in the area, to celebrate the Māori culture. This is an exciting opportunity for these children, who along with their tutor, whaea LeeAnne Wade, have been working hard to practice and polish their performance. Unfortunately, the kapa haka uniforms that the school have, are in need of updating and repair. If there is someone in our school community who is handy with a sewing machine, we would love to talk to you about how you can help our kapa haka children look great and feel proud, when representing Wainui School on the stage. Please contact Jason Irvine on [email protected] if you are able to assist us.

School Mobile – A reminder that we have a new mobile phone that is able to be used by you all to contact the office and do quick changes of pick ups, bus changes etc. Please remember all changes to routines and letting us know must still be made in good time though e.g after school pick up change / or buses by 2.00pm. The number is 027 525 1848.

Ag Day Market Stalls – Are you a budding entrepreneur? Do you have something that you would like to sell? We’re offering Wainui School students the opportunity to have a table at our Ag Day markets for just $10. We ask that you don’t sell any soft drinks, cans or bottles, commercial sweets or baked goods. If you’re keen please either email Isabelle at isabelle.blais-smith@harcourts.co.nz or let the school office know. Please note if you want to have a stall inside you will need to pay the regular stallholders fee.

Ag Day Raffles – We’re looking for donations of groceries and luxury food items for our Ag Day raffles. Please drop your donations in the blue plastic container in the office. Alternatively, if you prefer please feel free to donate $20 towards the purchase of items and we will combine this money and use it to purchase food items for the raffles. If you choose this option please either pay at the school office or else deposit it into the Wainui School bank account (12-3046-0155685-00). Please do drop us an email to let us know if you have chosen this option at [email protected].

Ag Day – Remember to get your Ag Day Registration forms for your lamb, calf, goat or chick into the office by tomorrow, Wednesday 27th September. We will be handing out the Pet Eggs (they will be raw), on Friday 29th September so you can care for them over the holidays. Remember to bring in a suitable container with padding along with a gold coin donation on Friday to take you egg home.

A LUCKY PRIZE DRAW (a $50 Passionberry Cafe voucher) will be won by a lucky volunteer helper announced on Ag Day. We will be outside the hall on Wednesday and Friday for the last two weeks of term, so stop by and put your name down on the roster. Or you can email us on[email protected] and let us know what time you would like to help. We have one hour time slots beginning at 7.30am and ending at 3pm. Come help support the school – every little bit of effort helps and is truly appreciated.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Wednesday 27th September – Meet the Parents Morning Tea – 9am – 10am – Staffroom.
• Wednesday 27th September – Friends of Wainui School Meeting – 7pm.
• Friday 29th September -The Pukeko and Kiwi Teams Marvellous Musical Medley – 2pm.
• Friday 29th September – Last day of Term 3.
• Monday 16th October – First day of Term 4.
• Tuesday 17th October – Young Farmer of the Year – All Students.
• Friday 20th October – Ag Day.
• Monday 23rd October – Labour Day.
• Tuesday 24th to Friday 27th October – Yr7/8 Camp at Motutapu.

COMMUNITY

Minecraft Adventures Course – Auckland Boys Grammar (55-87 Mountain Road, Epsom). 02 Oct – 04 Oct (Mon – Wed). Ages: 6-10 yrs

BYO lunch and gumboots.

To look and book go to www.theartisanworkshops.co.nz