Email: office@willowpark.school.nz
Website: http://www.willowpark.school.nz/
Location: Willow Park School 13 Compton Street, Hillcrest, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 09 480 9236
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowparkschoolhillcrest/

What an amazing day we had on Thursday with the Blue Light Team at our school. Blue Light is a registered charity that works in partnership with the police to deliver an extensive range of youth programmes and activities.

The day started with an epic event, the visit of Eagle 3, one of the police helicopters. The whole school surrounded the field and watched as the helicopter flew in and landed in the middle of the field. Each year group then got to have a close up view of the helicopter and hear more about it. They also asked some great questions to the crew.

Each year group then had chance to talk with the police officers and have a look around the police cars that they had brought with them. It was so lovely to see some of our Willow Park whānau as part of the Blue Light team!

There was then a very hard fought game of football on the field with the Police Team v the Year 6 students. Mr Kelsey kindly stepped in to be the referee. Supported on by the other year groups, there was definitely some skills from both sides on display.

The final part of the morning was a police dog demonstration which was a real highlight. Three of the police dogs and their handlers showed off their wide range of skills, from staying close to their handler, finding objects and even chasing down a police officer who was prentending to be an unsavoury character! An entertaining and informative session for the children and a great end to the day.

This was certainly a day to remember and we are so thankful to the Blue Light Team for coming to our school. The children enjoyed the visit, and I am sure lots of future helicopter pilots, police officers and dog handlers are the hopes and dreams of many of our students.

Here is a creative opportunity for your child. On Tuesday 3rd December we are going to have a Non-Uniform Day with a gold coin donation in support of a student at our school Lachlan Love. On this day we will be holding a competition to design a superhero out of lego. This can be done at home, and brought into school or a photo bought to school, but some classes will also have an opportunity for children or teams to build at school. We want this to be a representation of manawa reka, as well as a celebration for Lachie. Here is a message from his family: Our little man, Lachie Love, aged 9 and in year 5 is suffering from a neurological disease which affects his brain. He was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago.

We would like to help the Love family make some beautiful family memories together. We will be holding a mufti day in support of Lachie and his family. All proceeds will go directly to Lachie to help him tick off his bucket list items while he is still able to do so. This is a really trying and sensitive time for the Love family. Liesje and Andrew are protecting Lachie and his younger sibling Harry from full reality at this time, so please refrain from talking to your child too much about this heart wrenching disease.

If you would like to know more, they have a page called Lachie’s Bucket List Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089298321738 .

Throughout the course of this year, Room 16 have been in letter correspondence with residents from Northbridge Retirement Village. The aim of this programme was to authentically find a way for students to write, as well as connecting with our local community. Over 100 letters were sent across a period of 20 weeks.

On Tuesday, the residents from Northbridge came to visit us in person! A mixture of nerves quickly turned into excitement as they were introduced. Students gave them a school tour, as well as spending some time reading together and showing them some work.

So proud of the efforts and improvements that have been made throughout the course of our correspondence.

The EPro8 Challenge is the inter-school science and engineering competition. Every year over 25,000 students from throughout New Zealand take part. Students participate in a series of events: firstly within their school and then inter-school. These events are designed to promote science, engineering and problem solving.

Our interschool competition was a hard fought contest across our Year 6 classrooms Two groups emerged and these students went across to Northcote Intermediate School to take part in an inter-school competition. Both teams did extremely well, with one team coming in runner up , which mean they just missed out going trhough to the next round.

Both teams did an excellent job representing Willow Park, and Miss Gully was proud of their efforts!

Community Pool Keys

Our school pool can be used by our families after school, during the weekends and term holidays. Keys will cost $100.00. per family and are not to be shared with other families.

Purchase keys from the office, using Eftpos or credit card only - no cash or internet transfers will be accepted. You will need to complete an application form and will be given a set of rules and procedures which you are expected to abide by. Keys are issued at same time.

As we are now at that time of year where we are sorting out class numbers for 2025, it is important that we are aware of any families that are, or may be leaving Willow Park School,

If you are in this position please email Fran at the office on , office@willowpark.school.nz as soon as you can.

Once again a huge thank you to all the Willow Park families who have been so generous with the donations of food. The Blues Bus is going to be over flowing. We have until Wednesday morning 4th December and then a small group of year 6 children will accompany me over to the Blues Headquarters and deliver our goodies. It is lovely to think we are helping so many families have a happy Christmas. Once again many thanks for your support.

I am sure many of you are beginning to heave a sigh of relief as our sporting events come to a close.

Summer football and touch have two more games; Summer hockey three more games and our year 5/6 boys miniball teams are heading into semis and final games; Our flippaball teams have two more Sunday games.

Thank you to everyone, coaches, parents and players for your continuing commitment and enthusiasm over this very busy time.

We have one more school event scheduled for Monday 9th December. This is the WPS Triathlon for year 4, 5 and 6 children. The triathlon will take place in Block 2 (11:00am - 12:30pm) and for those children without a bike a duathlon at 1:30pm.

We are in need of lots of parent / adult help on the day if anyone has a spare couple of hours to assist, you will be most welcome.

More detailed information will be sent home with participants next week. The children swim in the school pool, cycle and then run around the school block. Registrations are on a Google Doc sent through on Hero. Please do ot hesitate to message me if you have any questions regarding this event.

Sue Whiteman

sue.w@willowpark.school.nz

2024 Term dates (Staff only days Friday 8 November)

• Term 4 starts Monday 14 October, last day is Tuesday 17 December (1pm finish)

2025 - School Term dates

Term 1 - Monday 3rd February. - Friday 11 April

Term 2 - Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June

Term 3 - Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September

Term 4 - Monday 6 October - Tuesday 16 December

2025 - School is closed for :

Staff only days will be advised once decided.

• Waitangi Day - Thursday February 6
• King's Birthday - Monday 2 June
• Matariki - Friday 20 June
• Labour Day - Monday 27 October

Willow Park School has signed up with Look Sharp stores for a 10% discount INSTORE only not online.

Musiqhub offers Guitar and Ukulele tuition to students at Willow Park School with experienced tutor Dave Gatman.

Students learn a range of traditional and contemporary styled songs and techniques where they play together as a group and take turns to play to the group as individuals. This format creates a relaxed and fun environment for students to learn in and is popular in schools around the country.

The lessons are on Thursdays and are available to students in Year 2 and older.

Dave has space for Term 1, 2025 lessons. If you are interested, please contact Dave on 021 2221456, or dave.gatman@musiqhub.co.nz.

At Mid Bays Music, our highly qualified tutors are dedicated to making music learning both relevant and enjoyable. We would love the opportunity to support your child's musical journey!

When: Weekdays after school or Saturday mornings
Where: Murrays Bay Intermediate School
Start Date: 15th February 2025
Cost: $170 - $270 for the entire year (this includes book hire, but not instrument hire)
Age: Group lessons are available for children aged 6–12, with age requirements for some instruments.

Instruments Offered: Guitar, Ukulele, Clarinet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Trumpet, Recorder, Flute, Drums, Violin, Viola, and Cello. Click here to learn more about each instrument.

Enrolments for 2025 will open on December 1st and must be completed through Kindo. If you haven't done so already, please make sure you have an account set up.

Spaces are limited, and some instruments have sold out within the first 48 hours in the past! To avoid disappointment, be sure to register early!

For any troubleshooting or questions, please visit our website at www.mbmusic.org, or email us at mbmusic@mbi.school.nz.