School Newsletter Term 2, Week 3

Kia ora whānau,

There is a wonderful "buzz" in our kura this week as students across all year levels dive deep into their learning. With Assessment Week arriving next week, our classrooms have become hubs of revision, curiosity, and determination.

It is important to remember that assessments are simply a way for us to celebrate what our students have mastered and identify where we can provide more support. We are incredibly proud of the grit and focus our learners are showing. Let’s keep that momentum going.

We are thrilled to announce a brand-new recurring segment in our newsletter: The West End Property Journey.

Very soon, you will start to see some exciting changes around our school grounds. We are embarking on a series of property upgrades designed to significantly enhance the environments where our tamariki learn and play. Whether it’s modernizing our internal spaces or refreshing our outdoor areas, these developments are all about creating a world-class facility that reflects the excellence of our students.

Stay tuned for our next issue, where we will share the first set of site plans and timelines!

Our Senior School had a fantastic time this week participating in the Plant to Plate program. This hands-on experience allows our students to connect with the environment, understanding exactly where their food comes from and the hard work required to nourish a community.

The kitchen and garden were filled with laughter and the delicious aromas of fresh produce.

While we see the hard work of our staff every day, it is always heartening when a visitor pauses to acknowledge the "West End Way." Our guest facilitator from the Plant to Plate program shared some truly glowing feedback with our leadership team.

"I have been so impressed with the teachers and how supportive and invested they are in their classes' learning. The children have been happy, engaged, and respectful. The staff have all been very helpful and really made me enjoy my job."

This feedback is a testament to the culture we have built together. To our teachers: thank you for your unwavering investment in every child. To our students: thank you for representing our school with such respect and positivity.

Ngā mihi nui.

.

Tony West

Principal

West End School - Te Kura O Urumutu

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.

This message is to inform you that our school will be conducting Whole School Assessments during Week 4 of this term.

These scheduled assessments are a crucial part of our school's data collection and learning monitoring process. We want to assure you that these are standard, ongoing checks designed to provide us with valuable insight into each student's learning journey and progress.

The data gathered from these assessments will serve two key purposes:

Progress Tracking: It allows teachers to accurately track each student's growth and identify areas where extra support or extension may be beneficial.
School Reports: The results will be used to inform the comprehensive academic feedback provided in your child's end-of-year school report.

We encourage you to support your child by ensuring they maintain their normal routine, get plenty of rest, and eat nutritious meals throughout Week 4. A calm and positive attitude toward learning is the best preparation they can have.

Please note, there is no need for your child to do any specific studying or extra preparation for these internal assessments.

If you have any questions regarding the assessment schedule or the types of assessments being administered, please do not hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

All children had a wonderful time at camp, and provided many meaningful learning opportunities, and we appreciate your contribution toward making it possible.

This is a reminder that the remaining balance for your child’s camp contribution is now due.

We would appreciate payment of the outstanding amount at your earliest convenience.

Payments can be made via:

Kindo or;
through internet banking. Bank Account Number 12-3143-0395410-00 (Reference: ‘’Camp” and your child’s name and classroom) or;
via eftpos through the school office

If you have already made your final payment, please disregard this notice. If you have any

questions about your balance, or if you would like to discuss payment arrangements, please

contact the school office.

Thank you again for your support and prompt attention to this matter.

PRIZE FOR BEST DRESSED NEXT FRIDAY

Our Kind Hearts group will be carrying out kindness activities next Friday at lunchtime. Your child is welcome to wear pink next Friday in recognition to stand together and show manaakitanga.

Our School Cross Country is Friday 22nd May

We will be starting our Cross Country races to the left of Te Ara Kotahi (the bridge)

This is the same place as last year)

Important Information for Whānau:

We will aim to follow these timings, however races may run slightly later. No races will begin early.
Please ensure your child has covered shoes and a filled water bottle.
Whānau are asked to stay riverside of the course, as all races will finish on that side (similar to last year).
Students must return to school with their teacher after their race.
If you wish to take your child home, you will need to sign them out at the school office and provide the green slip to the classroom teacher.

Here are the timings for the day

Year 5 and 6

9:30am – Year 5 Boys

9:50am – Year 5 Girls

10:10am – Year 6 Boys

10:20am – Year 6 Girls

Year 1 and 2

10:45am – Year 1 Boys

11:00am – Year 1 Girls

11:15am – Year 2 Boys

11:30am – Year 2 Girls

Year 3 and 4

11:45am – Year 3 Boys

12:00pm – Year 3 Girls

12:15pm – Year 4 Boys

12:30pm – Year 4 Girls

We are happy to announce we will be doing another whole school production this year. The whole school will be performing at the Regent in Week 5 of Term 4, so we are well into the organisational side of getting the show ready. We have 50 speaking parts and will be allocating roles in the next 4 weeks.

7 of these roles will be main speaking parts and audition forms will be going home to Year 5 and 6 students next week who wish to try out for these roles. Supporting characters will be organised within classes in the coming weeks, and information will be sent home throughout the process.

If you wish to help out with costumes or props, classroom teachers will be reaching out in Term 3 - or feel free to contact them if you wish to help. If you have any questions, please email Dan Minchin dminchin@westend.school.nz and he'll be happy to help.

Sunday 24th May: 9am - 3pm

🌟 Celebrating Success: Our Inaugural ‘Whānau Success Day.

We are buzzing with excitement to invite you to our very first Whānau Success Day! This event is a celebration of our community’s strength, achievement, and the incredible support networks available right here in our backyard.

Join us for a day filled with culture, connection, and community pride.

When: Sunday, 24 May
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: School Field (or on the Courts - weather dependent)

🎤 Spotlight on Kapa Haka

The heart of our celebration will be a powerful showcase from our talented Kapa Haka group. They will be one of 5 other kapa haka groups performing during the day. They have been working tirelessly to prepare a performance that embodies the spirit of our school.

Our friends from Kia ora FM will be broadcasting live throughout the day and keeping the energy high as our official MCs. Whether it’s a full 30-minute set or a shorter powerful bracket, we can’t wait to see our rangatahi shine on the big stage!

🍔 Food, Fun & Community

This isn’t just a concert—it’s a full community hub!

Local Services: Meet with community organisations dedicated to helping our whānau thrive.
Kai: A variety of food trucks will be on-site all day (Cash and Eftpos available).
Comfort: We have a dedicated Elders Area to ensure our kaumātua are comfortable. Please bring your own mats and chairs to set up a spot on the courts or the field (weather dependant) and enjoy the entertainment!

🚗 Essential Info for the Day

Parking: Public parking is available on surrounding roads and at Awatapu College.
Our wonderful Māori Wardens will be on-site to help coordinate.

🤝 Ora Konnect

We are thrilled to announce that Ora Konnect will be joining us! As a collective dedicated to the wellbeing of our 4412 community, they will be on-site to korero with whānau about the amazing support services they offer—from health and housing to kai resilience. If you’ve been looking for a way to connect with local resources or want to learn more about community aspirations, make sure to stop by their stall for a chat.

We can’t wait to see you all there to support our students and celebrate what it means to succeed together. Nau mai, haere mai!

Room 15

Room 15 has been engaging in meaningful learning around Anzac Day. We explored a range of texts, including ‘Anzac Ted’, ‘The Anzac Puppy’, and ‘The Dawn Parade’. These books helped us to build our understanding of this important time of remembrance.

We connected this learning to our school values of whakamana and manaakitanga, showing respect for the stories of others and honouring those who served. Tamariki expressed their understanding creatively by carefully painting red poppies - a powerful symbol of remembrance. They took great care with their mahi and added black centres to reflect the detail of the real flower.

We are proud to share our finished poppy artwork, which reflects the care, respect, and understanding behind our learning.

Room 11

In Room 11 we have been learning about different Myths and Legends. For the last week and a half we have been reading about Kupe and the Giant Wheke.

We discussed what the myth was about, and then we looked at how we can structure our writing so that we were retelling the story in our own words. We learned about paragraphs and how the myth has a beginning, middle and end.

We then learned how to draw a realistic octopus to go with our writing. Our completed writing is now hanging up in the classroom. Please feel free to come in and read our retells.

Room 2

New Plymouth turned on fabulous weather for our Year 5 & 6 camp, creating the perfect setting for a memorable experience. We were blessed to have a wonderful group of parents who supported our students every step of the way—encouraging teamwork and helping them step outside their comfort zones.

For many students (and their parents), this was their first time away from home, and what a success it was! Students surprised themselves with how they rose to challenges, showing resilience, independence, and a positive attitude.

The support and camaraderie were evident each day, with plenty of encouragement, laughter, and moments of “kids being kids.” A truly special experience for everyone involved.

Rūma Waru

Tēnā rā tātou e te whānau!

I ako mātou i te whakaatu tika i ō mātou whakaaro i te mahi pāngarau. We have been learning to prove our thinking in our mathematics work. We can enact our mental maths well, but we need to be able show how we know the answers.

He mahi uaua tēnā, engari i whakapau kaha mātou ki te whakaoti i tā mātou pāngarau. It was tricky work, but we worked hard to finish our maths.

I whakamahia, i whakaatuhia hoki tētahi uara o tō mātou kura, ko te Whakamana, i roto i ā mātou mahi Numicon pārua. Our school value of Whakamana was used and shown in our paired Numicon work, as we showed great resilience and empowerment of self and others to finish our mahi well.

Mauri ora!

Please let your classroom teacher know if you have not received a classroom post from Skoolbooks.

WEEK 4 (Assessment Week)

Grandparents Afternoon (Room 7, 13,14,15,16) - Tuesday 12 May
Power Hour commences: Wednesday 13 May
VIBE Assembly (Te Wao Nui o Tāne): Friday 15 May
EPIC Music - Friday 15 May
PINK SHIRT DAY - Friday 15 May
Lots of Hugs Visit Room 15/16: Friday 15 May

WEEK 5

Room 10 and 11 to Te Marae o Hine - Tuesday 19 May
Power Hour: Wednesday 20 May
Room 6 and 12 to Te Marae o Hine - Thursday 21 May
School Cross Country - Friday 22 May

Whānau Success Day Ora Konnect at West End School - Sunday 24 May (9am-3pm)

WEEK 6

Power Hour: Wednesday 27 May
Plant to Plate (Room 4) - Wednesday 27 May
EPIC Music - Friday 29 May

WEEK 7

King's Birthday (NO SCHOOL): Monday 1 June
Power Hour: Wednesday 3 June
Interschool Cross Country: Wednesday 3 June
EPIC Music - Friday 5 June

VIBE Assembly Puāwaitanga - Friday 5 June

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 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

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.

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

School Newsletter Term 2, Week 3