School Newsletter Term 2, Week 4
Friday 19 May 2023
Kia ora koutou katoa,
It has been a fantastic week here at Te Kura O Urumutu.
There has been a lot of powerful learning happening across our school this week. Term 2 and Term 3 is a very settled time of the year that allows for a real focus on children’s learning and development in our core curriculum areas (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics). We are enjoying the calm and settled feel in our classrooms around the school and the important learning and progress that is taking place for our children. We look forward to reporting this progress and achievement of our children to parents and guardians later in the term.
The other aspect of Term 2 and Term 3 is they are our winter terms with often cold and wet weather. This is also the cold and flu season. As the flu season approaches, we want to ensure the well-being of our students and the entire school community.
Please take note of the following important information and guidance:
- Hand Hygiene: Emphasise the importance of proper hand hygiene. Teach your child to wash their hands frequently.
- Stay Home When Sick: If your child displays flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or body aches, keep them at home until they have fully recovered.
- Sanitation Measures: Our school will continue to implement recommended sanitation protocols, including regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
By adhering to these points, we can work together to create a safer environment for our school community during the flu season.
West End School is a hotbed of learning and activity. This week I have enjoyed our Student Council Meeting, Enviro Group Meetings, Pae Tamariki practice, Sci-Fri with Dr. A, Music club with Mrs. Minchin, Dance, Minecraft club, Ki o Rahi, karanga, football, basketball training, hockey training, dance practice, Art Club, and much more! It is exciting to see so many of our tamariki exploring and discovering areas of passions and interest.
We have loved seeing so many of our children, staff, and community dressed up for Pink Shirt Day. Pink shirt day is about “creating a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background”. Tino Pai West End School.
This Sunday, I am looking forward to seeing anyone who can make it to our community working bee starting at 10am. See you there (see further detail later in the newsletter)! This is a great chance to support our school to show Kotahitanga and make sure our school is the best place it can be for our children.
I wish everyone a safe and happy weekend.
Ngā mihi nui,
Working Bee - this Sunday at 10am!
This year we have been able to harvest some beautiful kai from our orchard, including pumpkins, feijoas, peaches and even some rainbow corn. However as it is such a large area, the weeds have taken over and we would love your help to get them back under control. On Sunday 21st of May 2023, from 10am - 12pm we will be hosting a community working bee (weather permitting), to tidy up the orchard. We have some very exciting plans for the space, involving our tamariki, and would love all the help we can get to tidy it up for some exciting planting coming up.
If you are interested in attending, please come along with boots and any small garden tools, such as gardening forks, to help us! We would love to see you all there.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini. “My strength is not as an individual but as a collective.”
Many thanks,
Amy Burch
Enviro Team Leader
PTA Fundraiser - PIES!
Whānau Hui next Thursday
Term 2 Sports at West End School
Here is the planned timetable for School Cross Country Championships at Ashhurst Domain (2nd of June). Please be aware this is only a rough schedule. Depending on circumstances on the day times may change. Use this is only a rough guideline.
Pink Shirt Day today
Pink Shirt Day works to reduce bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms - supporting schools, workplaces, and communities to be safe, supportive, welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
ANZAC Kotahitanga
Following on with our values based learning, many classes have explored kotahitanga, manaakitanga, mana aoturoa and whakamana through learning around the ANZAC's and ANZAC Day. Our tamariki have enjoyed this recent focus, talking to parents and grandparents about their family history and then sharing their own stories with their classmates.
Many classes have had expert visitors from the services, army, navy or airforce. We have appreciated the time and expertise these visitors have brought to our children's learning.
These photos were taken at lunch time this week. When the teacher asked what is was that they were building, they replied that they were digging trenches, like the ANZAC's did at Gallipoli. They were very engaged with the structures, explaining the purpose and design features.
Our new report format for Term 2
In Term 2 and 4, we will no longer be sending home a paper copy of a school report. You will have access to a new report format on Seesaw which will include information about your child’s progress and achievement, and a comment from the teacher for reading, writing, maths, as well as a general comment relating to attitude, behaviour and showing school values. There will also be an example of your child’s work to show the progress they have made in that area. Below is an example of one of our reporting pages. You will have access to school reports in Week 9 of next term.
Upcoming Events
WEEK 4
- WEST END WORKING BEE - Sunday 21st May: 10am - 12pm
WEEK 5
- Room 8 Visitors morning - Wednesday 24 May at 8.50am
- Whānau Hui - Thursday 25th May at 6pm
WEEK 6
- Literacy Week
- VIBE Assembly - Tuesday 30th May
- New Zealand Playhouse performance at school - Wednesday 31st May
- Room 8 Visitors morning - Wednesday 31 May at 8.50am
- West End School Cross Country - Friday 2nd June
WEEK 7
- King's Birthday - Monday 5th June (NO SCHOOL)
- Interschool Cross Country - Wednesday 7th June
WEEK 8
WEEK 9
- Lockdown Drill - Tuesday 20th June
- Ki o Rahi Tournament - Wednesday 21st June
- Term 2 Reports sent out via Seesaw - Friday 23rd June
WEEK 10
- Pae Tamariki - Tuesday 27th June
- VIBE Assembly (Matariki theme) - Thursday 29th June
- Matariki breakfast - Friday 30th June
- Last Day of Term 2 - Friday 30th June
West End Production 2023
The cast has been given their scripts we've read through the play! Now the real fun begins! We've been learning more songs and will be starting rehearsals next week! If your child has a speaking part, or would like to receive notifications about the musical, please go into the app and subscribe to the 2-2023 West End Production notifications. All West End students will be involved in this musical production, so even if your child did miss out on a speaking part, they will still be involved in the show - singing, dancing, art work etc.
If you are able to help out in any way (with costumes, set/prop design etc) please contact Dan Minchin and he will let you know more details!
Children’s Drawing classes with Mike Ryan places available
Does your child love to draw?
Mike Ryan is an experienced art teacher and portrait artist, with spaces still available this term for children to develop their drawing skills across a range of subjects e.g, people, animals, birds.
Classes are held at the Village Valley Centre, Ashhurst, Mondays 3.30 – 5.00; Manawatu Chinese Association Hall, PN, Tuesdays 3.30 – 5.00.
For more information or to enroll please contact Rachel Summers, email: info@artforartsake.co.nz or 021 624 892. http://artforartsake.co.nz
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.
Consultation on speed limits around schools
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