Huirangi School
Community Newsletter. Term 2 2022
Kia Ora Huirangi Community!
This year, we were hit hard by COVID, with nearly 70% of our staff and students contracting the virus in March, and the school switched to Home Learning for a week. We persevered through this difficult time as best we could, and have started Term 2 fresh and healthy!
Our school roll is currently 105, and we are hoping to end the year with 112 students. We have five classrooms, and 14 teachers and support staff.
Our school curriculum is based on the foundations of strong teaching in literacy and numeracy, with a local element flowing through it. This term the schoolwide learning focus is on 'Water/Wai', and each class will be, or has made trips to the Waitara River to learn about it's history and to also study its water quality.
Classroom Names
Four of our five classrooms have recently undergone name changes, to coincide with our new entrant class which is called He Puāwai.
Room 1 is now Māhuri, Room 2 Kōkihi, Room 3 Puawaitanga and Room 4 He Kākano.
The names of the classes reflect the growth cycle of a plant, which also reflects the stages our learners go through whilst on their learning journey here at Huirangi.
We were very lucky to have won $10,000 worth of signage from Speedy Signs, and our new class names will be printed onto these.
STAFF
Principal: Natalie Looney
He Puāwai - Year 0 & 1 - Classroom Teacher: Nicky Tapp
Māhuri - Year 1 & 2 - Classroom Teacher: Amy Woodward
Kōkihi - Year 2 & 3 - Classroom Teacher: Danita Drinkwater
Puawaitanga - Year 4 & 5 - Classroom Teachers: Julie Walker and Adriana Thomas
He Kākano - Year 5 & 6 - Classroom Teacher: Bernie Perkins
Reading Recovery / SENCO: Kristy Barnao
Te Reo / Health and Classroom Release Teacher: Ana Southee
Learning Through Play Coach: Carly Douglas
Teacher Aides: Colleen Hodges, Michelle Beazley, Joanne Alldridge
Groundsman: Wayne Havard
Administrator: Raylene Hunt
Murals
The first mural is a tohu (emblem) that represents our school's links to Kairau Marae and the Waitara River. This was designed by local artist Hare Ruwhiu, and painted by Waitara local, Dave Moore.
The second mural is of our Houses; Pukeko, Tui and Kiwi. This stunning work was designed and painted by local artist, Michael Montgomerie.
We are truly grateful to Methanex for their generous donation. Having these murals has certainly livened up our school!
Some of the new work around the school
Puanga/Māori New Year and New Class Signage Unveiling-Invitation
The ceremony will be followed by a cooked breakfast in the hall. It would be wonderful to have you all here.
Enrolment Process at Huirangi
At Huirangi School we pride ourselves on our transition to school programme for our four year olds, and our learning and teaching through play philosophy. Our achievement data right across the school is something we are extremely proud of. We know our learners leave Huirangi School as capable, creative, self-managing young people who have a strong sense of identity.
This year we are welcoming families who live out of zone, who wish to start at Huirangi in between Term 4 2022 and Term 3 2023, to apply through our ballot system. This will be in September this year and will be advertised in the Midweek Newspaper, and on our Facebook Page.
We always welcome expressions of interest! If you would like to have a look around our school, please contact the office to arrange an appointment. During your visit we will take you on a tour of the school during learning time, so you can see our school at its very best!
Bertrand Road Bridge Turns 125!
You are invited to come and celebrate the Bertrand Road Bridges 125th Birthday
Sunday 17th July at the bridge at 11:00am
Assemble on the west (NP) side of the bridge.
(If it is wet we will meet at the Huirangi Hall, Bayley Street, Huirangi)
The New Plymouth City Brass Band will perform while a parade of vintage cars cross
the bridge. There will be some brief speeches before we spread out to enjoy a picnic on the riverbank paddock.
A well-Illustrated booklet has been published detailing a lot of information about the bridge and will be available to purchase at $9.99.
There will be food available to purchase and tea and coffee will be available. Bring a
picnic rug or chairs to sit on. You are welcome to BYO food and drink if you wish.
There will be parking available on both sides of the bridge. This will be on private land so please respect the landowners generosity and treat their paddocks with care. Some of this parking may involve you in a short walk to the bridge. You can approach the bridge from either side but we would ask that you do not attempt to cross the bridge to park. You will be
free to drive over it later.
A brief phone call to indicate possible numbers attending would be helpful.
Call: 027 279 0121; OR 021 131 6699
Huirangi School
Email: admin@huirangi.school.nz
Website: huirangi.school.nz
Location: 22 Bayley Street, Huirangi, New Zealand
Phone: 06 752 0606