West Park School - T1 Wk 11
Thursday 14th April 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Kia ora, Talofa, Kia orana,
Greetings Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers,
A recent grant application to TTCF (The Trusts Community Foundation) towards funding ‘Sandlab’ project was successful to the amount of $17,950. The ‘Sandlab’ will be located behind Rooms 2 and 10, being available to students during lunchtimes and for classroom programmes when appropriate. This is a very exciting project and one that has been planned for now over a year. The project is due to start and be completed during the Term 2 school break.
Thanks to everyone for the way you have, during Term 1 helped your children meet isolation requirements, when you found that they were either a confirmed case or a household contact. We will be finishing the term with only 2 confirmed cases, and 4 household contacts across the entire school community, which is remarkable. Long may our school’s good health last.
The staff hope you all have an enjoyable break and we look forward to seeing your children’s lovely faces back next term.
Have a lovely term 1 school break.
Luis Echegaray
Principal
Update from the Board of Trustees
It is hard to believe we are already at the end of Term 1, which also means the Board of Trustees had its end of Term meeting this week. It was held via Zoom and it was nice to have a few community members along to observe the meeting.
We also had our first visit from the Student Council, who were represented by Alex Rhodes-Robinson and Ezra Ng. Their enthusiasm was infectious as they laid out a long list of ideas for improving life at school for their fellow students. This included a request for hot chocolates to be made for the Road Patrollers after they come in from the cold in the mornings, which the Board happily agreed to sponsor (and Mr Joseph agreed to make!).
It was nice to hear how the new teachers were settling into the school, hitting the ground running and already making their mark on the school. It was also great to hear how the students have been progressing throughout the term and how those who have had to isolate due to COIVD-19 have been supported by the school.
Board Decisions:
We set a fundraising target of $150,000 to refurbish the school hall. The hall is a great asset to the school and in need of some modernisation and improvements to make the space even better.
We are going to advertise for 10 out-of-zone places at our school. With two new classrooms and a lower school roll, we feel the school has capacity to have additional students.
We are changing the way we communicate with you. Instead of sending out a Board specific newsletter each term, we will now add a message from the Board into the School Newsletter following each of our meetings (twice a term). We hope you will find this useful and timely.
This term, I have been performing the role of 'Delegate Chair'. We have created this role to share some of the workload of the Board Chair (Nat Henry) for Terms 1 and 2 this year. This has included chairing our meetings and communicating with you. Prashant Bakshi will be picking up the Delegate Chair role for Term 2.
Ngā mihi nui,
Aaron Jordan
On behalf of the West Park School Board of Trustees.
Newsletter proudly Sponsored by
Junior School Update
In Room 5 and 6, Easter has been an important and exciting topic of discussion. We have been working hard on our Easter chick art which is now displayed proudly on our walls. On the last day of the term, we will get the chance to create our own chocolate Easter baskets, made with rice bubbles and melted chocolate!
Middle School Update
We have had a great week in Room 10. The children create an animal for their descriptive writing then needed to write about an extinction event. Here is an example (from Anahita) of their writing plan, focused on the senses. Well done Room 10!
Senior School Update
Week 10 was our last week having our Kelly Sports Coaches in to teach the students Ki-o-Rahi. Ki-o-Rahi is a traditional Maori game and stems from the legend of Rahitutakahina and Tiarakurapakewai. Over the past 8 weeks the students in Year 5 and 6 have been learning skills and tactics leading up to the final game. The weather hasn’t held us back, with some sessions in the hall where we worked on a faster paced game and purposeful throwing. We have had valuable coaching sessions helping us to learn teamwork, ball skills and the specific rules of the game. Our session in week 10 was an awesome end to all the hard work, with the students putting their knowledge into action! The comradery from the students ensuring that everyone was included and supportive has been fantastic to see. And of course a tight scoring finish from both teams!
School Notices and Upcoming Events
Book Week 2022
West Park School’s Annual Book Week is back again for 2022!
This will be happening over Week 4 of Term 2 with lots of fun activities planned over the week. They are outlined below:
Scholastic Book Fair
We are super lucky to have the Scholastic Book Fair back again this year to coincide with our Book Week. This is a great fundraiser for the school with proceeds going to updating library and classroom books, along with bringing in new resources into the classroom. You should have seen details on when and how you can help support us from Helen Ayres - (This would have been sent home with your child).
‘Books Alive!’
A ‘Books alive’ class session will be held during the normal library lesson time. This activity will take well known children's books and give children a chance to really experience it in a different way using all their senses!
Dress Up Day
To end our fabulous week we ask that children come to school on Friday the 27th May as their favourite character, author or book. We will have prizes for best dressed across the year groups.
We are very excited and can’t wait for Week 4 to come around.
Thanks for your support
School Donations
The 2022 donation being requested is as follows.
One child - $220 for the year
Two children - $440 for the year
Three children - $660 for the year
2022 Term Dates
Term Dates 2022:
Term 1 Thu 3 Feb – Thu 14 April (11 weeks)
Term 2 Mon 2 May – Fri 8 July (10 weeks)
Term 3 Mon 25 July – Fri 30 Sept (10 weeks)
Term 4 Mon 17 Oct – Fri 16 Dec (9 weeks)
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 2 May - First day of Term 2
- Tuesday, 10 May - School Cross Country
- Wednesday, 11 May - Year 6 at Raroa Intermediate
- Thursday, 12 May - Postponement date 1: School Cross Country
- Tuesday, 17 May - Postponement date 2: School Cross Country
- Thursday, 19 May - Parent/ Teacher interviews
- Tuesday, 24 May - Parent/ Teacher interviews
- Wednesday, 25 May - Book Fair
- Thursday, 26 May - Parent/ Teacher interviews, Tough Guy and Gal event
- Monday, 30 May - BoT meeting (6.15pm)
- Wednesday, 1 June - Dental van onsite for 5 weeks
- Friday, 3 June - Teacher only Day (School closed)
- Monday, 6 June - Queen’s Birthday (School closed)
- Thursday, 9 June - Pump dance workshop
- Thursday, 16 June - Pump dance workshop
- Wednesday, 22 June - School Photos
- Thursday, 23 June - School Photo, Pump dance workshop
- Friday, 24 June - Matariki (School closed)
- Monday, 4 July - BoT meeting (6.15pm)
- Friday, 8 July - Last Day of Term 2
Community Notices
Kelly Sports
APRIL 2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Football - Wests Rugby Clubrooms, Ian Galloway park, Wilton
9.30am-12.30pm
Perfect for beginners and those just wanting to have fun!
Come along and improve technique, knowledge and learn more about the basic skills of "The Beautiful Game" (Football). We will focus on the core skills of control, dribbling, passing, tackling, shooting but most importantly having as much fun as possible!
Week 1 - Tues 19 Apr, Weds 20 Apr, Thurs 21 Apr
Week 2 - Tues 26 Apr, Weds 27 Apr, Thurs 28 Apr
For full details and to enrol into our programmes visit www.kellysports.co.nz email adminwgtn@kellysports.co.nz or call 04 972 7201.
Kelly Club
KELLY CLUB WEST PARK APRIL 2022 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
Kelly Club Holiday Programmes focus on giving children aged between 5 and 13 the opportunity to do things they enjoy in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment. The programme is packed with activities to entertain and inspire children.
We have some exciting days planned: : "Eggstravaganza Day", "Kelly Club Top Chef Day", "Anzac Day", "Giant Ball Day", "Kelly Club Survivor" Plus trips to: The Marine Centre and Ice Skating!
To enrol www.kellyclub.co.nz email westpark@kellyclub.co.nz or call 022 035 1453
Onslow College
Springboard Diving at Kilbirnie Pool
Wellington Diving Club offer diving lessons for kids aged 6yrs+ to Adult sessions!
Try something new - visit their website and register for a FREE 30min Trial Lesson in the school holidays or during Term.
After-school sessions available on Wed/Thurs and Saturdays - All levels welcome from beginners to competitive.
FREE Community Diving sessions one Sunday per month during Term. T&C’s apply.
For more information, please visit our website www.wellingtondiving.org.nz or call/text Barbara on 027 485 8888.
Pinot & Picasso - School Holiday Activity
Pinot & Picasso run public, private, team building events and kids art classes.
Kids classes are two hours long and are aimed for ages 7 and up.
Pinot & Picasso are all about exposing people to art in a safe, relaxed and fun environment.
A host/art teacher takes the class through step by step on how to paint a particular painting. Letting everyone walk away with their own masterpiece to be proud of.
Located in the Wellington CBD, situated on 176 Victoria Street.
For more information or to sign up go to their website.
Sessions | Pinot & Picasso Wellington CBD (pinotandpicasso.nz)
April School Holidays at Wellington City Libraries
View Finders Photography Competition
During the April school holidays, we’re running View Finders – a photo competition for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5-18. You can submit your original photos across three categories – Nature, Whānau, and Objects or Books, and there are heaps of awesome prizes to be won. Plus, all submitted photographs will be entered into a special exhibition that will take place after the holidays at libraries and community spaces across the city. Entries can be submitted online, or dropped off at your local library.
To find out more, and participate, visit wcl.govt.nz/viewfinders.
Special thanks to our friends at local photography business Splendid Photo for their support!
The City Nature Challenge
Are you keen to contribute to real scientific research while getting out in nature with your whānau and having a great time? We’ve got the perfect solution for you – this year, the City Nature Challenge is returning in style for a massive Bioblitz from Friday 29 April to Monday 2 May. In the lead up to the Bioblitz, park rangers and other experts (including a few librarians!) will be leading nature expeditions to good flora and fauna-spotting locations around the city.
Visit wgtn.cc/CNC2022 to keep up to date with all the events!
ComicFest: Comicify Your Life
What would your life look like if it were happening on the pages of your favourite comic book? In the lead up to ComicFest on the 7th of May, we’re running a competition for aspiring artists of all ages during the April school holidays. Draw yourself as a comic book superhero, villain, or just an ordinary ‘comicified’ human, and be in to win a bevy of sweet prizes, judged and announced by some of New Zealand’s most talented artists. Entries can be submitted online, or dropped off at your local library.
To find out more, and participate, visit wcl.govt.nz/comicifylife.
Parenting Course
Makara Beach Craft Market
The Makara Beach Craft Market is a locally run community market full of highly talented stallholders showcasing a huge variety of quality items including:
• Plants, flowers & seedlings
• Jewellery
• Clothing, bags and accessories
• Crochet & knitted toys
• Scented Candles
• Homewares & soft furnishing
• Children & baby items
• Skincare & soaps
• Wheat bags & hot water bottle covers
• Wooden Products
• Ceramics & pottery
• Pet accessories
• Carvings & sculptures
• Freshly ground coffee from Rich Coffee Roasters
• Homemade West Coast Pies
• Fresh goats’ milk from Brooklyn Creamery
• Much much more.
Located at the Makara Beach Café, come along and get some delicious food and drink, peruse the various treasures, enjoy the local walks and soak up the wild West Coast atmosphere!
Invite a friend or 2 and have a great day out at this fantastic community event.
#supportlocal
Our first market will be held on Sunday, 17 April 2022 and will run every third Sunday of each month after that.
Contact Us
Email: office@westpark.school.nz
Website: https://www.westpark.school.nz
Location: 97 Broderick Road, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 (04) 478 7074
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farmcoveintermediateschool