Waikari School Newsletter

Developing Confident, Curious & Respectful Kids

Email: principal@waikari.school.nz
Website: https://waikari.school.nz
Location: 23 Princes Street, Waikari, New Zealand
Phone: (03)314 4250

Kia ora e te whānau,

I'm writing to you from Spencer Park in Christchurch, where I'm currently on a school camp with our senior students from the Kea Class. I've been really impressed with their behaviour and how respectful they've been towards each other and the adults. Whenever we've asked them to do something, they've jumped right in without any fuss, even if it meant bouncing off the jumping pillow!

I've also had the pleasure of enjoying some meals the students prepared themselves. They've shown some serious skills in the kitchen – chopping, serving, and doing the dishes. Hats off to all you parents; you've clearly taught them well.

We also had the Weka Class join us in Christchurch for a day of climbing and adventure at the clip and climb. I was blown away by their focus, determination, and how they conquered their fears on those tricky climbs. It's clear to me that our students at Waikari School are living our PRIDE values.

Back at school, it's been busy. We had a visit from Matt at North Canterbury Sports last week, giving our students a chance to play tennis and volleyball. With the weather getting warmer, it's great to see our students making the most of our sports shed and having fun with new sports games.

I hope you all survived the recent windy weather without too much trouble. It was quite an unusual weekend with both the election and the Rugby World Cup. A big shout-out to Bart, Dom, Tanner, Ollie, Macy, Nico, and the others who came down to school and helped clean up our school grounds, allowing us to get back to normal on Monday.

Take a look at the newsletter this week for some fantastic photos, many of which capture the highlights of our school camps.

Thanks for your ongoing support,

Ngā Mihi Nui,

Phoebe Todd

Principal | Tuamuki

Waikari School

• The Trampoline Park was my favourite because I landed my first flip.
• I enjoyed QEII swimming as I was being a guide around the lazy river.
• The bike ride was awesome, I got up almost all of the hills.
• The giant jumping pillow at the campground was awesome.
• I liked the bike ride because I did a wheelie and ended up in a big puddle.
• I liked getting really dirty and wet on the bike rides.
• Jumping on the bouncing pillow whilst it was deflating was the best.
• I enjoyed cooking and cleaning up the dishes.
• Going around Bottle Lake Forest on our bikes was really fun.

Hi, this is the 3 tumble tuplets, and our favourite part of camp was biking in the forest over the jumps and trying to find as many shortcuts as possible. Our second favourite thing was jumping on the pillow and trying not to get hurt, but we didn't succeed. Our last favourite thing was hanging out with our friends at the trampoline park.

On Tuesday the Weka Class went to Clip and Climb. First I went on some squares. They were red, white and blue. I got a little bit scared so I let go and I went zooming down to the ground. I unclipped my rope and I ran off to find another one. Next we went to the Margaret Mahy Park. It was an excellent day. - Emily A

I liked the stairs and I was almost at the top. I had two more to go to finish the colours. The colours were orange and red. At the Margaret Mahy Playground I went down the windy slide. The slide was fun. My shoes kept making me fall down. I grazed my knee. - Mīharo

On Tuesday the Weka Class went to clip and climb. We put on a harness. I climbed up to the top. I would really like to go there again because I can go on the things I didn't do. I liked jumping down. Next we went to the Margaret Mahy Park. We are busy reading lots of Margaret Mahy stories in class. I went on the big slides and I went on a spinny thing. I liked going down the slides. - Emily R

This term we have North Canterbury Sport coming into school and doing some KiwiSport Coaching with students. We are super excited to see what games and activities they teach us. This week we did: Tennis and Volleyball.

Do you ask your kids how their day was? Are you met with groans and mumbles? Try shaking it up and asking questions that might get a deeper answer. Have a look at the poster below for examples.

Check out these peeps who have got a certificate for Using their Manners and Being Super Helpful.

We have seen lots of wonderful manners on camp - Tumeke - Awesome work.

If your looking for a fun activity to do at home, why not make a bunch of paper flowers to give to someone.

Give a Bunch of Kindness is a great way to practice gratitude, and for children to realise that giving can help our own mental wellbeing.

Click this link for instructions

Absences

• If your child is not going to be at school please contact the school before 9:00am.

School Bank Account

• Automatic payments are also welcome (weekly & fortnightly) and our Student Management system can also handle Payments in Advance.

School App

• Reminder to check Skoolloop regularly so see any updates from the teachers and the office.

Office Hours

• School office will be manned by Caryn from 9-9:30 and 1:30-3:00

Break Times

• 10:45-11:10 Morning Tea
• 12:45-1:20 Lunch

Thanks to all of you who answered my questions about the future of our school. I really enjoyed hearing all of your perspectives and ideas. The Board of Trustees are meeting tonight to share information and collate a draft Strategic Plan. We will be sharing this with you soon, so watch this space.

• Waikari School uses SchoolDocs to maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date set of policies and procedures online. These policies and procedures follow guidelines and legislation and best practice, and have been tailored for our school.
• Policies being reviewed this term are:

Curriculum and Student Achievement Policy

Student Achievement/Assessment Policy

Home Learning

Distance Learning

Identify Learning Support

Religious Instruction/Religious Education

• You can use the SchoolDocs website to participate in a review. https://waikari.schooldocs.co.nz/Logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

Username: waikari

Password: pride

We as a B.O.T really value your feedback.

• 16th - 19th October - Kea Class Camp
• Tuesday 17th October - Weka Class EOTC Day
• Friday 19th October - National Shake Out Day
• Monday 22nd October - Labour Day (Public Holiday)
• Wednesday 25th Ocotber - Kiwisport Coaching
• Tuesday October 31st - Athletics Day
• Monday 6th November - Hurunui Athletics & Technology last day
• Wednesday 8th November - BOT Meeting
• Tuesday 14th November - Diabetes Awareness Day
• Thursday 16th November - Teacher Only Day
• Friday 17th November - Show Weekend (Public Holiday)
• Thursday 24th November - Ballet
• Thursday 23rd & 30th November - North Canterbury Cricket Skills
• Monday 4th December - Top Teams Competition
• Thursday 14th December - End of Year Prizegiving

Families from the Community are invited to join our annual Community Preschoolers Christmas Party/Meri Kirihimete

• Rāpare/Thursday 30th November
  10am-12pm
• 10am-12pm
• at Sunflowers Preschool
• 45 Seymour Street Hawarden

Bring a small plate of kai to share for morning tea and a named $5 “Secret Santa” gift for you own tamariki.
Hosted by Hawarden-Waikari Playgroup and Sunflowers Preschool