Principal Message
Kia ora koutou Witherlea whānau,
Our focus this term is Hauroa - meaning Wellbeing. We have developed our understanding over the last couple of years through the lens of the Whare Tapa Whā model (Dr Mason Durie) of wellbeing which looks at 4 aspects/dimensions of wellbeing ensuring BALANCE = Tau.
We all know when we are in BALANCE = Tau we are able to work at our optimum and this is no different for children, their growth and learning.
The four dimensions are;
- Henengaro - Mental and Emotional (IQ/EQ) = positive mindset and life-long learning
- Whānau - Social = connections, friends, whānau and being Kind, Safe and Fair
- Wairua - Spiritual = mindful activities, self-regulation, meaning and purpose
- Tinana - Physical = take care of your body; move, drink water, sleep, eat well
There has been some significant work in New Zealand with the Whare Tapa Wha model and Wiremu Gray has taken this model and reassembled it so everyone can use it. It has an added Strand of Mauri Ora which is all about what makes each of us unique, and special - our life force that is our own and how schools can connect with each child and ensure their Mauri Ora is able to shine bright.
The new model is called Te Whare Mauri Ora.
Te Whare Mauri Ora
- “Te Whare Mauri Ora incorporates health and wellbeing but also factors in mātauranga on Te Ao Māori, Māori knowledge, world views, tikanga and Māori beliefs and cultural narratives.
- “It values the mana, gives it a New Zealand flavour, and is bicultural. As the saying goes, what works well for Māori works well for all.
- Te Whare Mauri Ora includes Papatūānuku as the grounding, moving up through the central pou the Mauri Ora (life force) to Ranginui, symbolising the aspirations of students."
The picture below is the Te Whare Mauri Ora model and although this term we focus on Hauora this remains a focus for us 100% of the time. It ensures that our staff and our students are able to function at their best.
As a community you can help us with this by staying connected through events and Seesaw, getting on top of little things early with our classroom teachers before they become big, sending the BEST and most BALANCED children you can to school, reaching out if you need help or advice in any way, participating in our events, following our school policy and processes.
We have all our teams off to Fundamentals this term which drills down to the; physical / tinana, whānau / social and mental and emotional / hinengao dimensions of wellbeing through the expertise of the staff at Stadium 2000 everyday for a whole week.
We are so lucky to have this resource in Marlborough and we appreciate that whānau and families recognise the importance of this. We ask that you ensure the payment of $25 is made before your children attend. This covers the transport via bus to and from each day and all the activities throughout the week.
Community Message
A Community Safety Message was sent out last night and we do need your support with the overall safety of our school and community by following our policy and procedures at school;
- Orange Light = mask-wearing onsite and social distancing
- 8:30am children at school - NOT before
- 3pm school finishes and children go straight home
- Close all gates behind you
- Stay OFF gates and fences - NO climbing or swinging
We are delighted to have most of our students back healthy (a few in isolation) and to have the community onsite again.
We cannot thank you enough for respecting the RED Light restrictions and following these so that our school was a safe place to have open.
Bring on Term Two together!
Ngā manaakitanga,
Andrea Harnett - Tumuaki
Term 2 Events - Wahanga Tuarua
Week 2 - Wiki Tuarua
MON 9 MAY - FRI 13 MAY
Fundamentals @ Stadium 2000 - All week
Ponga Team; Piwakawaka-Room 6 /Pihirihiri-Room 7
Monday 9 May
Mihi Whakatau Welcome - Flag Raising Hui (Top Court)
New Students, Early Words, Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Fair Awards
Tuesday 10 May
Ride-On = Room 17
Wednesday 11 May
EPro8 Heats @ Bohally
School Photographs
Friday 13 May
Subway School Lunches
Week 3 - Wiki Tuatoru
MON 16 MAY - FRI 20 MAY
Fundamentals @ Stadium 2000 - All week
Ponga Team; Pitoitoi
Monday 16 May
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Friday 20 May
Subway School Lunches
"PINK SHIRT DAY" - Gold Coin
Week 4 - Wiki Tuawhā
MON 23 MAY - FRI 27 MAY
Fundamentals @ Stadium 2000 - All week
Kowhai Team; Kereru-Room 15 / Tui-Room 16 / Kōtare-Room 17
Monday 23 May
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Friday 27 May
Subway School Lunches
Week 5 - Wiki Tuarima
MON 30 MAY - FRI 3 JUNE
Fundamentals @ Stadium 2000 - All week
Kauri Team; Huia-Room 10 / Kea-Room 11 / Kākāpo-Room 13
Monday 30 May
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
BOT June Meeting @ 5:30pm
Friday 3 June
Subway School Lunches
Week 6 - Wiki Tuaono
TUES 7 JUNE - FRI 10 JUNE
Monday 6 June
SCHOOL CLOSED - QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY
Tuesday 7 June
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Friday 10 June
Subway School Lunches
Week 7 - Wiki Tuawhitu
MON 13 JUNE - FRI 17 JUNE
Fundamentals @ Stadium 2000 - All week
Ferns Team; Pukeko / Weka-Room 3 / Kiwi-Room 5
Monday 13 June
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Thursday 16 June
Play House Theatre - The Emperors New Clothes
Friday 17 June
Subway School Lunches
Week 8 - Wiki Tuawaru
MON 20 June - THURS 23 JUNE
Monday 20 June
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Thursday 23 June
Matariki Hikoi and Hui
7am start on the Top Court
8:15am Open Classrooms across the school
Friday 24 June
SCHOOL CLOSED - Matariki Holiday Observed
Week 9 - Wiki Tuaiwa
TUES 27 JUNE - FRI 1 JULY
Monday 27 June
SCHOOL CLOSED - Term 2 Teachers Learning Day
Tuesday 28 June
Whole School Cross Country
Friday 1 July
Subway School Lunches
Gumboot Friday - Mental Health Awareness
Week 10 - Wiki Tekau
MON 4 JULY- FRI 8 JULY
Monday 4 July
Flag Raising Hui - Top Court
Friday 8th July
Subway School Lunches
LAST DAY OF THE TERM
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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;
Immy B - Always doing the right thing, without being asked to.
PONGA TEAM
Harriet M - Breathing our school motto! Harriet you consistently model to all others what being a kind safe and fair student is. You are such an asset to Room 8. I am so lucky to have you and so are all of Room 8!
KOWHAI TEAM
Henry S -Henry is great at making others feel welcome and safe, and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. Ka Rawe Henry!
KAURI TEAM
Rydah E - Being a compassionate and kind member of Room 10. You are selfless and always look for ways to help others. Ka pai!
Early Words Recognition
Arjun G, Cayden B
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.
Great News - Another Witherlea Pēpi
We are delighted to inform you that Tracee Lee our wonderful kaiako / teacher in Kākāpo-Room 13 and a valued member of the Kauri team will be leaving us at the end of Term Two with the birth of her first child. While we are always upset to lose great teachers and the worry it can bring finding high calibre replacements. We have always been so fortunate at Witherlea to attract great teachers.
This time is NO different. Ms Jemma Herdman, who returned from Maternity Leave this year will take up this position (which was originally hers), join the Kauri team again and due to her experience, knowing the Year 5-6 students and the curriculum we are again ensuring that our students get high-quality teaching and learning and a seamless transition.
We have Tracee Lee all the way through to the end of this term.
