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,

What a great start to the term we have had! I think every school should start term with an EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) Week! We decided to shake things up a little bit this year and go on a winter camp - and it was so much fun! You will have to read on to hear what the Weka & Kea Classes got up to! I think they had a little bit too much fun!

I must say that while attending camp with the Kea Class, I was so impressed by their manners, respect, listening, and following instructions. It was truly a joy to take them away on camp! From what I hear, the Weka Class were exactly the same. Our school's behaviour is a massive credit to our families and the culture we have created at school. A special thank you to all those parents and caregivers who gave up their time to support with transport and supervision - we couldn't have done it without you.

It was a pleasure to see all the families attending our whānau connects this week with their children. These provide a great opportunity to celebrate the learning and progress your child has made in the classroom. We are passionate about celebrating not only students' academic progress but their social, emotional, and self-managing progress as well.

This term is another busy term as we gear up and begin the initial stages of preparing for our Performance evening, which will be happening on Thursday, 26th September. Having a performance evening is a great way to ensure we teach the drama, dance, music, and visual art aspects of our school curriculum, while providing children the opportunity to express themselves through performance.

Thanks for your continued support.

Noho ora mai,

Phoebe Todd

Guess what the Weka Class have been up to while the Kea Class were away on camp?

Well, it has been a full on week for the Weka Class as well. They have been keeping busy with their own trips and activities.

Day 1 - we went to Christchurch for ice skating and a trip to see Riccarton Bush (a great example of how the area once looked).

Day 2 - we had another busy day up at Hanmer Springs. The children had a great time up there mountain biking, doing a 'Waikari Olympics Mini Duathlon', practicing skills on the pump track, a walk through the Sculpture Track and finishing off the day with a video of early North Canterbury in the Hanmer Springs Library. It is safe to say everyone was pretty tired by the end of that day.

Day 3 - was all about relaxation and enjoying a good movie, plus of course, some healthy (and a few not so healthy) snacks/treats!

Check out some of their writing to find out more about the Weka classes adventures during camp week.

Ice Skating - The Weka class went on an ice skating trip and we were in a very cold room. We played spin the bottle but it did not point to any people from the Weka room. I felt so tired. Bridie

Waikari School Olympics - I got a medal at the Olympics in Hanmer Springs. My legs hurt after the race! Charlotte

Parachute Games - We played parachute games. We played Ct and Mouse and in the last round i had to catch Mīharo. I caught him! Rāwiri

Riccarton Bush - I saw ancient trees and bushes and an old house. I learned about the native New Zealand bush. Rayan

Daytime Sleepover - We watched 'Surf's Up' and had heaps of fun. We had chips and dip. I almost fell asleep. Karmani

Mountain Biking / Pump Track - We went mountain biking. I was going downhill and I didn't use my brakes....I skidded and fell off! My nose smashed the ground and started bleeding. my tooth made my lip hurt. On the side of my hip there were scrapes and scratches. i was not crying at all, not even a tear! I was scared afterwards but I think I actually just got a fright. Breanna

Winter Camp in Stavely provided lots of fun activities which keep us all busy and out of trouble. A massive thanks to the Waikari/Hawarden Lions, Waikari Op Shop & Waikari School FAST for donating funds towards our camp.

Tuesday - Methven Agriculture Encounter, Ice Skating & Visiting Methven Primary School

Wednesday - Skiing at Mt Hutt and Movie Day

Thursday - Survival Day in the Forest & Swimming at the Ōpuke Hot Pools

Friday - Sharplin Falls Walk and Rakaia River Valley Walk

These our some of our favourite things!

The best thing that we did on school camp was skiing & skating. It was awesome when I went skating I went very fast, on the ice under the glimmering lights. The stars were shinning brightly and we could see the mountains behind us! - Will

The best thing I did at camp was going to the Hot Pools. We got to learn about how the pools were powered by solar panels which was interesting. I loved how fancy the place was, there were colourful lights coming from underneath the water. - Manaaki

The best thing I did on camp was the Survival Day. It was really fun because you got to work in a team with people you don't usually work with. It was relaxing walking in the Native Forest. We had to make a storm proof shelter using a tarpualin, string and trees. We also had to go around an obstacle course blindfolded. - Rosie

My favourite thing on camp was skiing. I had never skied before so I was on level one. Jackson was teaching us. The conditions were amazing, I think Miss Todd picked the right day. It was the best camp I have ever had. - Ethan

We are onto the Sharing and Presenting aspect of our Inquiry. We are excited to invite you all to a performance evening on Thursday 26th September where we share our learning through the performing arts. Make sure you put this date in your calendar and there will be more info shortly.

Kea & Weka Class are learning about reflection & rotation in Maths. Use this knowledge and other knowledge to write down as many reasons why they don't belong. Write down your answers at the back of your spelling notebook and bring back to school before Thursday 8th August!

Congratulations to the following certificate winners:

• Breanna - for exceptional bravery whilst on camp
• Zara - persevering and getting back up when skiing
• Fergus - showing integrity on camp
• Tom - showing patience & integrity on camp
• Khanoa - showing integrity and leadership on Weka Class trips.

This week we got into the Olympic Fever and spoke about 'How to be a Good Sport'. We watched some videos from the Olympics and spoke about how they have shown sportsmanship throughout the years. We discussed:

• 7-aside is coming up and we need to be 'Good Sports,'
• Its not about winning or losing its about pushing ourselves and achieving a goal,
• Sacrificing a win to help out another person in need is worth more,
• Making sure we play by and follow the rules,

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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

• Student Attendance
• Reporting to Parents on Student Progress and Achievement
• Searches, Surrender, and Retention of Property
• Minimising Physical Restraint
• Stand-down, Suspension, and Exclusion
• School Records Retention and Disposal

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

• Monday 12th - 16th August - Maths Week
• Tuesday 13th August - Year 6 Maths Competition at Amuri Area School
• Tuesday 20th August - 7aside Tournament (pp 22nd August)
• Wednesday 21st August - Board Meeting
• Friday 6th September - Writing Stories (authors visit) at Omihi
• Friday 13th September - Kahui Ako Cultural Day
• Tuesday 17th or Thursday 19th September - Kapa Haka Festival
• Wednesday 18th September - KiwiSport Tournament
• Thursday 26th September - Performance Evening

Open Monday and Thursday 10.30 - 2.00.

All money raised goes back into our community.

This year we have helped with Cracker Jack Bowls, NZ Areas Schools Tournament, Waikari School Camp, Local Cancer Society, Waikari Food Bank, Food in Schools and after school Youth Group, just to name a few things.

Thank you to everyone in our community that have given donations, keep them coming. Please just remember, good clean re-usable items only.

Also, a big thank you to the lovely volunteers that help keep our shop doing so well. Come see us and have a free tea or coffee. You never know what you will find!