Week 9- 13 September 2023

Principal's Message

Kia ora Koutou

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori theme for this year is Kia Kaha te reo Māori - making the language stronger. During this week there are a number of te reo challenges for our staff and students.

What a busy few weeks at Northland School. I am always amazed how our students get involved and make an effort to participate in a wide variety of activities. The Pedal Ready programme has started in team Kōtare/ Tīeke to build confidence in riding and bike safety and we have had our final session of Bricks for Kids in each team. 

Our Year 4 students had a wonderful experience staying overnight at the Zoo, so they could observe what goes on and understand how the animals are cared for. This was a highlight for everyone.  Thank you to the wonderful parents who supported Jane and Angela overnight and the following day.    Last week we had students who stepped out of their comfort zone at Mathswell and showed great team work and determination to solve tricky questions during rather tense moments while competing against many other schools. 

In the NIWA Regional Science Fair the following year 7 / 8 students received highly commended; Harriet, Monty, Louise, and Seren. Prizes were awarded to Seren, Ethan, Tyler, Monty, Zoё Harriet, Louise and Nate. Congratulations to everyone who has participated in competitions and made Northland school stand out.

What a great performance at Artspalsh on Monday night by the 40 children who are in our choir and sang with great enthusiasm.  Thank you to Eleanore Walker who has volunteered her time to train the choir and energise our students throughout the year and to staff who supported everyone at the Artsplash dress rehearsal and on the night.

Tonight we have 40 students dancing on the stage at Dancesplash.  From early in Term 2 a small group of our Year 7 / 8 students choreographed the dance set and then taught this to the year 5 / 6 students throughout this term. This is no easy task, it was great to have a sneak preview last week and see the talent, excellent formations and smiles. Thank you to Katie, Alex, Fiona, Lyndsey and Rachel for supporting the Artsplash groups.

We are near the end of the term and it has been very affirming to hear many positive comments about Northland students in the community, how kind they are to others, show respect for one another and ask great questions. 

On Thursday next week, we are shifting furniture from Ruru iti into Te Kōhanga. Thank you to parents who have already offered their help. The students are involved in the planning for this adventure and creating the classroom in this great space. Ruru iti will be in Te Kōhanga for the duration of Term 4 while the classroom block is upgraded with a new roof, windows and doors. 

Contractors will be onsite during the holidays and temporary fencing will be set up to keep everyone safe while work is carried out. There will be access to the office block during this time, but unfortunately we won’t be able to use the sandpit area. During the holidays there will also be work carried out on the retaining wall, so if you are coming to use the grounds please be aware that contractors will be on site. We would suggest the playground is accessed from Harbour View gates.

We are looking forward to celebrating the end of term with our team hui during this week and our cultural day next Wednesday. We hope to see you in the school throughout the day.

If you would like to come and chat or have questions or concerns please get in touch with any of the senior leadership team, Andrea, Jane and Judith.

Ngā mihi nui

Andrea

2024 Enrolments

2024 Enrolments

To help us with our planning for next year we do need to know the number of students who will be attending.  If your child is in Year 1 – 7 and is leaving at the end of the year, please let us know as soon as possible.  If you have children due to start at Northland School in 2024, please check with Julia and Ann in the office to ensure that we have these details recorded.

If you know of children from other families who are likely to start next year, please encourage their parents to contact us. The more information the school has about potential in-zone enrolments the better equipped we are to provide the best possible class organisation for the coming year.

Hero - Have you Signed Up

As mentioned in a previous newsletter we are developing our school portal called HERO. We have now added the following to the HERO app; absence notification, school newsletter, policies and procedures, term calendar, events and the website. 

To download the HERO app please go to app store or google play. We will be using the community feed for class communication and group events. Teams will post newsletters on the community feed and also via Seesaw at this stage. We are working towards having this platform as the main communication tool. Seesaw will be phased out at the end of the year as we know that there are too many platforms currently. We appreciate your feedback and patience. 

Have you signed up to Hero.    Please find below PDF instructions on how to sign up.  

If you have changed contact details, emergency contact information, phone/email or address please let the office staff know.  We need to make sure you are all receiving the correct information from the office and staff.  This includes  SeeSaw   Hero   Email   Newsletter.   

This is vital information in an Emergency.   

Board of Trustees - Election

Northland School   -   Board of Trustees Election

Nominations are open for the election of 2 parent representatives to the board of trustees. All eligible voters will receive a nomination form and a notice calling for nominations – you can use this form to nominate yourself or someone in your community.  If you need more nomination forms, contact the school office. 

Nominations close at noon on 11th October. You may provide a signed candidate statement and photograph with your nomination. The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.  As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up until election day, which you can view.

Voting closes at 4pm on 15 November 2023

Julia Truesdale

Returning Officer

Home & School Aprons for Sale

APRONS FOR SALE- Have you got a Master Chef fan in your household, or a shadow when you're in the kitchen? Well if so, they might need their very own apron! A grandmother of a Northland School student has kindly agreed to make aprons as a fundraiser to go towards literacy resources. Three sizes are available in a range of fabrics. You can order your aprons via this form https://forms.gle/PtK9yjUnZi6k8Win9 but be in quick, they're selling already! If you have any questions please get in touch with homeandschool@northland.school.nz  

Samples in the office if you want to see them ! 

Library News

2023 Book Week

Book Week starts on Monday, 16 October (Term 4 Week 2) starting off with an author visit. This year, Northland School welcomes Fifi Colston who is a local author and an illustrator. During the week, each class is able to join an activity during the morning play time. On Friday, 20 October, the students and staff will have a parade at the school grounds each dressing up as a book character.  

Reading Challenge

Zoe B just completed reading 7 books and has completed her pizza wheel.  She can now get her free pizza from Hell Pizza!  The Hell Reading Challenge runs through till the end of Term 4.  Get your pizza wheel from Erwin.

Calendar Art

Students have been working hard to produce creative designs for their calendar artwork as a fundraiser for the school.  Order forms will be coming home next week with your child’s unique code. Orders are online at www.kidsartworks.com using the code for your child.

Orders close 13 October 2023.

Northland School Shirts

Please can all our Northland School Shirts be returned to the office asap.  We have events happening and need to be able to provide shirts to our students, thank you. 

Student Rep - Onesie Hot Chocolate Day

This Friday 15 September PJ/Onesie day - Bring your own mug and a gold coin for a yummy hot chocolate with marshmellows.   This fundraiser is to support the Wellington Free Ambulance and to support purchasing a Community Defribrillator that will be installed at Northland School.  

Sports Events

Weetbix Tri-athalon

I have created a Weetbix Tryatholon school group, so please make sure to sign your student up through our school group. The tryatholon is on Sunday the 17th of March 2024. It's an engaging and fun event for kids of all ages. More information can be found here: https://tryathlon.co.nz/locations/wellington/ 

Yummy Stickers - If you have been collecting yummy stickers throughout the year, they will need to be turned in by October 1st. Even if you don't have a full sheet, send anything in that you have collected. 

Lets Talk Parenting !

BSC - Before School Care

Bridget Hall  runs the Before School Care.  The cost from 7:30-8:30 is $10 or  from 8-8:30, the cost is $5. We are fortunate to be able to continue to provide this for you to make your mornings run well. 

Wellbeing - Positive Parenting

https://northland.nz.schooltv.me/newsletter/positive-parenting

Positive parenting is an approach that emphasises the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children, where they feel valued, respected, and encouraged to grow and develop to their full potential. It focuses on building strong relationships with children and fostering their emotional, social, and behavioural wellbeing, rather than relying solely on punishment and control. By recognising and responding to a child’s needs, setting clear and consistent boundaries, and teaching life skills and values, can help children develop resilience, self-esteem, and a sense of responsibility, which will serve them well into adulthood.

Our Value Creative - Auahatanga

Our quality is  -Excellence

Excellence is doing your best. It is giving your very best to any task you do or any relationship you have. Excellence is effort guided by a noble purpose. It is a desire for perfection. The perfection of a seed comes in the fruit. When you practice excellence, you bring your gifts to fruition.

Term Dates

Term 3     Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September                                                                                                              Term 4     Monday 9 October - Friday 15 December       TOD  24 November    Curriculum Refresh

2024 Dates 

Tuesday 30 January Open day for families from 1pm 

Term 1 Wednesday 31 January-Friday 12 April      TOD 28 March   

Term 2 Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July                   TOD 31 May 

Term 3 Monday 22 July - Friday 27 Sept 

Term 4 Monday 14 October - Wednesday 18 Dec

2 more TOD dates will be confirmed by the MOE 

Community Notices

Check out our  New Notice Board in the school office, come in out check it out !