Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to Term 4! I hope you all enjoyed the term break.
We start the term with some exciting news. From 4th November, we will have a Family Support Worker (Social Worker) as part of our team. Our recruitment process for this position has now finished, and we are very pleased to announce that Carmel Olsen will be taking on this important work for us. This role will support the school and families to guide them through complex situations and help remove barriers to learning. Carmel brings a wealth of experience with her, having previously worked in a specialist school as a Speech Language Therapist and now soon to be qualified as a Social Worker. We are very excited for Carmel to be joining us.
We are also excited to be starting to work with Kaleidocare to provide an afterschool programme from our Base School. It is wonderful that Kaleidocare can take this on for us, as they have experience working in a similar setting. Kaleidocare currently runs a successful day service provision for adults, an afterschool programme, and a holiday play scheme in South Auckland, all focused on supporting children and adults with disabilities and learning needs. The afterschool programme is open to students from our base school and satellites. We will be able to arrange for
Specialised School Transport Assistance (SESTA) transport to bring satellite students to the base school at the end of the school day to access this programme. However, please note that parents will need to collect all students from the programme at the end of the school day. If you haven’t seen the flyer for this programme yet, we’ve included it again in this newsletter. Please contact Kaleidocare directly for further details. Spectrum Care will continue to provide our school holiday programme.
At the end of last term, we welcomed a new member to our school board. We are pleased to say that John Morris has been co-opted to the board to support us with board succession planning prior to the triennial board elections next year. John will be a credit to our board team and brings with him a wealth of knowledge. Thank you, John, for putting yourself forward for this! Although the next board election isn’t until next year, if you think you might be interested in supporting us as a board member, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
We have had several property projects running across the recent term break, with new fencing and shade blinds being installed at the base school, new carpets at Bayswater, and new playgrounds at Manuka Primary and Albany Junior High School. I would like to thank our Executive Manager, Esmé, and Caretaker, Terry, for supporting these projects to happen when the school was closed.
It’s been great to see our students using our new Omi Interactive Projector towards the end of last term! Thank you to everyone who supported us in investing in this equipment. The team from Unruly Company worked so hard planning and bringing together events for us and we are also grateful to the support from St Georges Market Shop Grant Fund. We would also like to thank Takapuna Rotary for an exceptionally kind donation of $5000. The projector has been a hit with our students and is timetabled to be used across the school.
In our last newsletter, we shared our concerns around the school’s capacity to continue enrolling students. We have continued to work with the Ministry of Education around this concern and were also pleased to be visited by two Members of Parliament, Simon Watts and Katie Nimon, last term. Since the last update, we have been able to secure an additional classroom at Glenfield College for next year. However, we still need further accommodation, particularly for younger students. Work in this area needs to remain a focus for our school, and we will continue to advocate for the importance of being able to provide specialist education for our community and the right for parents to have this as a choice for their child.
Friday 1st November is Aotearoa Teachers’ Day, a day to celebrate the work and dedication of our teaching team. We have an amazing team of teachers working across our school. I’d like to acknowledge what they do and how they support our school and students. Thank you!
Mā te wā
Neil Kefford
Disability Connect is a Disability Information Advisory Service. We are based in Penrose and operate throughout Auckland – north to Warkworth and south to Bombay. There are lots of ways we can help individuals with a disability, or family members of a disabled person, to navigate the New Zealand disability sector.
Pohutukawa whānau
Albany Junior 15
Term 3 was as busy as ever, we had weekly Playball sessions with coach Phil and we have some budding football players in our class! Every break time, weather permitting, some of the students are outside playing football together, which is lovely to watch. There was lots of creativity last term, with our weekly music therapy session, where we explored how different songs/music make us feel, and we practiced our dance for the whole school production, everyone was very proud of how it came together. We have also started filming our movie for the end of the year. Most recently we had our trip to MERC and everyone enjoyed the activities and we were lucky that the sun came out for us when we were in the water.
Albany Junior 16
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the last term of the school year – how time flies! Last term, the class had the opportunity to go to the Marine Education Recreation Centre (MERC). It was a day filled with exploring different activities, reconnecting with old friends, and most importantly, just having fun. We also enjoyed our music therapy sessions every Friday; experimenting with different musical instruments and loved playing along with our favourite songs. It was a great way to express ourselves creatively, learn new rhythms, and discover the unique sounds of each instrument. We also had a few hockey sessions where we learned different techniques, from handling the stick to improving coordination and teamwork.
This term will be packed with fun-filled activities. We’ll stay active and fit with Playball sessions and Special Olympics. We’ll also take a few trips to our local dairy to enhance our life skills, and we’ll be busy preparing for our year-end performance at the assembly. It’s going to be an exciting and productive end of the year!
Manuka 15
In Term 4, we look forward to the beautiful and warm weather to enjoy our new playground and practice our gross motor skills, socialise with others, and explore tactile activities. We will have a weekly outdoor sensory experience with our Occupational Therapist Magdalena where we will explore different textures, foster imagination, and encourage communication. The Manuka 15 students will also be going to the Glenfield Leisure Centre for weekly swimming trips. This term we are also thrilled to celebrate 'Green Day' for Cerebral Palsy, and Festival of Lights in Week 8 which includes celebrations like Diwali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Simbang Gabi, Christmas, and the End of Year Assembly. As for our unit study we will focus on Marketplace where we will discuss sharing, several ways to earn money and understand the trade of the past, along with present times.
Manuka 16
Last term was incredibly exciting for our class! We had a blast with a variety of awesome activities, including music and Playball sessions that kept us active and engaged. One of the highlights was practicing and recording our school production, where we danced to “Oma Rāpeti.” It was amazing to see everyone’s creativity and enthusiasm! We also shared personal stories for our unit study, using students’ baby photos, which helped us bond and learn more about each other. The highlight of the term was our visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Marine Life, where we explored the wonders of the ocean and learned so much about marine creatures. It was a fantastic term full of learning, fun, and new experiences! And there’s even more to look forward to this term, with exciting activities planned to make our students’ experience and learning even more enjoyable!
Base Room 3
Term 3 went really well with activities and class programs. The students settled in nicely and were very engaged in the class activities. A highlight was the celebration of the Pacifika Festival, where our students enjoyed performances such as Kapa Haka and Pasifika dances. They also loved trying different Pasifika foods. Another exciting event was the yearly MERC activity, where our tamariki had fun paddle boarding and students showed bravery during the Stack Em activity. The highlight of Term 3 was when our students performed and filmed “Row Row Row Your Waka,” for the School Production. The students were actively involved and had a great time with the performance. Stay tuned, as this performance will be featured live at the end of year assembly!
Nikau whānau
Base Room 1
Room 1 had an incredibly fun, hands-on, and fulfilling term! We loved being part of a school community and developing a sense of culture. Participating in the Pasifika Festival provided us with enriching social and cultural experiences. We spent time exploring and experimenting with visual arts, sports, music, dance, and enhancing our literacy and numeracy skills. Our learning journey extended beyond the classroom walls. We took delightful walks around the Wilson garden, which allowed us to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. Some of our students had the opportunity to take horse-riding classes showcasing their persistence and bravery. These outdoor experiences were a wonderful complement to our indoor learning activities.
We concluded the term with some truly memorable events. The delicious sausage sizzle was a hit, and the grand birthday parties brought joy to everyone. We are filled with excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the last term of the year. We can’t wait to embark on more learning experiences while continuing to have fun and make lasting memories.
Bayswater 1
We had a busy Term 3, and it was wonderful to see how far along our Tamariki have come! It was full of fun and learning, with activities such as basketball, hockey, and practicing and filming our school production. Some of our whānau came into school during Math Week and it was wonderful to see families getting involved in our maths activities, making learning fun for everyone. We can’t wait for more exciting adventures!
Bayswater 2
Term 3 was busy and full of excitement. We had weekly gymnastics sessions at North Harbour Gymnastics. All students loved coach Andy’s courses he prepared and learned a variety of skills during these sessions. During the term, we also visited Hoop 33 where students had a chance to work on their basketball skills. Throughout the term we practiced our dance item for the production and made our feather costumes, they looked fantastic and the students absolutely loved making them. We tickled our taste buds every Friday during our cooking lessons in the classroom where we baked and prepared some yummy food like cookies, brownies, banana bread, pizza and so much more.
Karaka whānau
Base Room 2
Last term we had lots of fun in Room 2. Our Focus was “Our Story” and we got to learn about our student’s stories, with their countries of birth and our staff. We tasted food from around the world, and this linked in with our Maths learning for volume and capacity. We also had lots of fun trips out in the community, including our usual Cafe trips, Library trips and North Harbour Gymnastics. In the last week of term we went to MERC and to the Zoo. We are looking forward to all the fun events coming up this term.
Glenfield College Juniors
Themed “We Tell Our Stories”, Term 3 itself is a story to tell. Like every story, the last term taught the Glenfield College Juniors important life lessons. For instance, the first ever Wilson School production reminded us to give our best effort in performing our roles and responsibilities. Whether we do this for reel or real life, we can inspire others whenever we value excellent work. The Pasifika Festival taught us to appreciate the rich and unique cultures of the Pacific nations. We can't forget the chills and thrills of our class trips to Wētā Workshop, MERC, and “Mrs. Wishy Washy". All of this helped us recall that learning can be seriously exciting! Without a doubt, Term 3 etched in us amusing memories worth telling.
WilsonTech – Transition 1 & 2
We work hard and play hard at WilsonTech Transition! Term 3 was wonderful and full of experiences we will never forget. We had so many opportunities to support and explore our community. We volunteered at Mitre10, Abilities Group, Shakespear Regional Park, Glenfield Community Centre and Family Store and Restoring Rosedale. One of our students also had the opportunity to volunteer at Flourish Café in Takapuna, amazing! We have been working hard on our Wilson Wolf Treats business and the sales are building as word gets out about this fabulous product. We enjoyed outings to Eden Park, Wētā Workshop, Butterfly Creek and The PumpHouse Theatre. The term ended on a high at MERC where we paddle boarded, flung arrows, and stacked them up! We are excited to find out what more we will do this term.
Toe Toe whānau
Windy Ridge 1
The tamariki from Windy Ridge 1 satellite eagerly visited the Auckland Museum to delve into the fascinating world of volcanoes and the rich history of New Zealand. They enjoyed a delightful performance of the “Mrs. Wishy Washy” play in Takapuna, which brought smiles and laughter. For the year-end celebration, the students showcased their dancing skills, creating joyful memories together as they represented the beautiful moana. Throughout the year, they have been immersed in learning various stories about New Zealand, story books, and sharing their own unique experiences.
Windy Ridge 2
In Term 3, Windy Ridge 2 was filled with creativity and exploration. Our focus was on creating and sharing stories about ourselves and our family histories. The students delved into their backgrounds, crafting wonderful narratives that brought their unique histories to life. A highlight of our term was our visit to the museum, where we immersed ourselves in our country's rich history. The stories and exhibits captivated the students, gaining a deeper appreciation for our heritage. Additionally, parents joined us for a sensory learning experience where we incorporated math into making pizza. It was a fun and educational activity that everyone enjoyed. We participated in the Pasifika celebrations, embracing different cultures and enjoying various delicious foods. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity and learn from each other. We also had an unforgettable day at The PumpHouse Theatre, where we attended the delightful show “Mrs. Wishy-Washy.” The performance was a hit, and the students had a fantastic time. We look forward to more exciting adventures and learning experiences this term.
Base Room 4
Term 3 was filled with fun for the students in Room 4! Our students broke into the Hollywood scene with our green screen performances. Using the green screen we were able to shrink our students down to small sizes, even smaller than house plants! We hope everyone enjoyed their student’s video story. Several outings took place during Term 3, including bowling and MERC. Finally, our exploration of art, included aluminum foil as a medium for sculpture and embossing.
Base Room 5
Term 3 was filled with exciting activities and memorable experiences for Room 5! Our weekly visits to the Devonport Library and playground were a wonderful way to engage with our local community. We were thrilled to participate in our school’s first-ever production, where we proudly played the cutest sheep. Apart from all these fun activities, we also engaged in maths using the Numicon programme to support our learning and enjoyed sensory cooking and art activities. Our meaningful music therapy sessions allowed us to play different instruments and acknowledge our voices. Outdoor adventures at MERC and our hydrotherapy sessions in the heated pool with our therapists were also highlights in Term 3. We look forward to more adventures and learning opportunities this term.
Base Room 6
Room 6 had a very busy Term 3. Our older transition students embraced their community activities wholeheartedly. Harvey and Lucy are thriving at Unruly Gym and are enjoying bowling with Wilson Tech, and visits to the supermarket. It has been so rewarding to see these young adults access the community and thrive. In class we enjoyed music therapy and messy play sessions as particular highlights. The students were also very engaged with cooking, sensory sessions, and loved their shared books and art lessons too. Our trip to MERC was also a lot of fun. What an amazing term we had, it was a real treat Room 6!
Spectrum Care School Holiday Programme
Spectrum Care run a school holiday programme for Wilson School students. For further details please contact -
Darryl Benge – 0272948892 - darryl.benge@spectrumcare.org.nz
