School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8
Friday 13th September 2024
Kia ora koutou,
We were thrilled to host the Education Review Office (ERO) over two days last week and showcase the incredible learning and initiatives happening across our school. It was a fantastic opportunity to have ERO experience firsthand the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and community. The visit highlighted not only our strengths but also our continuous drive for improvement and growth.
ERO engaged in various activities during their visit, including classroom observations, where they were able to see our students' enthusiasm for learning and the creative ways our teachers are fostering a love of education. They also met with our Board of Trustees to validate and verify the governance processes in place and the commitment we have to making sure West End School continues to thrive. This provided ERO with insight into the strong leadership and vision guiding us forward.
Discussions about the future direction of our school were another key component of the visit. It was exciting to reflect on our progress while considering the areas we want to focus on in the coming years. The feedback we received from ERO will undoubtedly help us shape our path forward, ensuring we remain a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking school community.
I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone involved in making this visit a success—staff, students, and the wider school whānau. Your support and engagement played a significant role in creating such a positive experience.
Nga mihi,
Upcoming Events
WEEK 9
- Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - All week
- EPIC Music - Wednesday 18th September
- West End School Dance Festival Prelim dances - Wednesday 18th September
- EPro8 Interschool Tournament - Wednesday 18th September (from 4pm - 8pm)
- PIHIPIHINGĀ VIBE Assembly - Friday 20th September (2pm)
WEEK 10
- Best Me Talent Show Rehearsal - Monday 23rd September
- West End School Dance Festival FINALS - Tuesday 24th September
- EPIC Music - Wednesday 25th September
- BEST ME TALENT SHOW - Friday 27th September
- END OF TERM 3 - Friday 27th September
TERM 4: WEEK 1
- First day of Term 4 - Monday 14th October
Tipuranga
Room 16
In Room 16, we read the story of Tangiia and the Sea Turtle, and learned about the onu (sea turtle) guiding Tangiia to Raratonga. We used our mana aotūroa to create sea turtles by painting coffee filters with watercolour to create a visual effect for their shells. We also read The Smallest Turtle by Lynley Dodd, and used this story to inspire our writing.
Room 17 - Shape Monsters
In Room 17 we have been learning about 2d shapes. We learnt about the attributes of the shapes and how we can find shapes in our world.
Puāwaitanga
Room 10
Today we had a visit from the Awapuni Library’s librarians, Laura and Amy.
Laura and Amy came to have a look at what we have been doing in our Book Buds booklets. They were very impressed with the standard of presentation and how many books we had read.
Laura and Amy brought us prizes, they were awesome! Our favourite thing was being able to choose our very own book to take home. We were very spoilt!
Book Buds have been an exciting part of the reading programme in Rūma Tekau this term. We are a bit sad that we have finished, but LOVE our visit from Laura and Amy. Thank you for the fabulous gifts and prizes.
All classes at Te Kura O Urumutu (West End School) are participating in Book Buds. Everyone will have a visit from Laura and Amy over the rest of this term.
Te Wao Nui o Tāne
In Term 4, Te Wao Nui O Tane focused on writing and delivering speeches about their chosen Olympian. Every student participated and demonstrated great confidence in their presentations. On Thursday, September 12th, we held our finals in the school hall. The finalists impressed the judges with their memorisation, expressive hand gestures, and clear delivery in front of a large audience.
Our judging panel, made up of both students and staff, engaged in thoughtful deliberation over the competition. In Year 5, Sage (Room 3) emerged as the winner, with Samuel (Room 5) as the runner-up. For the Year 6 competition, Lloyd (Room 4) claimed first place, with Roya (Room 2) close behind as the runner-up.
This was the first year that our senior students have written and delivered speeches, and we look forward to further growing academic competitions in the senior school.
Senior Camp Information
Timeline
Week 10, Term 3, 13th September Health Forms to be completed online.
Week 1, Term 4 , 31st October, Parent help evening. All camp information to be given regarding expectations.
T.W.N.O.T Senior Camp Health Forms for students
Please find attached the student health form for T.W.N.O.T camp, all children are required to have one of these filled out in order to attend. If the health form shows anything that you believe needs further discussion, please contact your classroom teacher. We would like all of these filled out before the end of Week 10.
Please fill out our Google Form
EPro8 Interschool Competition next week
Last week, we held our Internal Competition for Epro8. We had 5 teams from each of our senior classes spend 2 hours to build either a working reclining chair, a movie theatre, or a moving buzzy bee. It was a tight competition, but we had 2 winning teams who will represent West End School next week at College Street Normal school. This competition starts at 4pm and whānau are welcome. Congratulations to all students who represented our class.
Our 2 winning teams are Mahuru and The Four Einsteins.
West End School Dance Festival
This is a Student Council initiative where after talking to the students and getting feedback on how to make West End an even cooler place to be, they wanted to have more whole school fun events and more competitions to explore our passions and practice our Mana Aotūroa and Whakamana.
Whānau welcome to both events! Here is our timetable!
Wednesday 18th September in our School Hall
Tipuranga: 9.30am - 10.30am
Puāwaitanga: 11am - 11.40am
Te Wao Nui o Tāne: 11.45am - 12.20pm
Finals on Tuesday 24th at 1.30pm.
The Best Me Talent Show
We will hold this on the last Friday of Term 3. We have our acts locked in and we look forward to showcasing a wide range of amazing performances to celebrate the end of the term. If your child is performing, please remember to keep fine tuning their act, and your child needs music for their act, to send it through to Mr Minchin.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori next week
Pihipihingā will be hosting our VIBE Assembly next week to wrap up our mahi with Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Sports at West End
Term 4 Sports Registrations continue in the following sports:
- Indoor Futsal
- Summer Football
- Touch
- Hockey
Ricoh Sports Tournament - We have a confirmed new date for the Ricoh Sports on the 26th of September. The other details for the sports tournament roll over from the original tournament.
Mobile Dental Clinic at West End
A Mobile Dental Unit will be visiting West End School from Monday, 26 August 2024 (operational Tuesday – Thursday) to examine and provide preventative treatment (cleaning, fissure sealants, x-rays and fluoride treatment) where required for patients due for their annual check.
Students requiring further treatment, (fillings and extractions) will be sent an information pamphlet, medical history update form and consent form. These will need to be signed and returned to either the Mobile or the school office before any treatment is undertaken.
If parents have any concerns or wish to be present at their child’s dental appointment please contact us on either of the numbers below.
Regards from the Dental Team
Telephone 027 4440085/0800 825 583
PTA EVENTS
On tonight!!!
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
Term Dates 2025
Term 1: Wednesday 29 January – Friday 11 April
Term 2: Monday 28 April – Friday 27 June
Term 3: Monday 14 July – Friday 19 September
Term 4: Monday 6 October – Friday 12 December
Community Notices
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
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
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465