Te iwi tahi tatou - We are one family.
Tēnā koutou, Konnichiwa, As-salāmu 'alaykum, Hola,
PRINCIPAL'S PĀNUI
5 August 2022
Dear Parents & Whānau,
This week is all about YOUR children and their progress at SWIS. We know how hard they are working, and it has been great to share their many successes with you. So far we have had over 345 separate interviews, both face to face and via Zoom. If you missed talking to your child's homeroom teacher, please email them and organise a time to chat. You can find the email addresses HERE if you need them.
We will be holding School Board elections in September, and now is your chance to get nominated. I sent out an email this week (see here) with the details of how to do this on it, and if you missed this, please email me directly, I'm happy to send the information to you.
THANK YOU for supporting us this week with our early finish on Monday. The teaching staff participated in excellent professional development with the entire Kahui Ako. The Kahui Ako is a group of 7 schools that work together to benefit our students.
The focus of the training was Embodying Te Tiriti o Waitangi into our practice. We are using this time to provoke our thinking about what success looks like for our students and, in particular, to think about not only success OF Māori, but success AS Māori (Māori having opportunities to grow in their Māoritanga). We will be thinking about what this looks like for our students, along with asking you to help us out, so watch this space!
You will start hearing about Market Day, which will be held 3-6pm on 21 September. I can tell you that the buzz around the school is REAL! Have a chat with your children about what they're planning with their group, and set some time aside to come along and be part of the fun!
Ngā mihi
Toby Stokes
Principal
Don't forget to check out the school's Facebook Page which has the latest updates about what is going on at school.
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates
Term 3
- 8 Aug - School Board Meeting - 6pm start via Zoom - link here. All welcome
- 9 & 10 Aug - Open Days for Year 6 students - 9-12:30pm
- 12 Aug - AIMS Games Mufti Day
- 17 Aug - Open Evening for prospective families - 6-8pm
- 12 Sep - School Board Meeting - 6pm in the staffroom. All welcome
- 21 September - Market Day - 3-6pm
|
|
|
COVID Update & Reminders
As per our communication on 22 July, students, staff and visitors to SWIS will be required to wear masks while inside the buildings. This will be reviewed on Friday 19 August.
If you or your child has a mask exemption, then this is still in place and there is no change regarding this.
Thank you for your ongoing support during these changing times.
Additional info
Self-isolation advice
Extra support if you are self-isolating or have COVID
Book your Vaccine
|
|
School Noticeboard
Join the SWIS School Board!
Nominations extended to 18 August, voting now closes 22 September
We're looking for 5 new members from diverse backgrounds with a variety of skills. Find out what's involved here or contact Toby at principal@swis.school.nz for more information.
The returning officer for the triennial board election is Bernardine Vester. She can be contacted at returningofficer@myschoolelection.nz.
The timetable for the election is:
- Voting starts: Friday,19 August
- Election day is September 22.
- Voting count: Thursday 29 September
- New board in place: Wednesday 14 September.
School Donations & Tech Fees Contribution
Our School Donation is $170 per child and is a voluntary donation that helps fund the curriculum, classroom resources including playground and sports equipment, and library facilities.
Our Science and Tech fee is $75 per child and is also voluntary.
These donations are both tax deductible and you can claim one-third of the amount back from the IRD by completing the appropriate forms and attaching your SWIS receipt.
School Uniforms
Do you have any uniform items that your child no longer needs? Please send any items you wish to donate to the school office. We have a lot of students who would benefit from a few different uniform options.
Art Helpers for Term 3!
We are still looking for helpers for Term 3 - email Karen Shuker (Karen.shuker@swis.school.nz) to let her know you’d like to help out too!
Artistic experience unnecessary!
Room 2: Tuesdays 1.05pm - 2.50pm
Room 9: Wednesdays 1.05pm - 2.50pm
Room 12: Thursdays 10.30am - 12.15pm
Room 14: Thursdays 1.05pm - 2.50pm
Attention amazing health professionals in our school community!
Calling Nurses, doctors, researchers, physiotherapists, pathologists, nutritionists, radiographers etc. We are looking for volunteers to come and speak briefly to some of our science classes about their career and what they do. We want to encourage our Tamariki to consider a career in health science. If you can help, please contact Ally by email: ally.clark@swis.school.nz.
SWIS Seedling and cuttings swap - Saturday, 22 October
We would love you to be involved! This will be an opportunity to bring our community together, get people into the garden, and fundraise for a new greenhouse.
Students are hard at work preparing seedlings for this event and we would love if others would join us in seed raising for the swap. We will be running a sausage sizzle and bakesale too.
If you would like to be involved, please get in touch with emily.fletcher@swis.school.nz
College Enrolment Links for 2023
While the closing dates have passed for many of these colleges, you are most likely still able to enroll your child, and it helps with their planning, so contact the school of your choice for more information.
Wellington East Girls' College - https://www.wegc.school.nz/enrolment
Rongotai - https://www.rongotai.school.nz/parents/enrolment/
St Patrick's College - https://www.stpats.school.nz/enrolment/enrolment-information
Wellington High School - https://www.whs.school.nz/enrolment/
St Catherine's College - https://www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz/enrolment
Wellington College - https://www.wellington-college.school.nz/quick-links/enrolment
Wellington Girls' College - https://wgc.school.nz/enrolment/enrolment-information/
|
|
|
School News
Term 3 starts with a bang!
It’s the beginning of Term 3 and once again there is such a positive atmosphere with students engaging in their mahi. Here are a few photos taken in the Hard Tech room, Art room and Textiles room as well as ‘on set’ film locations.
|
|
Staff News
We wish Donna Sloane all the best as she moves from SWIS into a new role with Te Kura, a wonderful opportunity for her.
Roshni Parbhu, currently in a teacher release role, will be stepping into Room 8 as the Homeroom teacher from 15 August. Roshni has worked very closely with the students in Room 8 as their Health and PE teacher, making her well-placed to take on the Homeroom role.
Sophie Brooky, will step into the position left by Roshni's move into Room 8. Sophie has been an immense help at SWIS this year, working as one of our go-to relief teachers. She has worked across the school and knows our students exceptionally well.
|
|
 BUY TASTY ROTI AND HELP SWIS KIWI NETBALLERS GET TO AIMS GAMES!
Simply pay $20 for a pack of 10 delicious roti - Jesse’s roti are locally made, are great to eat as snacks, lunches, with curries, stews or soups and make great wraps or pizza bases.
They contain no preservatives and are great to freeze (2 weeks fridge/3 mths freezer). Order close this Sunday, 7 Aug - send your name and contact details to Deb Tapp on 021 424 116, or email debtapp@gmail.com. Thanks for your support.
|
|
|
CodeCamp
CodeCamp allows kids from the ages of 7-12 to develop 21st century skills in a fun and action packed environment. Develop confidence & initiative through design, creativity, solving problems, presenting & collaboration. Create games, apps.
Wednesdays, 3pm till 4:30pm
Book Now at https://codecamp.co.nz
|
|
|
FREE TRIAL WITH THE ROCK ACADEMY BAND SCHOOL!
We are looking for pupils between the ages of 9 to 14 who might want to join a rock band. Our band room is located in Cuba Mall and runs after school Monday to Friday. It is a beautiful big room and parents often sit on the couch to watch. Please visit our website to book: www.therockacademy.co.nz
|
|
|
After school drama class in Newtown
Do you have a child who would love to perform in a theatre? Or one that is just needing a bit more confidence speaking in front of a group? Come join our wonderful kids Newtown drama class that is held on Wednesdays! We are about to start working on a scripted show to perform at Gryphon theatre so it is a great time to join up. Contact: kids4dramawellington@gmail.com
|
|
|
Subway on Mondays & Tuesdays
Pita Pit on Wednesdays & Fridays
O'Sushi on Thursdays
See the full menu here.
Order your lunch or register for KINDO here
|
|
|
|
|
