West Park School - T4 Wk1
Friday, October 21, 2022
Principal's Message
Kia ora, Talofa, Kia orana,
Greetings Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers,
I hope that the new term finds you all well. Term 4 has traditionally been quite a busy term and the one ahead looks to be no different. A swimming programme for year 3 and 4 students, end of year assessment and reporting, West Park idol, various trips, Athletics Day, Year 6 visits to local intermediate schools, Senior School camp, graduation, possibly a Kelly Sports day, and, much more. Regardless of the event, big or small, I know staff would really appreciate your support.
In preparation for planning our 2023 classroom and team structures, we would appreciate knowing whether you are planning to leave the school at the end of the year. If you are planning to leave (except for Year 6 students) could you please email Kathy or Marti in the school office, email to office@westpark.school.nz . This information is very important as a small number of students can have a significant impact on our planning and structures. Thank you to the families who have already informed the office.
We hope to be able to announce the confirmed 2023 team structures and staffing allocations, through a school newsletter in weeks 4 or 6 of this term. Following this, the process for allocating students to their 2023 classes and teams will commence. This will take into consideration a large number of variables including academic needs, social needs and teacher strengths. The process is one that teachers devote a large amount of time to in order to ensure the best possible structure for all students within the available resources.
If there are any specific requests or information you would like staff to take into consideration when making the 2023 allocations please wait until after the 2023 teams and staff allocations have been announced. If you are making special requests or providing information to be considered, please address them to myself in written form and deliver them to the school office marked ‘Confidential’. When the lists are finalised they will be communicated and/or displayed accordingly. Towards the end of the term students will have the opportunity to come together in their 2023 class and spend some time with their 2023 classroom teacher and class mates.
Please note:
1. Staff allocations for 2023 have not yet been made but will be communicated as soon as they have been. Students will not be confirmed into classrooms until staff have been allocated to their 2023 classroom and this has been communicated to parents and caregivers.
2. Requests will be considered in making the final allocations, however no guarantee is given that requests will be met.
THANKS!
A HUGE! Thanks to the Brits family who early one Saturday morning during the last school break volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to help dig out a new long jump sandpit for the school. It was a real family effort with everyone being involved in one way or another.
One of our School Values: Global Awareness
Why is environmental awareness important?
In an increasingly interconnected world, it is more and more necessary to communicate openness to different cultures. Being aware globally means, in fact, to be very flexible creating a set of values that lead to the understanding of different cultures.
According to research, teaching children about diversity in many areas allows them not only to better understand those who are different, but they will be more likely to work with the heterogeneity, making the world a better place.
5 Tips for raising a global child
1. Provide a solid grounding in your home culture.
2. Make learning a second language a priority.
3. Take advantage of the vast resources at your local library to bring the world into your home.
4. Have fun with global food, music, books, art, museum exhibits and friends.
5. Travel with your children as a fun yet educational way to broaden their minds.
A couple of items from Life's Little Instruction Book
· Begin each day with your favourite music.
· Focus on making things better, not bigger.
Term 4 Sunhats
Have a great weekend.
Luis Echegaray
Principal
Newsletter Sponsored By
Junior School Update
In team Totara and Miro we are studying the Material World this term. This week Room 3 and 4
made a sizzling volcano. We hypothesised on the outcome of the vinegar and baking soda
combination. The tamariki really enjoyed watching our big volcano explode, bubble and fiz.
Middle School Update
Senior School Update
School Notices and Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Friday, 28 October - World Teachers Day
Wed. 2 – Fri 4 Nov. - Senior School camp
Monday, 14 November - Board meeting at 6.15pm in Room 15
- Team Kahikatea – Zero Waste
- Northern Zone Athletics
Friday, 25 November - Northern Zone Primary Citizenship awards
Monday, 28 November - Totara and Miro – Zero Waste (visit 1)
Tuesday, 29 November - Totara and Miro – Zero Waste (visit 2)
Thursday, 1 December - Junior School Picnic
Tuesday, 6 December - Interzone Athletics
- Year 1-3 Athletics Day
Tuesday, 13 December - Year 1and 2 Water Play day
- Team Rimu trip to Wellington
- Year 6 graduation
Thursday, 15 December - Year 6 graduation
Friday, 16 December - Last Day of School (School closes at 12.45pm)
2022 Term Dates
Term Dates 2022:
Term 4 Mon 17 Oct – Fri 16 Dec (9 weeks)
West Park School Board of Trustees approved 2023 Term dates are as follows:
Term 1: Tuesday 31 January - Thursday 6 April
Term 2: Monday 24 April – Friday 30 June
Term 3: Monday 17 July – Friday 22 September
Term 4: Monday 9 October – Thursday 14 December
Community Notices
Johnsonville Scouts
Johnsonville Scouts have space for youth between the ages of 5-14. Keas age 6-8, Cubs 8-11, Scouts 11-14.
Every year we help 13,000 young people in New Zealand enjoy new adventures, experience the outdoors, make new connections, and gain confidence. This includes outdoor activities and leadership.
We are also on the lookout for new Leaders in our Group, it is a great and fun opportunity.
To make contact with us, please email Johnsonville@group.scouts.nz
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School - October Open Day
Marsden warmly invites families of girls entering Year 7 in 2023 to their final Open Morning for 2022 on Wednesday 26 October, 8.45am-12pm. Please register at marsden.school.nz/register
Enrolments for entry in 2023 are now due. If you have any questions, or you'd like to arrange a personal tour or a day in class for your daughter, please contact Enrolment Registrar Leigh McCathie on 476 8707 or leigh.mccathie@marsden.school.nz
marsden.school.nz
Marsden, Inspiring Girls
Bigair Gym Classes
If your child loves doing cartwheels, handstands, trampolining, flips, dance, or parkour moves, then they will thrive at Bigair Gym!
Bigair Gym classes are excellent for fun, focus and fitness! Children learn new skills and develop personal confidence and self-achievement! Strong focus is given to safety and technique, ranging from fundamentals to advanced skills. The structured classes follow a Bigair Badge Programme, which creates focused learning, and allows children to achieve and feel personal progression!
Bigair classes include GYMNASTICS, TRAMPOLINING, TUMBLING, FREE RUNNING (that’s parkour with flips) & CHEERLEADING!
Inquire about Bigair BIRTHDAY PARTIES too!
GET IN QUICK FOR TERM 4 GYM CLASSES!
Booking is easy online at www.bigairgym.co.nz or contact your local Bigair Gym office today.
Support your local Athletic's Club
Want to learn how to run, jump or throw? The skills you learn in athletics are the perfect foundation for almost any sport.
Every student can give athletics a go. Our local athletics club 'Olympic Harrier and Athletic Club'
is welcoming new members now and we encourage students to get involved and get active.
Contact details for all athletics clubs nationwide are available here athletics.org.nz/FindaClub and become a member.
After School and Saturday Computer Classes
Our term time classes are smaller just 3 to 6 children. Classes are focused on what you want to learn. Pickup from school can be arranged. Class runs from 3:30 to 5:30 pm - class fee $45 (doors open from 3:15).
- Learn to Code; Scratch, Python, JavaScript or Java
- Learn to Code & Create 3D Games
- Minecraft
- Roblox
- Web Design, HTML and CSS
- Discovery Course in Computing - suitable for younger children
- Build Your Own Computer
Information & bookings: grandtraining.co.nz or call 499-2211
Kelly Sports
KELLY SPORTS AT WESTPARK SCHOOL – TUESDAY’S 3.05PM-4.05PM
A weekly multi sports programme that provides an essential base for children's motor skills and help build confidence and coordination.
The programme gives children skills and confidence in a fun and enjoyable environment.
It also encourages their enthusiasm for sports and the life skills that such involvement brings – giving them confidence to join sports clubs and teams in the future.
The sports we will be focussing on in Term 4 are:
Rippa Rugby, T-Ball, Cricket and Football
Enrol at https://kellysports.co.nz/kelly_events/view/14742
FOOTBALL SKILLS FOR TERM 4
NEW DAY - NOW ON WEDS
Aimed for beginners, this is a 8 week football skills programme held at the Green Room, Wests Rugby Club Rooms, Ian Galloway Park, Wilton, on Wednesday's from 3.30pm-4.30pm.
Come and learn all about Football! This programme covers both individual and team skills including, Game rules, Ball control, Dribbling, Passing, Tackling, Defence, Team work, Goalkeeping, practice and warm up drills for players and teams. It is ideal to improve skills and confidence .
It’s also great practice for the summer series football competition.
To book go https://kellysports.co.nz/kelly_events/view/14831
Kelly Club
Contact Us
Email: office@westpark.school.nz
Website: https://www.westpark.school.nz
Location: 97 Broderick Road, Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: +64 (04) 478 7074