PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Well, it’s happened. My youngest child has defected to the dark side. It took me by surprise and at first I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about it. It came about all of a sudden, I wasn’t prepared. Friday night, right on bed time, the time it seems for all discussions of this great proportion.
“Mum, …. I think I’d quite like to play soccer this winter”. Now, being a firm oval ball family, this came as a bit of a shock. I wasn’t sure if I could handle a round ball lover in the family.
I said “Are you sure? Let’s talk about it in the morning.” I then had to do some thinking. What was it that I wanted for my children in sport? - the answer came quickly - to love being active, to have fun learning new skills and to enjoy being part of a team environment. I needed to follow my child, her interests and passions; rather than put my views in her mind, let her make her own discoveries and learn.
It’s the same here at school, we use our students’ interests and passions to help shape their deep learning. What is it we want for our children at Huapai District School? - “To love learning!” There is always far more success when learning is relevant to a child’s interests and they have a voice in their learning. We, as parents and educators, often learn as well when we follow our children and their passions. Sometimes, this means that we have to readjust our own views of what learning looks like.
So, I’ll suck it up and proudly cheer my daughter on from the soccer sidelines.
(Yes, I might even learn to call it football one day...)
Maree Lloyd
Deputy Principal
Getting To Know...
Suzanne Vogel
I love teaching 5 and 6 year olds – they are like sponges, soaking up information and are so enthusiastic about learning new things. There is joy and fun in every day!
I have lived at Bethell’s Beach for 35 years with my husband and have brought up 2 grown up children who are passionate about Ice Hockey. I ran a dance school for 42 years until 2019. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and travelling (when we can).
Uniform
This week and next we are focussing on setting the children up properly for the year with the correct uniform. A reminder that shoes or sandals are to be plain black. Socks are to be plain navy or black. A school sunhat is required in Terms 1&4. We are a “no hat, no play” school. Uniform can be ordered from the parent portal on our school website or through our School App. Should you be in a position where ordering uniform is not possible, please contact the school office.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is available take-away style while we are at Red Light.
Children are welcome to collect a sandwich from the window of Studio 2 and take it back to their area.
We are open every morning from 8:30am to 8:50am.
Please give permission on KINDO for your child to have breakfast.
Year 7&8 Science Start Right Workbooks
As a strongly encouraged and highly beneficial supplementary resource to our Year 7&8 science programme, a Start Right Science Workbook is available, payable through HERO ($17.50) with collection from your child's teacher.
The units in these workbooks cover the New Zealand Science curriculum in preparation for Year 9&10 science and fit in nicely with the topics covered in science at school as a pre or post-learning revision/consolidation. Though not compulsory, we will reference, mark and use this resource to supplement the school-based programme. As this book is an optional resource, it is, however, encouraged for our Year 7&8 students to have a copy.
Keen To Be Involved Somehow?
Huapai Family Network
Meeting for all interested caregivers at the Beer Spot Huapai 7pm next Thursday 17th February. Our HFN is the Huapai Family Network for everyone. If you are keen to be involved in the events that happen at school come along for a drink. We are about having the best events without the stress! You will NOT end up with a job unless you want one. Come and join us for a brainstorming session.
Stay Connected
HERO
To see your child’s learning journey, report, and class newsletters and pay for any in-school related costs, please log into HERO.
HERO app - See below for login instructions.
You will only receive one form of notification when a community post or student learning post is published. If you log into the Hero mobile app you will receive an in-app notification. If you log into Hero via a web browser, you will receive an email notification.
SchoolApps
If your child is away, to book Huapai Plus before and after school care, to pay fees, to see our newsletters or to order uniform please use our SchoolApps app.
Here is how you are able to download and install the App on your phone:
Step 1: Download the App
-The app is available on both iOS and Android devices.
-Please visit your app store to download SchoolAppsNZ
-Select our school - Huapai District School.
Step 2: Opt in to Alert Subscriptions
In order to receive any communication you need to subscribe to an alert group. To do this, tap on the menu icon (3 lines in the top left corner) - Alert Subscriptions.
Please select:
- Gereral/Important (must select)
- Classrooms - select your child/rens classroom (must select)
- Year Level (must select)
Contact Us
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