February 12th 2025, Week 3

Principal's Message

Term 1 Week 3 2025

Wednesday 12th February 

Kia ora koutou

This is our first full week of the school year, and we are really pleased the weather is just right for break times, fitness and sports. It was lovely to see many of you at the picnic last night and we appreciated the opportunity to share our main areas of focus and to connect with families. I would like to thank the staff for spending the evening at school and also board members who meet informally afterwards.

Last night I outlined the main areas of focus for this year; English and Maths implementation of the refreshed curriculum and strengthening positive behaviour for learning, with a priority on a safe and bullying free school environment. The Whānau slideshow that I shared last night, is below. Team power points and Team newsletters will be posted on HERO  this Friday.

We have listened to parent feedback about homework and value the support you play in encouraging your child to revise and practise what they are learning. We suggest 15 minutes three days a week as a start. This may include basic facts revision, heart word practise, handwriting, reading for pleasure, and life skills. Each team will communicate with you how this will be organised. 

We have spent the last four years on understanding emotions and ways to regulate, so that learning can take place. The school wide expectations are clear and students are all aware of these which combine to be our Northland CHAMPS. We encourage you to talk with your child about the Northland CHAMP.

Road patrollers have started well this year and are taking the role very seriously. Year 6 students are on Monday and Tuesday and our Year 7 & 8 students the rest of the week. Please take care when you are dropping off and collecting children at the end of the day. 

Last week we had an instance where a car was parked on yellow lines on the shared driveway that prevented a clear view of the road for the patrollers. Please drive slowly and be aware of cars and bikes at the intersection of Harbour View Road and Northland Road. Staff members are out by the road too and ask you to abide by the road rules and take extra care.

Learning Conversations will take place on Tuesday 4th March and Wednesday 5th March between 3:15 and 7:45pm. We will have the library open during this time so children can read or play quiet games while you are meeting with teachers. 

Bookings will be open on HERO this Friday. The purpose for these conversations are for you to share your aspirations for your child for the year and teachers to share how your child is settling into the year and discuss goals together.

The time slot allocated for each conversation is 15 minutes. 

Details are on the website on how to book a learning conversation. https://www.northland.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HERO-Managing-a-Learning-Conversation-Booking-as-a-Caregiver.pdf

Ngā mihi

Andrea

NEW - School Attendance

Kia ora tatou,

Students aged 6 to 16 years old (and enrolled 5-year-olds) are required to attend school every day. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure children attend and engage in learning from when they first start school. Regular attendance means the student is present for more than 90% of the term. 

Whilst we understand that when students are unwell they need to be at home, if they are well, students need to be at school.  With all of us working together, then we can provide the best education for the students at Northland School. If you need support with the morning routine or you have questions about your child’s attendance please let us know so we can help. 

Naku noa,

Grant Henderson

Deputy Principal

NEW - Zones of Regulation at Northland School

NEW - Goodtime Music Starts

We are looking forward to the first session for the year. Goodtime music has provided us with a timetable and children will be out of class 30 minutes to attend the lesson they have been enrolled in. The music bus will be in the carpark by the Tiger Turf, where lessons will take place through out the day. 

Teacher Contact Details

Ruru Iti

Judith Urry - judithu@northland.school.nz

Emma Chapman - emmac@northland.school.nz

Ruru 1

Alex Munro - alexm@northland.school.nz

Ruru 2 

Eleanor Ainsworth - eleanora@northland.school.nz

Emma McElrea - emmam@northland.school.nz

Ruru 3

Angela Scholten - angelas@northland.school.nz

Kōtare 1 

Jane Finlayson - janef@northland.school.nz

Kōtare 2 

Neil Sargisson - neils@northland.school.nz

Tīeke

Alex Oliver - alexo@northland.school.nz

Kākā 5 

Rachel Peterson - rachelp@northland.school.nz

Kākā 7

Lyndsey Brown - lyndseyb@northland.school.nz

Senior Leadership

Grant Henderson - Deputy Principal and Team Leader granth@northland.school.nz

Judith Urry - Deputy Principal and Team Leader judithu@northland.school.nz

Andrea Peetz Principal - andreap@northland.school.nz

School Office

office@northland.school.nz

HERO

We would like to provide you with a brief outline of all the functions that we are now using on HERO. Please make sure that you are signed up and have notifications on so you can access all the information.

As we progress in our upgrades with HERO we are adding new features to streamline communications.

• Attendance
• Enrolment
• Sharing of Learning
• Community notices
• Group, Class, Team notices
• Trips and request for parent help
• School event reminders and parent information evenings
• Finance 

In the financial section you will notice we have added  Before School Care (BSC), Pizza payments and all our Western Zone Bus payments.   You can check your school account at any time through the App and we  will send statements at the beginning and end of each term.

Please come and talk to us if you need help navigating the  HERO App.

NEW - Scooters left at School

There are several scooters that have been left in the Scooter Bay since the start of school. If you're missing a scooter, please come and collect it.

Ngā mihi

UPDATE - Colour Fun Run

We’re holding the School Fun Run’s Crazy Colour Day as a major fundraising event this year!  The event will be held on March 6th at 1.30pm. We’re aiming to raise up to $10,000 to purchase Kapa Haka outfits, bring in more talented performing artists to our school, and buy outdoor wooden cubby houses for our students to enjoy.

Keep your eyes peeled for the sponsorship forms which will be sent home with your child. Once you have the form, you should sign up for a Student Profile Page at schoolfunrun.co.nz.

Students who raise $10 or more will receive a reward, and the more money you raise the better the reward, and the more you help the school!

We’re looking for all students to participate and we’re organising a great afternoon for our community, so we’d love everyone to come down to support the kids.

If you are able to help please contact Ashleigh Wharam via the Parent and Teacher email address below: parentandschool@northland.school.nz

Thanks for supporting the school and we hope to see you at the event!

REPEAT - Hoodies, T shirts and Hats!

Our Parent and School group have arranged a special WELCOME discount with our clothing supplier, Outfitters for the Northland School hoodies, tshirts, and hats from Friday 7th February - Friday 14th February.

These are not compulsory, Northland School doesn't have a school uniform, so purchasing these is completely optional. The hoodies can be personalised with your child's name, just follow the prompts in the link below.
Northland School Uniform

Use the code 'WELCOME2025' for 10% Discount and FREE shipping to the School Office from Friday 7th February - Friday 14th February.

For those of you with children participating in sports events you can choose to purchase your own school sports shirt or borrow one from the office. 

REPEAT - Weetbix TRYathlon

Kia ora e te whānau, 

Northland School has entered another team this year in the Weetbix TRYathlon. It’s on Sunday the 16th March at Kilbirnie Park. If your child would like to be part of the school team, please click the ‘join school team’ option after signing them up. We will have a gazebo set up on the day where your children are able to store their belongings and gather to support each other.

https://tryathlon.co.nz/locations/wellington/

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at alexm@northland.school.nz or visit the Weetbix TRYathlon website for me information. 

Ngā mihi, 

Alex

REPEAT - Team Directory

We would like to give each student a Team Contact Directory so you can establish relationships outside of school.  Can you please  let us know by Wednesday 19th March if you DO NOT wish to be on this contact list.

We will be using Names, contact email and 1 mobile phone number.   

Library News

Scholastic Book Club Term 1 2025 - Issue 1 is out now!

Term 1 Issue 1 2025 catalogues have been distributed in your child's class. Deadline for orders is on 21 February.  Please note that we do not take paper order forms or cash payments - all orders are done online via LOOP. Please go to https://mybookclub.scholastic.co.nz/Parent/Login.aspx to register. 

Should you wish to gift the books you ordered to someone, please place your order then email Erwin so she knows.  When the order has arrived, she can then put it aside and get in touch with you so you can come and pick it up. Any other queries to Erwin Palado by emailing librarian@northland.school.nz

School Lunch Options

Subway  - Every Monday - order online through  www.lunchonline.co.nz

Sushi  -  Every Tuesday - order online through  www.ezlunch.co.nz

Pizza   - Once a month - available the 1st Friday of each month(Starting March 7), $6 per pizza  order forms available on the school website or in the school office.

Apps available for Subway and Sushi through the school website.

Term Dates

The bell rings at 8:50 am. Any student arriving after this time will need to sign in at the office and will be marked late. We encourage students to arrive by 8:30 am to meet with friends and get ready for the day. Lessons will begin at 9am. 

Before School Care available from 7:30 am -8:30 am in the Library. Please email the office for further details, office@northland.school.nz

Term 1

Teacher Only Day - 21st March( Kāhui Ako MOE Teacher Only Day Curriculum 21st March )

Term 1 - 30th January - 11th April 

Term 2

Term 2 - 28th April - 27th June 

CAMP DATES

Year 7 / 8 Camp - Term 2 Kaitoke 6th May- 9th May 2025 

Year 5 / 6 Camp - Term 4 Forest Lakes 29th October - 31st October 2025

Community Notices