The Connection Week 2 Term 1

I am writing this newsletter (Wednesday) being so appreciative of our staff and community. We asked for support from our community as we staged our start up again and we got it - thank you. I am sure there are a number of families who have experienced some real challenges over the last few days. Our school has fared well. We have had a number of staff significantly impacted. However, we are determined to get back and get going. We were hopeful and expecting to see the vast majority of children today (Thursday).

Our thoughts and support is with those families who have been really hit hard or who have family and friends who have experienced real tough stuff. I think the best thing we can do at school for children is to provide the stability, predictability and care that is a hallmark of our school and classrooms.

We would love to invite you to school next Tuesday from 5pm - 7pm for our annual picnic. This is a chance to meet with your child’s teacher, relax with a takeaway dinner and make connections within the school community. There will be family games and a bouncy castle. Details are within this newsletter.

Take care and thank you for the support we receive as we seek to support you and your children. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help or if you see stuff in your children that we can help with as they process the events of these last few weeks.

Regards,

John Petrie

Principal

• Monday 20th February - Board Meeting
• Tuesday 21st February - School Picnic
• Tuesday 7th March - Senior Swimming Sports

We are excited to invite you to our ANNUAL SCHOOL PICNIC. Due to the later than scheduled start to the term, we will hold this picnic on Tuesday 21st February. Please bring your picnic or your takeaways and join us for a very relaxed evening of fun and games on the soccer field. Teachers will be in their classrooms from 5pm - 5:45pm then Mr Petrie will speak at 6pm. There is an annual adults vs students soccer game that everyone is invited to take part in as well as gumboot throwing and a bouncy castle.

This will be held at Massey High School on Tuesday 7th March. All students in Years 5 - 8 will attend the day to swim or support. Students will arrive at school and then be transported to Massey High School by bus. Students can wear house coloured mufti. Facepaint must not be worn in the pool. Students will be signing up for events with their classroom teacher over the next few weeks and a timetable will then be advertised. Races will start at 10am and we will leave Massey High School at 2pm.

A huge thank you to Truman Trucking and Burnett Septic Tank Services who support the school through The Fern Fuel for Schools Programme. We are thrilled to be able to purchase a $1000 recording package which will be used in our senior school.

If your company uses bulk fuel, you are able to nominate the school for rewards. Please use the link below to register your company.

There will be a meeting for everyone interested in finding out a bit more about our school PTA and what our Huapai Families Network has planned for the school year. A chance to meet some new faces and get involved in school life. Monday 20th February 3:10pm - 4pm in the staffroom.

The HDS Breakfast Club team is back and serving breakfast from the school hall.

Parent permission for students to take part in Breakfast Club will automatically roll over from 2022.

If you do not wish your child to continue with Breakfast Club this year, please inform the office and their name will be removed from the list.

Please use Kindo to give permission for new students to join the Breakfast Club.

We would gladly welcome a couple more parent volunteers. If you can offer half an hour a week between 8.30am and 9.00am, please contact Stephanie on stephanie.wales@hds.school.nz

Also, we are on the hunt for a small fridge / fridge-freezer to store our supplies. Please contact Stephanie if you have one lurking in a corner of your garage that you don't need!

Southern Stars Summer Festival Day Out has been re-scheduled to take place at the Kumeu Showgrounds on Saturday 25th February 2023.

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All tickets issued for the previous November 26th 2022 date are valid for entry in February!

Children's entertainment will include stage shows featuring the Southern Stars production of "Cinderella", plus Captain Festus, Cirque de JP, and Auckland Academy of Dance!

There will be Facepainting and Carnival Rides all free and included in the ticket entry. Live music will include The Warratahs, Alibis, The Dawns, Normans Hill, Abba Heaven & Sola Rosa.

​There will also be an on-site market with lots of street food. Bring your hat, umbrella, suntan lotion and picnic blanket and enjoy a country day out.

Visit their website at the link below to purchase tickets and support this great cause!

Book Club, Edition 1, 2023 Scholastic New Zealand is out now!

Please download the app and place your orders via LOOP.

Aroha Skate are back for 2023. Skate lessons are after school on Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm. Please use the link below to book.

Creative Matters are back for the 2023 year. With classes on Mondays, 3pm - 5pm in Room 17. Please book at the link below.

MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2023 at Huapai School! They will have a bunch of slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons. 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

These are the Term Dates for 2023:

Term 1: Tuesday 7th February - Thursday 6th April

Term 2: Monday 24th April - Friday 30th June

Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September

Term 4: Monday 9th October - Tuesday 19th December

There will be one Teacher only day and this will be held on Tuesday 6th June (King's Birthday weekend). This day will be for a combined schools teacher only day.

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