The Connection Week 3 Term 1
Huapai District School 17th February 2022
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
Student Of The Week
Vasilisa (Year 5) says: “I love Huapai school because I like the uniform and I have really good friendships here. I like that everyone helps each other if they are sad or hurt. Writing is my favourite thing to do because it gives me opportunities to learn new words.”
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).
Teacher Only Day
Friday 4th March 2022
We are watching closely our potential impacts with COVID, however we are hoping we can proceed with the planned Teacher Only Day. This day has been allocated to schools through negotiation between Government and Teachers unions and was part of a settlement. We were not able to take this last year. The day is used for staff planning, assessment and reporting.
Our Huapai+ will offer support and supervision for families who might otherwise struggle with supervision for their children. Bookings can be made through AimyPlus, linked below.
This is the first of two (2) planned Teacher only Days - the second being Friday June 3rd (Queens Birthday weekend).
Huawhenua House Non-Uniform Day
Congratulations to Huawhenua students for overflowing your Huapai Way ping pong ball container. Students from this House can wear RED clothes next Wednesday instead of uniform to celebrate. An ice block will also be given to them.
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.
Pink Up Arrangements And Appointments
We are asking that parents please discuss pick up arrangements with their child/children, and make a plan before school. The School Office has been experiencing a high volume of calls and are struggling to get messages to children. Classes are spending more time outside. Also, if doctors/dentist appointments etc can be made outside of school hours, this would be helpful, though we understand that this is not always possible. Please email the class teacher in advance.
HERO Finance Payment Portal
The HERO Finance feature has been activated on all student accounts. If you are not seeing this when logged in to your child's HERO account, please let the School Office know.
If you choose to use the bank transfer option, please ensure you are using your child's name and the ID code as the reference.
Please also note, currently the only way to do part payments for an item listed on your child's account is via the bank transfer feature. HERO is looking to implement this option with Credit Card payments, but this is not yet available.
On The Look Out For…
Do you have any size 12/14/16+ school uniform at home? If you are happy to donate these to the school, please pop it into the front 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.
Road Patrol
Is your Year 5-8 child keen to be an official Huapai District School Road Patroller? Please complete the google form linked below to register.
School Donations
Our ability as a school to recover costs is limited. There are constraints we operate under that make your school donation super important and critical to our future. Shortly, we will be sending a promotion to encourage your support. The donation “charge” will appear in your school HERO account. Please note this is a donation and therefore voluntary.
Online Open Day: Montessori
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.
Tech Fees - Year 7 & 8
Our seniors travel to Taupaki Technology centre for Tech. The costs of this is paid by the school. We ask parents of students attending to contribute $50.00 of the $135.00 Tech fee towards this. This covers the product costs of the items they get to make, build or cook. This has been placed onto your HERO account now.
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)
Bricks 4 Kidz
Music Lessons With MusiqHub
Our good friends at MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2022 at Huapai School! They will have some slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons in Term 1. 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
Skate Lessons
2022 Term Dates
Our 2022 Term dates are:
Term 1 - Thursday 3rd February - Thursday 14th April
Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - Friday 8th July
Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September
Term 4 - Monday 17th October - Friday 16th DecemberAdditional to this there are two planned Teacher only days:
Friday 4th March
- Friday 3rd June (making Queens Birthday a 4 day option)
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