School Newsletter Term 2, Week 1
Friday 24th April 2026
Kia ora whānau,
It is a pleasure to welcome you all back to another vibrant term here at West End School. As I walk through the corridors and visit our various learning spaces, I am struck by the calm, focused, and purposeful atmosphere that has permeated the school since day one.
We have had a remarkably well-settled start to the term. It is always a credit to our students, staff, and parents how quickly we transition back into the rhythm of school life. Seeing our tamariki reconnecting with their peers and diving straight into their inquiries with such curiosity reminds me why West End is such a special place to learn and grow.
This week has been busy thanks to our Plant to Plate programme. This initiative is a highlight of our curriculum, offering students a hands-on opportunity to understand where their food comes from.
From getting their hands dirty in the garden to the collaborative effort of preparing a shared meal, the students are learning invaluable lessons in sustainability, nutrition, and teamwork. There is a tangible sense of pride when a student tastes something they have grown and cooked themselves. A huge thank you to the volunteers who help make this programme such a success!
We held our Pōwhiri this week to officially welcome our new students, staff, and their whānau. This is always a significant event in our school calendar, as it marks the moment our newcomers transition from being visitors to becoming part of our West End tangata whenua.
The manaakitanga shown by our existing students was heartwarming. To our new families: we are thrilled to have you join our community, and we look forward to walking alongside you in your child’s educational journey.
The excitement levels in our Senior Syndicate are reaching a fever pitch as we enter the final stages of preparation for our Senior Camp to Vertical Horizons next week.
Camp is a cornerstone experience at West End School. It provides a unique environment for our seniors to step outside their comfort zones, build resilience, and develop leadership skills. Whether it’s conquering the high ropes, navigating team challenges, or simply sharing a meal in the dining hall, these are the memories that last a lifetime.
We know our seniors will represent West End School with pride, demonstrating our core values of respect and responsibility throughout their adventures in Inglewood.
Ngā mihi nui.
Tony West
Principal
West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu
ANZAC Day Holiday - School Closed Monday 27th April 1
No school on Monday
A reminder that the ANZAC Day Public Holiday is being Mondayised this weekend. As ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25th April, school will be closed for the Public Holiday on Monday 27th April. We look forward to seeing you all back on Tuesday 28th April.
No Breakfast Club on Tuesday
There will be no Breakfast Club on Tuesday as our Senior Team will be needing the hall to get ready for Camp. Thank you for your understanding.
Senior Camp Next Week
Important Information Below
We have some very excited and nervous student ready for camp next week. This is a natural process. The weather forecast for next week in New Plymouth is looking good.
Here are somethings that you may need to be aware of.
Tuesday morning:
8pm - students start to arrive at school. Please come to the school hall.
Mrs Kate and Mrs Gobie will be supervising students to sit in their class lines with their bags.They will be marked of class lists. Students will be taking their day bags (school bags) on the bus. Please ensure your children has a sufficient amount of food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (inclusive of a water bottle).
Ms Ellis is will be collecting all medication (labelled with full details written in the bag).
Mrs Parker will be the drop off point for baking or bags of fruit.
Matua Rhys will be on supervision of students until it is packing buses time. If there are parents that would like to help with this process please see Matua Rhys.
We aim to be leaving by 8:45.
R2. R3,and R4 are bringing home baking and R5 & R9 are bringing a bag of fruit each. If your child has special dietary requirements please only bring home baking not fruit.
If you have any spare sleeping bags, can these be sent on Tuesday (named).
We will be returning on Friday and anticipate returning to school approximately 2:30. Please do not take your students until buses are fully unppacked and you have seen the class teacher.
Happy packing.
Please click below for all important camp information
Start Times and Waiting Area
Children can wait in the quad from 8.15am.
We are having a few children being dropped off very early into school, some well before 8am. For your child's safety, please do not drop your child off at school before 8am.
Additionally, we are having a few families and children waiting in the junior playground and outside classrooms before school. We ask that everyone wait in the designated area next to the turf before 8.30am for health and safety purposes.
If it is raining, can all children please wait under the shelter next to the library and Te Whare Hongonga and not next to the office as it blocks visitors to the school and teachers from getting out of the office area.
Keeping Ourselves Safe Program has started this week
We are writing to inform you that during Weeks 1 to 3 of Term 2, our school will be participating in the Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS) programme.
This is a comprehensive child protection programme that has been successfully delivered in New Zealand schools for many years. It is led by our local Police School Liaison Officer in partnership with our classroom teachers.
Why are we teaching this?
The goal of Keeping Ourselves Safe is to provide students with the skills and confidence they need to keep themselves safe in a range of situations. The programme is tailored to be age-appropriate for Year 1–6 students and focuses on:
Identifying and trusting their own feelings.
Understanding the difference between "good" and "bad" secrets.
Learning how to say "no" to things that make them feel uncomfortable.
Knowing who their "safety people" are and how to ask for help.
What to expect
The lessons are designed to be interactive and supportive. Because you are the most important people in your children’s lives, the programme also aims to strengthen the communication between home and school regarding personal safety.
How you can help
During these three weeks, your child may bring home activities or talk about what they have learned. We encourage you to engage in these conversations, as it reinforces the "Safety" message in a familiar environment.
All information regarding the content taught is available online. Please click the link below for information.
If you have any specific concerns or would like to discuss the programme further, please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher.
We look forward to working together to empower our students with these essential life skills.
West End School Health Curriculum Consultation 2026
At West End School, we plan and deliver a range of programmes which promote health and wellbeing, affirms children’s uniqueness, self confidence, hauora and celebrates cultural diversity and richness. Alongside these programmes, we may also deliver one-off programmes, aimed at supporting a current issue or need, to build students' understanding, knowledge and awareness.
Supporting the health curriculum, are our school values and dispositions, which are interwoven into our programmes.
Health Education is an integral part of our school curriculum and we aim to provide a balanced, informed and empathetic approach to promote health and wellbeing. Please click on the PDF document above for information on what West End School's Health Curriculum.
The Consultation Process - Your Feedback
We welcome you to provide feedback on our Health Curriculum by visiting the link below.
Te Wao Nui o Tāne Camp Payments
Please pay the $25 to secure your child's place on camp by Thursday
We are excited to be preparing for our upcoming school camp, which promises to be a
valuable and enjoyable experience for all students. Camp provides important opportunities
for learning, teamwork, and personal growth outside the classroom.
To confirm and secure your child’s place on camp, we kindly request a starting contribution
toward the overall cost. This helps cover accommodation, transport, activities, and
supervision.
Contribution amount: $25.00
Payment due by: 27 April 2026
Payments can be made:
- via Kindo or;
- through internet banking. Bank Account Number 12-3143-0395410-00 (Reference:
- ‘’Camp” and your child name and classroom) or;
- via eftpos through the school office
If you would like to discuss a payment plan or require support, please don’t hesitate to
contact the school office—we are happy to work with you.
Thank you for your support in making this opportunity possible for our students.
You should be now be receiving classroom posts from Skoolbooks
Please let your classroom teacher know if you have not received a classroom post from Skoolbooks.
Upcoming Events
TERM 2, WEEK 1:
Keeping Ourselves Safe Program for Years 1-4 commencing
- Plant to Plate for Room 2 and Room 9 - Wednesday 22 April
- 6 Week Conferences for Room 15 and 16 - Thursday 23 April
- EPIC Music - Friday 24 April
Keeping Ourselves Safe Program for Years 1-4 continuing
WEEK 2
- ANZAC Day (no school) - Monday 27 April
- Te Wao Nui o Tāne Camp - Tuesday 28 April - Friday 1 May
- EPIC Music - Friday 1 May
Keeping Ourselves Safe Program for Years 5 - 6
WEEK 3
- Plant to Plate for Room 6 and Room 9 - Wednesday 6 May
- EPIC Music - Friday 8 May
Term Dates 2026
Term 1: Monday 2 February - Friday 3 April
Term 2: Monday 20 April - Friday 3 July
Term 3: Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September
Term 4: Monday 12 October - Friday 11 December
Ballot Dates 2026
Ballot Dates Drawn at 11.30am of the dates stated below
Term 1 for Term 2: Wednesday 26 February 2026
Term 2 for Term 3: Wednesday 14 May 2026
Term 3 for Term 4: Wednesday 30 July 2026
Term 4 for Term 1 2027: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Community Notices
If your child is absent from school
Please notify the school if your child is absent.
PLEASE DO NOT TXT OR EMAIL THE CLASSROOM TEACHER.
ALL ABSENCES SHOULD BE ADVISED VIA THE OFFICE.
Please remember to advise the office by 8.30am if your child is not attending school.
You can telephone 358-2465 and leave a message or txt 021 118 0156.
ABSENCES CAN ALSO BE SENT EASILY THROUGH OUR SCHOOL APP and our website.
In both cases please give a reason for absence.
Thank you.
Kindo Online Shop
It is very important that families register with Kindo, as this is now the only way to register your child for school sports, and ordering PTA lunches.
Below are the links to register.
If you require help please call the Kindo helpdesk on
0508 454 636
New users need this link
Existing users need this link
