Waikari School Newsletter

Confident, Curious & Respectful Kids

Email: principal@waikari.school.nz
Website: https://waikari.school.nz
Location: 23 Princes Street, Waikari, New Zealand
Phone: (03)314 4250

Kia ora e te whānau,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and that you are enjoying the long weekend. It's been an exciting time at our school, filled with achievements and learning experiences.

A big thank you to Marie Black for speaking to us about the skills and strengths of an effective leader. The Kea class has been exploring this topic, as they are looking into what it takes to be a student leader.

Marie taught us that a leader;

• gives back to those around them,
• problem-solves effectively,
• shows and gives respect to others,
• admits when they don't have all the answers,
• builds positive relationships.

Kea class will continue with their leadership mahi as they discuss what student leaders at Waikari school will be responsible for and what skills and strengths they will need.

Congratulations are in order for all the students who participated in the Hurunui Athletics event. We've received incredibly positive feedback about the behaviour and sportsmanship displayed by our Waikari students. A special mention goes to Shakaiyah and Max, who have been selected to represent Hurunui at Canterbury Athletics.

Our dedicated teachers are currently working through assessments, and we are excited to share that the End of Year Reports will be sent home on Thursday, 14th December. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the progress and achievements of our students.

Today, during our Teacher Only Day, our teachers will explore the Curriculum Refresh. Planning for the upcoming year is well underway, ensuring that we continue to provide the best learning experiences for our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and let's finish the year strong!

Ngā Mihi Nui,

Phoebe Todd

Principal | Tuamuki

Waikari School

Below is an extract from our school policy's referring to before and after school supervision; we have noticed that some students are staying late afterschool and just want to ensure students safety.

Students should arrive at school and leave school at reasonable times unless they are involved in supervised school activities. For student safety, we ask parents/caregivers to ensure that their child arrives at school after 8.30 am and you have picked them up by 3.15 pm unless different arrangements have been previously agreed for that day.

If students need help to contact their parents/caregivers or emergency contacts after school, the school takes responsibility for their care until an appropriate arrangement is made. In exceptional circumstances, this may include contacting the police, and/or Oranga Tamariki.

Due to the cancellation of our visit to Adrenalin Forest and no hydroslides going at QEII Swimming Pool, we are reducing the Kea Camp to $100 per child. Unfortunately these events were out of our hands, but rest assured we still packed in lots of activities.

If you have already paid the $135 - your account will be in credit and roll over to next year. Anyone paying from now till the end of year - please pay $100 per child.

Your child will have received an 'Access Code' from PhotoLife so that you can visit their website to view all of your child's photos for ordering. Go to the https://photolife.co.nz/ website to put your orders in. We can confirm that all orders received before 26th November will be free delivery.

Students were given the Scholastic Book Club brochure last week. Remember to get your orders in early if you want them to arrive before Christmas. To order visit: https://scholastic.co.nz/LOOP

See below a calendar of events until the end of the year. If you would like to print it follow the link below.

CLICK HERE

Please return your cups/trophies to school as soon as possible. We will need to have them with the engraver soon so that they are ready for the end of the year prize giving ceremony.

Last Thursday we were very lucky to have a visit from our very own Mayor - Marie Black. She came to our school and gave a really inspirational talk on leadership within our community and leadership from a woman's perspective. The children were really interested in her journey to becoming a mayor and her leadership style.

Four lucky children got to be in the hot seat and were asked the most important question. "If you were Mayor for a day - what would you do?"

A big thank you to Mayor Marie Black - from Waikari School

Take a look at this cool art that Emily R, Breanna and Millie created as part of their investigation surrounding the two books - The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom. Thank you to some of the Keas for helping put the artwork together.

Silhouette art based around the books - Room on the Broom and the Gruffalo.

The Keas have been honing their narrative writing skills - in particular looking at 'Show Don't Tell'. This is where you don't tell the reader exactly what is happening - rather you infer the same information with detailed description and allow the reader to conjure up a picture in their mind. They learned that it is much more fun for writer as well as more fun for the reader. Here are a couple of fun sentence examples:

Instead of Joe was old. Amelia wrote-

Joe had creases and lines criss-crossing his face. His back was hunched and he used a rusty walking frame. His hair was sticking up like a white furry coconut.

Instead of The pig was dirty. Macy wrote-

The fat pink curly tailed mammal was slathered in brown slop. It was no longer pink.

Instead of The fireworks were good. Tom wrote-

I watched the fireworks sparkle as they shot way up into the sky. I smelt the gunpowder in the air and saw the gleaming faces of the by standers in the night sky.

Do you ask your kids how their day was? Are you met with groans and mumbles? Try shaking it up and asking questions that might get a deeper answer. Have a look at the poster below for examples.

Check out these peeps who have received a certificate in the past fortnight.

Also, look at what they are holding.... A FULL RESPECT JAR.

We are excited to announce that our fun 'reward' afternoon will take place on Tuesday 21st November.

Students have chosen to have a fun afternoon< which includes:

• Mufti Day
• Slip n Slide down the hill
• Sports & Art Clubs

Make sure you pack the swimming togs, towel and some warm clothes for the slip n slide.

Can you model how to be an active listener at home?

At times we can be busy and actively listening disappears, see if you can catch yourself and model being an active listener.

Absences

• If your child is not going to be at school please contact the school before 9:00am.

School Bank Account

• Automatic payments are also welcome (weekly & fortnightly) and our Student Management system can also handle Payments in Advance.

School App

• Reminder to check Skoolloop regularly so see any updates from the teachers and the office.

Office Hours

• School office will be manned by Caryn from 9-9:30 and 1:30-3:00

Break Times

• 10:45-11:10 Morning Tea
• 12:45-1:20 Lunch

Have a look below at our draft Strategic Plan for 2024-2025. If you have any feedback please feel free to ring Phoebe or send me an email.

• Waikari School uses SchoolDocs to maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date set of policies and procedures online. These policies and procedures follow guidelines and legislation and best practice, and have been tailored for our school.
• Policies being reviewed this term are:

Curriculum and Student Achievement Policy

Student Achievement/Assessment Policy

Home Learning

Distance Learning

Identify Learning Support

Religious Instruction/Religious Education

• You can use the SchoolDocs website to participate in a review. https://waikari.schooldocs.co.nz/Logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

Username: waikari

Password: pride

We as a B.O.T really value your feedback.

• Tuesday 21st November - Respect Jar (bring your togs)
• Thursday 23rd November - Diabetes Awareness Day (Mufti Day)
• Friday 24th November - Ballet - Christchurch
• Thursday 23rd & 30th November - North Canterbury Cricket Skills
• Monday 4th December - Top Teams Competition
• Wednesday 6th December - Singing at Waikari Hospital
• Monday 11th December - Big Day Out
• Thursday 14th December - End of Year Prizegiving

Join us to support Diabetes NZ. This cause is very special to Waikari School with our very own Diabetes Superstar - Rosie. So come along in anything BLUE (but it doesn't have to be your uniform) and your gold coin donation. This is a great way for us to spread awareness of this condition which affects between 15,000 and 20,000 New Zealanders.

Families from the Community are invited to join our annual Community Preschoolers Christmas Party/Meri Kirihimete

• Rāpare/Thursday 30th November
  10am-12pm
• 10am-12pm
• at Sunflowers Preschool
• 45 Seymour Street Hawarden

Bring a small plate of kai to share for morning tea and a named $5 “Secret Santa” gift for you own tamariki.
Hosted by Hawarden-Waikari Playgroup and Sunflowers Preschool

Childrens Surfing Programme.

Learn the skills of Surfing in a fun, safe environment. All equipment provided and professional instruction from Aaron Lock and team. For kids 8 - 14 years.
Sundays 10am to 12pm.
Dec / Jan Holidays : from 19th Dec, 10am -12pm
Cost $35 per day or $165 for five lessons. Bookings essential.
Venue :Sumner.
Call Aaron on 0800 80 SURF (7873) or book online at surfcoach.co.nz/book