Friday 11th September 2026 Newsletter
Friday 11th September 2026
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Kia Ora Parents & Whānau,
It has been another busy week in the classroom, with the children keeping busy as usual and enjoying their learning and activities.
We are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday for our Parent-Teacher Interviews. As a courtesy to other families, please note that each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. If you feel you require more time to discuss your child’s progress, please arrange an alternative time directly with your child’s teacher.
Our chocolate and oil fundraising activities have been very successful — thank you so much for your support! We still have plenty of chocolate bars available for sale if you would like to purchase some more.
We hope you all have a lovely and relaxing weekend. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
Mihi mahana,
Andrea Holt
PRINCIPALS AWARD
Kassandra - For making a fantastic start and demonstrating our school values every day.
Gavreel - for always trying your best in everything you do.
Danni - for being a positive, friendly classmate who is happy to join in with others. A friend to all!
CLASS CERTIFICATES
Luca Dillon - For consistently trying your best and showing great progress across all subjects.
Ella- for being a dedicated learner and showing great effort in all your learning.
Bjorn - for always trying your best and making good choices.
Albie - you have a great sense of fun Albie and we all enjoy the energy you bring to our learning. You are building skills towards being a good team member.
Donnalily - for Honesty and Courage.
Mele - you have such a good work ethic for a young person beginning their school journey. You are a great role model in Tui.
BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday to Elliott for July. Elliott was sick at the time so missed receiving his certificate. We hope you had a good day regardless of being unwell.
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS - TERM 3
Mon 14th - Fri 18th September - Maori Language Week
Wednesday 16th September - Parent Teacher Interviews
Monday 12th October - Teacher Only Day
TERM DATES 2026
Friday 25th September. - last day term 3
Monday 12th October. - Teacher Only Day
Tuesday 13th October. - first day term 4
Monday 14th December - last day of Term 4
Tuesday 2nd February 2027 - Beginning of term 1
BOARD MEETING DATES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR
TERM 4. - 28th October - 7.00pm. 2nd December - 7.00pm
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
On Wednesday, we look forward to meeting with you to discuss your child’s achievement and progress. Each appointment is strictly 10 minutes - if you need more time, please let the teacher know so a follow‑up can be arranged. Please book your time through the Hero app.
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
A couple of weeks ago, we sent out a questionnaire to support the development of our next two‑year strategic plan. So far, we’ve received only six responses. We would really appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete it, via the link below, as your feedback directly shapes the direction of our school and supports the best outcomes for your children.
POOL ATTENDANT
We are still working to recruit a pool attendant for the summer season. At this stage, we have one parent who may be willing to job‑share, so if anyone else is able to help, please let us know. Having this role filled supports the whole school community.
ASSEMBLY
Assembly is held on Friday mornings at 9.00am. Everyone is welcome. You will receive a text message if your child is receiving a certificate.
TEACHER ONLY DAY (TOD)
Just a heads up that there will be a TOD on the first day of the next term, Monday 12th October. School will reopen on Tuesday 13th October.
KORIMAKO - Week 8 has provided a good balance of learning, creativity, research, and opportunities for students to demonstrate the progress they have made so far this year.
In Mathematics, we have begun exploring Probability. Students are learning about the likelihood of different events occurring and developing the language and skills needed to describe and compare probabilities.
In English, students have been completing a Narrative Long Write using Writer’s Toolbox. They are enjoying developing their stories and, importantly, using the feedback provided to identify and correct mistakes and improve their writing. It is encouraging to see students becoming more reflective and independent in their writing.
Students also completed some research work this week. They used their findings to create PowerPoint presentations and then presented their work to the class. This gave them a valuable opportunity to develop their research, digital, organisation, and speaking skills.
We have also completed several Reading, Writing, and Mathematics assessments to gauge students’ progress up to this point in Term 3. The information gathered will help identify areas of strength as well as areas where further teaching and support may be needed.
It has been pleasing to see students applying their learning in different ways this week. As we head towards the final weeks of the term, our focus will be on continuing to strengthen skills, address learning needs, and encourage every student to keep making progress.
Ngā mihi,
Anish Krishna
Korimako Class Teacher
PIWAKAWAKA Kia ora,
This week in Piwakawaka, Year 3's learnt to use different types of rulers and we started writing about Wind in the Willows. We are learning Morningtown by the Seekers, and Daffodils by William Wordsworth. We started to do iDeal again and we learnt more about Egypt. We are practising for assembly next week.
By Waelyn Dysart
This week in Piwakawaka we have been doing math sheets and it is fun. Also, we have been doing iDeal. We have a new poem and we have been doing reading groups. We have been displaying our published writing. We have been doing our Wind in the Willows pictures and writing about Mole, Badger and Water Rat.
We have been doing assembly planning. We have been practising a play about the planets. It is fun. We have also been practising a song, Speak Life.
By Taylor Weatherall
Nga mihi
Judy Finlayson.
Piwakawaka Class Teacher
TUI
Kia ora Whanau
Tui are very much looking forward to presenting to the school, families and wider community today in assembly. A small snippet of what they have been doing over the last couple of weeks.
This week we have been looking at shapes in maths. We have looked at a range of 2D shapes and discussed their attributes eg how many sides, how many corners etc. We have explored making shapes with geo boards, making shapes with play dough, making shape monsters out of paper, drawing shapes around the class and using touch to describe a shape in a mystery bag. We will continue investigating shapes next week.
Writing, we have been looking at lemons this week - firstly what they look like and feel like and then today, what they tasted like! There were some hilarious facial expressions and some very staunch lemon eaters who decided to eat the flesh and the skin. Lots of great writing from this experience. The children have also been writing about bugs and their pets.
Reading continues as per usual. You may notice your child bringing books home this week (some children have had stories glued in their reading books prior) Stories will continue to reflect our current learnings in our structured literacy programme - especially the younger ones in our class. Just a friendly reminder to keep good habits with reading at home and incorporating it into daily life where possible.
I look forward to seeing those families that are able to make it to interviews on Wednesday.
Enjoy time with your family over the weekend
Sarah McLean & Jill Robb
Room Tui
HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPIENTS
Due to Mrs Holt being on an online course today the Principal's award recipients will have their Hot Chocolate on Monday.
