Friday 28th August 2026 Newsletter
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Friday 28th August 2026
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Kia Ora Parents & Whānau,
Tuesday marked our first ever Uruguay Day at Balfour School. Students gathered around the flagpole and listened respectfully to the Uruguayan National Anthem, enjoying the chance to learn about another culture. We are very grateful to Alfonsina’s parents, who kindly came in with traditional Uruguayan food for everyone to try. The barbecued pork and lamb were a hit, and the torta frita with dulce de leche was especially popular. Torta frita is a sweet fried bread traditionally eaten on rainy afternoons, which made it perfect for Wednesday’s weather.
On Thursday, some of our students headed off for a ski trip to The Remarkables. A big thank you to Julia Duff for organising this wonderful experience for our tamariki.
Korimako are off enjoying the ki-o-rahi tournament today at Waikaia School - more about this next week.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Mihi mahana,
Andrea Holt
WINTER SICKNESS
As you may know, communities across New Zealand are experiencing high rates of winter illnesses. We understand that some parents have been finding it tricky to know when their child is well enough to attend school and when an unwell child should be at home. Please read online the guidance provided by Health New Zealand:
CLOSING SCHOOL GATES
For the safety of all children, our gates to the school grounds must remain closed at all times. Recently, gates have been found propped open, which poses a significant risk. Please do not leave the gate open under any circumstances. Always ensure it closes securely behind you. Thank you for prioritising the safety of our students.
BUSES - PLEASE READ
EVERYDAY WE ARE MAKING PHONE CALLS AND HOLDING UP BUS RUNS BECAUSE WE ARE UNSURE OF BUS CHANGES.
PLEASE, PLEASE, ADVISE US BEFORE BUS TIME IF YOUR CHILD IS OFF THE BUS OR GOING WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHEN AN AFTER SCHOOL EVENT HAS ENDED AND YOUR CHILD IS BACK ON THE BUS.
BUS FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPLETE THE FORM IN FULL FOR THE NEW TERM. PLEASE SEND THEM BACK TO THE OFFICE.
EVERY CHILD WILL BE SENT ON THEIR USUAL BUS OR WALK HOME UNLESS WE HAVE HEARD OTHERWISE.
ABSENCES - PLEASE READ
If your child is going to be absent from school can you please phone us or message us on Hero before 9.15 that morning with the reason for their absence. It is a Ministry requirement that we are contacted by this time and that we have a reason to code it to. It uses vaulable Admin time having to contact parents.
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS - TERM 3
Mon 14th - Fri 18th September - Maori Language Week
Wednesday 16th September - Parent Teacher Interviews
TERM DATES 2026
Wednesday 16th September. - Parent/Teacher Interviews
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
BOARD MEETING DATES FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR
TERM 3 TERM 4
9th September 7.00pm 28th October - 7.00pm
2nd December - 7.00pm
KORIMAKO - There has been plenty happening both inside and outside the classroom this week. In English, students explored Haiku poetry, learning about its unique structure and using descriptive language to create their own poems. They have also continued completing the Daily Writing Challenge in Writer’s Toolbox, which is giving them regular opportunities to develop their ideas and writing skills.
In Mathematics, our Statistics learning continued with a focus on bar graphs and line graphs. Students have been learning how to create these graphs and interpret the information they display.
Today, our class is travelling to Waikaia School for the Ki-o-Rahi tournament and fundraiser. The children have been looking forward to the day and are excited to put their skills into practice while representing our school.
A few students from our class also took part in the ski trip this week and had the opportunity to enjoy a great outdoor experience.
It has certainly been a week filled with learning, sport, and new experiences. We hope the children enjoy a well-earned break over the weekend and return ready for Week 7.
Ngā mihi,
Anish Krishna
Korimako Class Teacher
PIWAKAWAKA Kia ora,
This week in Piwakawaka we have been learning about human bones. Speak Life is a song we know from memory. Stu Brown is visiting tomorrow. I hope that we will play a soccer game. We put up a Uruguay flag as part of Uruguay Day.
Jordie Wairau.
This week in Piwakawaka we have been learning about bones. We built a skeleton on the wall.
Ms. Fin. has been reading Wind in the Willows and Ms. Fin lets us colour in pictures as part of Wind in the Willows. My class has been saying a poem, I know the poem off by heart. I hope the ski trip will be fun in Queenstown. We have been learning Speak Life and my class knows it off by heart. We have been doing worksheets in math and writing about Mr. Badger.
Ava Weatherall.
Kia ora koutou,
We are also learning about Ancient Egypt, and multiples in math. This term we are focusing on having a think when we are stuck. That is, we try to think through a problem and solve it before we go to someone for help. We are also focusing on having a quiet learning space where every one can have their own think/concentration bubble. We show respect and care when we allow others to continue with their work and do not pop their bubble with chatter when they are working.
Nga mihi
Judy Finlayson.
Piwakawaka Class Teacher
TUI
Kia ora Whānau,
As I write this newsletter update, I am sure there are some whanau running around getting yellow items for Daffodil Day, me included! We will be looking at the significance of daffodil day and what it means to us; an art/craft activity and some writing around Daffodil tomorrow. (Friday)
Maths: we have continued exploring fractions. From being able to recognise ½ and ¼, sharing objects evenly to making halves/quarters with shapes and also representing fractions on a number line with the older students.
Writing: We have had a variety of topics to practice our writing skills this week. A big hit was the Robot writing and art work. We also looked at writing about popcorn using our 5 senses, (which ties in with our science). Lastly we will be doing some daffodil writing on Friday. We have been focusing on making sure our sentences start with capital letters, end in full stops, have finger spaces, make sense and contain a who and a do.
Reading: We continue to build on our reading skills. We are making some small changes to groups as we complete some small assessments to make sure everyone is reading at a level that is best for them.
iDeal: Structured literacy. Your child's current concept aligns with their homework words. We continue to learn our sounds as they align with the concepts. Also knowing the names of the letters too.
Our afternoons have seen us doing handwriting, money, exploring our 5 senses and work on production (painting our waka), shared stories.
Just reminding families that library day is on Friday, please remember to return library books so your child can get new books.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ngā mihi, Sarah McLean & Jill Robb
Room Tui Kaiako
NATIONAL URUGUAY DAY
On Tuesday we celebrated National Uruguay Day. We raised the Uruguay flag and played their National Anthem. Pictured below is Alfonsina with Mr Krishna raising the flag and Alfonsina's Mum and Dad bought us in some beautiful very tasty Uraguan food to share with Korimako on Wednesday.
DAFFODIL DAY FUNDRAISER
Today we have been participating in Daffodil Day and have all come dressed in or accessorised in yellow to support this very worthy cause. Thank you to all those who were able to send money along to be forwarded on to The Southland Cancer Society. Due to Room Korimako being in Waikaia we just have photos of Piwakawaka and Tui dressed in their yellow.
SKIING TRIP
Some of our students attended a ski trip on Thursday organised through Lumsden School.
