Macleans Primary School Newsletter

Be strong, be brave, be steadfast

Kia Ora Everyone

I do hope we are all back into the 'swing' of school and home-life after the two week break. At Macleans Primary we are all go with the teaching and learning and values, all at 100% since day 1 of term 2!

A reminder to all of us that research has shown that students need to be at school for their learning, but also for their social and emotional wellbeing. High attendance at school correlates strongly with positive socialisation, engagement with learning, stronger academic achievement, and general wellbeing. We are fortunate that most students at Macleans Primary School have good attendance levels. However, we must always remember the need for children to attend school every day to give themselves the best opportunities to achieve great results.

As part of their regular review schools in schools, The Education Review Office (ERO) spent 2.5 days with us last week. We last had ERO in 2019 so it was great to have them with us. I have summarised some highlights from the review that were shared with us below. We look forward to receiving the full report in a few weeks.

Please enjoy this newsletter as there is much to share, celebrate, promote and be informed about, including dates for learning conferences.

Regards - Matthew Cooke

Principal

m.cooke@macleansprimary.school.nz

PS - Thanks to Farm Cove Superette for their sponsorship of this newsletter: 1/190 Fisher Parade, Farm Cove. See ad below.

PPS - Remember that at the end of this newsletter in your email you may get the note that the Message is Clipped and you may need to click on View Entire Message)

Next Newsletter and Notices:

•Wednesday 21 May 2025

•MPS Notices and update at anytime

Learning Conferences will be held in week 7, on Tuesday 10 June and Wednesday 11 June.

On Tuesday 10 June the interviews will begin at 1.30, meaning an early school closure of 1pm on that day. The final conference will be at 5.45pm. Skids will be operating to provide as children are not to remain at school.

On Wednesday 11 June, school will close at the normal time of 3pm and learning conferences will begin at 3.30 and the last one at 7.45.

Bookings will open in a couple of weeks and we will share the information on how to book.

Year 1 to Year 3 classrooms will be 'open' for parents to view learning on Thursday 29 May from 2.15 to 2.45.

Year 4 to Year 6 classrooms will be 'open' for parents to view learning on Monday 26 May from 2.15 to 2.45.

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Macleans Primary welcomed ERO for a couple of days last week. After the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and BoT (Board of Trustees) completed their respective self-reviews on all aspects of Teaching and Learning at Macleans Primary, ERO essentially reviewed and aligned our thoughts with EROs. In a few weeks, ERO will present a draft report of their findings to the school and then the report will be published. From EROs initial thoughts and and discussions, I presented to the BoT at Monday nights meeting the following:

ERO were here from 28-30 April. Their focus was on the SIF, School Improvement Framework. Report in draft due 4-5 weeks. We review draft and feedback. Nothing from ERO that we were not aware of and some good ideas for us going forward to the ‘excelling’ stage. Many positive comments from ERO including:

• Classrooms and learning environments ‘high standard and organisation’
• Teaching and learning practice
• SLT involvement and support in the teaching & learning
• Progress achievement ideas support children's learning
• Evidence provided backed up what we were saying
• Values noticeable and clear
• Student leaders and students in all classes were able to articulate their learning and what they like about Macleans
• Children spoke fondly about their teachers

Our initial next steps from the ERO feedback are to continue to:

• Review our benchmarks
• Review our Learning Pathways
• Review Reporting to parents (in line with reviewed and revised MoE guidelines)
• Review Attendance data
• Sustain and build collaboration across all areas of the school, from BoT to the classroom

Education reviews are reports to boards of trustees, managers of early childhood education services and the Government on the quality of education provided for children and students in individual centres and schools. We review schools and early childhood services on average once every three years. We review more frequently where the performance of a school or centre is poor and/or education and safety risks to students are identified. We review less frequently where schools show a stable reporting history and can demonstrate good self-review processes and use of assessment information. Education reviews are available on the ERO website. Hard copies are also available from the individual school or early childhood service or from any ERO office.

We want to understand and share how each early childhood service, kōhanga reo, school or kura achieves positive outcomes for all its learners/ākonga. We help services, kōhanga reo, schools and kura evaluate and improve their own practice. We take an evidence-based approach to reviews. Our reviewers work with services, kōhanga reo, schools and kura to make independent judgements based on evidence and evaluation indicators. We focus on equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners/ākonga. Our approach is driven by our whakataukī: Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa | The Child – the Heart of the Matter.

Over the coming months we need to recruit a new PTA Chair and PTA Treasurer, can you help?? Please email pta@macleansprimary.school.nz to enquire, we'd love to hear from you and ensure that the Macleans Primary School PTA can continue into 2026. We have so much fun organising fun events for the school community, and supporting the school with resources.

So far this year, we have contributed:
$1,000 towards the Years 5-6 classroom furniture,

$1,000 towards EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom),

$1,090.43 for the fabulous new Staff polo shirts,

$900 for the Pool vacuum,

HDMI adaptors for use around the school and a big supply of whiteboard markers for the Year 1 classrooms,

AND $5,324.60 to get much-needed window coverings for the Years 1-5 classrooms!!

We are so thrilled to contribute to a variety of areas!

Dates for the calendar:

Sunday 25 May, 2–4.30pm: PTA Movie in the Hall – Sonic 3

Tuesday 27 May, 6.30pm: PTA Meeting, school staffroom

Friday 13 June: PTA Disco (more details to come!)

RSE is essential for equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to navigate important topics such as consent, healthy relationships, pubertal changes, and online safety. The draft framework aims to provide consistent, age-appropriate, and evidence-informed content from Years 0 to 13. The MoE is seeking feedback from the community to help shape the final RSE content, which will be included in the refreshed health and physical education learning area, planned to be gazetted and available for use in 2026 and required for use from 2027. The consultation presents an important opportunity for a range of voices to be heard on this critical learning for our young people. We strongly encourage you to have your say. You can find the draft framework and feedback form on the Tāhūrangi website.

Consultation on draft RSE framework open now – Tāhūrangi

Looking for a magical, fun-filled activity for your little star?

Our award-winning babyballet®️ dance classes are the perfect way for children aged 6 months to 6 years to build confidence, coordination, and creativity – all while having fun!

Location: Macleans Primary School Hall
When: Saturday Mornings
Timetable:

8.45am – Tinies (18 months–3 years)9.30am – Tinies (18 months–3 years)
10.15am – Movers (3–4 years)
11.00am – Groovers (4.5–6 years)

3-Week Trial for just $39! SPECIAL OFFER: Mention “Macleans Primary School” to get your trial for just $30!

How to Book? Classes fill up fast so please head to www.babyballet.co.nz/howick to secure your spot today!

P.S. We also run Monday morning classes at Red Studio in Howick for babies 6 months and up – check our website for details!

Let your little ones dance, learn, and shine with babyballet®️.

During the week of 12 to 18 May, children at all year levels will be completing learning activities to promote, learn and be reminded about Road Safety.

We wish Derryn Chapman all the best as she will be moving to an RTLB position in the Pakuranga-Howick Cluster (Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour). Derryn has shared with all of us as to how much she has enjoyed working with all of the teachers, children and families at Macleans Primary, both in tre SENCO role and as Assistant Principal of Y4-Y6. Derryn's last day at Macleans Primary is on Friday 30 May. Derryn joined Macleans Primary School 2 years ago as our dedicated SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator). In the SENCO role Derryn's dedication and commitment to supporting all children shone through. Following the re-structuring of the Senior Leadership Team this time last year, Derryn moved in to the Y4-Y6 Assistant Principal & SENCO role. For the past year Derryn has led and managed the Y4-Y6 team, providing great leadership, support, guidance and management for all of the children and teachers. Thanks for all you have done for Macleans Primary School and we wish you all the best in your RTLB position. Please cone back and visit!

With the establishment of appointment committees, we have begun the process for the new Y4-Y6 Assistant Principal and New Entrant (NE) Teacher. The NE teacher position is a fixed term role in the room 5 class as we welcome NE children to Macleans Primary School beginning Monday 14 July, the first day of Term 3. The Y4-Y6 Assistant Principal has been advertised. We are beginning to show prospective and confirmed applicants around the school with a goal to be short-listing and interviewing shortly after when the advertised position closes on 30 May. Start times can be flexible and are dependent on current employers and employees contacts and employment status situation, but we are aiming for the new Y4-Y6 AP to begin mid. August to early September at the latest.

Two Macleans Primary students Natalie Magno Zahra and Anna Chang are performing in the upcoming season of SEUSSICAL. Congratulations Natalie and Anna and all the best, and remember to 'break a leg' and have a great time on stage! There are public performances at the end of June, so go ahead and book your tickets now! Public performances:

• Friday 27th June - 7.00pm
• Saturday 28th June - 1.30pm & 7.00pm
• Sunday 29th June - 1.30pm

We have developed a new 'model of behaviour' that aligns with the Macleans Primary School Values. Designed to support the Macleans Primary Values, the model is clear, concise and focuses on the behaviours that we expect to see from all children. The model of behaviour is consistent with and supports the Macleans Primary Policy on Behaviour Management. You can download the Behaviour Management Policy below.

Congratulations to Romeo and Leo Garcia. Romeo's team was 1st place (Champion, Division 1); and Leo's was 1st runner up (2nd place Division 2) at the 9 years old & under the Basketball Tournament: The Garage Cup (games held at Kelston and Liston College). I wonder if Romeo and Leo will follow in NZ's own Steven Adams footsteps and play in the NBA?

Thursday 8 May - PTA Mothers Day Raffle Drawn at the Mothers Day Morning Tea

Thursday 8 May - Mothers Day Morning Tea for all Mums. 10.15 in the school hall.

Monday 12 May to Sunday 18 May - Road Safety Week

Wednesday 21 May - ASB Helping Macleans Primary

Sunday 24 May - PTA Movie in the Hall, 2pm – Sonic 3!

Monday 26 May - Value-A-Thon Launch Assembly @ 9.15am

Monday 26 May - Y4-Y6 Open Classrooms: 2.15-2.45

Tuesday 27 May - PTA Meeting, 6.30pm school staffroom – all welcome!

Thursday 29 May - Y1-Y3 Open Classrooms: 2.15-2.45

Monday 2 June - Kings Birthday Public Holiday (school closed)

Friday 6 June - Teacher Only Day (school closed)

Tuesday 10 June - Learning Conferences 1.30 to 6pm (school closes early @ 1pm)

Wednesday 11 June - Learning Conferences 3.30 - 8pm (school closes regular time of 3pm)

Friday 13 June - PTA Disco – more details coming soon!

Monday 16 June - BoT Meeting at 6pm

Thursday 19 June - Matarki Assembly @ 1.45. Parents Welcome.

Friday 20 June - Matariki Public Holiday (school closed)

Friday 27 June - Last Day of Term 2

Copyright © 2025 Macleans Primary School, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

Macleans Primary School

10 Wycherley Drive

Bucklands Beach

New Zealand

Email: admin@macleansprimary.school.nz
Website: www.macleansprimary.school.nz
Location: Macleans Primary School Wycherley Drive, Bucklands Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: (09)534-591
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Macleans-Primary-School-and-PTA-194780747573611