Witherlea School Newsletter: Week 8

Principal Message

Kia ora koutou Witherlea whānau,

We have our Parent-Teacher Interviews throughout this week starting tonight at 3:30pm. Just a reminder that school is CLOSED at 1pm tomorrow as this is our LONG Interview Day for our teachers and ensures that every parent or caregiver has one interview slot.

We are immensely proud of our reporting which has gone through many phases in its development over the past three years so that we are highlighting what is important for every learner. We have a focus at Witherlea on PROGRESS rather than achievement. Knowing 'where a learner starts' is the vital first step to creating a plan for them and mapping their progress in each curriculum area, over the year.

If a child makes MORE THAN a year's progress in a year we call this ACCELERATED (this is important for any child who is struggling or behind). Most children make ONE YEARS progress in one year and continue this throughout their school-life. It is, however, not always linear. Some years it slows and other years it accelerates - every child is different and they progress in different areas at different rates.

We have baseline and aspirational achievement levels that we desire for all of our learners by the time they leave Witherlea however we also recognise that they are on a 'six-year' learning journey that focuses on; learning capabilities, key competencies, behaviour, leadership and global citizenship.

Connection with and to your children's learning is a great way to support progress and success at school. This can look like; keeping in touch with the classroom teacher regarding goals, commenting on Seesaw, coming to our Whānau Open Days and using our 'new' Learning Portal to find engaging ways to link and connect learning.

We view ALL our learners as individuals and we are providing rich and authentic learning experiences so that each of them is able to REACH their own POTENTIAL.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Andrea Harnett - Tumuaki


Hands On Learning Ms Green is using this equipment with every Year 5-6 students in the school. Each class rotates between our Drama Specialist, PE with Ms Harnett and EPro8 with Ms Green.	EPro8 Unpacked EPro8 is: Engineering, Problems Solving and Innovation and Witherlea School purchased two kits in 2020. The EPro8 competition is in term two and we will select teams of Year 5-6 students.	Developing the Future The Kauri Team are also using this equipment during their specialisation sessions where each teacher is utilising their strengths and covering; digital skills, EPro8,

Hands On Learning

Ms Green is using this equipment with every Year 5-6 students in the school. Each class rotates between our Drama Specialist, PE with Ms Harnett and EPro8 with Ms Green.

EPro8 Unpacked

EPro8 is: Engineering, Problems Solving and Innovation and Witherlea School purchased two kits in 2020. The EPro8 competition is in term two and we will select teams of Year 5-6 students.

Developing the Future

The Kauri Team are also using this equipment during their specialisation sessions where each teacher is utilising their strengths and covering; digital skills, EPro8,

Term 1 Events - Wahanga Tuatahi

Week 8 - Wiki Tuawaru

Monday 22nd March- Friday 26th March

Monday 22nd March

Flag Raising

Monday 22nd March-Wednesday 24th March

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Tuesday 23rd March

SCHOOL CLOSED @ 1pm

Early Finish for Interviews 1:30pm-7pm

Thursday 25th March

Marlborough Swimming Champs

Friday 26th March

Assembly: Introducing Punga @ 2:15pm

Week 9 - Wiki Tuaiwa

Monday 29th March- Wednesday 31st March

Wednesday 31st March

Marlborough Tackle Sevens Tourney - Lansdowne Park

St John's mufti day - wear black & white, Gold Coin donation

Thursday 1st April

TEACHER ONLY DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED

Friday 2nd April - Tuesday 6th April

EASTER HOLIDAYS - SCHOOL CLOSED

Week 10 - Wiki Tekau

Wednesday 7th April - Friday 9th April

Wednesday 7th April

School Photos

Friday 9th April

Assembly: Introducing Punga Hub 1 @ 2:15pm

Week 11 - Wiki Tekau Ma Tahi

Monday 12th April - Friday 16th April

Monday 12th April

Flag Raising

Friday 16th April - Last day of Term

Whānau Open Day @ 11:30am-1pm

St Johns Mufti Day

Day/Date: Wednesday 31st March

Dress Code: Black and white dress up or the St John's uniform if you are a volunteer

Why: Bring a gold coin donation to support this essential community service


Year 3-4 Cricket Mr Stephens took a group of Year 3-4 students for a day out playing cricket last week. Great to see so many students across the school giving sport a go!	Weetbix Try 2021 Our annual contingent at the Weetbix Tryathlon in Nelson supported by amazing parents who spent the weekend supporting our kids to participate.	Tag Ball Tourney The Year 5-6 students all participated in the Tag Ball Tournament on the Top Court Friday afternoon. Green 9 took it out and will represent the school in the student versus teacher match.

Year 3-4 Cricket

Mr Stephens took a group of Year 3-4 students for a day out playing cricket last week. Great to see so many students across the school giving sport a go!

Weetbix Try 2021

Our annual contingent at the Weetbix Tryathlon in Nelson supported by amazing parents who spent the weekend supporting our kids to participate.

Tag Ball Tourney

The Year 5-6 students all participated in the Tag Ball Tournament on the Top Court Friday afternoon. Green 9 took it out and will represent the school in the student versus teacher match.

Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Shoutouts

Ferns Team

Oisin S: Showing kindness to others during Pataitai time and always trying his best in his learning.

Punga Team

Jacob Burkhart: Kindness to new students and supporting them in their learning.

Kowhai Team

Sienna W: Being an organised and self-motivated member of the class.

Cristina F-P: Living out the values of Witherlea School. She is kind and helps other students with their learning. A role model to her peers.

Kauri Team

Braxton B: Is Witherlea’s, Mr Kind. He supports anyone in the class who needs some help. Ka pai.

Chayce K: Is a kind and caring friend to everyone. He is extremely competitive on the sports field but does this in a humble nature.

These students have been using their kind, safe and fair qualities within our school, towards other students and supporting our culture at Witherlea.

The WSPCG needs your help

The Witherlea School Parent and Community group have worked tirelessly over the years raising huge amounts of money for the school and its students. Without them, we would not have such things as; the playground, enhancements to the staffroom and foyer, the turf, digital gear, teacher aides in our classrooms, plantings, Kapa Haka uniforms, the list is endless.

Our WSPCG needs your help. They are looking for someone to take over as chairperson (this can be co-shared if this works better for some people) to help direct the amazing fundraising that they do. Shared ownership of schools discos, sausage sizzles, movie nights, the running of our second-hand clothing shop, lost property and more cannot be done without your help.

If you can spare the time, it would be truly appreciated, as, without it, we are not able to run any of the events listed above.

Please come and speak to Phil Funnell if you would like further information and he will put you in contact with the relevant people.

Accessibility