31st March 2022 Term 1, Week 9
School Newsletter
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
I trust that everyone has been enjoying a great week 9. We have certainly had another fantastic week of learning here at school. One highlight has been the introduction of our new Mud Kitchen! The children have been enjoying trying this out as part of their Mana Aotūroa learning.
Science on Friday’s with Dr. Sandra Accarri has been going well and the children are now deeply engaged in pursuing their own lines of inquiry. Thank you again Dr. Accari for giving up your time and expertise to support West End School children with their learning.
We are looking forward to Te Wao Nui O Tane Swimming Sports being held next week on Thursday (Please see detail later in the newsletter).
Today, we have 11 positive Covid cases in our school community. Please continue to be vigilant about monitoring your whānau for symptoms and follow Ministry of Health advice if symptomatic. Thank you for the swift communication and action from our West End parents and caregivers so far. As we have done successfully previously, it is by working together that we will be able to continue to provide our tamariki with the best learning experience possible with health and wellbeing remaining our top priority.
It is wonderful to see Kapa Haka notices being returned to Ms. Katon and we look forward to providing the opportunity for Te Wao Nui o Tane children to participate in our roopu this year. We feel very fortunate to once again have Whaea Tūrehu and Pa Ānaru as Kapa Haka Tutors for our children. Our first session of Kapa Haka starts tomorrow!
As always, we continue to appreciate the positivity from parents, caregivers and whānau and the ongoing support for our children and our school. I wish you a wonderful rest of the week and a safe and happy weekend.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Matt,
Matt Kennedy
Principal
West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
West End School App
All school notices are being sent sent out through our West End School App, so it would be great if you could download it onto your mobile device so you have all West End related information at your fingertips! If you could also remind fellow whanau at West End School who aren't on the app yet to sign up! This free mobile app allows parents to receive pop-up reminders and instant messages. These can run on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices and are designed to help whanau keep up to date on school happenings.
SchoolApps also allows parents to report absences online, receive instant alerts, check the calendar for upcoming events, view newsletters, log into Seesaw and this will also be a way to use Kindo.
You will be able to personalise what information you wanted to subscribe to, such as notices from specific area teams, sports news, or groups such as Student Council or kapa haka. You would only receive information directly relevant to those groups, but you will however receive whole school notifications when they are sent out.
All West End families will be receiving a School Apps password
Within the next week, all parents/caregivers will be receiving an email with a link to create your School Apps password so you can log in. If you haven't set up the app on your device, there will be an easy to download process and quick set up so you can join our new communication platform. If you've downloaded the app already, please just follow the quick username/password set up and for the app users, choose Parent. Once you have set it up, you won't be asked about passwords on that device again.
If you have any problems getting onto the app, please email Dan Minchin dminchin@westend.school.nz.
West End School Communication Platforms
West End is enhancing our communication so it is easy for our community to know what's happening at our kura. Below is a table outlining the different forms of communication we use at West End to share a variety of things ranging from classwork to whole school notices.
Contact Information
Please inform the office of any change of address or phone numbers.
It is really important that we are able to contact you at any time of the day.
Thank you.
Literacy Ambassadors
Te Kura O Urumutu (West End School) are super proud of these three literacy ambassadors; Georgia Dingley, Tamsyn Le and Samuel Ezekiela. We can’t give anything away, but watch this space as they go nationwide!
Te Wao Nui o Tāne Swimming Sports next week
Our swimming timetable has changed for Week 10
We have our senior swimming sports next Thursday at the pool. As a result, we have changed some of the classes normal swimming days so they don't miss out. Please check the revised timetable so you can send swimming togs in on the correct day. Reminders will be sent out via our School App on that morning.
Sports Draw
REGISTRATIONS
Registrations are now open for Table Tennis for years 4-6. Details are up on Kindo, so if your child is interested in playing please register via the Kindo App.
DRAW
4th April – West End Juniors vs Parkland, 3:45pm on Court 15b
5th April – Festival Day – Info TBC – Sports Coord/ Coach will message.
If you have any questions regarding sport, please feel free to contact: cdrummond@westend.school.nz
CAR PARKING- ADMINISTRATION BLOCK CLOSED TO EVERYONE
Please do not do not be tempted to use the staff car park when dropping off and collecting your children from school. The administration block is closed for building work.
It becomes very busy and dangerous for children. We encourage parents to park on the street and use the walkways coming into school. Please remember to abide by the road markings on Botanical road and park only in designated spaces (not on the yellow lines). This is for the safety of our children and community members.
Thank you for your co-operation.
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.
Sunhats
Board policy requires children to wear sunhats during outside play during Terms 1 and 4. So make sure your children have their sunhats at school every day this term. Caps are not suitable as the hat must cover the ears, neck and front of the face.
Children who do not have an appropriate hat will have to remain in the shaded areas during break times
Masks
Parents of children who wear masks please remind your child to bring them to school.
Bikes and Scooters to school
For the safety of our children all children biking or scootering to school MUST wear a helmet. Please also remind your children about road safety - including the safest way to travel to school if on a bike and scooter.
Y-Kids April Holiday Programme: 18-29 April 2022
The Holidays are just around the corner. Bookings are now open for our Y Kids programme, with a 10% Early Bird discount for every child registered before 27th March. (Note this discount does not apply to Holiday Camp) Y-Kids Holiday Programmes offer a variety of fun activities ranging from trips, craft as well as sports and games. We hope to see you there!
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
Upcoming Events
- Sci-Fri - Friday 1st April
- MusiClass Lessons - Friday 1st April/Wednesday 6th April
- Kapa Haka - Starts Friday 1st April
- Te Wao Nui o Tāne Swimming Sports - Thursday 7th April from 12.30
- Ripper Rugby Tournament (Y5/6) - NOW Tuesday 12th April
TERM DATES 2022
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465