BIS Newsletter Week 11 Term 1
Friday 16th April 2021
Tēna koutou katoa,
Thank you for a wonderful term one and for your ongoing support with our learning programmes, extra curricula activities and our fundraising efforts. We have had a great first term that has included lots of learning, lots of relationship building and many new experiences. I hope that your child has made the most of their term one and has embraced all that Intermediate has to offer.
This term I have given out over 2000 Principal's Awards, over 500 Badges and nearly 300 certificates. The majority of these are for effort, participation and progress. Our students are striving to achieve excellence and in many cases they have exceeded. We are very proud of their work in the classrooms, the sports grounds, the arts departments and in our community.
A report on attainment is not being sent home until the end of next term but teachers have spent time working with your child to assess their current skill level in order to be able to teach the next steps in each subject. Some of you may receive a letter today telling you that we have identified that your child has some gaps in their learning in the areas of reading or mathematics. We identify all students who may be currently working at a level that is below expectation in these areas so that we can ensure we have programmes and resources in place to meet needs. The letter is not meant to cause alarm but to let you know that we are aware of your child's learning needs and can offer additional support or guidance for home learning. Whānau teachers are happy to be contacted if you need further support.
I hope you all have some exciting plans for the school break and are able to enjoy time with your wonderful tamariki. Please enjoy this time, be safe and we look forward to seeing your child back at school on Monday 3 May.
Ngā mihi nui,
JoAnne Sutton
Puttin' On The Ritz
Thank you so much for supporting this incredible night of fun and fundraising. We raised over $5000 and had a blast dancing, singing and socialising. Your support of this event enthused us and sent a very strong message that Birkdale really does know how to Put On The Ritz. Thank you to our many sponsors - you exceeded all our expectations in your generosity. Lastly, the staff of Birkdale Intermediate - you rock! Thank you all.
Donations and Sponsorship
VO & CO event styling
Kohatu Gemstones
House of Chocolate
Beach Haven Liquor
The General Public
Au Bon Coin Cafe
Bunnings
Shannon Halbert
Dan Bidois
Ohm Sai
Kintala massage therapy
Greg Straight Art
Bespoke barbers
Body fit NZ
HiHa dance
Recreational Services
Countdown Birkenhead
Crave
Bungalow
Rochelle Brinsdon - Ray White Real Estate
Artero Tattoos
Alec & Cobans home store
Kerry Franks Hair
Rodney Wayne
Pretty Posies
Cassidy Budel
P C Media
Bliss
Bella Memories Photobooths
Mayfield Sports House
MAKITA Nz
Moxie Restaurant
Birkenhead Countdown
Mitre 10 Mega Glenfield
Auckland Zoo
Board of Trustees - Call for Nominations
Our Board of Trustees is our governance team who oversees many aspects of the smooth running of the school. This is a volunteer position that takes a lot of commitment and a passion for wanting the best for our students. We have three casual vacancies on our Board. The term is 13 months.
Board members attend monthly meetings about the governance of the school. They are involved with the strategic goal setting of the school including property, finances, human resources and student achievement. We want Board members who are passionate about education and want the best for students in this community. You do not need to have experience or a specific skill set. Training is available and we will work closely with NZ School trustees Association to help you to learn the ropes.
Interest in school business, property, progressing our school and ensuring the best for all students are qualities needed for a Board member. If you want to know more, please pop in for a chat and a walk around the school to find out what this role entails.
See the link below which will take you to our website for more information.
ANZAC Fence
Last year we spent ANZAC Day in lockdown and were unable to host an assembly or attend any commemorations. One of the lovely moments during that time was coming to school and seeing our fence adorned with ANZAC poppies and wreaths made by our students. We have decided to do this again this year and are asking all students to spend some time in week one making a wreath or a poppy that is waterproof and can be attached to our school gate. Please walk up and attach this to the gate, take a photo of your child with their creation and share the photo with your child's whānau teacher. All students who participate in our ANZAC Commemorative Fence will be awarded with a Manaakitanga badge.
Safety on the way to and from school
We encourage our students to make their own way to and from school each day. We love to see the number of students walking, scootering and biking to school. It is an important life skill of Managing Self to be able to rely on your children to get themselves ready and on their way to school each morning.
This school holiday is a good time to have a chat with your children about road safety; using pedestrian crossings, looking both ways, checking for cars in driveways and wearing their helmets. Each week we have reports of near misses, where students and the other people in our community haven't been as watchful of where they are going.
From Term 2 our school gates will also be closed in the morning between 8.15 am and 8.40 am as well as between 2.50 pm and 3.10 pm. This is to ensure the safety of our students as they arrive and depart our school each day.
Change in daily timings
From Term 2 we have made a slight change to our daily schedule. We have listened to feedback from our students who would like to extend our lunchtime slightly. Interval will now run from 10.50 am - 11.15 am and Lunch time will run from 1.15 pm - 2 pm. For the full schedule of bell times you can see this here on our
student portal.
ShowQuest
ShowQuest rehearsals are well underway and all of the students are learning their dances!
Tickets are available for our show on the 30th of June at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre for those who would love to come along and see our performance as we compete against other Primary and Intermediate Schools in Auckland. This year our theme is 'Friendship' and looks at how friendships change and grow during adolescence.
Vape Free Schools. Energy Drinks
As you will be aware schools are smoke free premises and have been for many years. New legislation has recently come into effect and schools are also vape free premises. This means that no one can come onto the school grounds while they are smoking or vaping during or outside of regular school hours.
Students at our school are all underage for both smoking and vaping so if they are found to have either of these at school, parents will be contacted and there will be consequences. We are aware that the paraphernalia that goes with vaping may be accessible to some students. It is illegal and harmful to children and our students should not be able to buy, borrow or be in possession of cigarettes or vaping equipment.
We are also aware that some students are purchasing energy drinks that contain caffeine from local shops. We cannot control what shops are doing but we can remind our students that energy drinks are for people over the age of 16 and therefore, we do not allow them to be consumed by students on our school premises.
Term 2 EZ Lunch Menu
Go-Deli has advised they will be making the following menu changes for next term:
Items to be added:
- Chocolate Bliss Balls - dates, oats, desiccated coconut, cocoa powder, honey. Avail. Mon-Thurs.
- Apricot Bliss Balls - dried apricots, oats, desiccated coconut, honey. Avail. Mon-Thurs.
- Fresh Salad - Cos lettuce, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, quail egg, mustard & herb dressing.
- Sushi - Surimi salad (fancy lettuce, mayo, soy sauce).
- English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich - toasted - wholegrain muffin splits, ham, egg cheese. Avail. Tues.
Changes to the Menu:
- Teriyaki Chicken Wrap will be available Mon-Fri
- Edamame will be available Mon-Fri
- Fresh spring roll will have the sweet chilli sauce inside the roll
- After school combo 1 will contain: Grapes, Brownie, Organic seaweed, Ham & Cucumber Sandwich ($12.80)
- All fresh Vogel sandwiches will be Gluten-free, wholemeal and dairy-free
- The gluten-free toasted sandwich will be made of Wholemeal gluten-free bread
Items to be removed:
- Butter Chicken Wrap
- Rougamo Box
- Sushi - Smoked Salmon & Avocado 3 pieces
- Sushi - Chicken & Avocado 3 pieces
Item to be added:
- Chocolate Caramel Slice - chocolate, brown sugar, flow, cocoa powder, coconut butter.
Item to be removed:
Communication Home
We email home a school newsletter every fortnight. The purpose of this newsletter is to keep our community informed of what is happening at our school.
Please ensure we have an up-to-date email address, download our BIS School App, like our Facebook page and check our website regularly for more detailed information about what is happening at BIS.
Upcoming Events
Thursday 15th April - End of Term 1
Friday 16th April - Teacher Only Day
Monday 3rd May - Term 2 Begins, Year 8 HPV 1 Vaccination
Tuesday 4th May - Road Patrol Training
Thursday 6th May - NSIS Orienteering Zone Day
Tuesday 11th May - NSIS Boys Football Zone Day
Tuesday 18th May - BOT Meeting at 6.30 pm in the Staffroom
Friday 21st May - Pink Shirt Day
