page background

School Newsletter Term 1, Week 3

Friday 16th February 2024

School NewsletterTerm 1, Week 3Friday 16th February 2024

Kia ora West End whānau


Our first BOT meeting of the year was extremely positive, marked by robust discussions and forward-thinking initiatives. We primarily focused on four key areas: strategic planning, property assessment, budget and policy review.


Together, we delved into the intricacies of our strategic plan, outlining our goals and aspirations for the upcoming months. We're committed to fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence, holistic growth, and inclusive community engagement while focussing on getting the most impact for our children and staff from our budget.


Comprehensive assessments of our school's property were conducted, ensuring that our facilities continue to meet the evolving needs of our students and staff. We're dedicated to maintaining a safe, inspiring learning environment for all.


The review and refinement of school policies were paramount in ensuring alignment with current educational standards and best practices. Transparency and accountability remain at the forefront of our endeavours.


I am also looking ahead to our first PTA meeting scheduled for Monday, the 19th February. It presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with families, caregivers, and the wider whanau. The support and enthusiasm demonstrated by our community is such an asset to our kura. Juices sales are underway and our wonderful volunteer team ensures our students have a healthy breakfast to start the day is yet another great dynamic to add to our community feel.


It's been so pleasing to witness the vibrant interactions between families, whanau, students, and staff members before, during, and after school hours. Your active participation and dedication to our shared educational journey are immensely valued and appreciated. An example of this was the incredible turn out to our first kai korero hosted by Whaea Karen and Whaea Vicki. This was another example of our community wanting to focus on providing the very best for our Akonga. I can’t wait to continue to connect and deepen my relationships with all our invested whānau at Te Kura o Urumutu.


It's also been immensely gratifying to see our students' unwavering eagerness to learn and grow. Their enthusiasm and curiosity serve as a constant reminder of the profound impact of education on young minds. Together, we're shaping a bright and promising future for our students.


Nga Mihi,

Tony West

Principal - Tumuaki

West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu

Sci-Fri has started!

Dr A has started teaching our science lessons throughout the school. Te Wao Nui o Tāne are learning about animal communities, Puāwaitanga are learning about insects with a focus on the life cycle of a cicada, and Tipuranga will be discovering their passions and asking big questions that will guide their learning. A huge thank you to Dr A for coming in to share her passion, love and vast knowledge of science with our kura.

VIBE Assembly next Thursday

We will be having our very first VIBE Assembly of the year on Thursday (22nd February). We will be having it in the hall and will start at 1.45. All whānau are welcome. Our senior students from Te Wao Nui o Tāne will be running this assembly. Please check our Upcoming Events section of the newsletter for the other VIBE Assembly dates.

Pihipihingā Kaitahi last night

zoom_out_map

Last night, our Pihipihingā team (made up of Room 1 and 2 tamariki and their whānau) met together last night and shared kai, shared ideas and talked about the special year ahead for our kura. There was a fantastic turnout and we appreciate the support and help we received. We look forward to working closely with our West End community through the year.

Do you have our West End School App?

If you do not have our school app on your phone or device, please email dminchin@westend.school.nz and he can send you the link to download our app.


If you already have the app, please click on the alerts, the tick on the top right, and select the teams/clubs/groups that your child is in this year so you can receive all of the information needed throughout the year.


Through our app you are able to view all newsletters, go onto Kindo, report an absence if your child is sick as well as access any important links and information.

Swimming this term

Unfortunately this year we haven't been able to enjoy swimming lessons with Hilton Brown in our swimming pool due to vandalism during the holidays and now there are some repairs being made to the smaller pool. This has been the reason for us postponing our Splash 'N Dash and our Puāwaitanga and Tipuranga lessons. Once these issues are all sorted we will resume normal lessons. We will continue to communicate through our app if swimming is on or not. Thank you for your understanding.

We will be sending reminders of swimming via our school app, but please be aware that


Te Wao Nui o Tāne (Room 2, 3, 4, 5) will swim on Monday,

Puāwaitanga (Room 1, 6, 7, 10 and 11) will swim on Tuesday,

Tipuranga (Room 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) will swim on Wednesday.


Children will need to bring togs, towel, goggles and if your child has long hair it will need to be tied up for swimming.

Room 13 Underwater Portraits

Room 13 has been working hard on some underwater portraits for our Under the Sea themed classroom! We have shown Mana Aotūroa by exploring different techniques such as tracing stencils, free hand drawing, colouring with crayons, and finally dying our art with blue bubbles. We think our art looks great!

Tipuranga data gathering

In rooms 16 and 17 this week, we have been using our whakamana to gather data about how many letters are in each of our names. Once we had collected the data we sorted it by standing in a line next to the number that matched how many letters we had in our names. We used Mana Aotūroa to answer questions, such as 'whose name has the most amount of letters in it?' and 'whose name has the least amount of letters in it?' We created a bar chart of our results.

HOW2 Charitable Trust

Refugee Support - if you are new to Palmerston North

Attached is a link that offers support for refugees to New Zealand. The main purpose is to help with health and education and they coordinate with different organisations to help you adjust to life in Palmerston North e.g counselling, dentist, GP. They also provide support for driving education and support groups for parents. The centre is on the corner of King Street, but please click on the link for more information - or share with a friend who would benefit from this amazing service.

We will be taking orders via Kindo if you want to order Juicies for next Friday.

We will not be accepting cash next week for Juicies.

Upcoming Events

WEEK 4 -

  • PTA Meeting - Monday 19th February (at 6pm)
  • VIBE Assembly (TWNOT led) - Thursday 22nd February - 1.45pm in the school hall


WEEK 5 -

  • Boys in Netball - Tuesday 27th February
  • TWNOT Basketball - Thursday 29th February


WEEK 6 -

  • Boys in Netball - Tuesday 5th March
  • Girls in Football - Wednesday 6th March
  • TWNOT Basketball - Thursday 7th March
  • VIBE Assembly (Puawaitanga led) - Thursday 22nd February - 1.45pm in the school hall


WEEK 7 -

  • Swimming Sports (TBC) - Monday 11th March
  • Interschool Triathlon Champs (TBC) - Thursday 14th March


WEEK 8 -

  • Weetbix Kids Tryathlon - Tuesday 19th March
  • Boys in Netball Festival Day - Tuesday 19th March
  • 3 Way Conferences - Wednesday 20th March - from 3pm
  • 3 Way Conferences - Thursday 21st March - from 1pm
  • VIBE Assembly (Tipuranga led) - Thursday 21st March - 9am in the school hall
  • Mt Biggs Tough Guy/Gal - Friday 22nd March


WEEK 9 -

  • Interschool Swimming Sports - Monday 25th March
  • GOOD FRIDAY (No school) - Friday 29th March


WEEK 10 -

  • EASTER MONDAY (No school) - Monday 1st April
  • EASTER TUESDAY (No school) - Tuesday 2nd April
  • Back to school - Wednesday 3rd April


WEEK 11 -

  • VIBE Assembly (Pihipihingā led) - Thursday 11th April - 1.45pm in the school hall
  • Last Day of Term 1 - Friday 12th April

PE at West End

Term One Sports have begun please ensure you add the sporting tab to your app to get weekly draws.


Touch Rugby: The finalised touch teams will be released Monday as well as coaches please keep an eye out.

zoom_out_map

Weetbix Kids TRYathlon:

The following link directs you to the Weetbix Kids TRYathlon, if you would like to register your child to this please add them to our dashboard.

If you have questions about this event please come directly to Miss Black.

http://raceroster.com/events/2024/79109/palmerston-north-sanitarium-weet-bix-kids-tryathlon/register?team=588310

Term Dates 2024

Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 12 April

Term 2: Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July

Term 3: Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept

Term 4: Monday 14 Oct - Friday 13 Dec

Do you want to unsubscribe from our newsletter?

If your child currently does not attend West End School and you no longer want to keep up to date with the amazing things going on at our kura, at the bottom of this newsletter is an unsubscribe button.

zoom_out_map

If your child is absent from school.

It is really important under the current circumstances you notify the school if your child is absent.


PLEASE DO NOT TXT OR EMAIL THE CLASSROOM TEACHER.

ALL ABSENCES SHOULD BE ADVISED VIA THE OFFICE.


Please remember to advise the office by 8.30am if your child is not attending school.

You can telephone 358-2465 and leave a message or txt 021 118 0156.

ABSENCES CAN ALSO BE SENT EASILY THROUGH OUR SCHOOL APP


In both cases please give a reason for absence.

Thank you.

Kindo Online Shop

zoom_out_map

It is very important that families register with Kindo, as this is now the only way to register your child for school sports, and ordering PTA lunches.
Below are the links to register.
If you require help please call the Kindo helpdesk on

0508 454 636

New users need this link

Existing users need this link

West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Email: office@westend.school.nz
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465