Kia ora Koutou,

Welcome to winter and the third week we are in COVID-19 level 2!! I can’t believe how fast the time seems to have been going since we began this second term or should I say since we all went into lockdown and now have been returning to school. I hope you all enjoyed a long weekend and if you got to go away for a break, not in full lockdown.

Welcome back to all families that have returned to school from the lockdown we are at almost 100% returned. It is wonderful to have you all here again.

We are now as a country planning on what level 1 will look like in our communities. I will keep you posted as to what this will mean for our school and the changes that will happen.

BUT a huge big thank you to every parent/caregiver that has abided by our requests especially with drop off and pick up. I know it has meant a few queues on Waitoki road and some trucks not happy but it has proved very efficient in the main enabling us all to be loaded and gone by 3:15 pm – a great effort from us all.

Moving forward we will discuss with you all as to what we would like to keep doing and what we would like to change for example is it better to have drop and go in the morning rather than everyone coming in? I would like some feedback on this from you as parents.

Congratulations to Bella Browne Hale – Young New Zealand Writers competition.

Bella entered this competition during Lockdown with her short story – CHASING THE PAST. I am pleased to let you all know it has been selected to be part of the anthology to be published later this year. They received a large number of high-quality entries, so this is a wonderful achievement for Bella. Well done for giving this a go.

THIS WEEK 

Learning Programmes – All learning programmes will be physically at school from today Wednesday 3 June – all teachers have a full-time workload with their classrooms, distance learning is no longer viable for us! School is considered a safe place to be, we have our strong measures in place for hygiene and safety and will continue to use our level 2 procedures.

In School Learning Programmes – Much work and thought have gone into the last few weeks of distance learning – some have worked really well and some haven’t. The world over has learnt to communicate and use ZOOM/ Google Meet or similar programmes, be creative with our thinking, our learning, and using the tools we have on our computers, iPads, chrome books and phones!! It has enabled us to explore learning platforms we have never used before and children to engage in different digital forms of learning.

With change always comes questions, unease, insecurity, and even fear and worry. To address some of the confusion and rumour that has arisen since we have returned to school from lockdown and the use of devices I will take time in this newsletter to briefly explain what the thinking and understanding are behind what we are doing at Wainui School. The teams will also present some more detailed information in a follow-up newsletter over the next week and will be able to share with you at learning conversations time.

Number one we are a BLENDED LEARNING environment, we have been this way for many years now!!

Blended learning (also known as hybrid learning) is a method of teaching that integrates technology and digital media with traditional instructor-led classroom activities, giving students more flexibility to customize their learning experiences. It also means in simple terms we use the pencil, pen, paper as well as a device as we always have over the last 10 years.

Wainui School is a multi-platform and future-focused school. Digital technology is an important aspect of preparing our children to participate, create, and thrive in this fast-moving digital world. At our school, we are redefining learning and achievement through the use of digital technology in a personalised and blended learning environment. This is also a key aim of the Ministry of Education. We aim to develop students’ confidence and skill in the use of various digital technologies by increasing student engagement, global readiness and most importantly developing digital citizenship.

All teachers at Wainui School understand the importance of balance between traditional learning (reading, writing, and maths using books, paper, and pencils) and the use of digital technology. As educators, we ensure we teach our children the appropriate digital skills and digital citizenship values from Year 1 onwards. Students will not be on their device during breaks as devices are strictly for educational purposes only and used under teacher supervision.

Our Network 4 learning filter blocks Tik Tok, Facebook, and Instagram to children. It also blocks many known inappropriate sites that many years ago would pop up if children typed in a suggestive word etc. Children do though like to experiment and are curious, this can be a challenge for us as educators to manage!!

Time per day that children spend on the device will alter with their year level and depend on the learning task. For example students in years, 1-2 will have more time with traditional learning/ learning through play than our senior students in Year 7 and 8 who will access more digital learning. Year 3-4 will also still be reading in groups, learning spelling words, word work, and phonics as well. Children in year 5&6 their time will be different again, for example, Garden to Table day maybe zero!!

A device is like a piece of stationery for your child and is only one tool a teacher may use. They will use it for different purposes in different subjects. All teachers ensure there is balance.

1. Year 1 -2  classrooms have iPads, using apps for learning. 
2. Years 3-4 classrooms have chromebooks and are introduced to the Google Suite students are now able to bring a device if they want to, this arose as many children had their own device at home now over the COVID time and wanted to continue to use it. It is not a requirement to have your own device.  
3. Year 5-6 – Google classroom/learning apps support the programme in a blended learning approach. Students are able to bring a device if able. Again there is always a school device to use if needed by a year 5/6 student.
4. Year 7-8  students are required to bring their own devices (BYOD).

Learning Support – For children with learning difficulties a device is often used with a specific programme loaded such as Lexia, or Steps Web. Children using these programmes have demonstrated great success and feel they can achieve. If you wish to know more please make a time to talk to Mrs. Taylor our school SENCO (Special Education Needs  Coordinator).

Please remember we are now returning to full programmes – some children have been able to adapt more easily to the change from home learning to school again while others find it more difficult. We are always here to work with you – the Ministry of Education is very cognisant of the well being of all of us at this time, as we know it is unprecedented the events of the last few months!!

Each team will send out details this week of their learning programmes and what they now look like, how you can be involved, and what is happening for the rest of the term.

Bike-a-thon will be launched this week!! We are happy to announce we have rescheduled the annual bike-a-thon going ahead again and going to have some fun!! Thank you FOWS for getting this going!! Please do not feel pressured in any way it is about having fun!!

Each child will complete laps of either the bike track or driveway or both within a time frame. This will be done in classes in a timetabled format.

There will be time also to have fun with other bike-themed games and competitions over two break times with food and treats available to purchase. If we are in level 1 by this stage we are hoping parents and caregivers can join us. More to come on this including a full timetable. Mr Irvine and I will work with the year 8 leaders and the FOWS to plan the food, fun, timetable, and bike-a-thon course and timetable!!

The Bike-a-thon will now take place on Tuesday 30^th June. This is a fun day for the students, who complete laps around the school bike course, in order to raise money for the school.

This year we have decided to try something different and are going online with our sponsorship for Bike-a-thon.

Each student will have the opportunity to set up their own fundraising page, and there will be great prizes and incentives for all students!  Information about how to register can be found https://wainui.raiseit.co.nz/hub  

The first 50 students that sign up to the Bike-a-thon Fundraiser will receive 100 house points, a Choice Hotels cap, and a chocolate bar! 

You will receive a letter via email and a paper copy will be sent home with each student, detailing all the information outlined above and how to register your child online.

We understand that online may not be accessible for every student, so we will still have paper forms for cash donations and sponsorships available in the office.  Please contact the office if you would prefer one of these.

We are also seeking businesses who would like to become Gold Sponsors of the event, or if you would like to donate a prize towards the event please let us know.  To find out more about how to become a sponsor please contact Kate Doherty at [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors so far: Kelly Sports, Scholastic Books, Team Rhapsody, Game Over Albany, Parakai Springs, St Pierre’s Sushi Silverdale, Burger Fuel.   

Welcome To – Welcome back to Miss Nicola Smith we are thrilled to welcome Miss Smith back after her time working for Air New Zealand for the last 3 and half years. Miss Smith is working in the year 8 area releasing Mr. Irvine and as a release teacher for teachers when they are taking their release time. We love having you back with your passion, kindness, and experience.

Mr Rody O’Reilly joining the year 7&8 class on Wednesdays during their tech programme and working within the Kiwi team and Pukeko team taking classes on a Tuesday. Mr O’Reilly is a passionate experienced teacher we are very pleased to have you join us.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

• Wednesday 10th June – FOWS Meeting – 7.00pm.
• Tuesday 16th June – BOT Meeting – 6.30pm.
• Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June – Sharing the Learning Conversations – 2.00pm – 6.00pm.
• Tuesday 30th June – Bike-a-thon Day.
• Friday 3rd July – Last day of Term 2.

OTHER

Learning Conversations – Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June 2020.

Book a Learning Conversation – Our Learning Conversations are for your child, you and the teacher to meet to discuss the first half of the year and set new learning goals. We have two evenings set aside to make a time.

To book your Learning Conversation/s click on https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the Event Code: 3hpt6

Step 1: Enter your email address, parents full name, number of students you are booking for and the students name/s. Click the “Go” button.

Step 2: For each student, select your child’s classroom under the first dropdown box and select their teacher under the second dropdown box. Click the “Go” button.

Step 3: Choose the time/s you would like for your Learning Conversation/s by clicking on a time slot that suits you. Missing checkboxes mean that the time has already been booked by someone else. Click the “Go” button.

You have the option to print out a copy of the time/s you have booked, a confirmation will also be emailed to you. You can view, change or cancel your booking by using the link in the email confirmation.

The Learning Conversations are being held on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June from 2.00pm – 6.00pm and are 10 minutes in length with 2 minutes in between Conversations.

Otago Problem Solving Maths Challenge – This started last Thursday and will be followed by 4 other challenges during the year. Good luck to all the participates.

If your child is now unable to play netball or hockey for the school this year, please let Mrs. Hill know ASAP.  Mrs. Hill will contact coaches and managers to let them know when practices can start. We will also send more information out soon in regards to fees.

School Hoodies – We are placing the order this Friday 5th June.  An order for printed school hoodies (name on the back). We do need a minimum of 10 to place an order.  Please email the office [email protected] with your child’s name, size, and name printed on the back.  This can be first name, surname, or nickname – you choose!

Child – Size 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 is $42.00.  If you want your name printed on the back it is an extra $6.00

Adult – Size S, M, L, XL is $46.00.  If you want your name printed on the back it is an extra $6.00.

CERTIFICATES

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

•  Puriri: Camryn Colquhoun, Dylan Mumby.
•  Puriri Rua: Isla Brothers, Taylah Hadley.
•  Karaka: Preston Catchpole, Mikaela Scott.
•  Rata: Bastian Brown, Lily Fincham.
•  Pukatea:  Tripp Glasgow, Arielle Oswald.
•  Kohekohe: Connor Kerr, Morgan Price.
•  Kowhai: Anthony Doherty, Summer Starr.
•  Miro: Kenzie Banton, Kaes Kadlec.
•  Totara: Sophie Colquhoun, Pearl Glasgow.
•  Matai: Alizay Clifford, Milly Rossiter.
•  Rimu: Te Ruawai Bayer, Riana Bouzaid.
•  Kahikatea: Logan Grey, Morgan Keller.
•  Kauri: Lily Glasgow, Ollie Steen.