Waikari School Newsletter

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,

Firstly, a huge welcome to Zoe de Groot, who has joined our teaching team this week in Kea class. We had a lovely mihi whakatau to welcome Zoe to our kura. Recently, I have been attending some professional development with Tuahiwi Education, where I have learnt about the meaning and Tuahiwi tikanga behind mihi whakatau - please read down for more information.

Good luck to all those participating in the Cross Country tomorrow. Next week, we host the Hurunui Cross Country - a huge thank you to those whānau who have offered to help in many forms such as baking, helping at the BBQ, and marshalling etc. Not only is it a big event for the Hurunui Area, but it's also a big event for our school fundraising, and it brings in funds which help to fund contributions to camp and teacher aids, which directly affect teaching and learning in the classrooms.

On another note, the weather has changed, and winter has arrived with force. We are excited to have had 2 new heat pumps installed this week in Room 1 and Kea Class. Please make sure you send your child to school with a warm jacket during the winter months, as we do encourage them to get outside for a run around during playtimes.

Mrs Florance has been attending some professional development around writing recently with Helen Walls and has been sharing her learning with the rest of the staff. We are excited to implement some new practices into our classrooms. Please note that Friday 7th June is a Teacher Only Day as staff will be attending a Maths course.

Once again, thanks for all your support.

Noho ora mai,

Phoebe Todd

We had a special morning tea to celebrate all the mahi (work) that our support staff do. We are so lucky in a small school to have such an amazing team who do a lot of work behind the scenes making sure Waikari kids have a great education. Thanks to Caryn, Vicki, Kevin, Sally & Stephanie.

We had a wonderful mihi whakatau to welcome Miss de Groot and new students to our school, Karmani, Rayan & Willow. It was a cold morning but the sounds of students singing and speaking made it feel very peaceful and welcoming. A huge thank you to those whānau who joined us for the morning. I was very impressed with the students agency as senior students spent the morning getting the chairs out, handing out morning tea, and to those students who spoke at the mihi whakatau. Wehi nā, - OMG Awesome!

Recently I was taught that the word whakatau means to settle, therefore when we are welcoming someone to our school through a whakatau our intention is to settlement them into the space. When welcoming any guest to our school we will proceed with a whakatau (this may be a simple one in the classroom, or a more formal one outside inviting whānau).

What to expect at the whakatau:

• The manuhiri (visitors) will gather together outside the school then someone will lead you into the whakatau .

• The tangata whenua (hosts i.e. in this case the school) will be seated facing the manuhiri (visitors) to welcome you - if whānau are attending you will sit with the tangata whenua.

• A mihi (welcome speech) will be made by a representative of the school. Then the children and staff will stand and sing a waiata (song) to support the speaker’s message. There may be other speakers, a waiata will follow each speech. Children and staff will sit down after the waiata.

• A representative from the manuhiri (visitors) will respond, then the group will stand and sing a waitata to support the speaker, (in some cases the school will sing to support as well). The group will then sit down.

• Waikari School will offer a simple morning tea or kai for everyone to share. A student will lead karakia kai. This concludes the whakatau and signifies the coming together of the visitors and the Waikari Community.

At Waikari School we have implemented an adjusted Inquiry Cycle. This is what we use to guide students learning in our 'topic' areas. This term our Inquiry cycle is about Science in our Backyard, we have been working in the Immersion phase, as we have been learning lots about fossils and bones in our area through the recent field trips. We are moving into Questioning as the questions that have been guiding our Inquiry are:

What do the fossils at the Waipara River tell us about the area and history of it?

What do the birds on our school logo tell us about Waikari? Whats significant about these birds?

What do the fossils collected at Pyramid Valley tell us about the history of our local area?

What did this area used to be like?

From these questions we will be exploring: The Animals & Birds that survived in our area, The Native Bush and deforestation & Gondwanaland.

This is based on the learning both Mrs Florance and I have been doing, having discussions at home using maths language is a great way to continue to build maths competencies. There are no right or wrong answers for this photo- but share it at home and come up with as many possible answers for which shape doesn't. Both Weka and Kea are/will be learning about shape in their Maths lessons with Miss Todd on Monday & Fridays.

We are really lucky to be able to offer every student Year 4 & up Music Lessons. We know that children are busy afterschool but putting aside 20 minutes 3 times a week to practice your musical instrument at home is a great way to display perseverance at home and greatly encouraged.

Did you know that Caryn is a published author?

She is and today she read her finished book - 'What Clarabelle Didn't Forget' (inspired by her granddaughter Claudia) to Weka Class.

We are really excited to celebrate Caryn's accomplishment. We hope that this inspires some of our students. If you would like to check out the book come find it in the library (or ask Caryn - we warn you she is very modest).

Congratulations to the following certificate winners:

• Maddison: Making a difference by organizing arts & crafts for others in the library.
• Millie: Always the first to start cleaning up, even if it's not her fault.
• Mīharo: Using his manners.
• Rāwiri: Saying good morning to Mrs. Florance every day and working hard to use his manners.
• Tom: Always being a gentleman on the bus and opening the door for others.
• Khanoa & Mīharo - always helping other students in the Weka Room.
• Rosie & Amelia - Always greeting adults with a smile and a positive attitude (which makes a difference).
• Nico - Always having a positive attitude when helping others.

This week we discussed the little & free ways we can make a difference in other's lives. Some examples are:

• • Hold the door open for others.
  • Use your manners.
  • Say good morning.
  • Smile at others.
  • Help clean up and all pitch in.
  • Help get ready in the morning.
  • Unpack your bag at home.

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

• Appointment Procedure
• Equal Employment Opportunities
• Teacher Relief Cover
• Safety Checking
• Police Vetting
• Classroom Release Time/Timetable
• Employer Responsibility Policy

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We as a B.O.T really value your feedback.

• Tuesday 28th May - Hurunui Zones Cross Country
  
• Monday 3rd June - Kings Birthday (School Closed)
• Thursday 6th June - Assembly 2:30pm in Kea Class
• Friday 7th June - Teacher Only Day
• Friday 28th June - Matariki Weekend (school closed)
• Thursday 4th July - Assembly & Hero Report Presentation Kea Class 2:15pm
• Friday 5th July - End of Term 2

Over the last year the team at Connect Hurunui have been working hard to establish a Community Hub, Connect Cottage, at 13a Bank Street, Amberley. Connect Cottage has a number of spaces, including a loft, kitchenette, utility room and sewing space available for community use. Our Sewing Space runs several sewing groups both during the day and in the evenings- we have also fielded a number of requests from parents looking for sewing classes/groups suitable for children and young people. So we are starting Little Stitches.

Our afterschool sewing club will provide the opportunity make fun projects, upcycle clothes, make one's own gifts, & learn great life skills.

Starting June 7th then every in-term Friday after that from 3 to 5pm. Cost: Gold Coin per session.
Ideal age group: 9-14 years

To express an interest or for more information email natalie@connecthurunui.org.nz

Natalie Absalom

Community Connector

Tele: 0275 247 332