Week 8 Term 2 Panui
Monday/Rāhina - 20th June 2022
Contact Us
Email: office@witherlea.school.nz
Website: https://witherlea.school.nz
Location: 214-216 Weld Street, Witherlea, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand
Phone: 64 (03) 578 5568
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/witherleablenheim
Principal Message
Kia ora koutou Witherlea whānau,
Thank you so much to those of you that participated in our Community Survey related to our PB4L journey and the characteristics of the "Ideal Witherlea Student" - this closes off tonight so our PB4L team can collate all the information from all stakeholders.
We are so excited about our upcoming Matariki Hikoi and Hui, our community joining us at this event, sharing kai (scones and milo), reflecting on the year and opening the classrooms to show you the progress your children have made.
COVID has interrupted so much and this has affected the involvement of our community. We lost our amazing Gala in 2019 just before the first Lockdown which has seen a collective loss of $90,000-$120,000 of fundraising for our school. We have had events cancelled, we have had shut gates, we have had mandates and masks and we have had to endure lockdowns, bubbles distance/online/hybrid learning and disruptions to the very fabric of our community BUT we have made it through.
We get to have our community back, we get to celebrate and reflect, we get to learn from this and do things differently even BETTER in some ways. We still have to wear our masks but that is small compared to what we are gaining...let's hope the weather holds out for us.
Matariki Hikoi and Hui
- BYO mugs and school bags put in cloak bays
- 7am Start on the Top Court
- Kauri and Kōwhai Waiata
- Staff Waiata
- Hikoi to the Teahouse - whole school Karakia and Waiata
- Punga Waiata on the Hill as the sunrises
- Hikoi down for Milo and Scones
- Ferns Waiata
- Open Classes
- Open Hall - to see all the Matariki Art
We want to encourage as many whānau and families as possible to join us as each team has practised a waiata and many children have been chosen to speak. It will be cold so wrap up warm with gloves and hats. It will be beautiful watching the sun rise together and it will be my last with you.
Matariki is a VERY special time in the Māori Culture;
Across the country, communities are getting excited about the first-ever celebration of Matariki as a public holiday. Matariki is known as the Māori New Year when the constellation of stars appears in the winter sky.
Matariki, including Puanga, has traditionally been celebrated with several important themes.
These themes are:
- Reflection: remembering loved ones who have passed on, especially within the past lunar year
- Celebration: celebrating the bounty and blessings of the present
- Aspiration: setting aspirations to ensure that that bounty can continue long into the future with a focus on environmental protection and regeneration.
Food / Kai Donation
Sharing kai / food together is an important element - if you want to support us and can make / bake or bring scones or muffins for a breakfast snack that would be amazing. The day before, Wednesday or the morning of, Thursday dropped to the Hall deck. We have a group of students who will be using our Weetbix from 'Breakfast in Schools' to create breakfast bars for the children. Everyone 'mucking in' is such an important part of Matariki - knowing that every person in our community is essential.
We look forward to seeing you all bright and early for a 7am start Thursday morning before you enjoy the extra long weekend with your whānau and families.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Andrea Harnett - Tumuaki
Bank Account Details
Witherlea School Board of Trustees
12-3167-0133327-00
Eftpos available at school office
Term 2 Events - Wahanga Tuarua
Week 8 - Wiki Tuawaru
MON 20 June - FRI 24 JUNE
Monday 20 June
Mihi Whakatau Welcome - Flag Raising Hui (Top Court)
New Students, Early Words, Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Awards
Tuesday 21 June
Rippa Rugby Tournament @ Lansdowne Park: 9:30am-2:30pm
Thursday 23 June
Matariki Hikoi and Hui @ 7am (Top Court)
Open Classes @ 8:15am
Postponement Day: Rippa Rugby Tournament @ Lansdowne Park: 9:30am-2:30pm
Friday 24 June
SCHOOL CLOSED = MATARIKI DAY OBSERVED
Week 9 - Wiki Tuaiwa
MON 27 JUNE - FRI 1 JULY
Monday 27 June
SCHOOL CLOSED - Term 1 Teachers Learning Day
Tuesday 28 June
Whole School Cross Country
Friday 1 July
Subway School Lunches
Ferns (Year 1) Reports go home
GUMBOOT FRIDAY
Mental Health Awareness
Week 10 - Wiki Tekau
MON 4 JULY- FRI 8 JULY
Monday 4 July
Mihi Whakatau Welcome - Flag Raising Hui (Top Court)
New Students, Early Words, Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Awards
Tuesday 5 July
Cross Country Postponement Day
Friday 8 July
Subway School Lunches
LAST DAY OF TERM 2
Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Shoutouts
Congratulations to these students who have displayed one or all of our school behaviour expectations and are a model to others;
Xavier S - Being a kind member of our Pukeko room. We love learning alongside you!
James S - Always looking out for your classmates and lending a helping hand.
PONGA TEAM
Isla A - Always coming to school with a huge smile, greeting everyone, using exceptional manners and being kind to all. Isla you are a kindness superstar!!
KOWHAI TEAM
Indy M - Being consistently kind to your classmates. You display lovely manners and politeness. You always try your best and a great listener.
KAURI TEAM
Keanu T - always challenging yourself and taking every opportunity that comes your way. You are a bright shining star in room 10
Early Words Recognition
Aoife F, Amelia-Rose C, Eliza M
We are very proud of the effort towards learning that our youngest students put in as the Early Words is the start of mastery at Witherlea School.
Cross Country Timetable (Approximate times only)
Table Tennis Tournament
Mitchell Sportspower Marlborough Primary/Intermediate Schools table tennis tournament Sunday 26thth June, 9am start, Simcox Stadium.
Open to all children up to and including Year 8.
You do NOT have to belong to a club to enter. Separate boys and girls events, lots of prizes. Entries are available here, or from Mitchell Sports Power, 15 Queen St.
Info phone Debbie 5786822, or 0211632140 e-mail deb_e_j@hotmail.com