Newsletter Issue 2

Kia ora, Nameste, Talofa, Konnichiwa, Guten Tag, Gidday, Vannakkam, ni Hao, Kia orana, Hola, Salam, Sa wat deekha, Dia Dhuit, Goeie Dag, Bonjour, Καλημέρα, Mālō e lelei, Greetings everyone

There is a wonderful busy hum of learning across our classrooms at the moment. Students are engaged, focused, and actively involved in their learning. It is fantastic to see such positive momentum so early in the year. Classrooms are beginning to come alive with student work displayed on the walls, showcasing effort, creativity, and pride. Our tamariki are well and truly settling into their routines and making the most of every learning opportunity.

"Xīn Nián Kuài Lè" (新 年 快 乐) - Wishing our families a Happy Lunar New Year!

It was lovely to see so many students and staff dressed in red last Tuesday to mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Throughout the week, students explored the history and important traditions associated with this celebration. They made connections by comparing these traditions with those celebrated in their own families and cultures.

Classes enjoyed a range of activities, including arts and crafts, learning and playing traditional games, and exploring the qualities of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. It has been a rich opportunity to come together to connect and share learning and celebrate the diversity within our school community.

Below is a snapshot of the learning happening across our classrooms.

Bellevue Whānau Inventory 2026

We’ve had 59 families complete the 2026 whānau inventory so far – thank you!

If you haven’t had time to complete this yet, please note that the deadline is 5pm this Friday, 27 February. Link to whanau inventory Here

Start of the Day

The start of the school day is an important time for students to settle and prepare for learning. We ask that children arrive between 8.30am and 8.55am each day. Arriving during this time allows them to connect with their classmates and teacher, organise their belongings, and feel ready for the day ahead.

If your child arrives before 8.30am, please have them come to the office. This helps us ensure they are safely supervised, as teachers are busy preparing for the day and are not available to supervise students in classrooms at that time. Thank you for your support in helping our mornings run smoothly.

For arrivals after 9.00am, or when collecting your child before the 3.00pm finish time, please remember to sign them in or out using the Vistab tablet at the school office.

Wheels at School

It’s great to see our students travelling to school on scooters - what a fantastic way to start the day!

For everyone’s safety, we ask that once students enter the school gates, they hop off their scooters and walk or carry them to the designated storage area. This helps ensure our pathways remain safe and calm for all students, staff, and whānau. Thank you for your support in keeping our school environment safe for everyone.

Ngā mihi nui

Deeann

A reminder that our fortnightly newsletters can also be found on our Bellevue Website - scroll down to view 'previous Bellevue Newsletters' - and for more timely updates, you could follow our closed group Bellevue Facebook Page, if you are not already.

To assist our families with locating our Attendance Procedures, please note that the below link now takes you to a 'quick link' on our website to the Attendance Procedures in PDF form.

Please do always contact the office (office@bellevue-newlands.school.nz), or call and leave a message for absences. Do not reply to this newsletter as your message may not be seen.

Haere mai ki te kura o Bellevue. Welcome to the following student and their whānau. It is great to have you in our Bellevue Learning Community.

Mānuka – Pare, Stevie -Rae & Jamila

Rīmu Totara – Lavi & Talya

All new students and their whānau (families) will be formally welcomed to Bellevue School at our next pōwhiri on Thursday 12 March from 12:40pm. Details will be sent out separately to all new whānau.

Kapa Haka Years 4-6

Last Thursday we had our last taster session for Year 4-6 Kapa Haka. We had over 90 students come along to see what it was about. Thank you to Whaea Jayjay for leading and supporting so many students.

If you, your whānau or your child (year 4-6) is interested in doing karanga or whaikōrero at pōwhiri, please get in touch with Nadine at nadine@bellevue-newlands.school.nz or pop into Room 9 to see me before or after school.

Whole School Athletics Day

Our school Athletics Day is coming up this Friday (27 February). If this is postponed due to weather, it will instead be held next Wednesday (4 March). Please make sure that your child comes to school wearing appropriate clothing and footwear for the day, as well as a water bottle. Whānau are warmly invited to come along and watch!

We’d also like to remind everyone of the importance of each student having a waterproof book bag. Our most common book damage is water, so we want to take every precaution to avoid this happening. We have good quality bags available from the office for $11.

We are looking forward to a year of fun, excitement, suspense and adventure that is available from the great selection we have.

Sarah

Sharenting: the parenting phenomenon

Sharing your child’s milestones online is a quick and easy way to connect with friends and whānau. This is known as sharenting, and might unknowingly expose your child to risk. Check out Netsafe’s parent tips for safer sharing online.

Need advice about safer internet use? Contact the Netsafe helpline for free confidential advice: 0508638723

We use Dojo Points at Bellevue School to acknowledge students demonstrating our school values. When we reach 5000 Dojo Points we have a whole school acknowledgement. Each hub will share details of their acknowledgements via Seesaw.

So far this term we have earned 4402 Dojo Points

In previous years, students in Years 3-6 have had the opportunity to complete their Aroha Achievements (formerly known as the BELL Challenge). This optional Home Learning challenge has run across the entire year, with students receiving a different badge at the end of each year to recognise their efforts.

Following the decline in participation and a recent review of Home Learning procedures at Bellevue School we have made the decision to gradually phase out this aspect of Home Learning.

We recognise that some students have already begun collecting their Aroha Achievement badges and may wish to continue this journey. To support these students, we will implement a phased approach:

2026: Aroha Achievements offered to Years 4-6

2027: Aroha Achievements offered to Years 5-6

2028: Final year of Aroha Achievements, offered to Year 6 students only

Year 4-6 Whānau, please keep an eye on your child’s Seesaw for the 2026 Aroha Achievements to be posted.

All children will continue to receive a post each term for Home Learning from their teacher, as per our Home Learning policy.

Do you have a child turning five soon or next year or know someone else who does? Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend to enrol their child at any time in 2026-2027 are asked to please notify the school as soon as possible to assist the school to plan appropriately. It helps us to know as early as possible how many students will be enrolling as a five-year-old. Interested families may collect an enrolment pack from the office or from our website.

Out of zone enrolment applications are now being accepted for the third enrolment period of 2026 (Saturday 4 July 2026 to Friday 25 September 2026). Up to five (5) places are likely to be available for out of zone students.

The deadline for out of zone enrolments is Friday 27 March 2026.

Please have a look at the school website for more details: https://www.bellevue-newlands.school.nz/enrolment.

A friendly reminder regarding driving and parking around Bellevue Kindergarten:

• The kindergarten driveway is private and for kindergarten families only. Please do not block the driveway.

• Please don't park on the footpath - this is causing pedestrians to walk unsafely on the road.

• Please slow down - there have recently been a number of drivers going at speed which is making the area unsafe for all.

We appreciate your understanding and support in making Bellevue Kindergarten and School a safe place for all our tamariki.

The latest Scholastic Book Club brochure was sent home two weeks ago. Orders are due by Thursday 26 February.

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