Thursday 20th August 2026 Newsletter
- Aug 20
- 6 min read
Thursday 20th August 2026
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Kia Ora Parents & Whānau,
It has been lovely to see how settled and engaged our Tui students have been this week. The classroom has had a calm, purposeful feel to it, and the children have slipped back into routines with confidence. Mrs Robb hit the ground running on Monday and Tuesday, getting straight into learning programmes and keeping everyone busy and focused. The students responded really well and made great progress.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Mrs McLean stepped in with her usual cheerful, smiley presence, and the children were quick to settle into her rhythm too. It’s been great to see them adapting so positively to the changes in staffing this week and continuing to enjoy their learning.
We welcomed Stu Brown from Active Southland, who has been working with the children on developing a range of sporting skills. These sessions are always a highlight — lots of movement, teamwork, and confidence‑building. Stu brings a great energy, and the students and staff benefit hugely from his expertise.
Looking ahead to next Friday, we are hoping to take the Korimako class to Waikaia School for a ki‑o‑rahi tournament. At the moment, we don’t have enough transport to get everyone there and back. If you are able to help with even one of the trips, it would make a big difference and allow us to take part. Parents do not need to stay for the day, although you are very welcome to if you’d like to watch the games. Students are asked to take a few dollars in cash as there will be games, activities and food to purchase - all in aid of Daffodil Day.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Mihi mahana,
Andrea Holt
WELCOME
Kassandra and Van have been officially welcomed in our newsletter 2 weeks ago but were both away for that assembly and with no assembly last week have been presented with their welcome certificates today.
Van was absent for the photo.
PRINCIPALS AWARD RECIPIENTS
Everly - for delivering an excellent speech with confidence and enthusiasm.
Harrison - for working really hard to step up into leadership roles in Tui and being a positive role model.
George - for being an exceptional leader by completing your duty as it needed doing throughout the day without being reminded at all.
CLASS CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS
Evie - for setting a great example through respectful and honest behaviour.
Sienna - for listening carefully to instructions and producing some good writing.
Marcos - for completing high-quality work and confidently taking on extension tasks.
Thinuli - for working really hard to learn all your sounds with confidence.
Thea - you are starting to write interesting stories on your own! Well done.
Jordie - listening carefully to instructions and producing some good writing.
SPEECHES
Donnalily - 3rd place
Ayaansh - highly commended
Billy - 2nd place
Hazel - 1st place
Charlie - highly commended
Albie - 2nd place
Hugo - 1st place
Harvey - 3rd place
Ava - highly commended
Everly - for being placed to attend the speech finals
Pippa - for being placed to attend the speech final
BIRTHDAYS
Happy birthday wishes this week to Elise, Xavier, Kadin & Van (not pictured). We hope you had a fun birthday celebration.
DAFFODIL DAY FUNDRAISER
On Friday 28th August we are participating in Daffodil Day NZ. If you are able, can you please send a cash donation to school with your child. Also in support of this fundraiser they can dress in something yellow or accessorise in yellow. Thank you in advance for this very worthy fundraiser.
REMINDER TEACHER ONLY DAY
Tomorrow we are having a teacher Only Day so there will no school for students. The Teachers will be participating in Maths training.
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.
ASSEMBLY NEXT WEEK.
Due to Korimako's class trip next Friday there will be no Assembly.
BUSES
EVERYDAY WE ARE MAKING PHONE CALLS AND HOLDING UP BUS RUNS BECAUSE WE ARE UNSURE OF BUS CHANGES.
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
If your child is going to be absent from school can you please phone 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.
CHOCOLATE BAR ORDERS
As in last weeks newsletter. Since sending home the order forms for the chocolate fundraiser, we have found out they don't sell the individual flavoured bars separately . We have to order them by the mixed box. We will collate the orders and hopefully be able to full the orders for individual flavours out of mixed boxes.
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS - TERM 3
Friday 21st August - Teacher Only Day
TERM DATES 2026
Friday 21st August. - Teacher Only Day
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
HERO COMMUNICATIONS APP
Just a reminder to please download Hero onto your preferred device as this will be our main way of communicating. Please advise us if you do not have good reception for your device at your house. Any questions please contact the office.
KORIMAKO - Week 5 has been another active week of learning. In English, students have explored different forms of poetry, including Acrostic and Cinquain poems. They have also been working on a longer piece of narrative writing in Writer’s Toolbox, creating an exciting scary story and using their writing skills to build suspense and engage the reader.
In Mathematics, we have introduced our new Statistics topic. Students particularly enjoyed taking their learning outdoors for a statistics investigation, where they collected data, identified frequencies, and represented their findings using dot plots.
Next Friday, our class will be travelling to Waikaia for Ki-o-Rahi, and we are looking forward to an enjoyable day of participation, teamwork, and physical activity.
We kindly ask parents and caregivers to continue supporting learning at home through online homework, regular reading, spelling practice, and work set in the PR1ME Maths books. Regular practice at home, together with the learning happening at school, can make a big difference to each child's confidence and progress. By working together, we can help our students achieve their best.
Thank you for your continued support, and wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend!
Ngā mihi,
Anish Krishna
Korimako Class Teacher
PIWAKAWAKA Kia ora,
This week in Piwakawaka we have been doing maps, planets, spelling and Tongan songs. In Science, we used microscopes to look at marrow, bones and fat. In maths we are doing worksheets about direction (vertical, horizontal, diagonal).
Arthur Moir.
This week in Piwakawaka, we have been doing math with check numbers. Yesterday, we did science about cows. First we looked at bones, then fat through microscopes.
This week it's Tongan Language week and we have been learning songs. We have been doing spelling. We are going to finish our planets. Also we have been colouring our maps about Egypt. Some people are on a different step in maps. Today in maths, we had to do four worksheets then you could play a math game. We have had Kirsty for the day.
Cyra Peralta
Nga mihi
Judy Finlayson.
Piwakawaka Class Teacher
TUI
Kia ora Whānau,
This week in Tui we have been concentrating on setting up good systems around how we run our Reading, Writing and Maths. This will help transitioning between each area smoother.
We are continuing with daily Reading, iDeal, Maths (fractions) and Writing.
We are exploring basic body parts, design and innovation (preparation for production) and economic activity (money etc) in the afternoons. Handwriting and shared stories also to complete our programme. Today we had Stu from Active Southland, incorporating soccer skills through co-operative games . Also focussing on turn taking and sharing, which is something that we have been discussing in Tui through stories and role play.
Ngā mihi, Sarah McLean & Jill Robb
Room Tui Kaiako
JEWELLERY
The items of jewellery that were advertised last week are still in the office. If they are yours or your child's please let us know so we can return them.
