Kia ora West End Whānau,
I hope that everyone enjoyed a relaxing school holiday with friends and family. Week 1 has been jam packed with learning here at Te Kura O Urumutu. The children were all very excited to be back at school and to see our staff and their classmates. Term 3 is an important term for learning and our teachers have planned many rich learning experiences for the weeks ahead. This includes our upcoming production “The Search for SOAP” which provides our children with an opportunity to explore their passion and skills for the Arts.
I would like to welcome all new children and families to West End the Best End! We are hosting a pōwhiri in our school in Week 3 on Friday at 9.45am to welcome new children and families to our West End Whānau. I hope to see you there.
It has been great to see Mana Aotūroa in Tipuranga before school this week (please see later in this newsletter for more information). The children are really enjoying what is on offer right away when they arrive at school and it is a lovely way to start the learning at school for the day.
It was exciting to host a number of different groups and activities this week including Kelly Sports Volleyball for Te Wao Nui O Tane, Firewise in Tipuranga , and the Palmerston North Boys High School band who performed for the whole school on Friday. These rich opportunities add to our tamariki’s classroom learning programmes and support our children to have a wide variety of educational experiences.
Thank you again to those parents and whānau who were able to join us for our Matariki celebrations at the end of Term 3. It was lovely to see so many of our West End Whānau participating in school life particularly at our Matariki Breakfast on the last Friday of Term. Thank you to Whaea Karen and all staff and volunteers for their mahi. We regularly plan for opportunities for our whānau to share in the learning here at school so please keep your eye out for more opportunities later in the term.
I wish you and your family a safe and happy weekend.
Ngā mihi nui,
In 2021 West End School began a Pasifika Performance group. We would like to continue to engage with our Pasifika community at West End School as much as we can. We are looking for volunteers to support our children in learning about the Pasifika Culture through music and performance.
If you are interested or know someone who has the skills/knowledge to support us please contact Heidi Parker hparker@westend.school.nz. This would be a half-hour practice once a week, and would be supported by school staff.
Faafetai Lava!
Work is going on behind the scenes to get our musical up and running, and teams have been learning songs, dances, creating props, designing backdrops and building spaceships!
Information will be sent out in a few weeks regarding getting tickets for the show on Thursday 31st August. A letter was sent via the app at the start of the week regarding costumes to have come in with a named bag. These can come in as soon as you have them ready.
If your child has a speaking part in the play we urge you to help them learn their lines over the holidays. This will help our journey go smoother as well as build their confidence, and improve their acting, as they won't need to look at a script!
Below is the entire script, so you can print off the page/pages your child will need to learn if they have a speaking part - and don't have a script with them.
The 4 songs we've learned with the orchestra are also here so our musicians can practice their pieces over the holidays. Some instruments have been sent home.
And finally, all of the songs and lyrics are below as well so all West End School tamariki can practice the songs we've been doing together so they know the words (and can practice the actions we've learned). I'm sure you'll all be probably singing the songs in the audience by the end as well!!
Thank you to those who have reached out to help with costumes. If you are able to help out in any way (with costumes, set/prop design etc) please contact Dan Minchin (dminchin@westend.school.nz) and he will let you know more details!
If your child is absent from school.
It is really important under the current circumstances you notify the school if your child is absent.
PLEASE DO NOT TXT OR EMAIL THE CLASSROOM TEACHER.
ALL ABSENCES SHOULD BE ADVISED VIA THE OFFICE.
Please remember to advise the office by 8.30am if your child is not attending school.
You can telephone 358-2465 and leave a message or txt 021 118 0156.
ABSENCES CAN ALSO BE SENT EASILY THROUGH OUR SCHOOL APP
In both cases please give a reason for absence.
Thank you.
It is very important that families register with Kindo, as this is now the only way to register your child for school sports, and ordering PTA lunches.
Below are the links to register.
If you require help please call the Kindo helpdesk on
0508 454 636
New users need this link
Existing users need this link
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465