June 11th 2025, Week 7

Principal's Message

Term 2 Week 7 2025

Wednesday 28th May

Kia ora koutou

Welcome to Ayla, Ari, and Hazel who have joined Ruru Iti this week. 

Last week we had over 25 colleagues from the Wellington region take part in a Kāhui Ako Leadership day in Te Kōhanga. Our Year 5 / 6 students welcomed the visitors with a performance. It was evident we have Kapa Haka leaders in training and they did very well. 

You will be aware that Kāhui Ako is in the process of being disbanded at the end of the year. Today I met with the Principals from all ten schools to discuss the implications of this and how we can continue to build on what we value the most. We talked about how we can maintain some momentum that fosters working together, in order to have a greater impact on learning for all our students across primary and secondary schools in our area. 

A gentle reminder of the parent evening with Jo Robertson on Parenting in the Digital Era is on Wednesday 18th June from 7-9pm at Wellington College. 

Our teachers are busy writing children’s reports and collecting data to make informed decisions about progress. Whilst we are waiting for more direction from the Ministry of Education, we will continue with the reporting format we have and will replace the previous curriculum levels with the new phases.  We are expecting more guidance from the Ministry in Term Four which may change our report format and wording for 2026.

Matariki celebrations have started at Northland School, with a great community turn out to look through the telescopes last week. We were delighted to have a number of early childhood families take part. The weather was perfect for viewing the Moon and Sirius stars. We hope to see many of you at our Matariki celebration at school next Tuesday.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child, please follow our process:

• Classroom Teacher as the first point of contact. 
• Team Leader/ Deputy Principal if unresolved. 
• Principal (if further support is needed). This will ensure the right people can address things efficiently.

Ngā mihi

Andrea

NEW - 2025 June Board Update

Tēnā Koe

We have several items to report back to you on from our last meeting.

We would like to start by thanking all of the teachers for all their hard mahi this term, particularly in adapting so quickly to a different reporting scheme – we are very lucky to have such a fantastic teaching team. There will be many adjustments to make over the coming year as the new curriculum is rolled out, and we will need to ensure that teachers and kaiako feel supported during this period of transition. As a board, and as parents, we are grateful for the commitment our teachers show towards our tamariki. 

Parent Curriculum Meeting

We would like to thank all those that were involved in preparing the slides and materials for the Parent Curriculum Meeting that took place on June 3rd, 2025. It was clear that a lot of hard work went into the development of the presentation and ensuring that parents would have a good chance to look over all the resources that support the English; Reading – Writing, and Mathematics Curriculum. The chance for parents to learn more detail about the changes to the New Zealand Curriculum and to gain insight into how to support their children’s learning at home was invaluable.

Playspace portfolio 

Work has been progressing at pace in the playspace portfolio. The Board has engaged Nice Pozi Landscapes, Wellington based landscapers that did the designs for Kelburn Normal School, Island Bay School and Ridgway School. 

Nice Pozi are finalising a high-level concept for the playspace improvements for several areas within the school (such as the area outside Ruru iti, inside of the fence line between gate number 1 and 2, and between the two existing playgrounds). These areas will be developed in separate phases, beginning with the upper courtyard between Ruru iti and Ruru Nui.

We’ve begun the process of collecting quotes for a whare to be built using funds from the colour run. If there are any qualified builders and/or craftsmen in the wider school community that would like to build the whare and are prepared to quote for it, please contact Jono Weir (jonoweir@gmail.com) to discuss the small project.

We will have a further update for you when the high-level concept has been refined and can be shared. 

Achievement 

In late 2024, the Government introduced a new requirement for all schools to assess students twice a year in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Schools may select from a range of approved tools to meet this requirement, including PATs (Progressive Achievement Tests), e-asTTle, and Te Waharoa Ararau – each offering different strengths depending on the needs of learners and the local curriculum. 

At Northland School, we have chosen to continue using the PAT assessments to monitor progress and identify long-term trends in Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, and Mathematics. These are administered in Term 1 and Term 4 to track shifts in progress for individuals within the year. Teachers use the information to develop programmes that meet both class and individual needs. They also look for changes from one year to the next and investigate further when major differences in cohorts or individual results are seen.

Overall, our performance across all three PAT tests shows the majority of our students are performing slightly above the national norm and the majority of our Māori students are performing either at the norm or slightly above. 

For those who would like to read further information on the results of the 2025 PAT Achievement assessments, a summary document has been prepared and can be found in the pdf below.

Information on new reporting

At least twice a year, schools and kura are required to report to students and mokopuna, their parents, and their whānau in plain language on the student’s progress and achievement across the curriculum and in literacy and mathematics. 

There are no changes to these requirements, but schools and kura are now required to report progress against the new English and te reo rangatira Years 0-6 and Mathematics & Statistics or pāngarau for Years 0-8 learning areas. For the English Curriculum 7-8 – Reading and Writing, schools will continue to report against the previous Curriculum.

The strengthened national curriculum is organised into five phases of learning and includes year-by-year teaching and learning sequences. It sets out what your child is expected to learn over their time at school including the intended levels of knowledge, understanding and skill to be achieved.

We will continue with the reporting format we have and will replace the previous curriculum levels with the new phases. 

Property

The school buildings are well maintained and the current project within our 5YA is to upgrade staff toilets in the administration block. This will begin in the holidays. Finally, we have the last of our signage being installed on Te Kōhanga, Kāka and Ruru Iti. 

Upcoming School Board Elections

Every three years, state school communities elect their parent and staff representatives to help govern their schools. The School Board has confirmed that the 2025 election day will be on Wednesday the 10th of September 2025. 

Information on how to nominate a candidate or yourself for our Board of Trustees will soon be communicated to our Northland School whānau community before the end of this term. 

For further information on the role that School Boards play in the governance of a school, and what the work of the Board looks like, see  Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa - NZ School Boards Association — What are school boards? and Community-member-guide-to-the-role-of-the-board-of-trustees_Sept-2020-v2.pdf

Ngā mihi nui

Katie & Andrea on behalf of the Board

NEW - Ballot for out of zone enrolment Term 3 - 4 2025

Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office. For more information about our school visit www.northland.school.nz 

 The board has determined the following out of zone enrolment places are available for Term 3 and Term 4 2025. 

Year 0 - 5  places (DOB:  1 July 2020 - 17 December 2020)

Year 1 – 5 places

Year 2 -  5 places

Year 3 - 2 places

Term 1 2026

Year 0 - 5  places (DOB: 17 December 2020 - 2nd April 2021)

Applications for out of zone places are being invited for those students who are eligible for enrolment as outlined above. Please enquire at the school office regarding available spaces or email office@northland.school.nz  Applications close on 26th June 2025. 

If you live in the home zone and have not yet signalled your intention to enrol your child for Term 3/ 4 2025 or 2026  school year, please contact the school office , or complete the online enrolment form www.northland.school.nz  to assist us to plan appropriately. 

NEW - Parent and School Group update

Thank you to those that filled out the survey regarding the Parent & School revamp, we really appreciate it! The results are in, and we’ll be moving forward with a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) as chosen by the majority of respondents. 

It is our hope that the Northland School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will foster the existing relationships amongst the school’s community and continue to build strong links between home and school. The PTA aims to assist the school community and support your children’s Northland School experience by helping to coordinate parent involvement, organising school events, providing resources for the school, and fundraising for the school community.

In order to operate smoothly, a PTA needs a quorum of three roles: a Chairperson, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. These are roles that would suit those that would like to know more about how the school functions and would enjoy organising or coordinating the high-level details of school community events across the year. 
Many more opportunities exist for parents to help, and we would love to have you help wherever possible; the possibilities are vast, and the PTA is flexible. The reality is that most of us have day jobs and/or other commitments, so the roles are manageable and very adaptable. Possibilities for helping include:

• Acting as team lead for an event & coordinating those that have offered to help,
• Assisting with events/fundraising on the day,
• Helping to plan out events in advance,
• Assisting at events without attending PTA meetings,
• Assisting at events as well as regularly attending meetings, 
• Donating items such as baking for bake sales and raffle prizes,
• Contributing at meetings without any pressure to take on a defined role, and more.

We have plans in the works for several community and fundraising events for the remainder of the school year and are looking for people who’d be willing to help however possible. The events/fundraisers that we are looking at currently are:

• Fundraising pies
• Quiz night
• School Disco
• Year 7/8 bake sale

We’re also interested in hearing your ideas about other fundraisers/events that could be held (movie fundraiser, raffles, etc.).

Please fill out the PTA helpers form here (https://forms.gle/WspDACMKh221tQXa9) and let us know whether you would be interested in helping and in which respect (PTA role, event team leader, event team member, on the day, donating items/skills, etc.). 

Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you. 

NEW - Interzone Cross Country Results

Yesterday was the Wellington Interzone Cross Country at Macalister Park. Northland School had 8 students representing the Western Zone Schools. Congratulations Reuben for your outstanding 1st place win and to every one else for your achievements.

Our Runners that placed:

Rueben Small (Year 8 boys, 1st place)

Aiden Clendon (Year 7 Boys, 3rd place) 

Holly Lucas (Year 7 Girls, 9th place)

These three will represent Primary Sport Wellington at the Greater Wellington Primary and Intermediate Schools Cross Country Championships on 24th June at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt. 

A big congratulations to the following students who also ran on Tuesday, an amazing achievement from you all. Ka rawe to mahi!

Hendrik Kramar

Arlo Manning

Poppy Pringle 

Colwell Keen 

Isobel Clendon 

Zack Clendon

NEW - How to Report an Absence on HERO:

• Open the HERO app on your device.

• Tap the “+” (plus) icon or go to the menu.

• Select “Report an Absence.”

• Choose the date(s) your child will be away.

• Add a reason for the absence.

• Tap “Submit” to send the information to the school.

NEW - Save the School Mobile Number

We’d love it if all parents and caregivers could save the school mobile number 027 526 0155 to their phones. That way, you’ll know it’s us calling and won’t miss any important messages or updates. It’s a simple way to help us stay connected with you—thanks for your support!

UPDATED - Matariki

Matariki is a time to reflect, share stories, and plan for the New Year.

Whakatauki:
Ka puta Matariki, ka rere Whānui, ko te tohu o te tau.
Matariki appears as Whānui flees; this is a sign of the New Year

Whānui is the star Vega in the Lyra constellation. Whānui sets in the early morning of winter just before Matariki rises in the eastern sky.

Tuesday 17th of June: 5.00pm to 7.00pm

• Northland School invites you to our Matariki celebration in Te Kohanga
• A formal opening, performances of waiata (school and our kapa haka group)
• Stalls selling a variety of items (money for charities)
• Workshops with activities linked to Matariki. 
• Hot food available for purchase (a koha). 
• Farewell and waiata to end the evening

Thursday 19th of June- Hangi

• Try a piece of hangi vegetable lunch
• Each child brings 1-2  portions of a vegetable; e.g.potato, kumara, pumpkin (peeled and wrapped in foil). These will be steamed at school. 
• Thank our Whānau of Te Kura o te Orangi Kaupapa who have managed to secure a ‘hangi steamer.’ 
• At approximately 1.00pm, we will “lift the hangi’, where a karakia is said as the steam departs into the sky. This signifies for Māori the beginning of the final journey of our departed ones from the previous year. 
• At around 1.15pm we will begin to deliver to classes, kai for students to try.

If you are able to help or have any questions, please contact Grant by email at granth@northland.school.nz.

REPEAT - School Photo Day 12th June

Tomorrow Thursday 12th June is School Photo Day! There will be sibling photos for enrolled children. Sports team photos will also be taking place, please bring sports uniforms. 

REPEAT - Parenting Evening: Jo Robertson Parenting in the Digital Era: Wed June 18th 7- 9 pm - Wellington College AGC

Tēnā koutou katoa to all our parents and caregivers,

Our Kāhui Ako is delighted to host renowned therapist Jo Robertson's expertise for an evening on Parenting in the Digital Era: how to create a safe online experience for your child, no matter their age. 

Jo is a therapist and researcher with over 17 years of experience. She has spent the last seven years researching online content and advocating for online safety for children and teenagers. 

We will all be waking away with a greater understanding of:

• Master the Art of Age-Appropriate Communication: Never again stumble for the right words, or fear saying the wrong thing to your children.
• Keeping kids safe from sexual harm - both online and offline 
• Build Unbreakable Bonds: Expert guidance helps you establish deep trust and safety with your children in the space of sexual well-being.
• Team Up with Your Partner: Bring your partner onboard and align your parenting strategies for a harmonious and united front.

The presentation will be held in the Wellington College Alan Gibbs Centre on Wednesday 18th June, from 7pm to 9.00pm. Tea coffee and light snacks will be available from 6.30pm. Please note this talk is for adults only and it is not suitable for children or teens to attend.

We hope you can join us for this important session which promises to shed light on problems many of our parents and young people are encountering. 

For further information about Jo Robertson online parenting course and other details please visit: www.trickychatsparenting.com www.jorobertson.org/parenting

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, $6 per pizza order forms 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 2 -  28th April - Thursday 26th June - last day of term

• Matariki Holiday - Friday 20th June
• Teacher Only Day - Friday 27th June - (Mathematics curriculum)

Term 3 -  14th July - 19th September

• Teacher Only Day - Friday 22nd August (Mathematics curriculum)

Term 4 - 6th October - 17th December

• Labour Day - Monday 27th October

IMPORTANT DATES

• Jo Robertson Parenting in the Digital Era - Wednesday June 18th 7-9pm Wellington College 
• Wellington Astronomical Society - Viewing the Night Sky - Thursday 5th June time 6pm - 8pm
• Matariki Celebration - Tuesday 17th June 5:15- 7:00 pm

CAMP DATES 

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

Community Notices