

School Newsletter Term 2, Week 2
Friday 9th May 2025
Kia ora koutou,
It has been another exciting week at West End School as we settle into the term and enjoy both structured learning and spontaneous moments of joy around the school.
A highlight this week has been the start of our Power Hour program. Over a 10-week period, students are offered a wide range of opportunities to explore areas of high personal interest. Whether it’s creative arts, building, design, sports skills, or hands-on crafts, Power Hour allows our tamariki to dive into activities that spark curiosity and passion. It’s been inspiring to see the engagement and enthusiasm from our learners already!
The changing season has also brought its own kind of magic. Students have been enjoying the chance to play freely in the autumn leaves during break times – a simple pleasure that brings joy, creativity, and plenty of laughter. These unstructured play moments are so important for social development and wellbeing.
On the sporting front, training is well underway for the upcoming Ricoh Sports Tournament. Teams across various sports codes have been practicing hard, showing great teamwork, resilience, and determination. A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches and parent helpers who are giving their time and energy to support our students. Your mahi is truly appreciated.
Ngā mihi nui,
Tony West
Principal
West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu
John Parsons Parent Evening on Wednesday
John Parsons - Cyber Education Safety
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 06:00 pm
West End School College Street, West End, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Keeping your Child Safe Online - 6pm in the School Hall
All whānau are welcome to attend, and is a great opportunity to learn about how to keep your children safe online and ask any questions you may have. We will hold this in our school hall.
Parent workshop - Raising Resilient Capable Children
- John works directly with the parent community facilitating a highly interactive workshop where he encourages debate and audience participation. Parents and caregivers leave with knowledge that helps them relate to and build strong relationships with their children and school.
- Identifies the specific challenges children face when using ICT
- Includes guidance on behaviour management processes for parents in the practical situations they will face
- This workshop empowers parents to take responsibility for safeguarding their children
- Parents leave with the tools to support their children in how to use ICT safely and ethically at home and at school
Sport at West End
We had our first flippa ball game yesterday and it was amazing to see the amount of Kotahitanga, Whakamana & Manaakitanga during the game.
RICOH training has begun in preparation for the competition in Term 3. The trainings are as followed:
RICOH Netball: Wednesday 3:00pm - 3:45pm
RICOH Rugby: Wednesday 3:00pm - 3:45pm (please bring your boots and mouth guards)
RICOH Basketball: Wednesday 3:00pm - 3:45pm.
RICOH Football: Wednesday lunchtime.
There won't be after school training on Wednesday 14th (next week) as teachers have a meeting after school. I will send the notification out via the Te Wao Nui O Tāne notifications on the app too so please make sure you are subscribed to that.
As we get underway for sports, can parents who have signed up their child for sport this term please make sure they are subscribed to the notices on the app as this is where all the draws and information comes out.
A reminder that we are also collecting the Yummy Stickers so we can win some new sports gear. Please send in with your child if you have any!
Tipuranga
Room 17
In Room 17 we have been learning about the Legend of Okatia. Okatia created the Manawatu Gorge. We have enjoyed reading the story and have been writing about it all week. We decided to become illustrators and create some beautiful art to go with our writing. We carefully painted the trunk of Okatia using brown and white. We worked hard to make sure our brush strokes all went in the same direction. We then used some cotton balls to create some textured leaves. Finally, we used black sharpie to draw Okatia’s face and added some koru patterns. We love our art and we hope you do too!
Puāwaitanga
Room 7
As part of our mathematics learning at West End School, Room 7 have been exploring Numicon – a hands-on resource that helps make abstract number concepts visible and understandable. Using colourful Numicon shapes (tiles) and rods, students have been investigating how numbers work, what each piece represents, and how they can be used to solve mathematical problems.
Through this mahi, we are showing Mana Aotūroa – demonstrating curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to explore new ideas. We are discovering patterns, making connections, and thinking critically about how numbers relate to one another. We are also seeing Whakamana in action as we grow in confidence, learning how to use the materials effectively, and share our thinking with others during group tasks and discussions.
The classroom has been buzzing with excitement, creativity, and problem-solving. It’s been wonderful to see the children so engaged and enjoying their maths learning.
Te Wao Nui o Tāne
Room 5
Upcoming Events
WEEK 3
- Power Hour - Tuesday 13th May
- Cyber Safety with John Parsons - Wednesday 14th May
- School Cross Country - Friday 16th May
WEEK 4
- Power Hour - Tuesday 20th May
- School Cross Country Postponement Day - Friday 16th May
- Pink Shirt Day - Friday 23rd May
WEEK 5
- Power Hour - Tuesday 27th May
- PTA Pies - last day to order! - Thursday 29th May
- VIBE Assembly Puāwaitanga: Friday 30th May
WEEK 6
- King's Birthday - Monday 2nd June NO SCHOOL
- Pae Tamariki - Tuesday 3rd June
- Power Hour - Tuesday 3rd June
- Pae Tamariki - Wednesday 4th June
- PTA Disco - Friday 6th June
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 8 October 2025
Proposed Special Programme for our Bilingual Unit
We are excited to announce that we are working towards establishing a proposed special programme for our bilingual unit. If you have any concerns regarding this process, please contact the school.
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
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465