The Connection Week 7 Term 4

It's great to have such lovely weather. Summer's here, the water's warming and the possibility of leaving Auckland is just around the corner. We’re doing well!

I was out on the water on the weekend and was reflecting on a time when I had been caught some way from home, the weather had turned and the waves had really sharpened up. We slowly ventured home, navigating each wave slowly. I remember turning to my fishing buddy and saying “hold on”. We just powered up and skipped over the tops of the waves at speed.

My thinking on the weekend was around our kids (your children) and how they have taken so many things in their stride. Maybe they have been buffeted by change but there is something in them that has risen to the challenge, pushed on and through the turbulence and done well.

I do think there is a natural resilience and positivism in children. Kids find fun and are positive by default. It’s just so natural for children. They are doing so well at school this last week. It's tough wearing a mask but they have got on with it. It's tough being tired and getting back into the groove of school but (again) they have got on with it. There’s a lovely tone in the school and strength in the character of your children. Whether your children are at school at the moment or not, we’re finishing strong - well done!

John Petrie

• Friday 3rd December - Equipment Collection Day (more details below)
• Tuesday 7th December - Class Photos
• Thursday 9th December - Non-Uniform Day
• Wednesday 15th December - Last Day Of School

Buster (Year 7) says: "Huapai District School is good because the staff and people here are really cool. I enjoy learning maths - it can actually be pretty fun! It’s nice to be back after lockdown to see my friends again."

Louise Moss

Hi, I’m Louise and I am currently teaching Year 3&4. I’ve been here at Huapai for 7 years and before this I was an outreach teacher. I love seeing the smiles on students’ faces when they are enjoying their learning. I am enjoying being back at school, especially our class time in the pool! Some of my favourite things are being outdoors and spending time at the beach.

We have set this Friday 3.30pm - 5.00pm aside for parents and students who are not currently attending school to collect personal equipment and return school devices (more details below). Our absolute deadline for device return is Wednesday 8th December. We appreciate this may compromise some online learning opportunities, but we need to get these returned and reset for 2022. Please help by ensuring the device and power cable are returned no later than Wednesday 8th December.

Friday 3rd December 3.30pm - 5.00pm

If your child is not returning to school this year, we would like to offer you a time to collect their books, return any computers, sports shirts or library books. This will happen tomorrow Friday 3rd December 3:30pm-5pm. Senior Leadership will be on site to assist with this. Please call through the drive-thru window in your car and instructions will be given. Masks are to be worn on site.

We have been working hard on the class lists for 2022. Your child(rens) class placement for 2022 will be accessible to you on Wednesday 8th December. This will be accessible through your Hero log in. Also at the same time your children's end of year report will be released.

Please note the following:

Reports - we are not reporting to overall achievement levels for this second half year. We believe we can not make an accurate assessment through this lock down period. We will address this in term 1 of next year.

Class Lists - please understand we have worked hard to take into account your input, staff input and attention to combinations that are key to your child’s success next year. There are limitations and variables we have to operate within. If you have any questions please contact Sophie Bartlett (Assistant Principal): sophie.bartlett@hds.school.nz

On Thursday 9th December we will be holding a mufti day to raise funds for the Back to School Project. This is a charity organisation that assists children who do not have stationery to make a good start back to school in 2022. Students are able to wear non uniform on this day. If you have any new unused stationery (pencils, glue sticks, books, bags etc) these can be donated on the same day.

The last day of school for 2021 will be Wednesday 15th December. The school will close at 12pm on this day.

Huapai Plus is available for those that need after school care until the end of the day.

All bookings can be made on Aimy Plus: https://huapaidistrict.aimyplus.com/

Our school operated before and after school care programme will be open again from Monday 6th December for both before & after school care. We will also be opening from midday when school finishes on Wednesday 15th December for those who require care.

Our Holiday programme will be running from Thursday 16th December until Thursday 23rd Dec & again from Monday 10th Jan 2022 until Wednesday 2nd Feb. We are closed over the Christmas/News Years period. Check out all our fun activities below.

All bookings can be made on Aimy Plus: https://huapaidistrict.aimyplus.com/

We would like to thank Jeni de VIlliers from Jenifer Anne Photography for coming to take our 2021 class photos on Tuesday 7th December. These are not our usual studio photos; they are a more relaxed outdoor class photo taken as a way of remembering the year for your child. Please see the attached timetable for your child. We would like to invite all students of our school to attend a photograph with their class. If your child is currently working from home and you would like them to be part of the class photo, please bring your child to the office in school uniform shortly before the allocated time. Please remain at the office while your child has their class photo taken. Your child will meet you back at the office to return home.

Class photos will be able to be purchased on KINDO. Orders are open now and will close at 3pm Friday 10th to be able to be processed and back to you before the end of the school year.

There are no sports photos, individuals or siblings photos this year.

Sadly we have accepted the resignation of Mrs Emily Soong. Emily has been part of our school and leadership team since 2017 and has made a significant contribution in so many aspects of our school. We wish Emily all the very best.

We have appointed Mrs Tracy Taylor to our school and to teach Year 2. Tracy has been part of our school in a number of roles and we are now delighted to welcome her to the teaching team.

If your child has a school sports top at home, now is the time to return these to avoid being charged. Please pop it into a named bag or attach a note with your child’s name and bring it to the front office tomorrow. We will then remove your child’s name from the spreadsheet.

All year 4-8 children must wear a mask when inside. When the weather is inclement, the indoor time is greatly increased. Please consider this when sending your child to school on a rainy day if wearing a mask for extended periods of time is an issue. We are crossing all our fingers and toes for sunshine each day!

We are noticing that many children back at school are very tired in the afternoon. Being around other people, talking and interacting all day can be exhausting. If you think it is necessary, it is ok to collect your child at lunch time, but please call into the office to sign your child out. Your child will be brought up to the office for you.

Important note: while we are happy for children that need to go home early to do so, please keep in mind that this does cause disruptions to both the teachers as well as other students in the class, so please ensure they are only being picked up early if it is necessary.

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

Our 2022 Term dates are:

Term 1 - Thursday 3rd February - Friday 14th April

Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - Friday 8th July

Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September

Additional to this there are two planned Teacher only days:

• Friday 4th March

• Friday 3rd June (making Queens Birthday a 4 day option)

We use HERO to send classroom updates and to share regular learning posts. HERO sends push notifications or emails. You can now choose how you receive HERO notifications as well as manage devices that receive them.

To set your own notification preferences:

1. Click on your profile image

2. Select EDIT PROFILE

3. Scroll down to My Devices and select your preferences.
   

Or please see the full instructions linked below.

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