page background

School Newsletter Term 1, Week 5

Friday 28th February 2025

School NewsletterTerm 1, Week 5Friday 28th February 2025

Kia ora West End Whānau,


We've had a fantastic week of sunshine, creating the perfect backdrop for learning, play, and preparation for some exciting events ahead. The beautiful weather has lifted spirits across the school, and we have certainly made the most of it.


A big focus this week has been professional development centered around our school pou and our growth in the tikanga around powhiri and mihi whakatau. This helps to, strengthen our shared values and commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and enriching environment for all our tamariki. These sessions have provided valuable insights for staff and reinforced the importance of our collective mahi in shaping a positive school culture. We are proud of the ongoing work in this space and appreciate the dedication of our teaching team.


Looking ahead, there is plenty to be excited about as we move towards the final stretch of the term. One of the major highlights is our upcoming School Athletics Day on Monday. This is always a much-anticipated event, giving students the opportunity to showcase their skills, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Whether they are sprinting down the track, giving it their all in the field events, or cheering on their peers, we know our tamariki will make us proud. We encourage families to come along and support our athletes—your presence makes a big difference!


A massive thank you to our incredible property manager for ensuring our athletics field is in top condition. The freshly marked track looks professional and is set to provide a great experience for all participants. We truly appreciate the effort that goes into maintaining our school grounds and creating the best possible environment for our students.


As we head into the remainder of the term, there are plenty of exciting learning opportunities, events, and celebrations on the horizon. Stay connected through our school app and newsletters to keep up to date with everything happening at West End.


Nga mihi,

Tony West

Principal - Tumuaki

West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu

School Athletics on Monday

Whānau welcome to come and enjoy our athletics morning

A reminder for children to bring their hat and water bottle! If they are able to put sunscreen on before school, that would be appreciated.


Tipuranga - 9:15 - 12:30pm : Tipuranga has a core focus on the fundamental skills of athletics participating in a range of activities that teach these. They will be towards the end of the feild.


Puawaitanga and Te Wao Nui O Tane - 9:15 - 12:00 pm will be participating in standard athletic events across the morning.


Te Wao Nui O Tāne students will be working towards qualifying for Interschool Athletics in Term 4.


We kindly have the PTA running a sausage sizzle and selling juicies and chippies on Athletics Day. A flyer about this went home last week. Senior swimming will still continue in the afternoon.

ATHLETICS DAY SAUSAGE SIZZLE LUNCH

Monday 3rd March

Sausages in Bread - $3

Packet of Chips - $2.50

Juicies - $2

CASH ONLY - please send your child with the correct money.

Community Conferences and Kai Evening

Week 7 - Thursday 13th March from 4.30 - 6.30pm

The West End Whānau is invited to our Community Conferences and Kai event which is on Thursday 13th March. This will be a chance to come into your child's class to see the amazing mahi they have been doing during the year so far and to have a talk to their teacher. This will start at 4.30pm and continue through to 5.30pm.

Once you have finished meeting with the teacher and looking at your child's work, you are invited to stay for a picnic on the field with the rest of our school whānau.

Our amazing PTA will have activities on the field as well as having a sausages sizzle. Our Community Conferences and Kai evening will finish at 6.30.


To remember:

  1. Walk the Walls of your child's classroom goes between 4.30 to 5.30.
  2. When you are finished, you are welcome to join us on the field for PTA run activities.
  3. You are welcome to bring some food to eat at this time.
  4. You can buy sausages, drinks and juicies from the PTA.
  5. Our Community Conferences and Kai evening will finish at 6.30pm.

Swimming timetable

Children will need to bring togs, towel, goggles and if your child has long hair it will need to be tied up for swimming.

Upcoming Events

WEEK 6 -

  • School Athletics: Monday 3rd March - 9am-12:30
  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 3rd March
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 4th March
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 5th March - 1.50pm
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 5th March
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 6th March


WEEK 7 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 10th March
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 11th March
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 12th March - 1.50pm
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 12th March
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 13th March
  • Community Conferences and Kai - Thursday 13th March from 4.30pm - 6.30pm


WEEK 8 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 17th March
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 18th March
  • Weetbix Tryathlon - Tuesday 18th March
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 19th March - 1.50pm
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 19th March
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 20th March
  • Mt Biggs Tough Kids Challenge - Friday 21st March


WEEK 9 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 24th March
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 25th March
  • New Entrant Visits - Wednesday 26th March - 1.50pm
  • Plant to Plate TWNOT - Wednesday 26th March
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 26th March
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 27th March


WEEK 10 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 31st March
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 1st April
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 2nd April
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 3rd April
  • RIPPA Rugby Tournament - Friday 4th April


WEEK 11 -

  • Swimming for Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 7th April
  • Swimming for Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 8th April
  • EPIC Music - Wednesday 9th April
  • Swimming for Tipuranga - Thursday 10th April
  • Last Day of Term 1 - Friday 11th April


SCHOOL HOLIDAYS UNTIL MONDAY 28th APRIL

The Big Little Sponsorship

Nominate West End School for the chance to win one of four $10,000 sports grants

We know how important sport is to Kiwi kids. It teaches fair play, teamwork, builds confidence and keeps them active, but getting the little ones match ready can be expensive. That’s why this year we’ve made Big Little bigger than ever, so even more schools can play a little freer with a game changing sports grant.

In partnership with Eden Park, the Big Little Sponsorship encourages communities to nominate local primary schools for the prize, giving a boost to grassroots sport in the process. Running since 2018, the Big Little Sponsorship has seen $98,000 in sports grants awarded to primary schools across Aotearoa.

Your school could be our next big winner, so nominate them below to help them play a little freer! The school benefits from having as many nominations as possible.


Click on the link below.

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 29 October 2025

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

West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Email: office@westend.school.nz
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465