8th July 2022, Term 2, Week 10
School Newsletter
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
It's been another wonderfully exciting week to finish an exciting Term 2. The end of term is a great chance to pause and reflect on all of the learning that has been happening over the last 10 weeks. Although there have been many challenges, particularly with Covid and the flu effecting many schools around the country, we have worked hard to minimise the disruption to classrooms and learning. We are proud to have continued to offer our amazing Sci-Fri lessons with Dr. Sandra Accari, a variety of music lessons with Emma Minchin, enviro learning, woodwork with Mr Baynes, and kapa haka groups and much more throughout the school. It's been great to welcome our West End Whānau through our gates again with a change to orange light setting. This has afforded us the opportunity to return to hosting team hui, Vibe assemblies and our successful Matariki whānau day, we value the opportunities for you to come in to see the learning your child is doing. We look forward to continuing this throughout the year.
Our West End School Kapa Haka Rōpū performed at the Regent on Monday in front of a large audience and showed tremendous whakamana whilst performing their waiata and haka. A huge thank you to Whaea Turehu and Ms Katon for your hard work in getting our tamariki ready. They looked and sounded amazing. A video of their performance is in our newsletter below. Thank you also our whāunu who were able to attend and support on the day. Tino Pai Te Kura O Urumutu.
Yesterday we were also very lucky to have our Mayor Grant Smith come to our school. We were really excited find out that the Mayor is a former student of West End School. The Mayor was at school to commemorate 150 years (esquicentennial) celebration of Papaoiea (Palmerston North) by planting a Matai tree. Our Enviro group helped to plan the event along with Ms Ellis, and Puawaitanga did a fantastic job of singing a waiata to welcome our new tree. We look forward to seeing this mighty Matai growing along with our school, tamariki and community.
The library has also been a hive of activity with some amazing Pataka Kai built by Puawaitanga. Everyone who has been through the library to view the hard work and Mana Aotūroa on show have been impressed with not only the effort that has gone into them, but each student had a story to tell about their own Pataka Kai. Well done Puawaitanga.
We also had our first afternoon Vibe assembly yesterday. It was great to see so many of our whānau attend to see some of the great mahi our students have been doing. This was a true representation of all of our values on show, and is testament to how special our tamariki at West End School are. Their enthusiasm to learning and pride in what they do is great to see.
Once again, I thank you for your ongoing support across the term for our tamariki and for our school. I wish all of our West End Whānau a very safe and happy holiday. We look forward to seeing you all again in term 3.
Ngā mihi nui
Matthew Kennedy
Principal
West End School
Te Kura o Urumutu
Fire Drill yesterday morning
On Thursday morning West End School had a fire drill before school started. Well done to all students, staff and whānau members who were on school grounds who made their way safely to our meeting place.
Upcoming Events
- End of Term 2 - Friday 8th July
- Beginning of Term 3 - Monday 25th July
LOST PROPERTY
Today is the last day that the LOST PROPERTY will be laid out. Please come and check to see if you recognise anything that belongs to your whānau.
All LOST PROPERTY that is not collected by the end of the day will be donated to a local charity shop.
Board Elections 2022
Why join a school board?
Board members are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.
Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives. School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children.
The school board elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!
What does the Board do?
Governance has an important role to play within a school. The best way we like to describe governance is ‘hands around - not hands on’. The Board provides the guidance, support and oversight that allows Matt and his team to get on with their work.
This does take some time, it is not just turning up to the monthly meetings but will include reading and preparation time for board meetings, responding to emails between meetings and being available every now and then to support different initiatives or meetings.
What skill do I need?
The number one skill you need is a desire for West End School to be the best it can be, and a commitment to supporting the staff and our students.
Outside of this, any of your expertise can be valuable to support the school. This can come in any form including business experience, diversity, inclusion, whānau and cultural engagement, property management, finance, human resource, employment and personnel, policy review and implementation, learning & pastoral care, etc.
If I would like to know more, what should I do?
If this is something that you would be interested in but would like to know more, you can have a look at School Board Elections | Becoming a board member . Or email office@westend.school.nz “Attention WES Board” and one of the current Board members will get in touch with you.
Room 11 has been working hard on creating our very own Matariki Kites using brown paper bags. Learning how to weave the pieces together to make a strong kite. We have also been looking at the stars of Matariki and what each star represents. As a collaborative wall display, we each coloured in 1/4 of a star and it has turned out awesome!
Enrolment for Term 3 MusiClass Lessons Closes today
We are looking for new West End students to enjoy our in-school music lessons led by Emma Minchin. There are a range of different lessons to choose from. If you are continuing your musical journey with Emma or wanting to start up, please read this poster below for information and fees for Term 3 lessons.
Pae Tamariki
Pae Tamariki was held at The Regent Theatre on Monday 4th July. Te Kura O Urumutu (West End School) participated with a rōpū of 35 year 4, 5, and 6 students. Our rōpū have been tutored by Whaea Turehu and Pā Anaru Simon again this year and the tamariki performed original waiata written by them, during their set.
Our performers were amazing! They were loud and proud! They performed their set at 11:30 am to a welcoming and appreciative crowd. Thank you to all the whānau who came to help get them ready and to all those whom supported them in the audience.
Our Second Vibe Assembly
On Thursday afternoon we had our second Vibe Assembly of the term. Thank you to all classes and students who shared their mahi, and their passions. Well done to our Student Council for planning and presenting our assembly.
Puawaitanga Pataka Kai displays
As part of our learning around Matariki, Puawaitanga had a challenge to complete at home.
Our challenge was to create a Pataka kai -
A Pataka is the Māori term for food storehouse, basically a giant pantry.
We created these at home with the support of whanau.
We exhibited these in the library with our peers on Wednesday and then later in the afternoon with whanau.
We talked about what we enjoyed, challenges we had, what we were proud of, what we learnt and who helped us.
We certainly displayed our school values doing these and are very proud of our efforts.
150-year Commemorative tree planting
Yesterday, Mayor Grant Smith met with our Puawaitanga and the Enviro students to plant a native tree donated by the Palmerston North City Council. 2021 was Palmerston North City’s 150th sesquicentennial celebration. Some of the events and activities planned had to be cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
In speaking to the students the Mayor acknowledged his connection with the school and that he was a past pupil. So it was great to hear some of the history of our school and area.
The Matai tree is pride of place in the center of our quad and has a plaque to ensure we are reminded of its significance to Papaoiea.
A beautiful day for planting and being a part of history.
Sci-Fri for Term 2
Dr. Sandra has been working with all of our students this term on chemical reactions. Some fantastic experiments have been carried out, from sugar solutions to tasting sherbet. Every Friday is always packed full of excitement and questions, where West End students are exploring life science concepts, and in a few cases, taking their new learnings and experiment ideas home! A big thank you to Sandra for giving your time, passion and expertise to teach us in a fun way!
Sports at West End School
Registrations:
- Registrations for Yr 4-6 Badminton are now open on the Kindo App. If your child is interested in playing please register via the Kindo App. Registrations close 22nd July.
- Future Ferns festival day Yr 0-4 – The date for the festival day has been changed to Sunday 28th August, so if your child is interested in participating, please get in touch with the Sports Coordinator.
Draw:
Basketball
7th July – West End Bulls vs Whakarongo Knicks, 4:15pm at CET Arena court 4 (catchup game)
7th July – West End Lakers vs College Street Bulls, 5:15pm at CET Arena court 4 (catchup game)
Hockey
No hockey this weekend due to U18s tournament, season resumes 31st July.
Netball
No Netball this weekend due to school holidays, season resumes 6th August.
Practices
Please see below days/times for practices:
Netball
Practice this Friday 8th July 3-3:45pm.
If you have any questions relating to sport, please feel free to contact cdrummond@westend.school.nz
Have you noticed the gaps in our hedge around the front of the school?
Today the enviro students were busy taking griselinia cuttings so we can fill in these gaps. Whaea Georgie gave us a demonstration on how to look for the leaf nodes and to cut the leaves in half to reduce transpiration. They also used rooting powder to give these cuttings a boost of hormones. It was definitely a team effort as some students got the pots with potting mix ready for the cuttings. Yes, you can get plants for free but you need to put the time and effort into planning ahead. Another great sustainable activity.
TERM DATES 2022
Contact Information
Please inform the office of any change of address or phone numbers.
It is really important that we are able to contact you at any time of the day.
Thank you.
Masks
Parents of children who wear masks please remind your child to bring them to school.
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
Chess Lovers ONLINE Holiday Program
- WEEK 1: 11 - 15 JULY
WEEK 2: 18 - 22 JULY
When: 9:00am - 12:15pm
Cost: $45
Why Join:
- Develop thinking and problem solving
Learn great new skills
Interactive hands-on lessons
Experienced professional coaches
Make friends with like-minded kids
Note: This program is suitable for kids who have some experience with chess.
Location: West End School, 196 College Street, Palmerston North
Phone: 06 358 2465