MARLBOROUGH PRIMARY NEWSLETTER

Learning Power: Curiosity

Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.

I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.

Kia Ora Whānau,

As Term 2 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a truly miraculous term, packed with incredible learning and immense fun! It has been an absolute joy to witness our children growing day by day, embracing new challenges, and flourishing in every aspect of their school life. From exciting classroom discoveries to vibrant playground laughter, the grounds of Marlborough Primary have been buzzing with positive energy and a real sense of community.

We are incredibly proud of the resilience, curiosity, and kindness our students have shown throughout this term. Their dedication to learning and their enthusiastic participation in all activities have made Term 2 a resounding success.

A Fond Farewell (For Now!) to Mr. Ogg

This term, we temporarily say goodbye to a very special member of our team, Mr. Ogg, who has passionately led our sports programmes, will be pursuing one of his biggest passions: to become a youth pastor. This new season in his life is a significant step, and we couldn't be prouder to call him one of our own. We wish him all the very best on this exciting new journey and thank him for his incredible dedication and positive impact on our students' lives. We know he will achieve wonderful things!

Welcome Hannah Ross-Thompson!

As we bid a temporary farewell to Mr. Ogg, we are thrilled to extend a warm Marlborough Primary welcome to Hannah Ross-Thompson! Hannah will be joining our team for Term 3 and Term 4 of 2025, taking over the reins in sports (and adding a little drama and dance to it). We are excited for her to bring her energy and expertise to our school, and we know our students will enjoy learning and growing with her.

How wonderful it's been celebrating Matariki here at school! Our classes have been busy embracing the spirit of the New Year by making traditional Māori Bread and delicious Hua Whenua (vegetable soup).

It's been fantastic to see the children's enthusiasm, especially when it comes to tasting their efforts! The Māori Bread has been a definite hit, and the soup is also proving very popular.

Of course, learning new skills always comes with its challenges, and some of our budding chefs have found cutting up the vegetables quite a task, but they're all giving it their best shot and showing great perseverance.

We're so proud of everyone's efforts and the way they're engaging with these special Matariki traditions.

~ Mrs. Jones

And finally our orchards start to carry fruits .....

We want to give a massive shout out to Anjali, Matthew, and Eddie who represented Marlborough Primary with distinction over the weekend! These three incredible students played 11 games in an inline hockey tournament and came away with two fantastic bronze medals. What an outstanding achievement – we are so proud of your dedication, teamwork, and success!

Rachel from Rm02 shares her Reflection of Term 2 with us.

Some of our students have earn some bragging rights, visiting the principal's office with some good work.

The 12th of July marked a significant day for the Philippines – their Independence Day, a day filled with national pride and celebration! In Room 2, we were incredibly fortunate to have two wonderful experts from our school community join us to share insights into this important day.

Mylyn and Roma gave us a fascinating glimpse into the history and significance of Filipino Independence Day, and helped us understand what life is like in the Philippines. Their presentations provided all of us with a deeper appreciation for this special occasion.

We are truly thankful to Mylyn and Roma for generously sharing their knowledge and helping Room 2 commemorate such a meaningful day. Salamat Po! (Thank you!)

~ Owen Fletcher

In Week 7, a group of our talented Māori learners had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Te Whare Tapere o te Waipuna o Rangiatea workshop. This enriching event was kindly hosted by Ngāti Paoa at Glenbrae School.

Our students had an incredible time, deeply engaging with the themes of Matariki, the Māori New Year. They participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including creative crafts and star-making, which allowed them to express their understanding of the celestial celebration.

A highlight for many was the chance to learn Mau Rākau, a traditional Māori martial art, and to join in various kemu (games), fostering teamwork and cultural connection. It was a fantastic day of learning, laughter, and cultural immersion for all involved.

We were delighted to host Act One Productions at Marlborough Primary last week, who performed their incredible musical show, "The Sailor Asthma Show!" Our students were captivated by the fantastic performance, which starred the talented Aimee Gestro and the one and only Asthma Champion for children in the world, Sailor the Puffer Fish!

This engaging show helps educate children about asthma in a fun and memorable way. Since 2013, Act One Productions has toured their vital musical production the length and breadth of New Zealand, performing in over 600 schools and early childhood centres.

Why is this show so important? Asthma is a significant respiratory health problem in New Zealand, costing taxpayers an astonishing $2 billion each year. It is currently ranked as our nation's third highest cause of fatality. By bringing shows like "The Sailor Asthma Show" to schools, we can help raise awareness and empower our children with important knowledge about managing asthma.

A huge thank you to Act One Productions for their entertaining and educational visit!

What a truly fantastic day our Pīwakawaka Whānau had recently, putting our learning power of Curiosity into full effect after a term dedicated to science exploration!

Our young scientists embarked on an exciting journey, starting with a fascinating lesson all about simple machines. This was followed by a delightful tram ride, adding an extra layer of fun to their learning adventure.

The day was packed with memorable highlights:

• Testing Friction: Laughter filled the air as students eagerly tested the principles of friction on a slide, discovering how things slow down or speed up.

• Human Power: They marvelled at the power of human energy, using their own efforts to operate a machine, understanding cause and effect firsthand.

• Light and Colour: Explorations into light and colour sparked wonder and creative thinking.

• Wired Wonders: Perhaps the most intriguing experience for our modern learners was talking on a wired telephone – a truly "new concept" that had them all buzzing with curiosity about communication technology from the past!

It was a day filled with discovery, hands-on learning, and plenty of "aha!" moments, showcasing the incredible curiosity of our Pīwakawaka Whānau. Ka pai tō mahi!

~ Rosie Bohling

What a truly special morning we shared on Wednesday, June 19th, as our Marlborough Primary whānau came together to celebrate Matariki with a delicious breakfast!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible staff, who arrived before the sun even peeked over the horizon to prepare a magnificent feast for our MPS community. Their dedication and hard work created such a warm and beautiful atmosphere of togetherness that truly embodied the spirit of Matariki.

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces enjoying kai and company. Thank you to everyone who joined us in marking this special occasion!

Our school were buzzing with scientific curiosity as students showcased their innovative projects at our annual Science Fair. The event provides an exciting platform for young minds to explore, experiment, and present their findings.

From intricate experiments demonstrating scientific principles to creative solutions for everyday problems, the fair was a testament to the students' engagement and passion for discovery. Proud parents and teachers alike navigated the displays, admiring the thoughtful presentations and the enthusiastic explanations offered by the young scientists.

What a spectacular night we had yesterday at our "Dress to Impress" disco! The hall was full of glitz and glam, and it was truly wonderful to see so many of our students dressed up in their most impressive outfits. From dazzling dresses to sharp suits and creative costumes, everyone looked absolutely amazing!

The event was incredibly well-organized, and we've received fantastic feedback from parents about how smoothly everything ran. This success is largely thanks to the tireless efforts of our incredible staff and Friends of the School (FOS) committee. They went above and beyond to ensure a fun, safe, and memorable evening for all the children.

The children had an absolutely wonderful time, dancing the night away and making fantastic memories with their friends. It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm and smiles throughout the evening.

A huge thank you once again to our phenomenal organizers for such a brilliant event. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and supportive group of parents.

We have a Breakfast Club running in the hall every morning. We welcome any students that might just need a top up before school starts. Please join Mrs. C in the hall from 8:15 till 8:45.

A reminder to parents that we have a number of different companies that supply lunches at school, particularly on Thursdays. We love to support our community and your patronage is appreciated.

Sushi Day - Sushi

· To order weekly sushi lunch, please visit www.sushiday.co.nz and if you are a new parent, you can go to the link www.sushiday.co.nz/sushi-login to register under Marlborough Primary School.

· Don’t forget – Order cut off time is 9pm (Wednesday) for THURSDAY order delivery.

· Any question, please contact Dan on order@sushiday.co.nz or 021 339 700.

Vietnamese Summer Rolls only.

Summer rolls can be prepared in a packet of 2 pcs for $6. The ingredients are as follow.

- Rice Paper

- Mixed green salad including cabbage

- Carrots

- Capsicum

- Cucumber

- Chicken Katsu (Crumbed Chicken)

- Honey Mustard and Sweet Chili

Please call 09-442 2040 to place your order.

Online Subway orders

Most of the communication going out goes through our Skool Loop and Facebook apps. Please make sure to join these.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marlborough-Primary-School-112129594831867

A reminder to parents that we are open for in zone enrolment applications for Term 3 to 4 of 2025 and Term 1 and 2 of 2026. If you have a child that is due to start school between now and Mid April 2026, please complete your enrolment forms so we're able to plan appropriately.

Enrolment can be done online (the link is on our website) or on paper, with application packs available from the office.

Out of zone enrolments:

Term 4 2025

Deadline for receipts of applications - Monday 18 August 2025 at 15:00

Term 1 2026

Deadline for receipts of applications - Monday 17 November 2025 at 15:00

Term 2 2026

Deadline for receipts of applications - Monday 23 February 2026 at 15:00

Please contact the office if you have any queries regarding enrolment - office@marlboroughprimary.school.nz

2025

Term 2

28 April - 27 June

Term 3

14 July - 19 September

16 July - BOT Meeting 17:30

18 July - Senior Assembly - Takahe hosting

18 July - Board Election Nominations Open

21 July - 29 July - Book Fair

21 July - Book Character Dress up Parade

23 July - Goal Settings Evening

24 July - Goal Settings Evening

25 July - Junior Assembly - Takahe hosting

1 August - Kapahaka Festival

1 August - Matariki Festival

1 August - Senior Assembly - Tui hosting

5 August - Parents Meeting Yr 5/6 Puberty

6 August - Board Election Nominations Close

8 August - Junior Assembly - Tui hosting

11 August - GIS Transition Day

15 August - Year 5/6 Puberty

15 August - Senior Assembly - Piwakawaka hosting

20 August - BOT Meeting 15:30

21 August - Rippa Rugby

22 August - Junior Assembly - Piwakawaka hosting

29 August - Senior Assembly - Kereru hosting

5 September - Junior Assembly - Kereru hosting

8 September - Yr.5 Bike Skills

10 September - Board Election - Voting Day

12 September - Senior Assembly - Kotare hosting

17 September - BOT Meeting 17:30

19 September - Junior Assembly - Kotare hosting

Term 4

6 October - 19 December

15 October - BOT Meeting 15:30

24 October - SCHOOL CLOSED

27 October - Labour Day - SCHOOL CLOSED

11 November - photo day (class / portrait / sibling)

19 November - BOT Meeting 17:30

17 December - BOT Meeting 15:30

From time to time ‘accidents’ may happen or clothing gets wet/muddied. For this reason, it is important that ALL STUDENTS have an extra set of clothing in their bag at all times. Non-uniform items of clothing are acceptable.

We have a small but important change to when you'll receive your child's school report.

Historically, we've aimed to send reports home during the school holidays. However, to ensure that our teachers are fully available to answer any questions you might have and to facilitate a smoother start to the new term, we've decided to adjust this schedule.

From now on, student reports will be distributed on the first Wednesday of 3 term.

For the upcoming term, this means you can expect to receive your child's report on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

We believe this change will allow for better communication and support regarding your child's progress. If you have any questions about this change, please don't hesitate to contact the school office.

Looking Ahead to Term 3, we hope you all have a wonderful and restful break with your families. We encourage our students to relax, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved time off. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another fantastic term of learning and fun when Term 3 commences on 14 July 2025.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your children's education.

🌿 Your MPS Team 🌿