School Newsletter Term 4, Week 1
Friday 13th October 2023
Kia ora koutou,
Term 4 has started with a lot of great learning happening around Te Kura O Urumutu. Our tamariki have been enjoying all that the first week of term has had to offer. Each afternoon a significant amount of children have been sharing with me their excitement for our swimming lessons with Hilton Browne at the West End Pool. It is a fantastic feature of West End School that our children receive lessons from professional swimming instructors to support our children to develop confidence and swimming skills.
You may have noticed that West End School was a busy place during the school holidays. We had a number of different contractors carrying out work on our school buildings and grounds. This work included improvements to our roofing, swimming pool changing room, and tree care and maintenance. We are very fortunate to have amazing grounds and facilities at our school for our tamariki to enjoy.
Our children have been enjoying getting started with training for our upcoming athletics sports. It is great to (finally) have some weather that makes it a little more enjoyable to be outside on our field learning new skills.
As you may be aware, each term, the West End School Board consults with our community. Our next hui will be held on Wednesday 25th October at 6pm in our school library. All are welcome and we are very encouraged and appreciative of our whānau who attend these sessions to support the ongoing planning and development of Te Kura O Urumutu. Please pencil in this date and keep an eye out for more information and updates closer to the time. All are welcome!
Thank you to all of our West End Whānau for your ongoing support for our kura and your child’s learning. As always, it is together that we will achieve the best outcomes for our tamariki.
I wish everyone a safe and happy weekend and I look forward to seeing our West End School Whānau and tamariki back at school on Monday.
Ngā mihi nui,
Photolife Codes were sent out during the week
Can you please check your child's bag for these codes. If the forms are lost/misplaced or do not make it home, please contact Photo Life on 0800 501 040.
Upcoming Events
WEEK 2 -
- TWNOT - Rippa Rugby World Cup - Friday 20th October
- Halloween Disco - Friday 20th October
WEEK 3 -
- Labour Day - no school - Monday 23rd October
- VIBE Assembly (Puawaitanga led) - Thursday 26th October at 9am
WEEK 4 -
- West End School Athletics Day - Wednesday 1st November
- Cyber Safety Parent evening - Thursday 2nd November (6pm)
- Year 6 Visit to PNINS - Friday 3rd November (9am-10.30am)
WEEK 5 -
- EPro8 Interschool Competition - Wednesday 8th November
- Pōwhiri - Wednesday 8th November at 10am
WEEK 6 -
- VIBE Assembly (Tipuranga led) - Wednesday 15 November
WEEK 7 -
- Cycle Safety starts for Year 5/6 students
- Staff Only Day (no school for students) - Wednesday 22nd November
Term 4 is Sunhat Season!
A reminder that as we approach Term 4, all students are required to wear a wide brimmed sunhat during times they are outside - including all breaks and times that classes are in the sun. Please provide a hat for your child to wear from the start of term. No caps allowed as we need hats that will protect your child's neck and ears - refer picture below. Please also pop some sunscreen in your child's bag to keep them sun safe.
PE at West End
WOW what a start to Term 4 Sports, we have a tremendous amount of students playing sports for West End this season. Please show patience as uniforms, practices and weekly games are processed. If you have any questions please feel free to message gblack@westend.school.nz
Please ensure you have added the tab for each sporting code to your school app to get the notifications each week.
Summer Football - This begins Week 3
School Athletics
We are excited to be hosting a whole school athletics on the 1st of November. Puawaitanga and Te Wao Nui O Tāne will out on the field from 9:00am, with Tipuranga joining us after morning tea, about 11am. We invite all whanau to come and watch. School Athletics runs six different disciplines across the run, jump and throw skill sets which enable all of our students to act on their school values. In the afternoon, we will host finals for sprints, 800m and class vs class relays.
If you have any questions regarding sports at West End please contact gblack@westend.school.nz
PTA Events and Fundraising
Final Book Club of the Year!
Term 4 Swimming Timetable
School Reports will be going out this term
End of Year Reports will be going out in Week 9, Friday 8th of December. Reports will be sent out to parents/caregivers via Seesaw and will include information about your child’s progress and achievement, as well as a comment from the teacher for reading, writing, maths. There will also be a general comment relating to attitude, behaviour and showing school values. An example of your child’s work to show the progress they have made in that area will also be provided.
Term Dates 2024
Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 12 April (100 1/2 days)
Term 2: Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July (96 1/2 days)
Term 3: Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept (100 1/2 days)
Term 4: Monday 14 Oct - Friday 13 Dec (88 1/2 days)
Which equals a total of 384 half days for 2024.
We would have Call Back Days Wed 24 - Fri 26 Jan before the year starts.
Proposed Ballot Dates for 2024
Ballot held in Term 1 for Term 2
(To be held in Term 1 Week 3, 12th Feb-16th Feb)
Ballot held in Term 2 for Term 3
(To be held in Term 2 Week 3, 6th May - 10th May)
Ballot held in Term 3 for Term 4
(To be held in Term 3 Week 3, 29 July - 2 August)
Ballot held in Term 4 for Term 1
(To be held in Term 4 Week 3, 21st October - 25th October)
We are sending kura within our region a guide to our free event, Art Trail Manawatū 14th and 15th of October (see guide attached).
This is an opportunity for whānau and Kaiako to connect with local artists who are eager to share their practice with the wider community.
The trail can be as short or as long as required, you can take your time at each venue and plan short or long trips in between. Start and finish wherever you like.
We would love for our free event to be a highlight in your calendar, when spring is well underway in our beautiful region.
Everyone can access their own trail guides at www.communityarts.org.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.
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