The Connection Week 4 Term 2

This has been a big week for parents and staff as we connect and work together in our reporting of student achievement. I thought I’d make a few comments.

Every school, every Principal, every leader we have spoken with is finding what we have found - post COVID student achievement data is down. We seem to be around 30% less than where we usually would be. There are so many contributing factors here, and no one thing or magic quick fix to recover this lost time and achievement. We do know we will get there, but it will take time and commitment.

Our observations of learning habits, resilience and the tenacity to push on and into learning, also highlights there is considerable work to be done. We are finding rebuilding the learning muscle and learning habits challenging.

Below the surface we see in our children there remains levels of uncertainty and anxiety.

Our strategies in addressing this involve:

• Normalising school as much as we can

• Focussing on acceleration rather than remediation

• Working with parents to lift and address specific needs

• Maximising learning opportunities

• Supporting staff to strengthen further their programmes

We are also delighted to say we have taken a unique step by employing a trained paediatric occupational therapist to work within our school assisting groups who are identifying areas of concern i.e. anxiety. We believe this will be a really significant and helpful option and one I am really proud of our school board for making happen.

Our school is being impacted by staff sickness at the moment. Where staff have not been able to meet for parent teacher interviews we will reschedule times. Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,

John Petrie

Principal

• Tuesday 24th - Friday 27th May - Scholastic Book Fair
• Monday 30th May - Senior Athletics (Year 5 - 8)
• Tuesday 31st May - Junior Athletics (Year 0 - 4)
• Friday 3rd June - Teacher Only Day

Zade (Year 7) says: “Huapai is a great school. The uniform is really comfy and the education is great. I enjoy maths the most and if you need help, you just ask for it and get help.

I like it that at break times we play first and then we eat afterwards. You can make heaps of good friends here.”

Friday 3rd June

Reminder that the school has a teacher only day on Friday 3rd June. This is positioned to allow the option of a longer weekend with Queens Birthday on Monday 6th June. This day will be used by staff for planning and assessments.

This year our athletics days are being held next week. Years 5-8 Monday 30th May at the Huapai Domain. Years 0-4 Tuesday 31st May here at school. Please see the attached information below.

This is being held in our school library. You are most welcome to pop in at any time during the last day tomorrow. Cash and eftpos options available.

We would like to invite ALL our year 1 parents into school for an information evening Monday 30th May 5:30-6:30pm. This evening is a chance for parents to meet all the teachers together, to chat with senior leadership staff, to meet the parents of new friends and to learn a little more about life at school and expectations in the Year 1 zone. Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

There is an initiative from Harbour Basketball to promote females playing basketball. They are keen to run a training program for our female students here in school. Students don't need to have played before, it's about giving things a go! The 6 sessions are during school lunch times, one day a week and once they have been to all the training sessions they will receive a basketball to keep. The best part is IT'S FREE! If you are keen to be in this group, please use the form linked below to submit your interest. At this stage it is only open to Years 5-8 female players. The sessions start Thursday 9th June.

Students have had this link at school, entries close tomorrow.

Introducing a new section where we will highlight a great website each week for families to look at. There may be educational help, fun ideas for families, links to services that may be useful for your family. This week’s website is:

KiwiKids News

This website delivers the news in a student friendly manner. There are local and global news articles, quizzes, videos, sport info and even some homework tasks if your child is keen.

This is our new annual school fundraiser. Taupaki has the fireworks, Riverhead has the rampage, Huapai now has THE MUD RUN! (and our annual Community Quiz).

We need to find 20 helpers each day:

Wednesday 3rd August

Thursday 4th August

Friday 5th August

Please use the link below for more information and to register.

We have students and parents assisting in the safe crossing of children. There is a developing pattern of parents crossing children across the road in places that are not the crossing. This can be quite discouraging to our volunteers offering their time to man the crossings. Please use the crossing. It is a legal requirement to use the crossing if there is one available. The patrollers have a dialogue they must complete but the key phrase to listen for is “Cross now” before you step out.

We are seeing an increasing number of dogs on school grounds. While a lot of people love dogs, we are conscious that not everybody does. We ask that all dogs please be kept outside school grounds. Please also ensure that if you are waiting to pick up your child(ren) outside of the school gates, that your dog is on a lead at all times.

We would like to invite you to join us for a full school farewell to Ange tomorrow, Friday 27th May. Our Poroaki will start at 2:30pm on the courts. If it is wet, we will relocate to the hall.

Huapai Plus is after some awesome new staff to join our team. We are keen to hear from anyone interested in working with children or just after a little extra income.

We have the following positions available:

· Programme Assistant manager - over 20 years old

· Programme leader – 16 years or older

· Van driver – over 20 years old with full licence

Flexible hours, discounts for staff with children.

If you would like some more information or are interested please email: huapaiplus@hds.school.nz

July 12th - 16th

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Skate Lessons After School

Term 2 weekly after school skate lessons.

Thursday 3:30pm - 4:30pm at Huapai District School.

Lessons are suitable for beginners to intermediate skaters.

Register at the link below.

MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2022 at Huapai School! They will have some slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons in Term 2. If you're interested, be sure to get in touch to reserve your spot or ask any questions you may have. Contact details below:

Drums - paul.barry@musiqhub.co.nz

Guitar, Keyboard and Ukulele - scott.wotherspoon@musiqhub.co.nz

A major sponsor in this year's School Donation sponsorship prize draw. Generously donating a $600 voucher which was won by our first place prize draw winner.

Our 2022 Term dates are:

Term 1 - Thursday 3rd February - Thursday 14th April

Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - Friday 8th July

Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September

Additional to this there are two planned Teacher only days:

• Friday 4th March

• Friday 3rd June (making Queens Birthday a 4 day option)

We use HERO to send classroom updates, to share regular learning posts and now for payment on all in-school costs. HERO sends push notifications or emails. You can now choose how you receive HERO notifications as well as manage devices that receive them.

To set your own notification preferences:

1. Click on your profile image

2. Select EDIT PROFILE

3. Scroll down to My Devices and select your preferences.
   

Or please see the full instructions linked below.

Email: office@hds.school.nz
Website: https://www.huapaidistrict.school.nz/
Location: Huapai District School 40 Station Rd, Kumeū, New Zealand
Phone: +64 09 412 5042
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huapaidistrictschool