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School Newsletter Term 1, Week 2

Friday 7th February 2025

School NewsletterTerm 1, Week 2Friday 7th February 2025

Kia ora,


This term, literacy remains a key focus across all year levels. Teachers are incorporating engaging and purposeful reading and writing activities in the classroom, helping students develop confidence and strong foundational skills. Alongside this, our staff continue to enhance their own professional learning, deepening their knowledge of best practices in literacy instruction. We are committed to ensuring every child is supported in their learning journey and developing a love for reading and writing.


With the warm weather still upon us, swimming lessons remain an essential part of our physical education programme. Students are making great progress in developing their water confidence and swimming skills. Athletics is also in full swing, with students practicing a range of events and refining their techniques. We look forward to seeing their efforts come together in upcoming athletics events.


As we continue to enjoy sunny days, we want to remind all students and whānau about the importance of sun safety. It is fantastic to see so many students wearing their sunhats during playtimes and outdoor activities. A friendly reminder that hats are compulsory during Term please ensure your child has a named sunhat at school each day. Sunscreen is also available in classrooms, and we encourage families to apply sunscreen before school.


Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to another great term of learning and growth!


Nga mihi,

Tony West

Principal - Tumuaki

West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu

Pōwhiri on Tuesday

It was great to all come together to welcome our new kaimahi, tamariki and whānau to West End School. Our children did a wonderful job with performing waiata and haka. Thanks to Roger Graham for speaking on behalf of the Manuhuri.

powhiri.mini

Breakfast Club has started

Breakfast Club timing is 8.15am - 8.30am

Breakfast club this year will provide weetbix and milk. If you have any questions regarding this please email gblack@westend.school.nz. Please remember that Breakfast Club starts at 8.15am, so sending your child to school earlier than this is not needed. Once the Breakfast Club sign is out, this means that it is open. Please remind children to wait in the normal waiting area (next to the turf) until 8.15am.


We need volunteers! If you can help us support this very important service, please contact Georgia Black gblack@westend.school.nz.

School timetable changes

Our school gates will open at approximately 8.10am every morning.

We have had a smooth transition to our new school timetable changes. Some reminders.

  • The bell to come into classes will ring at 8.30am. Children are to wait in the area next to the turf before that time (from 8.15am).
  • Our school gates will open at approximately 8.10am. We are having a lot of children arriving at school without an adult before 8am. We want all of our tamariki to get to school safely. Please ensure they are not arriving too early to school where there is no adult supervision before the start of our school day.
  • For our child's safety, our gates are locked shortly after everyone is in class. Please enter through the office if you are late, or need any assistance.

Swimming timetable

Swimming starts next week. Our times are as follows


Te Wao Nui o Tāne (Room 2, 3, 4, 5) will swim on Monday,

Puāwaitanga (Room 1, 6, 7, 10 and 11) will swim on Tuesday,

Tipuranga (Room 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) will swim on Thursday.


Children will need to bring togs, towel, goggles and if your child has long hair it will need to be tied up for swimming.

Pihipihingā Whānau Hui next week

Pihipihingā Whānau Hui is on Thursday 13th February, starting at 5.30 in Rūma Tahi.

Kaitahi - nau mai haere mai, for a korero and a kai

Upcoming Events

WEEK 3 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 10th February
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 11th February
  • Plant to Plate for Room 4 - Wednesday 12th February
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 12th February - 1.50pm
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 13th February
  • Whānau Hui for Pihipihingā - Thursday 13th February at 5.30pm


WEEK 4 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 17th February
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 18th February
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 19th February - 1.50pm
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 20th February


WEEK 5 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 24th February
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 25th February
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 26th February - 1.50pm
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 27th February

PE at West End

A reminder a lot of the Term 1 summer sports registrations close today, get in fast!

Mount Biggs Tough Kids is back for 2025, register now on kindo.


Sports coaching: Any volunteers interested in coaching a sport this year please email gblack@westend.school.nz this includes if you’re keen on helping prepare a team for interschool events.

PTA Fundraising and Events

Term Dates 2025

Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 11 April

Term 2: Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June

Term 3: Monday 14 July - Friday 19 Sept

Term 4: Monday 6 Oct - Friday 12 Dec

Ballot Dates 2025

Ballot Dates Drawn at 11.30am of the dates stated below

Term 1 for Term 2: Wednesday 26 February 2025

Term 2 for Term 3: Wednesday 14 May 2025

Term 3 for Term 4: Wednesday 30 July 2025

Term 4 for Term 1 2026: Wednesday 29 October 2025

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

West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Email: office@westend.school.nz
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465