29th July 2022, Term 3, Week 1
School Newsletter
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
It is great to be back at school for Term 3! Despite the wet and wild weather conditions we have been enjoying a great start to the term. A very warm welcome back to all of our tamariki and our West End Whānau including our newest children joining us who have been enjoying their first few days at school this week in Room 5. Welcome to West End School.
You may have noticed we have been busy over the break continuing to make improvements around the school. We are really pleased with our new and smooth concrete ramps that have been installed over the break including new handrails at the entrance to Room 9 beside the hall. Additionally, Mr. Baynes has been busy again. This time installing hanging baskets around the school which already look beautiful. We can't wait to see the flowers blooming over the term. Our Administration refurbishment project continues to make good progress and we are hoping to be able to use this space again by the end of this term. Thank you again.
Our fantastic staff have planned for an exciting term of learning ahead. Part of our plan is our upcoming Three Way Conferences. Our Three Way Conferences are an important way to partner in your child’s learning. The conference is a really valuable way for you to find out more about how your child is progressing and achieving with their learning and complement our Mid Year Reports that went home at the end of Term 2. This year, Three Way Conferences will be held on Tuesday 16th August and Wednesday 17th August (Week 4, Term 3) 2022. Please note that on Wednesday 17th school will finish early and that children will go home at lunchtime (12.30pm). Three Way Conferences will start at 1pm. Your child will be an important and active part of a Three Way Conference. Please see more information later in this newsletter. We look forward to seeing you there.
There is a lot of important information in this newsletter as it is the first of the term. Please take the time to read through and mark down the upcoming important dates. As always, thank you West End Whānau for your amazing ongoing support of our tamariki and our school. I wish you all a safe and happy weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Matthew Kennedy
Principal
West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Applications to enrol your child for Term 4
The West End School BOT is now inviting applications from parents who wish to enrol their child at West End School for Term 4, 17th October 2022.
Enrolment at West End School is governed by the Ministry of Education approved enrolment scheme. For details please see our school website or visit our office to view the enrolment information.
The deadline for receipt of applications for out of zone placements is 12pm, 10th August 2022. A ballot will be held (if needed) at 2.00pm on 10th August 2022. Parents will be informed of the outcome by the 11th August 2022.
WES Board of Trustees may hold further ballots each term in 2022 (the number of available places will be announced closer to the time).
Contact Information
Does the office have your correct contact details? And do we have an alternate contact number in case of an emergency? If you have moved or changed phone numbers or have a different/alternate email address, please let the office know as soon as possible. It is very important that we are able to contact you if there is an accident or emergency. We are also sending out a lot of information through our school app, which are connected to the email address the office has on file. If you would like to add additional email addresses onto contact information, please give these details to the office.
Upcoming Events
- Cook Island Language Week
- PININS 2023 Showcase for Year 6 students - Wednesday 3rd August
- Monrad 2023 Showcase for Year 6 students - Thursday 4th August
WEEK 3
- PTA School Disco - Friday 12th August
WEEK 4
- 3 Way Learning Conferences - Tuesday 16th August and Wednesday 17th August
- PTA Sushi Lunch - Friday 19th August
West End School 3 Way Conferences 2022
Three-way conferences will be held in Week 4 this term (Tuesday 16th August from 3pm-7pm and Wednesday 17 August from 1pm -8pm). They will be 20 minutes in duration. Your child will be a part of these 3 way conferences, so will also need to attend. Parents can book their times using schoolinterviews.co.nz, or in person with their child’s teacher. Teachers are able to make bookings on behalf of parents using the system.
To make a booking:
Click on the link below and follow the instructions. Click on the link and enter the code below. If you have more than one child at school, it is recommended you leave a 20 minute gap between siblings so you have time to get to the next teacher. If you have any questions, please email your classroom teacher.
y9x4x
PININS Year 6 Showcase Permission Forms
Next Wednesday 3rd August, Year 6 students will be travelling by bus to Palmerston North Intermediate for their Year 6 Showcase. Students will be travelling by bus to PININS at 9am and returning by 10.30. If you have a Year 6 student, please complete this permission form before Tuesday. The Monrad Year 6 Showcase will be held in our school hall on Thursday 4th August.
Term 3 MusiClass Lessons begin next week
We have had another great response to music lessons at West End School. Lessons will start next week, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Emma will be sending invoices to parents in the next few days. The overall timetable of Term 3 music lessons are below.
Wednesdays - Violin
Thursdays - Musiclub, Sing 'n Strum, Clarinet, Flute
Fridays - Keyboard
Board Elections 2022
Why join a school board?
Board members are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.
Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives. School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children.
The school board elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!
What does the Board do?
Governance has an important role to play within a school. The best way we like to describe governance is ‘hands around - not hands on’. The Board provides the guidance, support and oversight that allows Matt and his team to get on with their work.
This does take some time, it is not just turning up to the monthly meetings but will include reading and preparation time for board meetings, responding to emails between meetings and being available every now and then to support different initiatives or meetings.
What skill do I need?
The number one skill you need is a desire for West End School to be the best it can be, and a commitment to supporting the staff and our students.
Outside of this, any of your expertise can be valuable to support the school. This can come in any form including business experience, diversity, inclusion, whānau and cultural engagement, property management, finance, human resource, employment and personnel, policy review and implementation, learning & pastoral care, etc.
If I would like to know more, what should I do?
If this is something that you would be interested in but would like to know more, you can have a look at School Board Elections | Becoming a board member . Or email office@westend.school.nz “Attention WES Board” and one of the current Board members will get in touch with you.
Room 11 has been working hard on creating our very own Matariki Kites using brown paper bags. Learning how to weave the pieces together to make a strong kite. We have also been looking at the stars of Matariki and what each star represents. As a collaborative wall display, we each coloured in 1/4 of a star and it has turned out awesome!
Sports at West End School
Reminder
Hi everyone. As we prepare to wind down for winter sport, this is just a reminder of the following:
- Please make sure your child has the correct uniform and equipment (mouthguard, shinpads, etc) to play.
- Please make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the game, so you can find where your child is playing and warm up.
- If your child is sick or unavailable on gameday, please message your coach or sports coordinator as soon as you can.
Draw
Basketball
No Basketball this week due to Home Show.
Hockey
31st July – West End Funsticks vs Lytton Street Embers, 8:30am on Turf 2H
31st July – West End Ministicks vs College Street Chiefs, 11:30am on Turf 2C
31st July – West End Goldsticks vs St Marys Red Sticks, 11:30am on Turf 1A
Netball
No Netball this week due to Home Show.
Practices
Please see below the days/times for sports practices:
Basketball
West End Bulls – Wednesday 3-3:30pm at West End Court
West End Lakers – Monday 3-3:30pm at West End Court
Hockey
West End Funsticks – Friday 3-3:30pm at West End Turf
West End Ministicks – Thursday 3-3:30pm at West End Turf
West End Goldsticks – Wednesday 3-3:45pm at West End Turf
Netball
West End Pulse – Friday 3:45pm at West End Court
If you have any questions relating to sport, please feel free to contact cdrummond@westend.school.nz
TERM DATES 2022
Masks
Due to new directives from the government, it is strongly recommended that children bring masks to school. Adults, please remember to wear a mask when indoors when inside a school building. Thank you for your support.
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.
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. While students are on the footpath outside the school , we ask if they can walk their bike or scooter. This is for the safety of themselves and others sharing the footpath, as students are travelling very fast and going past 2 of our school driveways where vehicles are coming in and out of.
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.
Start and end of day procedures
It is great to have our West End community back on school grounds under Orange settings. Here is a reminder of start and end of day procedures.
- If your child is at school before the 8.30 bell, they will need to come through the wharenui gate and wait in the area next to the turf.
- Students need to wait here until the bell goes at 8.30am.
- Please remind your child to walk sensibly to class. We have had a few accidents with students running and tripping over each other in the excitement of getting to class.
- At the end of the day, students will be let go from class. Please let your child know if you are picking them up and therefore will need to wait outside the classroom or meet you in the designated spot you told them to go.
- If siblings are going home together, please make a plan of where your children will meet each other so they aren't walking around school trying to find each other.
Communication about after school pickup
Please remember to let your child know where you will be picking them up after school. Because of the unpredictable nature of our weather at the moment, please also make a plan with your child as to where you will pick them up if it is raining. Please refrain from sending messages or emails to teachers regarding where you will pick them up, as many emails and messages in an afternoon when teachers are busy teaching is an added challenge. Please also be aware that the office also is very busy, and having to visit different classes to let children know where parents will pick them up can be very time consuming. Letting your child know where you will pick them up when it is fine, or raining would be much appreciated. You are most welcome to come into school to pick them up outside their classroom.
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