School Newsletter Term 4, Week 2

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Tony West

Principal

For the safety and privacy of all students, the filming or photography of children is strictly prohibited while on school grounds, including the swimming pool area.

Please be advised that the school will be closed on Monday, October 27th, in observance of Labour Day, a national public holiday in New Zealand.

School will resume with normal operating hours on Tuesday, October 28th.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

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:

1. Progress Tracking: It allows teachers to accurately track each student's growth and identify areas where extra support or extension may be beneficial.

2. 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.

Get ready for an exciting week focused on reading, creativity, and family fun! We've planned a fantastic day of activities, and we invite all our whānau (families) to join in the celebrations.

Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character

On the main day of the week, children are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favourite book character! Whether it's a courageous hero, a magical creature, or a silly sidekick, this is a wonderful chance for students to celebrate the books they love and bring their literacy learning to life. Get creative with costumes—we can't wait to see everyone's literary alter egos!

Family Picnic Lunch

We invite all families to join their children for a special picnic lunch on the school field. Pack your own lunch basket or simply bring some treats to share with your child. This is a lovely opportunity to relax, connect with your children during the school day, and share a casual, communal meal with our school community.

Whānau Classroom Visit and Literacy Games

In the afternoon, our whānau are invited to come right into the classrooms to see literacy in action! You'll have the chance to participate in fun literacy games alongside your child and get a firsthand look at what they've been learning. This is a great way to better understand our classroom activities and share in your child's educational journey.

Power Hour Arts Performance

To cap off our special day, we will gather for an afternoon Power Hour Arts performance. This event showcases the children's hard work in our arts program and is a lively, creative way to finish our literacy celebrations.

We look forward to seeing you all there for a memorable day of reading, dressing up, and community!

Please update your details with the school office if

• Your physical address has changed
• Your mobile phone number has changed
• Your child is taking any medication
• Any interim or parenting order updates
• Your emergency contact changes

If you are moving to a different school for the 2026 school year (not including our Year 6 students), please let the school office know so we can plan accordingly. Thank you

To ensure the safety of all students, we will be implementing a new bell schedule. From now on, a bell will sound at 3:15 p.m. every afternoon to remind parents and caregivers that all visitors and students not involved in supervised after-school activities must leave the school grounds.

This change is necessary for two main reasons:

• Student Safety: We have had several instances of unsupervised children in the playground after school. This has led to unsafe behaviour and has required staff to intervene. The new bell will help us make sure all students are accounted for and are in a safe environment.

• Reduced Noise: Clearing the grounds promptly will also help us reduce noise levels during after-school staff and team meetings.

Please note that the gate next to the staff car park will remain open for any sports teams practicing after school. All other gates will be locked by Brendon starting at 3:30 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

A reminder that it is compulsory to wear sun hats in Term 4. Please ensure your child has a wide brimmed hat that is named for use when they are outside during breaks and for PE.

Dear West End School Parents,

We are excited to announce the details for the 2026 Senior School Cam. Your child will have the fantastic opportunity to attend Vertical Horizons Camp in Taranaki from the 28th April - 1st May 2026. This promises to be an enriching and memorable experience for all our senior students.

Camp Details

The camp will run for 4 days and 3 nights during Week 2 of Term 2, 2026. Students will travel to and from the camp by bus.

Camp Costs

The cost for the camp is $290 per child. We understand that this is a significant expense, and to help ease the financial burden, we will be offering a payment plan option. Additionally, we will be organizing various fundraising efforts throughout the year to help lower the overall cost for families. More information on the payment plan and fundraising initiatives will be provided in following communication this term as well as term 4 of this year.

Parent Helpers Needed!

To ensure the smooth running and safety of the camp, we will require the support of 10 parent helpers. If you are interested in joining us for this exciting adventure and supporting our students, please indicate your interest by email to thalatokoua@westend.school.nz. All helpers will undergo a vetting process to ensure safety and transparency.

We will be providing more detailed information about the camp activities, what to pack, and health and safety procedures closer to the time. In the meantime, please mark these dates in your calendar!

If you have any initial questions, please don't hesitate to contact Tui or the school office.

We are in need of parent volunteers to help with breakfast clubs. If you are available to do even one morning please contact sport@westend.school.nz

Swimming has started with great excitement in Room 10. We have had almost 100% attendance and an equal number remembering their togs and towels.

These past two weeks have also been very busy getting our calendar art ready. We have been using pastel and dye, combined with the devices to create a pepeha piece. We are really enjoying creating these pieces, they are taking a lot of patience and fine motor skills. We are getting rather good with our brush strokes.

They have also written Information reports about the animals in Botswana. The information reports include habitat, features and diet.

We’re excited to share our updated process for organising school sports and PE activities at West End School.

All sign-ups, costs, coaching and manager information, and weekly draws will now be shared through our West End School App. Please check the app regularly to stay informed about upcoming opportunities and key dates.

If you have any questions directly related to sign-ups, draws, or event details, please email our sports team at sport@westend.school.nz. This address is also the main contact point for sports organisations to send through details of upcoming events and competitions.

Please note that this is a new organisational system, and while we will continue to share information as promptly as possible, the timing of details from external agencies is sometimes beyond our control. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we transition to this improved system.

All payments for sports and PE activities will be made through Kindo or in person at our school office.

Ngā mihi nui for your continued support as we streamline our sports coordination to make it easier for everyone involved.

Term 4 Summer Sport is beginning to take shape. Whānau who have registered their child should have received an email confirming the team their child is in. If you have not received this information, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Draws for each sport are regularly uploaded to the school app under the Sports tab for the relevant code. Please ensure you have this tab selected in your settings so you receive all notifications.

We are very grateful to the parents and caregivers who have volunteered as coaches and managers—thank you for your support! If your child’s team holds practices, these will also be advertised via the app.

All sports communication will come either through the school app or directly from:
sport@westend.school.nz

Rippa Rugby Tournament – Year 5 & 6
Students attending the upcoming Rippa Rugby tournament next week will have received a NZR registration form. This form is mandatory and must be completed and returned to the school office, signed, in order for your child to participate.

Thank you for your continued support.

The West End School Student Council has been hard at work this year, taking student feedback and turning it into real projects to improve our school, or kura.

Councillors Nia and Amber explained that they consulted every class to gather ideas, then researched costs, logistics, and secured approval from Mr. West. One noticeable change is the new two-minute timer on the swings, suggested by Liam, Pippen, and Freddie to help stop arguments and ensure fair turns for everyone.

Although the council's initial request for more rubbish bins didn't get accepted, Mr. West proposed the purchase of rubbish claws, which Ava noted will make keeping our school tidy easier and more hygienic for our amazing tamariki.

Additionally, Kylah, Jade, and Aadhya championed the installation of clocks in every classroom, recognizing how vital it is for students to know the time—helping them pack up, manage their learning time, and be prepared for subject changes.

Finally, Jury, Rosie, and Myra announced that new sports equipment has arrived, including ten new footballs and permanently fixed nets on the soccer posts, thanks to the help of Mr. Minchin.

The Student Council is excited for the whole school to enjoy these new additions!

WEEK 2

• VIBE Assembly (Tipuranga: Room 14 and 15) - Friday 17th October (2.05pm)

WEEK 3

• Swimming: Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 20th October
• Swimming: Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 21st October
• Power Hour - Wednesday 22nd October
• EPIC Music - Wednesday 22nd October
• STRIKE DAY: NO SCHOOL - Thursday 23rd October

WEEK 4

• LABOUR DAY: NO SCHOOL - Monday 27th October
• Swimming: Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 28th October
• Power Hour - Wednesday 29th October
• EPIC Music - Wednesday 29th October
• Swimming: Tipuranga - Thursday 30th October
• School Disco (3pm): Thursday 30th October
• PIHIPIHINGA VIBE Assembly - Friday 31st October
• Tipuranga/Riverdale Exchange - Friday 31st October

WEEK 5

• Swimming: Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 3rd November
• Swimming: Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 4th November
• Pōwhiri (9.15am) - Tuesday 4th November
• Power Hour - Wednesday 5th November
• EPIC Music - Wednesday 5th November
• Swimming: Tipuranga - Thursday 6th November

WEEK 6 - Literacy Week

• Swimming: Te Wao Nui o Tāne - Monday 10th November
• Swimming: Puāwaitanga - Tuesday 11th November
• Power Hour - Wednesday 12th November
• EPIC Music - Wednesday 12th November
• Swimming: Tipuranga - Thursday 13th November
• Literarty Showcase - Friday 14th November

Term 1: Monday 29 Jan - Friday 11 April

Term 2: Monday 28 April - Friday 27 June

Term 3: Monday 14 July - Friday 19 Sept

Term 4: Monday 6 Oct - Friday 12 Dec

Term 1 for Term 2: Wednesday 26 February 2025

Term 2 for Term 3: Wednesday 14 May 2025

Term 3 for Term 4: Wednesday 30 July 2025

Term 4 for Term 1 2026: Wednesday 8 October 2025

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

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

Picture this: you’ve just finished voting in the local elections, feeling meke rawa atu, being a responsible Tūpuna. But Taihoa ake nei there’s one more vote that really counts!

Haere ki te pōti for Kia Ora FM in the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Iwi Radio Awards. From our mics to your whare, we’ve been holding space for our hapori celebrating our reo, our stories, and our people. Now it’s your turn to show up and stand with us.

We want to bring it home for our hapori, our iwi, our whānau. Every vote matter so don’t be naughty make your voice heard!

https://woobox.com/xh333x/gallery/_f9NAyfWF9c ← (link to voting page)

Ngā mihi aroha ,
The Kia Ora FM Team

Awatapu College has been hosting international students from some 15 different countries for about 30 years. We require short-term homestay families to host our students who arrive towards the end of January for Term 1 or longer. We have students arriving for 2 weeks, some for 3-10 weeks and others for 6-12 months. There is a remuneration of $335.00 per week.

Would you be able to help us by hosting a student? Being a homestay family is a rewarding experience and an excellent opportunity to discover new cultures and languages. We provide 24-hour support for both the homestay family and the international student.

Our school gates are opened at around 8.05-8.10am. If you have to drop your child off early, please do so as close to this time as possible for their own safety.

West End School starts at 8.50am in the morning. Children can wait next to the turf until 8.30 and then enter the school grounds when the bell goes. Please try to get your child to school on time as this sets them up for the day and helps establish a healthy routine - so they're not catching up with learning if they arrive late.

School finishes at 2.50. If you are picking your child up, please be at school at this time. We are having many parents turning up late which causes disruption for our office staff and teachers who have to delay appointments and meetings after school.

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