Te Awhi Rito

Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālo ni, Ni sa bula vinaka, Noa’ia, Fakatalofa, Kam na mauri, Kia ora – warm greetings to all our families.

Last term, we held our first Science and Tech Fair, which was a huge success. It is so inspiring to see what our learners can achieve with the right support.🧪🚗

This term, our 18-21 year olds had the opportunity to attend the Winter Wonderland Ball ❄️💃🕺with their families and whānau. There was snow, dancing, fun and food for all.

Coming up on September 5th is our Cultural Festival, and we hope to see as many of you as possible. It’s a day to celebrate identity, diversity, and everything that makes our community so vibrant — you won’t want to miss it!

As Belinda mentioned in the last newsletter, the Ministry of Education has set expectations that we complete structured literacy professional learning so we really appreciate your support in enabling us to do this. The staff are doing this probably while you read this newsletter.

Belinda returns from her Sabbatical very soon, and I know she is keen to share what she has seen when visiting other Specialist schools.

The new school build is progressing, albeit slowly, with the Ministry having started the tender process, which suggests that construction will hopefully begin this summer.

Later this term, you will be able to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss their Tōku Ao goals and progress. These meetings will be similar to last year, where students from satellite classes met in the Hall at our Tripoli site, and base classes met in their child's classroom. Please note that school will finish early at 12:30pm on Wednesday 17 September to allow time for bookings to begin. School will finish at the normal time on Thursday 18 September. We will be sending out the link to be able to book in your preferred time soon.

Finally, you will have received some emails about nominations for the School Board. Keep an eye out for information on the nominees so you can cast your vote.

Ngā manaakitanga

Colleen, Corey and Devs

He nui ake tō mātou mana i te kura anahe.

We are more than just a school.

Term 3, 2025: Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September

Term 4, 2025: Monday 6 October to Friday 19 December (12.30pm finish)

Term 1, 2026: Tuesday 3 February to Thursday 2 April

Term 2, 2026: Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July

Monday 1 December - Ahurei EOY Assembly (Edgewater College; Glendowie College; Howick College; Te Hapori; Tripoli 7/8/9)

Tuesday 2 December - Atawhai EOY Assembly (Anchorage Park 1/2; Kahurangi Tahi/Rua/Toru; Owairoa; Tripoli 1/2/3/4/10/11/12)

Wednesday 3 December - Tupuranga EOY Assembly (Howick Intermediate; Pakuranga Intermediate; Stonefields)

Thursday 4 December - Puāwaitangi EOY Assembly (Benghazi 5/6/8/9/10/11; Glendowie Primary; Panmure District 1/2; Sylvia Park 1/2; Tripoli 5)

Friday 5 December - Kākano EOY Assembly (Benghazi 1/2/3/4/7/12; Riverhills 1/2; Riverina 1/2; Tāmaki Primary 1/2; Te Kōhanga 1/2)

Tuesday 9 December - Graduation Assembly

All assemblies will be held at the Tripoli Hall (80a Tripoli Road) and will start at 10.30am.

Term 3

Monday 18 - Friday 22 August - Tongan Language Week

Friday 22 August - Specialist Schools Day (see poster below)

Wednesday 27 August - Online Parent Meeting for Camp at 6.30pm

Friday 29 August - Daffodil Day

Wednesday 3 September - Disability Connect Transition Expo; Board Meeting at 6.30pm

Thursday 4 September - Parent Orientation Morning at 9.30am

Friday 5 September - Cultural Day

Sunday 7 September - Father's Day

Wednesday 10 September - School Board Election Day

Monday 15 - Friday19 September - Te Wiki o te reo Māori

Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 September - Tōku Ao Meetings (12.30pm school finish on Wednesday 17th)

Friday 19 September - Term 3 ends

Sunday 5 October - World Teachers Day

Term 4

Monday 6 October - Term 4 begins

Monday 6 - Friday 10 October - Fijian Language Week

Wednesday 15 - Friday 17 October - Senior Camp

Wednesday 15 October - Board Meeting at 6.30pm

Thursday 16 October - Te Hapori Evening for Senior Parents

Friday 17 October - Loud Shirt Day

Tuesday 21 October - Diwali Celebrations

Monday 27 October - Labour Day holiday (school closed)

Tuesday 28 October - Friday 7 November - Life Education at Sommerville

Friday 31 October - Halloween celebrations

Monday 3 - Friday 7 November - Book Week

Sommerville is part of the government's donation scheme which means our families do not pay for any stationery, activities or trips, etc! Even our fabulous Senior Ball last year was free for all 18-21 year old students and their families.

However, we do still welcome donations if anyone chooses to do so! Please contact the office if you are interested in making a donation to Sommerville and be part of making our school even more fabulous!

Have you changed your contact details? Address, telephone, email, emergency contact, student allergies? It is very important that we have up to date details on file for you. Please send any updates to office@sommerville.school.nz. This information will remain confidential.

If you are ever shopping at a Look Sharp store, please feel free to take this QR code along with you to get a 10% discount.

Sommerville policies and procedures are now in the cloud. You can access them by going here.

The username and password are both "sommerville".

(Specialist Therapy Team)

Behaviour Team

Our Behaviour Team is back in full swing for the second half of the year, ready to support our learners and staff. We’re excited to welcome Kelvin to the team, he’s already making a great impact. This term, we’ve been working closely with teachers and students to put helpful strategies in place that make learning a bit easier and more enjoyable for everyone. With Spring on the way, we’re looking forward to spending more time outside with learners supporting them through play.

Physiotherapist Team

The physio team welcomed a new member, Mana, midway through last term. We are excited to have him as part of the team. The physio team has been running sessions at satellite classes using a recumbent trike this year. This term, learners with high physical needs at Pakuranga Intermediate will get to have a go. We are continuing our hydrotherapy programme for learners with high physical needs, which is enjoyed by students and staff.

(Benghazi 1/2/3/4/7/12, Riverhills, Riverina, Tāmaki Primary, Te Kōhanga)

What a busy (and buzzing!) term it’s been for the Kākano Pathway! We’ve welcomed a group of new students and their families—Toby, Atlas, Briar (BB), Joakim, Fraser, and Aryan—who’ve already added so much life and laughter to our school days.

We also proudly opened a second satellite class at Riverina, proving once again that when Kākano grows... it grows fast!

Our days are full of action, surprises, and the occasional missing sock or shoe! There’s never a dull moment in our group—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Benghazi 4

Benghazi 4 have been exploring how things can change in size, becoming larger or smaller.

Riverhills and Anchorage Park

Jordan and Jayden might wear different uniforms and be in different classes, but that won’t stop them from finding each other — just like best brothers always do!

(Outreach Team, Howick Intermediate, Pakuranga Intermediate, Stonefields)

Outreach Team

In Outreach we have been enjoying connecting with our learners through sensory play and shared group learning experiences to support engagement.

Howick Intermediate

Pascoe Whānau – Taking Flight This Term!

This term, Pascoe Whānau students at the Howick Intermediate satellite are soaring to new heights! Inspired by our Air Transport topic, we're exploring all things that fly—planes, helicopters, and hot air balloons. Our learning takes off through hands-on discovery, creative expression in Music Therapy with Miona, energetic Dance sessions with Kris, and team fun in Basketball. A term full of movement, rhythm, and adventure—Pascoe is ready for take-off!

Stonefields

This term Stonefields satellite loved taking part in a cultural day with our mainstream friends where we took part in different games, dances and even tried some delicious fonde.

(Benghazi 5/6/8/9/10/11, Tripoli 5, Glendowie School, Panmure District, Sylvia Park)

This term for The Arts, we have been learning about Māori patterns. Our learners at Sylvia Park, Glendowie Primary, and Panmure District satellite classes are exploring and drawing the koru. We will be using koru patterns to design and make our waka paddles, which we will later use for our Drama sessions.

(Anchorage Park, Kahurangi Tahi/Rua/Toru, Tripoli 1/2/3/4/10/11/12, Owairoa)

Tripoli 2

Tripoli 2 has been having an amazing time this term diving into sensory play! We’ve been exploring it as both a creative outlet and a relaxing way to wind down during the day. Each week, we enjoy exciting sensory stations where we get hands-on with foam, water, playdough, sand, and colourful Orbeez.

We’ve especially loved squishing foam between our fingers, and molding all kinds of fun shapes with playdough!

Sensory play has helped us develop our fine motor skills, build independence, and explore our senses in a fun way. It’s become one of our favourite parts of the week!

(Edgewater College, Glendowie College, Howick College, Kahurangi Tahi/Rua/Toru, Tripoli 7/8/9, Te Hapori)

Te Hapori

Week 2 of Term 3, Te Hapori navigated around the different Pacific Islands for “Pacifica Awareness Week”. On Monday our students explored the Cook Islands (Kia Orana), on Tuesday, Fiji (Bula Vinaka & Namaste), on Wednesday, Tokelau (Malo Ni), on Thursday, Tuvalu (Fakatalofa Atu) and finally on Friday, Nauru (Ekamawir omo). We learnt about the different islands in the Pacific Ocean, did art and craft, got a glimpse into the different cultures and watched videos of how beautiful and breathtaking most of these places were.

Here are some of the facts they remembered recalled by our learners:

Eshan - There are more than 300 islands in Fiji and about 110 are inhabited

Indiana - Fiji still has old buildings from the colonial times

Tuvalu - the airport runaway is used as a place of gathering for leisure and activities - Indiana

Tuvalu is one of the smallest islands in the south pacific - Rapture

11 000 people live in Tuvalu - Tiana

Tuvalu has 9 islands - Ma’ata

Wilson - There is an island in the Cook Islands where the chief banned dogs because the chiefs daughter was bitten by a dog

Ethan - We heard the story of “Miriri, the flying Man”. This is a traditional story from the Cook islands.

Nyo Nyo - There’s no airports in Tokelau, you have to go there by boat.

FAM™ (Functional Adaptive Movement™ Ltd) has just launched Auckland’s first FAM™JAM sessions: weekly, inclusive dance and movement workshops held Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm at the YMCA.

These sessions combine music, dance, and fun movement in a safe, supportive space designed specifically for the diverse and disabled community. I’m one of the instructors, and I’d absolutely love to see some of your students there.

At FAM™JAM, we’re on a mission to support individuals of all abilities to live their most expressive, connected, and independent lives. Through music and movement, we offer more than just a fun time—we create a space where balance, coordination, self-esteem, and friendships grow.

We focus on improving physical ability, non-verbal communication, emotional well-being, and social skills—all while having a great time.

Whether it’s through a favourite song, a fresh routine, or simply feeling free to move, every dancer is encouraged to thrive.

Our mission is simple: to empower individuals of all abilities to express themselves, connect with others, and build strength, confidence, and joy through movement.

To register, click here.

There are often times when you need to ask questions or share information with your child's teacher. We kindly request that, instead of using a teacher's personal mobile phone number, that you communicate via email, Seesaw, communication book or by calling the school office (09) 5709787 please. We have desktop phones in every class, including satellites, so if you call the office with urgent information we are able to contact all classes immediately.

Here is the link to join this group's Facebook page.