Tēnā koutou katoa

I want to extend a huge congratulations to our kapa haka group and Whaea Raewyn for an exceptional performance at Puanga. Their confidence and stage presence shone through in a polished performance, captivating the audience with waiata and a powerful haka.

A special mention needs to go to Manawa and Mia, the student leaders of this group. They set the tone and guided the group from start to finish, working together to create a sense of unity within the performance. Many thanks to Rachel Pretty and Nathan Ransfield who have supported the group and helped with preparations on the day and leading in to this as well.

The performance made everyone watching feel super proud and reminded us all, I’m sure, of the wairua or spirit that runs through our school. The courage in sharing this important part of our culture is something for them all to remember! Ngā mihi nui to everyone involved for bringing such mana to our school.

Ryves

You can watch our kapa haka performance on our school Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/VogeltownSchoolNewPlymouth/

New curriculums are being released, with the latest being mathematics. There are some significant changes in the way that these are structured and will initiate changes to the way that learning is delivered, children are assessed and information is reported or shared with parents and whānau.

Te Mātaiaho or the NZ Curriculum has eight learning areas: English, the arts, health and physical education, learning languages, mathematics and statistics, science, social sciences, and technology. Together they provide the basis for a broad, general education.

Each learning area is knowledge-rich. This knowledge has been carefully chosen to support all students in their schooling pathway and is organised using the Understand, Know, and Do framework:

• Understand – the deep and enduring big ideas and themes
• Know – the important content, concepts, and topics that enrich students’ understanding of the big ideas and themes
• Do – the skills, strategies, and processes that bring rigour to learning

Phases have been introduced (to replace curriculum levels). There are five phases of learning, spanning years 0–13.

The phases are:

• Phase 1 (Years 0–3)
• Phase 2 (Years 4–6)
• Phase 3 (Years 7–8)
• Phase 4 (Years 9–10)
• Phase 5 (Years 11–13)

In order to improve outcomes for learners, there is also guidance for teachers about how to deliver learning. These have been informed by the science of learning.

Like all schools we’re working hard to improve levels of attendance. The Ministry of Education has set a target for all schools to have a high proportion of students with an attendance rate of 90% and better. Currently we have 57% of our children with an attendance rate of 90-100% so there is plenty of room for improvement.

The evidence shows that attendance is directly related to how well learners achieve. The more learners attend, the higher their achievement.

Going to school is important for learners’ wellbeing too. The research shows that frequent absence is associated with worse wellbeing outcomes, including schoolwork‐related anxiety, decreased sense of belonging, and fewer friendships with peers.

We’re keen to work with you to ensure all children have access to regular learning. If you have any aspects of attendance that you need to discuss, I recommend making a time to talk with your child’s teacher.

Help us keep our school environment safe and welcoming for all by keeping an eye on the school grounds outside of school hours.

If you are nearby and notice anything unusual, please report it to the Police and message the school office. Your vigilance will make a big difference in maintaining the lovely environment we have here for our children.

Additionally, we remind everyone to keep dogs off the school grounds to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our space.

CALENDAR ART

By now your child should have brought home the flyer with information on how to order calendar art - if you need a copy, please contact your child's teacher or the school office. There are calendars, cards, diaries, mouse mats and sketch pads available - these make great Christmas presents! Orders need to be placed by Monday 11th November to ensure these arrive in time for Christmas.

PIZZA DAY

Our next pizza day is on Wednesday 13th November - you can place your orders through Kindo now.

COOKIE TIME

Our Cookie Time fundraiser is now underway! You can place orders through Kindo - information is on the flyer below.

Thank you for your support!

It's now that time of year when our tamariki need protection from the sun's harmful rays - bucket hats must be worn every day during Term 4. We have the famous Vogeltown School bucket hats for sale at the senior office for $20 each, but any bucket hat can be worn. Children not wearing a hat will need to remain in a shaded area during break times. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

The 2025 Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon is being held in New Plymouth on Tuesday 25th March 2025 at Ngamotu Beach.

If you wish to enter your child and register them under the Vogeltown School group, here is the link to do this:

http://raceroster.com/events/2025/93896/new-plymouth-weet-bix-kids-tryathlon/register?team=714836

We will have a Vogeltown tent up for children to meet but parents are responsible for their children on the day.

Surfing Taranaki are hosting this event at the New Plymouth Surfriders Club on Tuesday 3rd December (postponement date of Wednesday 4th December).

If your child wishes to enter you can register them using the link below. You will need to attend with your child and provide them with a wetsuit and board. Cost to enter is $5 per child which can be paid on the day.

https://forms.gle/5NtKsdw5aq9rZhEX7

TERM CALENDAR

Put all these dates in your diary or your phone! Remember we will put all updates on Facebook, Skool Loop and Seesaw.

TERM 4

14 October - 13 December

5 November - AWE Water Safety, Year 6s, group 1

6 November - AWE Water Safety, Year 6s, group 2

7 November - AWE Water Safety, Year 6s, group 3

8 November - Talent quest finals

11 November - Final day for placing calendar art orders

13 November - Pizza lunch day

15 November - Four Year Old Friday, 9:00am to 11:00am, Junior School

15 November - Athletics (senior and middle school)

18 November - Cohort entry #2 begins

20 November - Paetoki production matinee/night

22 November - Vogeltowner Awards

26 November - BOT meeting

27 November - Huatoki production matinee/night

28 November - Hangi sleepover (Year 6 students)

29 November - Four Year Old Friday, 9:00am to 11:00am, Junior School

29 November - Hangi day

4 December - Taranaki production matinee/night

6 December - Whole school assembly

10 December - Whanau tabloid sports

11 December - Year 6 farewell assembly

11 December - Meet the teacher for 2025

11 December - Year 6 leavers night

13 December - Last day of school for 2024. School finishes at 3:00pm.

Stay safe and be kind to each other. Thank you for the ongoing support of Vogeltown School, we really appreciate the efforts everyone makes to ensure our kura is such a great place to learn and work!

On behalf of the Vogeltown team, ka kite ano!

Ryves Hunt and the VS team

Email: office@vogeltown.school.nz
Website: www.vogeltown.school.nz
Location: Vogeltown School Huatoki Street, Vogeltown, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: (06) 753 6843

Our school policies, like many schools, are now in an online system through a portal called 'Schooldocs'. Any time you want to bring up a school policy, just log in to schooldocs and you can access the policies.

The login is: vogeltown

The password: huatoki

The website link to Schooldocs is below.