Newsletter Issue 8
Term 3 - September 14 2022
Principal’s Update
Kia ora, Nameste, Talofa, Konnichiwa, Guten Tag, Gidday, Vannakkam, ni Hao, Kia orana, Hola, Salam, Sa wat deekha, Dia Dhuit, Goeie Dag, Bonjour, Καλημέρα, Greetings everyone
Nau mai hoki mai ki te wiki o te reo Māori!
What a lot is happening this week both nationally and at Bellevue!
Te wiki o te reo Māori
We are celebrating te wiki or te reo Māori, in the middle of Mahuru Māori - dedicating the month of September to speaking more te reo Māori. There are heaps of ideas and resources in these links for those of you who want to take up the challenge with your tamariki to revitalise te reo. Our kaiako have been busily brainstorming all manner of creative ways to acknowledge this important week in our kura in addition to the ways in which we strive to give mana to Te Tiriti o Waitangi all the time. Look out for the updates in next week's newsletter about what we got up to - or even better kōrero ki āu tamariki (talk with your children) about what they have been doing to celebrate te wiki.
New Zealand marks the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 26 September
Also announced in yesterday’s news was the one-off public holiday on Monday 26 September to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and celebrate her life of public service. Please note this addition to the important dates below - school will be closed on this date.
High Notes Performance - Artsplash Choir
Our wonderful High Notes Choir performed impressively at the Michael Fowler center on Monday night. After two years of not being able to hold Artsplash events under the Covid-19 restrictions it was a real celebration of musical talent. Despite only having a short turn around from the confirmation of the event date to the performance, our students did us proud - testament to their resilience, confidence and the responsibility they took for practising. Many thanks to Anne Smith who gave up many lunchtimes to prepare the choir so well and to Phoebe Ayers for supporting the tamariki throughout the rehearsal day.
Hub 5 Science Roadshow
Also on Monday Hub 5 headed to Newlands Intermediate to visit the Science Roadshow. Check out the article later in the newsletter to find out more.
Learning Celebrations - Next Wednesday Evening
A reminder that we hope to see all our families next Wednesday (21 September) when we will be holding the second of our 'Learning Celebrations' for the year. Classrooms will be open with students learning displayed from 3 - 4.30pm and then again between 5.30 - 7pm. You will see a variety of learning across the children's classes and are very welcome to visit classes across the school. We are aiming for richness and diversity in our celebration of the student's learning - what is important to them as individuals - rather than consistency. This is the first time that we have taken this approach to our Term 3 sharing of learning with our whānau and we are keen to reflect and grow from the experience. We will have our usual community feedback sheets 'How dis we glow? How did we grow?' available to gather your thoughts so please feel free to let us know what you think.
Finally, as we approach the final weeks of Term 3, school planning for 2023 is underway. We would like to draw your attention to the ‘School Organisation’ section of this newsletter in case you wish us to consider anything for your child’s class placement for 2023.
The term dates for 2023 will be published in the final newsletter for the term (28 September) and on the school website.
Kia kaha te kōrero Māori
Annette
HEALTH & SAFETY UDATE - Government Announces End of Traffic Light System
Our average attendance continues to be affected by winter illness. We sit at 80% for this week, as we focus on a return to a steady 90% attendance again.
It is positive to hear Monday's news that Cabinet agreed to remove the COVID-19 Protection Framework as of Monday (12 September) at 11.59pm. More information about the details of the announcement can be found HERE. Our school correspondence regarding this change can be found HERE on our website and also on our closed group Facebook page.
Key messages are:
- The removal of the requirement for household contacts to isolate. Instead, they will be asked to test for COVID-19 for five days.
- Masks are no longer required on public transport or school transport and no longer strongly recommended in school settings.
- Positive cases remain legally required to isolate for seven days and anyone who is symptomatic, including household contacts should stay at home and get tested.
- Mask wearing for students and staff is now optional at Bellevue School. However, while our attendance rates are still recovering after the winter, school encourages the continuation of mask use by students Year 4 and above and staff until the end of the term.
Please do continue to inform us if your child tests positive - office@bellevue-newlands.school.nz
Thank you
To the following parents/caregivers who accompanied the Year 5 & 6 students to the Science Roadshow at Newlands Intermediate on Monday:
Teena, Erin, Kirsty, Carl, Harriet, Layla, Helen, Nik & Mel
Quinn, Debbie, Sui, Nicola, Kelvin, Kim. Silvia, Rebecca, Sophia and Lai who accompanied the Year 4 students to the Science Roadshow at Newlands Intermediate today.
Bellevue School Board Casual vacancy for a parent representative
A casual vacancy exists on the school board for an elected parent representative. The casual vacancy occurred as there were fewer nominations than the number of positions to be filled after our election.
The board has decided to fill this vacancy by running a By Election Process. More information about casual vacancies can be found here: https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/board-resources/casual-vacancies/
The Bellevue Board have opted for this option, as opposed to the selection process, to encourage our community members who may have been considering standing for the Board, to put their nominations in.
Should we not receive any nominations then the Board will consider the selection process.
The Bellevue team and Board encourage you to consider becoming a member of this proactive, supportive team who are driven by supporting our tamariki to be active, connected life-long learners.
Please feel free to contact the Board by emailing boardchair@bellevue-newlands.school.nz
Kind Regards,
Bellevue Board
Bellevue School, Newlands School Board Elections
Parent By-Election Notice
Nominations are open for the election of one (1) parent representative to the school board.
All eligible voters will receive a nomination form via email. Use this form to nominate yourself
or someone in your community. You will also receive a nomination cover letter via email
calling for nominations. Information on who is not eligible to be a board member is provided with
the nomination form. If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office.
Nominations close at noon on Friday 30 September 2022. You may provide a signed
candidate statement and photograph with your nomination. The electoral roll is held at the
school and can be viewed during normal school hours. As nominations are received, there
will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can
view.
Voting closes at 4pm on Friday 4 November 2022.
Signed Amanda Beauchamp, Returning Officer
Hub 5 Writing
Milly Mackey was born in Wellington
Hospital on the 23rd of February
2002, to her mum Kelly Sutton who
owns a flower business. Milly
currently plays for the Wellington
Pride as a half back.
Milly played for Newlands Junior Rugby club in her 1st year of
Rugby. Then she played for Wellington Axemen from 6 to 12
years old. In her 13th year of playing rugby, she moved to
Johnsonville rugby club because Axemen did not have enough
players. She also played 6 years of basketball for her school.
Milly played her first year of women's rugby for Paremata,
Plimmerton. She also played for Wellington women's 7s. At the
beginning of her career, she started as an openside flanker but
moved to halfback in year 9. Currently she works as a teacher aide
at Rewa Rewa school. She is also a RugbyHerWay activator which
means that Milly is trying to get more women and girls to play
rugby.
It all started for Milly, when she started rugby at 5. Then her heart
was set on playing rugby. Not only has she succeeded but she has
shown great leadership, determination and dedication to her
teams and coaches. She's now in the Wellington Prides as halfback
and the best halfback ever.
Science Roadshow
On Monday 12th of September Hub 5 went to the Science Roadshow. We learnt about conductors and insulators and tried out hovercrafts!
Green Fingers Gardening Club
Green Fingers say thank you to Student Council and our community for the 2022 disco funds that were used to buy new tools for gardening as well as plants for the garden they will install by the Whare Iti (the old dental clinic).
You are invited - Friday 23 September 1.30 - 2.45pm
A brief reminder to join us if you can for 'Whakawhanaungatanga Friday' next week.
Children will be all around the school so there will be a map of activities in the Office when you arrive, as well as a list of which children are in which learning area. We can’t wait to see you there!
Library News
Tēnā koutou Bellevue whānau
Just a wee heads up, that next week will be a PURR-fect week for our display on 'CATS'.
So...if you have a cat at home and would be happy to share a photo for our display, please email me at library@bellevue-newlands.school.nz
Ngā mihi mahana (warm thanks)
Sarah
Health & Safety
PLEASE ….
Follow the road rules ... give way to up hill traffic, go to the top of Bancroft Terrace to turn and do NOT double park or park on the yellow lines in the Terrace. Please do not turn around by the school driveway or near the school patrols.
PLEASE ….
Be considerate to our neighbours by not parking in their driveway or blocking the entrance to their property.
Student Council Fundraiser
Bellevue school is hosting a fundraiser to fundraise paint for the black hut down by the Seniors. We are going to have a range of activities including:
Lego
Koosh
Sports
Outside races and games
Movie - Smurfs : The Lost Village (Rated G) (Rm 12)
Equipment on the big field (Outside)
$2 Mini licks
All of this is happening at lunchtime on Friday the 16th September.
From Miles, Alice and the Student Council Team
Donations:
Are you trying to get rid of things in your Garage? The Student Council is on the lookout for paint brushes for outdoor painting, sand paper, outdoor paint and primers. If you have any of these things and you wish to free yourself from them please bring them to school by Wednesday 21 September!
Sports News
Miniball Results:
Week of 5 Sept:
Lightning lost against St Benedicts Comets, 25:50. Players of the day: Levi and Mickey
Storm won against Cashmere Timberwolves, 50:31. Players of the day: Lillian and Dom
Hurricanes won against Wadestown Whirlwinds, 38:12. Players of the day: Tyler and Theo
Thunder lost against St Brigids Wizards, 8:28. Player of the day: Rufus
Week of 12 September:
Lightning lost against Cashmere Bulls, 30:42. Players of the day: Benji and Ethan
Storm won against Khandallah Knicks, 39:26. Players of the day: Kahu and Han
Hurricanes lost against Amesbury Moa, 22:28. Players of the day: Kahlia and Benji
Thunder won against Cashmere Clippers, 22:20. Player of the day: Macy
Touch Rugby:
Touch Rugby is starting up again in Term 4. If you are interested in signing up your child(ren), please follow this link. Registrations need to be completed by 30 September.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHN3-QCA_XNxd7-hgPOb1Xr9I0yckbdqW0M40_DIkqonFsRQ/viewform
Netball Celebration:
Thank you to everyone who attended the netball celebration yesterday. It is always great to celebrate the tamariki's successful netball season. From the coaches' speeches the words determination, perseverance and teamwork were the key words that stood out from the celebration.
Thank you to all the coaches this season and a massive thank you to Lorraine and Lisa who are retiring as Bellevue's netball organisers after three years of the role. Erin Bellhouse and Teresa Kennedy will be taking over the role, who we know will be just as amazing.
Wellington Weet-Bix KIds TRYathlon 2023 registrations are now open!
The Wellington Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon will be held on Sunday 19 March, 2023 at Kilbirnie Park. Information about the event can be found here. If your child is interested in taking part in this fun activity, please register as part of our ‘Bellevue (Newlands)’ school group.
School Organisation for 2023
Term 4 is a short term and always busy term! At this time of year we begin looking at the numbers of students we anticipate in each year level to make decisions about class organisation and placement for the following year.
At Bellevue, providing the best environment for learning is at the forefront of our decisions. The number of classes we start the year with is dependent on the staffing entitlement received from the Ministry of Education. This is based on the number of students in the school.
Our teachers are capable of teaching at all levels of the school and so we can allocate teachers to classes no matter the structure of the school or where they were teaching the previous year.
When looking at class composition, we aim to meet each child's needs regardless of the whānau class or mix of year groups. Our team of skilled educators takes the following factors into account when considering class placement for students -
- Individual needs and achievement
- Peer relationships
- Learning groups and friendship groups
- Age and year group
- Gender balance and number of students
- Siblings in other classes and year groups
We are committed to making the most appropriate placement, considering all the information.
If there are any factors we may not be aware of that you believe are important for us to take into account please contact the school over the coming month - by 21 October at the latest. There will be reminders in the newsletter before and after the term break.
You can talk with your child's teacher or a member of the leadership team or email us at Anne Smith (Deputy Principal Year 0-3) annes@bellevue-newlands.school.nz, Deeann Daniels (Deputy Principal Year 4-6) deeann@bellevue-newlands.school.nz, Annette Borgonje (Principal) annette@bellevue-newlands.school.nz.
Once again, please make sure that you have contacted us before 21 October (end of the first week back) so we can take this into consideration when planning classes early next term.
OUT OF ZONE ENROLMENTS
Important information about the Bellevue School enrolment scheme (zone) -
If you have pre-schoolers at home that you are planning to enrol at Bellevue School in the future, here are a few important things to know and put into action:
1. If you are living outside of the Bellevue School enrolment zone, then your pre-schooler(s) will need to be processed as an out of zone application. Please let us know, if you haven’t already, of any future enrolments at Bellevue School from your family. It helps greatly with our planning to know well in advance. And if we know then we can also prompt you as to when you need to get your out of zone application in.
2. It is very important that out of zone applications are received by the application deadline of 9am Friday 23 September 2022, for enrolment from Friday 16 December 2022 to Thursday 6 April 2023. We cannot accept any out of zone applications if they are not received by the deadline advertised for the enrolment period your child is due to start school in. The deadline can sometimes be up to six months prior to your child actually starting school.
3. Even if your pre-schooler(s) are in zone, please get your paperwork in to us as soon as possible to enable us to plan ahead. We need this information to be able to work out how many out of zone applications we can accept in each enrolment period. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please call the school office and talk to Amanda.
Hi Bellevue Family!
Our FUNdraisers Committee Meeting is this week, 15 th September. 7pm in the
school staffroom.
We hope to see you there to discuss and put in place further fundraising
opportunities for Term 4 and looking forward to 2023.
The Wildflower World Spring Seed Fundraiser orders are closing this week on the
16 th September. The delivery date is TBA, but likely in early Term 4.
Online and printable order forms are on our webpage:
https://www.bellevue-newlands.school.nz/fundraisers
If you have any queries, suggestions or feedback regarding FUNdraisers, please
don’t hesitate to be in touch on email: fundraisers@bellevue-newlands.school.nz
Updates…
Pizza Lunches
Again, thank you to all that responded to our survey.
The outcome of the feedback received is that, subject to their availability, we will be
trialing a delivery from Domino’s at this end of term.
Wildflower World Spring Seed Fundraiser - Orders close 16 September
Our Seed fundraiser is still open until the end of this week. Don’t forget to check in
with those gardening grandparents, aunts and uncles if they need anything!
Bellevue Book Fair – 5 November 2022
Doing a Spring Clean around home? We would be delighted to receive your
generously donated books! We have a collection box in the school reception/office
area for you to drop off book donations.
We are also trying something a little new…. Would you like to join us with an arts
and crafts (or something else?) stall on the day of the book fair?
Please contact Rebecca at fundraisers@bellevue-newlands.school.nz with
information about your wares.
Kids Art Work (Calendar Art)
Orders are still being processed, and the production company are still unable to
confirm a delivery date. So we are still looking like early Term 4 for distribution to
home.
Important Dates
Thursday 15 September
FUNdraisers Meeting - staffroom 7pm
Wednesday 21 September
Learning celebration - open evening
Classes open 3 - 4.30pm / 5.30 - 7pm
Thursday 22 September
Board meeting
Monday 26 September
2022 Public Holiday - School closed
Friday 30 September
Term 3 ends
Monday 17 October
Term 4 begins
Wednesday 19 October - Wednesday 7 December (Term 4)
Hub 1 & 2 Swimming (every Wednesday)
Friday 21 October
Teacher Only Day - School Closed
Monday 24 October
Labour Day - School Closed
Saturday 5 November
Bellevue FUNdraisers Book Fair
Friday 18 November
Te Korowai ō Horokiwi Kapa Haka Festival - details to come
Wednesday 23 - Friday 25 November
Hub 5 Camp
Newsletter proudly sponsored by
Email: office@bellevue-newlands.school.nz
Phone: 04 4787037