School Newsletter Term 4, Week 10
Thursday 14th December 2023
Kia ora West End Whānau,
What are year 2023 has been for Te Kura O Urumutu. We are very proud of the progress that has been made as a school this year with improvements to buildings, new learning programmes and events, and of course an impressive amount of new learning for our tamariki.
Our school would not be the place it is today without the wonderful support of our fantastic West End Whānau. Thank you for your ongoing support, passion, and commitment to your child’s learning and contribution to West End School being the best possible place it can be for our tamariki to learn and grow each day.
To our talented, hard working, and committed teachers and staff. Thank you again for another stellar year. You have planned and provided our children with powerful learning experiences throughout the year. Your hard work to nurture the growth and development of our tamariki is much appreciated. Now it is time to have a break, recharge the batteries and I know we are all already really excited for 2024 and beyond.
Well done West End tamariki for your learning this year. I continue to be impressed with the progress children have been making across the curriculum. It is wonderful to see and hear our children’s understanding and application of the school values growing daily. West End School tamariki, have a fantastic holiday, we will miss you over the break but all of the staff will be looking forward to seeing everyone back at school next year. To our Year 6 leavers - I would like to once again wish you well for your next adventure, go well. We will be excitedly watching how you take on the next set of opportunities your learning journey has to offer you. Please remember to come back and visit Te Kura O Urumutu when you get the chance.
On a personal note, this is my final newsletter and sign off to West End School. I will always be very proud to have led West End school as Principal. Te Kura O Urumutu is a special place. It is a great school supported by a fantastic community with a talented staff and wonderful tamariki. It has been a privilege to serve this community for nearly 5 years. Personally I have enjoyed many highlights from my time at ‘West End the Best End’ however it is the connection with tamariki, kaiako, and whānau that I will treasure the most. To all who have offered your support, encouragement and been a part of school life during my time at our school I would like to take the opportunity to say a sincere thank you. I will continue to keep a keen interest in West End School’s progress. I’m sure you will all enjoy the leadership of Mr. Tony West and under his guidance the school will continue to go from strength to strength.
To all, I thank you again for a wonderful year and wish you all the best for a safe, fulfilling and happy summer break and fantastic 2024 and beyond.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Matt Kennedy
Upcoming Events
WEEK 10 -
- Last day of the 2023 School Year (finishing at 12.30pm) - Thursday 14th December
TERM 1, WEEK 1 2024 -
- Open afternoon (meet the teacher) - Friday 26th January at 1.30pm
- First day of 2024 school year - Monday 29th January
WEEK 2 -
- Staff Only Day (no school) - Monday 5th February
- Waitangi Day (no school) - Tuesday 6th February
PE at West End
Thank you for all the support for West End Sports in 2023, we have had a hugely successful year with nearly a half of students participating across a range of extra curricular activities, and many students placing at Interschool Events. We look forward to new and existing events next year. Congratulations to our athletes who received the top sporting cups for Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country.
Athletic Cup winners were - Connor Gear, Eden Vitau and Sony Ezekiela
Swimming Cup winners were - Isaiah Le and Sophia Higginson
Cross Country Winners were - Sony Ezekiela and Nasir Qadam
- Term One Sports will begin to be released early January. Please keep an eye out on the app and ensure you are following your child's new area team.
Whānau open afternoon for next year
West End School will be holding an open afternoon on Friday 26th January to welcome our whānau back to school for the 2024 school year. This is a chance for parents/families and students to come in before the first full day of school to meet their teacher and is a time to connect meaningfully with each other. Our Meet the Whānau afternoon will be between 1.30pm and 3pm , and is a chance for families to ask questions, as well as receive information about their class. Please arrive for 1.30 because teachers will be in meetings prior to this time. We will also be having a free sausage sizzle. We look forward to seeing you all back next year.
When: Friday 26th January from 1.30pm - 3pm
Where: West End School
Why: Reconnect after holidays and meet your teacher for 2024
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 12 April (100 1/2 days)
Term 2: Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July (96 1/2 days)
Term 3: Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept (100 1/2 days)
Term 4: Monday 14 Oct - Friday 13 Dec (88 1/2 days)
Which equals a total of 384 half days for 2024.
We would have Call Back Days Thur 25 - Fri 26 Jan before the year starts.
We have a scheduled Teacher Only Day on Monday 5th February.
Proposed Ballot Dates for 2024
Ballot held in Term 1 for Term 2
(To be held in Term 1 Week 3, 12th Feb-16th Feb)
Ballot held in Term 2 for Term 3
(To be held in Term 2 Week 3, 6th May - 10th May)
Ballot held in Term 3 for Term 4
(To be held in Term 3 Week 3, 29 July - 2 August)
Ballot held in Term 4 for Term 1
(To be held in Term 4 Week 3, 21st October - 25th October)
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465