The Connection Week 6 Term 3

Huapai District School 1st September 2022

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

A friend did a thing.

Actually, she did 40 things.

40 things that challenged her before she turned 40.


This inspired me and has coloured many decisions I’ve made since. Growth does not usually come from within our comfort zones. We shape our future by the decisions we make today, by the opportunities we say yes to and the paths we choose to walk. When we are challenged, we create new ‘landmarks’ to hang future challenges on. Our comfort zone grows: what was once scary and huge, becomes easier.


The question “How do you eat an elephant?” springs to mind here. The answer is “one bite at a time”. How do we set our children up for success? - one challenge at a time.

When we encourage children (and ourselves!) to just take one bite at a time, accept one challenge at a time, they can achieve great things. So can we.


I believe that the past two years have sometimes reinforced a smaller comfort zone. Things were scary and staying in our comfort zone was a way to cope. Times have settled and we are learning to step back outside our comfort zone - to be challenged, to learn, to grow. As we wave our year 6s off to camp on Monday we will do so with excited hearts for we know that through the magic that happens on camp, the stuff that happens just outside their comfort zones, we will greet stronger Huapai students back on Friday.


When was the last time you did something outside your comfort zone?

Could it be this week?

Like my friend above - could you do a thing?


Maree Lloyd

Deputy Principal

Upcoming Events


  • Wednesday 7th September - School Board Election Day
  • Monday 12th September 9am - Calendar Art Orders Close
  • Friday 30th September - Last Day Of Term 3
  • Friday 14th October - School Quiz Night
  • Monday 17th October - First Day Of Term 4
  • Monday 17th October - School Photos

Math-A-Thon

Thank you again for your efforts supporting your children with their recent Math-a-thon.


Please return your fundraising money / donations by tomorrow morning if you would like your child(ren) to be in to win any of the prizes. This should be returned to the school office or finalised using the Give - a - little page linked below.

Bake Sale - Tomorrow

Friday 2nd September


There is a bake sale on tomorrow at lunch time outside rooms 1-4 for all students. The bake sale is to fundraise for the Year 3/4 Camp. Please send your child(ren) to school with some gold coins!

Quiz Night

Friday 14th October


It’s back! We are excited to announce the date for our annual community quiz. Last year was a fantastic evening. Now is the time to save the date, grab your friends and start planning your theme!


Tables are $300 and seats up to 10 people. Tickets are limited and are now available on Kindo or at the school office.

Calendar Art Work

It’s that time again!. Your children have been working hard this term creating masterpieces for their calendar artwork.

Orders are made online directly through Kids Artworks. Ordering closes on Monday 12 September at 9am.


Keep an eye out for the order forms that will be sent home with your child/ren over the next few days.

AIMS Games

Wishing Isabel Andersen all the very best for the Year 7&8 National tournament week next week in Tauranga. Isabel is representing the school in BMX racing and the Mountain Bike enduro.

Jump Jam

Each Wednesday, our Year 5&6s lead a jump jam session for our juniors

Good Luck For Camp

Wishing our year 6s the best of luck for their camp at Motutapu Island next week. It is a significant camp for not only the students but also as a school - this is our first year 6 camp since 2019.

Apples For School

Each year we have the opportunity to collect Apple stickers in order to “cash them in” for Sports gear through the Yummy Apple Sticker Promotion.

Below is a link to the website for more information.


The stickers are found on the Yummy branded apples and there are also cut out labels on the bags of apples. Each classroom has a sticker chart for the apple stickers if the children bring them to school. A copy of the sticker chart for home use is also available online or by popping into the School Office.


Please return full sticker sheets to the front office in the next two weeks.

Breakfast Club

Our school offers a daily breakfast club for those children who need a breakfast at school. Next term we are looking to bring in more support from our community. If you are able to offer your time from 8:30am-9am any day on a weekly basis next term, please contact: Stephanie Wales: stephanie.wales@hds.school.nz

Year 2's Trip To MOTAT

This week our Year 2 group went to MOTAT. Here they were immersed in “life of NZ past”. A huge thank you to all the adults who made this trip possible.

Huapai Rubies Netball Team

The Rubies came runner up in the Year 3-4 A Grade Kaipara netball competition.

They had an amazing season and only lost two games! Each girl got a runners up trophy and certificate. Congratulations Team!

THANK YOU

A huge thank you to all our winter sports team coaches, managers and supporters. We are so thankful for the wonderful adults we have in our community who step up to support our children in sport.

School Jerseys And Shoes

A reminder that the only jersey that can be worn to school is our school uniform polar fleece. The only shoes that are to be worn are plain black. There are a number of jumpers and shoes that have recently been collected from around the school grounds and added to the lost property box beside the school office. Please check your child’s uniform for name tags as this greatly assists the return of items. When everyone’s gear looks identical, especially for our students, a name tag makes a HUGE difference.

Position Available

This position is being advertised at the moment.


Please send expressions of interest to: vacancies@hds.school.nz

Touch Rugby

Summer is coming!

If your child is keen to play for a school team in a weekly competition, please click the link below to find out more details. Games are played at Riverhead on a Thursday.

Summer Cricket For Kumeu

Registrations opened on August 1st. Please click the link below if you would like to register your child(ren) to play summer cricket.

Bricks 4 Kidz

Big picture

Creative Matters

Aroha Skate Lessons

Aroha Skate is back again in term 4. Register your child below for the weekly after school sessions.

Music Lessons With MusiqHub

MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2022 at Huapai School! They will have some slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons in Term 3. If you're interested, be sure to get in touch to reserve your spot or ask any questions you may have. Contact details below:


Drums - paul.barry@musiqhub.co.nz

Guitar, Keyboard and Ukulele - scott.wotherspoon@musiqhub.co.nz

2023 Term Dates

These are the Term Dates for 2023:


Term 1: Thursday 2nd February - Thursday 6th April

Term 2: Monday 24th April - Friday 30th June

Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September

Term 4: Monday 9th October - Tuesday 19th December


There will be one Teacher only day and this will be held on Friday 2nd June (Queens Birthday weekend). This day will be for a combined schools teacher only day.

2022 Term Dates

Our 2022 Term dates are:


Term 1 - Thursday 3rd February - Thursday 14th April

Term 2 - Monday 2nd May - Friday 8th July

Term 3 - Monday 25th July - Friday 30th September

Term 4 - Monday 17th October - Friday 16th December

HERO Notifications

We use HERO to send classroom updates, to share regular learning posts and now for payment on all in-school costs. HERO sends push notifications or emails. You can now choose how you receive HERO notifications as well as manage devices that receive them.


To set your own notification preferences:

  1. Click on your profile image

  2. Select EDIT PROFILE

  3. Scroll down to My Devices and select your preferences.


Or please see the full instructions linked below.