The Connection Week 3 Term 1

What do Adventure Racing, “Cool Runnings”, Captain Planet and Huapai District School all have in common?

With our powers combined we are better!

On the weekend I took part in a 4 person adventure race. This is an event that involves orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, running hills, bush bashing, swimming and plenty of thistle covered hills. Each member of the team has their skill set which when alone, only can get the person so far, but together the skill set drives the team to success.

The same with the Jamaican bobsled team - each member of the team has a skill set to help the team travel faster and perform better. Captain Planet’s quote “With our powers combined, WE are Captain Planet” perfectly encapsulates the idea that together we are more powerful than when we stand alone.

This is the same with our Huapai School Community. When we see younger students with older ones, our parents working with teachers and students, grandparents sharing their skill sets with people at school, there is a powerful change that drives our school towards even greater success.

At the school picnic this week it was fantastic to see our community coming together to eat, to share a smile and a laugh and to join together to show the power of ‘team’. Our adults vs students annual soccer match is quickly becoming a highlight for many. Everyone brings their skill set to the field to make Huapai District School the very best school!

We are excited to reach into our community to draw out those skill sets that sharpen us as a school.

Together we are better!

Maree Lloyd

Deputy Principal

• Monday 6th March - Boys Senior Swimming Sports
• Tuesday 7th March - Girls Senior Swimming Sports

Towards the end of last year we were seeing a number of children arriving very early to school. It is pleasing to see this pattern has not been repeated this year. Parents are reminded we expect children on-site from 8.30am. We have a supervised before school programme available for parents needing to drop children off early.

If children do arrive early at school, they will be spoken to and (possibly) taken to the before school programme. We do not offer supervision of children in classes before 8.30am.

We had one Teacher Only Day (TOD) planned for this year. However, the Government has recently allocated two (2) additional days for staff training on the new curriculum. The timing of the first of these days has been direct in that it must occur in the first two weeks of Term 2. We have elected to hold this additional day on Monday 24th April. This is the first day back from the Term 1 break and Tuesday 25th April is ANZAC day. We have selected this day as it may present opportunities for families. Huapai + will offer a programme on this day.

In summary, Teacher Only Days in 2023 are now:

24th April - New Curriculum (day before ANZAC day)

6th June - Combined schools professional development day

NB: A third day will be allocated in either Term 3 & 4, subject to the Ministry Of Education confirming our options.

The cost of transporting our senior school students to Massey for our annual swimming sports this year has become cost prohibitive. The quote to transport our students is just under $2600. This price does not include the added cost of pool hireage. This is simply not feasible. Instead we will hold our senior swimming sports here at school. Year 5 - 8 boys will be swimming on Monday 6th March and Year 5 - 8 girls on Tuesday 7th March

A revised timetable will come out before this date. We envisage that the sessions will run 9am -1pm.

If your son or daughter is interested in playing netball this season, please use the link below to register them. Games are played on a Saturday at Helensville Rugby and Netball Club. Registrations close Friday 24th March.

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with our Breakfast Club. It is HUGELY appreciated. If there is anyone who can assist working with another adult on a Monday morning from 8:30am - 9am, please get in touch with Stephanie.wales@hds.school.nz

Southern Stars Summer Festival Day Out has been re-scheduled to take place at the Kumeu Showgrounds on Saturday 25th February 2023.

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All tickets issued for the previous November 26th 2022 date are valid for entry in February!

Children's entertainment will include stage shows featuring the Southern Stars production of "Cinderella", plus Captain Festus, Cirque de JP, and Auckland Academy of Dance!

There will be Facepainting and Carnival Rides all free and included in the ticket entry. Live music will include The Warratahs, Alibis, The Dawns, Normans Hill, Abba Heaven & Sola Rosa.

​There will also be an on-site market with lots of street food. Bring your hat, umbrella, suntan lotion and picnic blanket and enjoy a country day out.

Visit their website at the link below to purchase tickets and support this great cause!

The Montessori Unit invites interested families to attend an open day to be held on Saturday 1st of April from 10:00am - 11:00am in Studios 7 and 8.

Book Club, Edition 1, 2023 Scholastic New Zealand is out now!

Please download the app and place your orders via LOOP.

Aroha Skate are back for 2023. Skate lessons are after school on Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm. Please use the link below to book.

Creative Matters are back for the 2023 year. With classes on Mondays, 3pm - 5pm in Room 17. Please book at the link below.

MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2023 at Huapai School! They will have a bunch of slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons. If you're interested, be sure to get in touch to reserve your spot or ask any questions you may have. Contact details below:

Drums - paul.barry@musiqhub.co.nz

Guitar, Keyboard and Ukulele - scott.wotherspoon@musiqhub.co.nz

These are the Term Dates for 2023:

Term 1: Tuesday 7th February - Thursday 6th April

Term 2: Monday 24th April - Friday 30th June

Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September

Term 4: Monday 9th October - Tuesday 19th December

Teacher Only Days:

Monday 24th April (the day before Anzac Day)

Tuesday 6th June (King's Birthday weekend)

We use HERO to send classroom updates, to share regular learning posts and now for payment on all in-school costs. HERO sends push notifications or emails. You can now choose how you receive HERO notifications as well as manage devices that receive them.

To set your own notification preferences:

1. Click on your profile image

2. Select EDIT PROFILE

3. Scroll down to My Devices and select your preferences.
   

Or please see the full instructions linked below.

Email: office@hds.school.nz
Website: https://www.huapaidistrict.school.nz/
Location: Huapai District School 40 Station Rd, Kumeū, New Zealand
Phone: +64 09 412 5042
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huapaidistrictschool