4th August 2022, Term 3, Week 2
School Newsletter
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Week 2 has been another excellent week at West End School. We are thrilled to see parents and caregivers signing up for our upcoming Three Way Conferences which are being held on Tuesday 16th August and Wednesday 17th August 2022. Please see more information later in this newsletter and how to book your time for your child’s Three Way Conference. We look forward to seeing you there.
There has been a lot of excitement in classrooms as the Commonwealth Games got underway. Our children and staff are enjoying including this event in some of the learning this week. We are also underway again this term with our Music Club music lessons with Emma Minchin. Dr. A is all ready to go for this term’s Sc-Fri which will be focused on learning about Forces (Physics) after a Biology focus in Term 1 and a Chemistry Focus in Term 2. The staff and children love this opportunity to learn about the world around them through Science. Thank you again to Dr. A (Sandra Accari) for providing your time and expertise.
This week our Year 6 children visited Palmerston North Intermediate School on Wednesday and on Thursday we hosted a visit from some staff and children from Monrad Intermediate School. These are exciting experiences for our Year 6 children experiencing both of these visits and beginning to gain an understanding of what learning will be like for them next year as they finish their time with us here at West End School.
We are looking forward to Maths Week next week. Our amazing Maths Curriculum Team and talented teachers have prepared all sorts of activities and powerful maths learning opportunities. Please see more information later in this newsletter. We are also looking forward to our Literacy/Book Week coming up in Week 5 of Term 3.
Next Friday our two Mathex Teams from Te Wao Nui O Tane will participate at the tournament which brings schools together from across the Manawatu to compete in a series of problem solving challenges. Our two teams have been busy preparing for this event with fantastic support from Sandy McCorkindale and Sarah Le and of course from our teaching staff. Thank you to all involved in providing our children with this opportunity and all the best for next Friday morning.
It is wonderful to finish the week with a few days of sunshine which will hopefully allow everything to dry out a little. As always, thank you to those West End Whānau for your ongoing support of our school. I wish you a great rest of the week and a safe and happy weekend.
Ngā mihi nui
Matthew Kennedy
Principal
West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
School Photographs - Monday 29 August
Photographs will be taken on Monday 29th August. Codes for ordering photos online will be sent home after the photos are taken. We will advise you when we are sending them home with your child.
Applications to enrol your child for Term 4
The West End School BOT is now inviting applications from parents who wish to enrol their child at West End School for Term 4, 17th October 2022.
Enrolment at West End School is governed by the Ministry of Education approved enrolment scheme. For details please see our school website or visit our office to view the enrolment information.
The deadline for receipt of applications for out of zone placements is 12pm, 10th August 2022. A ballot will be held (if needed) at 2.00pm on 10th August 2022. Parents will be informed of the outcome by the 11th August 2022.
WES Board of Trustees may hold further ballots each term in 2022 (the number of available places will be announced closer to the time).
Upcoming Events
- Maths Week
- PTA School Disco - Friday 12th August
WEEK 4
- 3 Way Learning Conferences - Tuesday 16th August and Wednesday 17th August
- PTA Sushi Lunch - Friday 19th August
WEEK 5
- Literacy Week
- The Vibe - Thursday 25 August
WEEK 6
- School Photos - Monday 29 August
Maths Week next week
West End School will be celebrating Maths Week from Monday 8th - Friday 12th of August.
There will be daily math challenges for classes to participate in. We will also be showing Mana Aotūroa (curiosity) as we explore some fun Math activities during the week.
West End School 3 Way Conferences 2022
Three-way conferences will be held in Week 4 this term (Tuesday 16th August from 3pm-7pm and Wednesday 17 August from 1pm -8pm). They will be 20 minutes in duration. Your child will be a part of these 3 way conferences, so will also need to attend. Parents can book their times using schoolinterviews.co.nz, or in person with their child’s teacher. Teachers are able to make bookings on behalf of parents using the system.
To make a booking:
Click on the link below and follow the instructions. Click on the link and enter the code below. If you have more than one child at school, it is recommended you leave a 20 minute gap between siblings so you have time to get to the next teacher. If you have any questions, please email your classroom teacher.
y9x4x
Room 3 Kotahitanga Games
Room 3 have been enjoying some Commonwealth Games success by competing in a range of in class academic and sporting events - all with a focus on Kotahitanga - working together. Quizzes, basketball, hockey, soccer, spelling, handwriting and maths events have all been carried out with a final construction and problem solving event to hoist their flag onto the tallest flag pole.
Mana Aotūroa in Puawaitanga
Room 10 have been busy with their Mana Aotūroa rotations. We have had a focus on natural disasters and what we would do if we were in a rescue team. There have been lots of creative ideas from creating stretchers, first aide kits, rescue vehicles and even a way to encourage people to move faster when moving to emergency evacuation areas. Being able to use the resources you have around you is an important skill in an emergency.
Measuring up in Room 17
This week room 17 have been learning the important rules for measuring. We used unifix cubes to measure objects around the classroom.
Sports at West End School
Draw:
Badminton
9th August – West End Shuttle vs Hokowhitu, 4pm at CET Ballroom Court 2
4:30pm vs College Street Pineapples Court 2
5pm vs Cornerstone Court 3
Basketball
4th August – West End Bulls vs Russell Street Piwakawaka, 4:15pm at CET Arena Court 4
4th August – West End Lakers – Bye
Hockey
7th August – West End Funsticks vs Winchester Eagles, 9:15am on Turf 2F
7th August – West End Ministicks vs Bush, 11:30am on Turf 2D
7th August – West End Goldsticks vs Central Normal Matrix, 11:30am on Turf 1B
Netball
6th August – West End Pulse vs Milson Piwakawaka, 11:15am at CET Arena Court 4
Practices
Please see below the days/time for sports practices:
Basketball
West End Bulls – Wednesday 3-3:30pm at West End
West End Lakers – Monday 3-3:30pm at West End
Hockey
West End Funsticks – Friday 3-3:30pm at West End
West End Minsticks – Thursday 3-3:30pm at West End
West End Goldsticks – Friday 3-3:45pm at West End
If you have any questions relating to sport, please feel free to contact: cdrummond@westend.school.nz
TERM DATES 2022
Contact Information
Does the office have your correct contact details? And do we have an alternate contact number in case of an emergency? If you have moved or changed phone numbers or have a different/alternate email address, please let the office know as soon as possible. It is very important that we are able to contact you if there is an accident or emergency. We are also sending out a lot of information through our school app, which are connected to the email address the office has on file. If you would like to add additional email addresses onto contact information, please give these details to the office.
Masks
Due to new directives from the government, it is strongly recommended that children bring masks to school. Adults, please remember to wear a mask when indoors when inside a school building. Thank you for your support.
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.
Bikes and Scooters to school
For the safety of our children all children biking or scootering to school MUST wear a helmet. Please also remind your children about road safety - including the safest way to travel to school if on a bike and scooter. While students are on the footpath outside the school , we ask if they can walk their bike or scooter. This is for the safety of themselves and others sharing the footpath, as students are travelling very fast and going past 2 of our school driveways where vehicles are coming in and out of.
CAR PARKING- ADMINISTRATION BLOCK CLOSED TO EVERYONE
Please do not do not be tempted to use the staff car park when dropping off and collecting your children from school. The administration block is closed for building work.
It becomes very busy and dangerous for children. We encourage parents to park on the street and use the walkways coming into school. Please remember to abide by the road markings on Botanical road and park only in designated spaces (not on the yellow lines). This is for the safety of our children and community members.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Start and end of day procedures
It is great to have our West End community back on school grounds under Orange settings. Here is a reminder of start and end of day procedures.
- If your child is at school before the 8.30 bell, they will need to come through the wharenui gate and wait in the area next to the turf.
- Students need to wait here until the bell goes at 8.30am.
- Please remind your child to walk sensibly to class. We have had a few accidents with students running and tripping over each other in the excitement of getting to class.
- At the end of the day, students will be let go from class. Please let your child know if you are picking them up and therefore will need to wait outside the classroom or meet you in the designated spot you told them to go.
- If siblings are going home together, please make a plan of where your children will meet each other so they aren't walking around school trying to find each other.
Communication about after school pickup
Please remember to let your child know where you will be picking them up after school. Because of the unpredictable nature of our weather at the moment, please also make a plan with your child as to where you will pick them up if it is raining. Please refrain from sending messages or emails to teachers regarding where you will pick them up, as many emails and messages in an afternoon when teachers are busy teaching is an added challenge. Please also be aware that the office also is very busy, and having to visit different classes to let children know where parents will pick them up can be very time consuming. Letting your child know where you will pick them up when it is fine, or raining would be much appreciated. You are most welcome to come into school to pick them up outside their classroom.
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