Teaching writing...

At Vogeltown School, we understand that writing is more than just putting words on paper it’s a powerful tool for thinking, expressing ideas, and making sense of the world. Writing gives students a voice and helps them become confident communicators.

Foundational skills such as handwriting, spelling, sentence structure, and vocabulary are essential building blocks. These allow children to write fluently and focus on what they want to say, not just how to say it. At the same time, we know that great writing also needs purpose, audience awareness, creativity, and the confidence to take risks.

One of our key approaches is developing shared ownership of the writing process. Students are encouraged to be active in the writing process, have a growth mindset, reflect on their learning, and produce work of personal quality. Teachers work alongside them-modelling, conferencing, and helping shape the next learning steps. It’s a partnership that build skills, motivation and ultimately, independence.

This year, we are also navigating the introduction of the new writing curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand. While the intent of the curriculum is clear to strengthen writing outcomes across the country the journey is not without challenges. It asks us to shift practice, deepen our understanding of the learning progressions, and respond to increased expectations around assessment and consistency. We are committed to getting this right, but it will take time, collaboration, and professional learning.

Thank you for the encouragement you give at home and for the value you place on your children’s efforts. Writing is a lifelong skill, and by working together we can shape strong, capable, and expressive writers.

Room 6 have been focusing on our high 5's (capital letters,full stops, finger spaces, sounding out, makes sense) and using highlighters to identify them in our writing.

Writers hard at work in the Huatoki team.

Matariki, marked by the reappearance of the Matariki star cluster in the night sky, is a period for acknowledging the past, celebrating the present, and looking ahead to the future.

Next week, we will acknowledge Matariki on Thursday, and you’re invited to join us. This is an opportunity we are keen to grow as a school over the coming years.

In the lead-up to Thursday, all classes will spend time learning about the meaning and significance of Matariki. On the day, buddy classes will come together to take part in activities in support of this and at lunchtime, classes or teams will enjoy shared kai.

From 2:00 pm, our kapa haka group will perform, and parents and whānau are welcome to attend. This will be followed by open classrooms from approximately 2:30 - 3:00 pm, where you can visit and celebrate the learning that has taken place.

We look forward to sharing this special time with you.

A big thank you to all our parents and whānau for your incredible support of this year’s Mathathon. Whether it was helping your child learn their maths facts, sponsoring their efforts, finding sponsors, or simply encouraging them to give it their best we really appreciate it.

We know there are pressures facing families right now, so your generosity means a great deal to us. The funds raised will go directly towards classroom and playground resources that benefit all our tamariki.

• Total funds raised: $12 688.55!
• Spot prize winners: Jaxon (Room 2), Violet (Room 4), Arata (Room 13) Euan (Room 15). Mia K (Room 10), Kai (Room 9), Zander (Room 3), Dani (Room 7), Zachary (Room 14), Scarlett (Room 15), Wiilliam (Room 9), Isabella (Room 11), Jed (Room 6), Tayah-Jane (Room 5), Lukah (Room 16), Isabelle (Room 13), Cohen (Room 12), Lacey (Room 8)
• Most funds arised: Ariah (Room 1)
• Class pizza winners: Room 1, Room 16, Room 11

Thank you once again for your amazing support!

Our children wrapped up warm on Wednesday for a full day of Rippa Rugby at the racecourse. With so many chaildren participating, some of our older sports uniforms even made a comeback for the occasion!

It was fantastic to see all our tamariki giving it a go showing determination, learning along the way, and improving as the day went on. What also stood out was the high level of encouragement and support they showed for one another, both on and off the field.

A big thank you to the teachers and parents who helped on the day: Matt Goodwin, Britt Webling, Debbie Wrigley, Angela Willy, Codey and Stevie Rei, Amy Dixon, Jarad Mason.

Well done Alpha team! This team has earnt the opportunity to play in the Rippa Rugby Champions Tournament, which is being held on Monday 16th June at Yarrow Stadium. The first games start at 10:00 am and they will head back to school at the conclusion of the last game at about 2:00 pm. The children involved will need a big packed lunch, a drink bottle, and warm clothes. We will supply a school jersey and shorts for them to wear.

What a wonderful turn out there was for the Dads and Lads breakfast today. This occasion, so speacial to our school, was an opportunity to celebrate the important role that fathers and other significant males have in the lives of children.

The atmosphere was vibrant with plenty of smiles and interaction throughout the morning as everyone involved themselves in heads and tails, the Double, Double hand game, completed the quiz, and ate breakfast.

While this was about getting dads into school, we are super keen to have all parents and and caregivers involved in the learning of our tamariki. The affirmation, strong sense of identity and belonging, and the development of behaviours and values that comes from quality interactions between the child, school and home has positive effects for children.

I'd like to acknowledge the work that has gone on behind the scenes to make this happen. Laura Seed has put in considerable effort and time planning, seeking sponsorship, organising food, and setting up. She has been well supported by our wonderful team of teachers, Taranaki Rugy Union, plus Brent Parker and the New Plymouth Police.

Well done to those children recognised by their teacher for a principal's award this week. It was great to hear stories of growth mindset, perseverance, progress, and our values in action! The latest principal award recipients were:

Oliver Meyers, Cormac Julian, Ryu Redgrave, Max Gnoth, Bowie Kinge, Wyatt Steer, Kya Adsett, Lealyn Coombe, Ruby Uncles, TJ Van Den Berg, Arden Hunt, Mohammad Elmezughi, Otto Popata, Chloe Chapman, Rhonda Gecse, Eli Jones, Mason Lowl, Freya Hedley, Trevor Daming, Elijah Greenhill, Reeco Te Maire, Kaahu Izett, Mylo Robinson, Andie Rathgen, Luke Johnson, Ruuana Repia, Noah Jones, Carla Visagie, Harper Lowl, Indi Hintz, Euan MCElderry, Milania Milo

Ka mau te wehi!

You may have noticed some changes to the way we are reporting to parents. This year we concluded Term 1 with learning conferences, where teachers met with parents and whānau.

This term the changes continue, with teachers busy writing reports using a different format that aligns with the new curriculum and updated teaching expectations. To support them with this change, we are providing additional time for the preparation of these. As a result, all written reports will be sent home in the first week of Term 3.

This extension allows more time for drafting, moderating and ensuring consistency across the school. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to strengthen our reporting processes.

For our Year 6 whānau - please note that enrolments for 2026 open on Tuesday 1st July 2025. We will receive enrolment packs to distribute in the last week of Term 2. All information and dates can be found on the Highlands website - https://highlands.school.nz/zone-info-enrolment/enrolment/

TERM CALENDAR

Put all these dates in your diary or your phone! Remember we will put all updates on Facebook, Skool Loop and Seesaw.

TERM 2 2025

16 June - Kiwi Math Competition, Kiwi Science Competition

17 June - Kiwi English Competition

17 June - Pizza Lunch Day (order on Kindo)

17 June - BOT meeting

18 June - Interschool vs Welbourn (at Vogeltown)

18 June - Starting School the VS Way, 5pm to 6pm

19 June - Matariki celebration (whanau gumboot throw postponed)

20 June - Matariki - school closed for instruction

25 June - Interschool vs Central (at Central)

26 June - Vogeltowner Assembly

27 June - Whole School Assembly

27 June - 4 Year Old Friday, last day of Term 2

Thank you for the ongoing support of Vogeltown School, we really appreciate the efforts everyone makes to ensure our kura is such a great place to learn and work!

On behalf of the Vogeltown team, ka kite ano! Enjoy your weekend.

The VS team

Email: office@vogeltown.school.nz
Website: www.vogeltown.school.nz
Location: Vogeltown School Huatoki Street, Vogeltown, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: (06) 753 6843

Our school policies, like many schools, are now in an online system through a portal called 'Schooldocs'. Any time you want to bring up a school policy, just log in to schooldocs and you can access the policies.

The login is: vogeltown

The password: huatoki

The website link to Schooldocs is below.