Week 9 Term 4 Panui
Wednesday - 6th December 2023
Contact Us
Email: office@witherlea.school.nz
Website: https://witherlea.school.nz
Location: 214-216 Weld Street, Witherlea, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand
Phone: 64 (03) 578 5568
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/witherleablenheim
Bank Account Details: 12-3167-0133327-00
Principals Message
Kia ora te whanau,
As we approach the end of the 2023 school year, it's with immense pride and gratitude that we reflect on the remarkable achievements we've collectively made throughout the year. The commitment and support from our incredible community have been instrumental in the successes and advancements at Witherlea School this year.
Academic Achievements and Student Success
Our students have shone brightly, showcasing their talents and representing the school in various sporting and cultural events including, Science Fair, Music Festival, Taiopenga, Jump Jam, and academic competitions. Their dedication and hard work have been truly commendable.
We have had a variety of opportunities to take our learning into the local community including camps at Lake Rotoiti and Pine Valley.
Collective efforts to address the post Covid decline in achievement have seen a positive shift in data over the last 12 months as shown in the summary table below.
We are proud to see that all students on the Learning Support Register have made progress this year and thank the Beavertown Lions for generously funding Horse Riding and Music Therapy.
Enhanced Learning Experiences
This year witnessed a significant boost in our educational offerings, notably through the immensely successful STEM Programme, providing enriched curriculum experiences for our learners. We have been fortunate to have been allocated additional staffing for Reading Recovery training and congratulate Aoife O'Shaughnessy on successfully completing this. Aoife and Marion have supported 28 students with their reading through targeted support programmes. All of the students who have exited the Reading Recovery programme have achieved 12 months progress in 20 weeks. We are excited to have secured ongoing resourcing for the Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support programmes along with two additional Ministry funded interventions for 2024 to support more children to achieve curriculum expectations.
We have achieved measurable gains this year against our strategic goals and are in the process of finalising plans for the 2024-2025 planning cycle. I look forward to seeing the launch of the Positive Behaviour for Learning framework in 2024 alongside the introduction of a school wide ‘house system’ to celebrate achievement more broadly and promote a family like feel within the school community. We will also refine and implement a school wide spelling programme inspired by new learning in the last 18 months.
Facilities and Infrastructure Upgrades
Our school infrastructure has undergone notable enhancements, from room refurbishments and repainting to addressing water damage, bolstering security measures and creating new shade zones. Additional improvements in the pipeline, including playground upgrades and accessibility enhancements over the summer break.
Financial and Organisational Progress
We've remained fiscally responsible, performing well against the budget and strengthening our financial standing compared to FY23. The establishment of the Health & Safety Committee has significantly improved workplace safety, aligning practice with current policy and legislation.
Community Engagement and Support
The formation of the Friends of Witherlea, achieving financial independence and charitable status, stands as a testament to our community's unwavering support. Through successful fundraising events, we've raised $36,000 for the school, empowering us to make significant enhancements to our playgrounds.
It was great to have our first Whānau Hui this term to discuss Māori aspirations and expectations for Witherlea School. We are committed to running termly meetings throughout 2024 to build on this conversation and develop a plan to sustain and enhance equitable and excellent outcomes for our Māori learners.
Staffing Update
Thank you to our amazing team of highly dedicated staff who have been so instrumental in the successes highlighted above.
Special thanks to Sue Homes who has come out of retirement to work in the Pūkeko class during the last term.
We farewell Courtney Haley-Stewart and Phoebe Quirk and thank them for their contribution to our school. We also farewell our esteemed Deputy Principal, Phil Funnell. Special thanks for your exceptional dedication and advocacy to achieve more equitable outcomes for our students. We wish you all well in your future endeavours.
New staff members Holly Siemonek (Y2 teacher) and Jacqui Stenson (Deputy Principal) will be welcomed to the school community at our first assembly in the new year.
Your child’s/children’s class placement for 2024 will be announced on Friday and communicated to you as part of the end of year progress and achievement report. I am pleased to confirm the school structure for 2024 in the tables below.
Farewells
Thank you to our Year 6 graduates, for your service, the memories we have shared and the unique contributions you've made to our school. We hope above all we have instilled in you the characteristics of our school motto and that you take these forward with you. We wish you well for your future and challenge you to be bold, courageous and to give your best as you take this next step in life's journey. Go forward with the knowledge that we are immensely proud of you all!
I wish you all a safe and happy summer break!
Ngā manaakitanga,
Symon Beattie
Principal
Welcome to Witherlea School
We wish to welcome these new students and their families and whānau to our school and community;
Isaac F, Elijah F, Ronak P, Myles C
Welcome to School Certificates are given out at our assembly on a Monday morning at 9am.
Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Shoutouts
Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Shoutouts
Congratulations to these students who have displayed one or all of our school behaviour expectations and are a model to others;
FERNS TEAM
Eva A - being an amazing role model to Room 6 and to others. You are always willing to assist your classmates and respect and cooperate in a fair way with everyone
Finn L - For always being an inclusive, caring, thoughtful friend. Finn, you are such an asset to our classroom and I am so lucky to be your teacher. Don't change, you are just perfect the way you are!
Amonia H - always being a shining example of the 'Witherlea Way' values. You consistently role model how to show Aroha (compassion) and thought to your classmates. Our classroom is that much brighter for having you in it! Ka Rawe Amonia!
KOWHAI TEAM
Evalyn H - the way you live and breathe our school motto. You are incredibly kind to everyone, you show fairness and you make our classroom a safe and happy place to learn. You are a fantastic role model to others.
Ruby L - For always treating everyone fairly and celebrating other people's success. You are a positive, caring friend Ruby. Keep being you!
Archie P - Archie always shows our Witherlea motto in the classroom and playground. He is kind to all those around him, shows care for our environment. Archie ensures children feel safe, taking risks encouraging them to have a go. He is fair to all, a true Witherela kid! Kei whea mai Archie!
KAURI TEAM
Ollie S - Ollie, your integrity and initiative has blossomed this term. I am immensely proud of the leader you are becoming and the way you selflessly put those around you before yourself. Keep being recognised for the right reasons and being a positive influence to others. You are a star!
Cristina F - For going above and beyond in all that you do at Witherlea. You have had many great accomplishments this year, keep up the amazing performance for the rest of the year & beyond.
Hugo F - all that you continue to contribute to Witherlea School through your exceptional leadership and academic capabilities in class and our community. You live and breath our motto!
The awards are for recognition in displaying and modelling our school motto and values; Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair.
Ki O Rahi
Ki O Rahi Tournament
On Tuesday, we went to the Ki O Rahi tournament at Redwoodtwon School and played four games. We won one of our games, and it was fun. The hardest game we played was the first game, and they were the Mayfield team because we lost by eight. Thank you to Fred (my grandad) Mr Johnson and Mr Stephens for everything that you have done for coaching us.
By Roman H - Room 18 Year 5
Marlborough Athletics
Congratulations to the following students who placed at the Marlborough Athletics this week.
Tayla K - 2nd Year 4 girls 60m Sprint
Rydah E - 3rd Year 6 boys 100m Sprint
Ryan B - 1st Year 6 boys 200m Sprint
Madi J - 1st Year 6 girls Long Jump and 3rd Year 6 girls High Jump
Freddie H - 1st Year 6 boys Long Jump
Zene W - 2nd Year 4 girls Shotput
Amelia E - 3rd Year 5 girls Shotput
Harry D - 1st Year 4 boys Discus
Charlotte M - 1st Year 6 girls Discus
Witherlea School - 1st Year 6 Relay
Message from Room 6
Room 6 is full of caring Year 2's. We are learning all about our School's current value; compassion. We know compassion means to be kind and helpful to others. Alongside the Fern's team we are also looking at celebrations. We discovered all celebrations involve people and most celebrations involve food. Our teacher told us that unfortunately, some people go without food at Christmas. So our classroom is showing compassion by collecting food to gift to the local foodbank. Then as a class we came up with the idea to make this better, by asking the whole school to help us. Mrs Robertson said we needed to write letters to Mr Beattie asking if we could share this idea at Assembly. After meeting with Mr Beattie and reading him some of our letters, he said we definitely needed to ask the whole school to show what a compassionate bunch we can be. So can you please, please help us show the less fortunate people of Blenheim how kind we are, and help them to have a fabulous Christmas too? Please bring an item of food to Room 6 before Thursday the 14th of December.
Thank you so very much.
From Room 6 and Mrs Robertson
Room 8 and Room 9 had a fantastic time at Pine Valley camp!
Stationery Packs 2024
Stationery packs for 2024 from Paper Plus will be available from the 10th of January.
2024 Term Dates
Term 1 - Thursday 1st February - Friday 12th April
Term 2 - Monday 29th April - Friday 5th July
Term 3 - Monday 22nd July - Friday 27th September
Term 4 - Monday 14th October - Wednesday 18th December
SSFI Marlborough Christmas Giving Tree
This year we are supporting SSFI who support families with their children starting school. Below is a list of items that they would appreciate for their Christmas appeal to help more families in 2024.
If you are able to contribute to this cause, please bring unwrapped new items to the office foyer to put under our Christmas tree.
List of Items
Family Game
Gift/Toy (for the Child) – to suit 5yr-old
Lunch box and/or drink bottle
Outdoor activity
Party supplies – paper plates or napkins etc
Reading/Activity books
School Bag/Backpack
School Hat - navy or black wide brim or bucket
Shoes – sizes 9-13 (preferably Velcro)
Shorts, Skirt or Skort navy or black sizes 5-6
Shower Proof parka navy or black sizes 5-8
Small gift for siblings (ages new-born to teenage)
Socks size 9-12 or underwear sizes 4-6 or 6-8 (boys or girls)
Stationery – pencil case, colouring pencils or felts, erasers, pencil sharpeners
Sweatpants or leggings navy or black sizes 5-6
Swimwear – togs & rashies girls or boys size 5-6, towels, goggles, swim bags.
We thank you for your support towards this.
Junk Shed
Kia ora whanau,
With the school year coming to a rapid close, it is time to start thinking about next year! The Junk Shed is a great place for students to find crafty supplies for their creations and projects. If you have anything you would like to donate to the Junk shed for 2024 please could you bring it all in during the last couple of weeks of Term so that Room 17 can restock! Supplies can come straight to Room 17 or to the Office. Below are some examples and requests of things teachers and students would love to get restocked for next year.
Thanks in advance,
Miss Rachel Earle (Room 17 Teacher).
Junk Shed List:
Egg cartons
Buttons
Cotton
Wool
Yoghurt containers (clean)
Corks
Ice cream containers
News papers
Rolls (glad wrap, foil, baking paper etc)
The Mistletoe Bay Trust wishes you and your whānau a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year as the school year comes to a close.
Our self-catered whare (cabins) and camp sites are available for rent over the summer holidays – with easy access by water taxi, private boat or a relaxed walk in on the Queen Charlotte Track.
Tui, weka, glow worms and other native flora and fauna are abundant on the whenua, and the sheltered bay is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Every cent the Trust receives helps provide opportunities for all Marlborough School children to have a unique educational experience in the Marlborough Sounds.
Witherlea Taekwon-Do
FREE classes for Witherlea School Students
Monday 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Wednesday 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Witherlea School Hall
Contact Instructor Aaron Falvey 027 380 5814 or contact us through our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/witherleatkd