School Newsletter Term 3, Week 8
Friday 8th September 2023
Malo e lelei West End Whānau,
We have enjoyed a great week 8 here at West End School as we have celebrated Tongan Language Week. Week 8 has been jam packed with learning opportunities starting with our DanceNZ Made team participating at the Regent Theatre on Monday. I would like to thank Dean McKerras for his work with our dancers and also Miss Black for all of her efforts to provide our children with this awesome opportunity. Thank you also to Dan Minchin for his support during the day/evening.
This week we also enjoyed competing in the RICOH sports tournament. This tournament involves a number of primary schools from across Palmerston North who compete in Netball, Rugby, Football, Hockey, and Basketball. Our children represented West End School with pride and demonstrated our values throughout the day. Thank you to Miss Black for her efforts to organise our teams for this tournament. Additionally, a big thank you to all of the parents and volunteers who supported our tamariki to be their ‘Best Me’. We will share the official placings and results once they have been posted by the organisers (next week).
As you hopefully are already aware, we have our upcoming WES PTA Quiz Night being held on Friday 15th September and tickets are still available from the WES Office or on Kindo. Again, we hope to see you there for a fun evening where the proceeds will go to supporting costs for our Senior School Camp in 2024.
We are already well underway with planning for classes for 2024 and we have been thrilled to be able to offer Bilingual learning for Juniors and Senior Tamariki in 2023. To support our planning and indicate if you wish for your child to participate in Bilingual Learning next year, please complete a short survey. We would appreciate it if this survey could be completed before Monday 11th September. Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill this out.
The fun and learning never stops at Te Kura O Urumutu and Week 9 is no different with a visit from Harold the Giraffe and Tim from the Life Education Trust scheduled for every class. This is something we look forward to we know the children really enjoy. Welcome Tim and Harold!
Thank you again for a fantastic week.
We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday for another exciting week of learning.
Matt Kennedy
Hauora Community Consultation
Thank you to everyone who attended our Community Consultation for our PE and Health Curriculum on Wednesday afternoon. We had a great turnout and some extremely positive feedback. We were joined by Neil from Family Planning NZ who also provided some very comprehensive information for whānau. We hope to hold a similar session in Term 4 so please keep an eye on dates/newsletters etc.
Thank you to our Hauora Team for their work on this important part of our Health and PE Curriculum.
If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea
Please note that if your child has been sick and thrown up, we request they stay at home for 48 hours. This is to ensure they do not make other students and staff at our kura sick. Please refrain from sending your child back to school the day after they have thrown up at school, as recommended by the Ministry of Health Guidelines.
PTA Upcoming Events
PE at West End School
Wowee, what a week of sporting excellence it has been for a large cohort of West End School! On Monday, we witnessed the talents of just over twenty girls as they competed at the DanceNZMade Championships. They had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a variety of dance workshops throughout the day, honing their skills and soaking in the art of dance. Their hard work culminated in a mesmerising performance in front of a packed-out crowd. These remarkable young ladies showcased their dance prowess with captivating routines set to both "Flowers'' by Miley Cyrus and "Wake Me Up" by Whaam. Their dedication and teamwork shone through, and they should indeed be incredibly proud of their combined efforts.
Rolling through to Thursday, West End had a tremendous day at the Manawatu Ricoh Tournament. Despite having only participated in this tournament for a relatively short time, our students displayed their absolute best on the field and in every aspect of the competition. The kotahitanga and whakamana that all the students exhibited was truly remarkable. We couldn't be prouder of their outstanding performances and the spirit of sportsmanship they brought to this event. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our students and the support they've received from our school community.
Results were:
Basketball 5th Place
Football 3rd Place
Netball 2nd Place
Rugby7’s 7th Place
Hockey 8th Place
Term 4 Sports:
Football is still live on KINDO for all year levels. The season runs from Wednesday 18th of October through until 13th December 2023. Teams are split by Year levels similar to those they are in at school. Cost is $35 per student.
Touch - Touch begins early Term 4, specific dates are yet to be released. This sporting code is available for all year levels and live on KINDO. Cost per student is $43 per student.
Manawatu Rugby has an awesome opportunity for our Tamariki happening THIS SATURDAY! They are running an open captain's run with the Cyclones and Turbos at CET Arena. Come watch both our teams train before their games on Sunday, there will be a sign session and cool engagements for the kids and it's absolutely free!
Enrolments for Intermediate due
A reminder to all Caregivers of Year six families to please make sure that they have contacted and enrolled in the Intermediate School that their child will be attending in 2024. These will be closing soon!
EPro8 in Te Wao Nui o Tāne
Our senior students have been working on their engineering skills with the EPro8 kits - reading instructions, and using their problem solving skills to build a hurricane proof hut that has a working drawbridge to exact specifications. It has been great seeing the Kotahitanga and Mana Aotūroa with these challenging tasks. We have an internal competition next week to see which teams will represent West End School in the EPro8 tournament next term.
The Brain with Dr. A
Room 16 and 17 were learning about the 5 different parts of the brain, with Dr A. We then made our own brains with eyes.
Tongan Language Week Tapa Turtles
In Room 7 this week we have been working on our Tapa Turtles for Tongan Language Week. Here are some of our pictures showing our Mana Aotūroa.
Upcoming Events
WEEK 9 -
- Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Week
- Swimming starts - Monday - Thursday
- Life Education (Harold) starts - Monday 11th September
- PTA Quiz Night - Friday 15th September
WEEK 10 -
- Life Education Visit finishes - Wednesday 20th September
- VIBE Assembly - Wednesday 20th September
- Last Day of Term 3 - Friday 22nd September
WEEK 1 TERM 4 -
- First day of Term 4 - Monday 9th October
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 12 April (100 1/2 days)
Term 2: Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July (96 1/2 days)
Term 3: Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept (100 1/2 days)
Term 4: Monday 14 Oct - Friday 13 Dec (88 1/2 days)
Which equals a total of 384 half days for 2024.
We would have Call Back Days Wed 24 - Fri 26 Jan before the year starts.
Proposed Ballot Dates for 2024
Ballot held in Term 1 for Term 2
(To be held in Term 1 Week 3, 12th Feb-16th Feb)
Ballot held in Term 2 for Term 3
(To be held in Term 2 Week 3, 6th May - 10th May)
Ballot held in Term 3 for Term 4
(To be held in Term 3 Week 3, 29 July - 2 August)
Ballot held in Term 4 for Term 1
(To be held in Term 4 Week 3, 21st October - 25th October)
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.
Kindo Online Shop
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