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,

What a busy couple of weeks we have had! I feel like there is always something fun and exciting happening at Waikari School.

Over the past few weeks, we have been busy swimming, preparing for the Swimming Sports on Monday. It was great to get down to the Hawarden pool to be able to have a go at swimming some lengths. It's fantastic to see so much progress in our students' swimming abilities.

Congratulations to Will, Macy & Lotti who have been appointed as student leaders for 2024. Read on to see their blurbs about themselves.

Below is a photo of our school Strategic Plan - the initiatives that we are working on this year include:

- Reviewing our School Vision & Values

- Developing Cultural Practices alongside Tuahiwi

- Building Leadership in Year 7 & 8

- Creating a Localized Curriculum

- Reviewing Assessment & Reporting (alongside implementing Hero)

- Further Developing Quality Teaching & Learning Practices

There are many actions we have taken already on our journey to achieve these goals, such as appointing our new student leaders. Teachers will be undertaking Professional Development with other local schools in maths & literacy this year - and we are looking forward to sharing our learning with you.

There is lots up and coming this term, so make sure you keep an eye out on Hero for any notices.

Once again, thanks for all your support, and see you at Assembly on Thursday at 2:30 pm.

Ngā Mihi Nui,

Phoebe Todd

Principal | Tuamaki

Waikari School

Reminder that the Greta Valley and Waikari School swimming sports is on Monday. The whole school will attend the swimming sports, Year 4-8 Mandatory and Year 1-3 Optional. Those junior students who are not confident or tall enough to participate will have the opportunity to in the coming years. If you would like to see how your child's swimming is progressing please contact Kerry Florance kerryf@waikari.school.nz and organise a time to come and watch.

When - 26th February Morning (we will be leaving school at 9am)

Where - Amberley Pool

Who - Greta Valley & Waikari School

Need - Togs, towels x2, goggles, lunchbox, drink bottle

Transportation: If you're able to provide transport please let Caryn in the office know.

Order of Events:

Freestyle 1 Length

Freestyle 2 Lengths

Backstroke 1 Length

Backstroke 2 Lengths

Breaststroke 1 Length

Breaststroke 2 Lengths

Butterfly 1 Length

Medley 3 Lengths

Freestyle Width

Backstroke Width

Breaststroke Width

Kick board Width on front

Kick board Width on back

Width floating (no kick board - rocket ship)

Width floating on back (no kick board)

School Relay (if time)

Who: 3 x Year 7 & 8 teams

When: Saturday 2nd March

Where: Christchurch Agricultural Park

Transport: School Van (Caryn driving - picking up Mrs Lydon on the way)

Time: To be confirmed (We will let you know as soon as we receive the timetable)

Note: If we have any teams who qualify to go through to the next round on the day - this will mean that we have to stay there until that round is completed as well. In other words, we could be finished and home before lunch - or much later in the afternoon.

Event: Hurunui Cricket Festival

Venue: Scargill Domain

Date: Tuesday 27th February 2024

Time: 10am - 2pm

Players: Tom, Will, James, Shaikayah, Macy, Nico, Max, Fergus

Canterbury Country Cricket Association has organised a small 'have a go' cricket carnival. We have 8 students keen to play in this fun tournament.

This event was only confirmed yesterday as they had trouble finding a venue.

Anyone able to help with transport and as a team manager please let Kerry know.

A huge congratulations to our new 2024 Student Leaders Lotti, Macy and Will.

Will: Tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi I am Will, I am year 8. I have gone to Waikari School since I was 5. I like hunting, fishing and building huts on the farm.

What are you looking forward to as a student leader?

I hope to organise a fishing trip for students at the Groynes.

If you were the principal for the day, what's one thing you would change?

That we were allowed to play rugby if we brought a mouth guard and headgear.

Macy: Tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi my name Macy I like to go hunting and fishing with my two brothers. I play netball for the Hawarden netball club. In the holidays we go to Lake Summer with our dog and boat. I love swimming in the lake.

My parents are both from Switzerland so every 3 or 4 years we go to Switzerland. I can speak fluent Swiss.

What are you looking forward to as a student leader?

I am looking forward to being a role model and organizing art clubs and netball activities. I am excited to have lots of fun responsibility.

If you were the principal for the day, what's one thing you would change?

I would change the school hours from 8 to 1:30.

Lotti: Tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi my name is Lotti. I dance for NCSD and I play for Hawarden Netball club and during the holidays we go to the lakes with our boat and catch yummy fish. My mum is German and my dad is a New Zealander so we also go there for holidays, and I can also speak fluent German.

What are you looking forward to as a student leader?

I am looking forward to being a role model and organizing lunchtime netball skills. I am excited to have an idea for the full token jar and I also enjoy having responsibilities

If you were the principal for the day, what's one thing you would change?

I would give the children at least one hour a day of swimming and art as well as those are things that are important to me.

The Wekas have been excited to dive right in to their learning this year.

Maths: Number Knowledge and Strategies. This area of maths is really crucial to building a good a mathematical foundation in the early years with different groups in Weka tackling from 0 - 10, 0 - 100 and 0 - 1000. Problem Solving is also part of the programme.

Topic: Food and Nutrition

Writing: Learning sentence structure - how to use nouns, verbs and adjectives. In creating sentences they are making sure they contain the who/what/where/when.

Reading /Spelling: Structured literacy is continuing with small groups.

P.E: Swimming - tuition with Mrs Florance (this is happening for both the Wekas and Keas - every day that weather permits).

Art: Self Profiles.

The Keas have got straight into their learning rotations this year and have got plenty of new things happening.

Maths: Geometry - measuring internal and external angles, using equipment and mathematical knowledge to solve geometrical questions. Continually revising basic facts and practicing new and well established strategies for Problem Solving.

Topic: Food and Nutrition. Next week we will be moving on to Kitchen Science.

Writing: Screen/Play Writing - Identifying and understanding the features associated with Play Writing. Putting this knowledge into producing some short Play-Writes. Some of these are extremely funny - have a look next time you are in the class.

Reading /Spelling: Structured literacy groups covering spelling - THE CODE and putting this into practice with rich reading sessions.

Art: Self Profiles and Art in Movement

• Charlotte - For ‘un-dipping herself’ working hard to get herself out of the dip.

• Max - Working hard at getting out of the dip and learning to make choices to help his learning.
  

This week in Flocktime we discussed how we show Perseverance when we discussed: How to get out of the Dip.

• We watched the Video and learned how Katie got out of the Dip - She learnt to reflect on her mistakes and have another go.

• Children are looking out for ways that they can help one another to get out of the Dip.

Discuss your child's goals with them at home. Share your goals, or aspirations for them.

Absences

• If your child is not going to be at school please contact the school before 9:00am. This can now also be done through the HERO app.

School Bank Account

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

Office Hours

• School office will be manned by Caryn from 9.00-9:30 and 1:30-3:00

Break Times

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

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:

Te Triti o Waitagi

Board Responsibility

Parent Involvement

Communicating with Parents

Community Conduct Expectations

School Planning & Reporting

Reporting to Parents on Student Achievement

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.

• Friday 23rd February - Constable Ken Visit - Bus & Road Safety
• Monday 26th February - Greta Valley & Waikari Swimming Sports
• Tuesday 27th February - Hurunui Cricket Tournament
• Thursday 29th February - Assembly 2:30pm
• Saturday - 2nd March - AgriKids
• Monday 4th March - Yr 7 & 8 Technology at Hurunui College starts
• Tuesday 5th March - Hurunui Swimming Sports
• Thursday 7th March - Harold Visiting
• Friday 15th March - Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day
• Wednesday 28th March - Hurunui Duathlon
• Friday 29th March - Good Friday - School Closed
• Monday & Tuesday 1st-2nd April - Easter Monday & Tuesday - School Closed
• Monday 8th April - Teeball/Softball Tournament
• Thursday 11th April - Assembly
• Friday 12th April - End of Term 1

The office have been sent a box of goodies for those who walk or wheel to school, make sure you get your walking shoes and helmet on throughout the week to be in to win some prizes.