Tumuaki/Principal News

When I found out that I was going to have to go into hospital I thought that having 6 to 8 weeks off school would be a real junket and I’d be able to do all the things that I haven’t had time to do in the year. How silly was I. Thank you for your kind messages while I was away. Our staff is truly amazing and I don’t think that the school missed a beat in my absence. We have a truly amazing team. I am particularly sad that I’ve missed so many things that I look forward to every year despite the fact that it makes the weeks very very busy. I missed the Christchurch Music Festival, the Kahukura cultural celebration, celebration of learning fono/hui, and year 4 camp but I did manage to sneak in for two days sitting around at the year 5/6 camp in Waipara. 

We were all impressed by the courage of the children and their determination to try everything, even the most challenging activities. Some of them were downright scary. The staff at the Waipara Boys Brigade camp absolutely loved our tamariki and kaiako. I was approached by a boy who said he can’t wait until next year and did I realise that he would be in year six because he’d already planned what level he was going to do on the giant swing at camp. He looked so crestfallen when I said it will be the year after that that you go back to Waipara. Clearly the children had been talking about their experiences at camp and they had sparked up a whole lot of enthusiasm about what was to come. I did get some amazing photos and we had so many laughs and quite emotional moments as we watched children overcome their fears.

I feel such a fraud speaking about all of these events because I was not the one who gave up hours of personal time to make sure that once again our children had incredible learning and life experiences throughout all of these activities and events. When I think about staff who leave  their own families for four nights and five days it is a huge sacrifice. You probably don’t realise but for 24 hours on duty they get the grand extra total of $25 per day. For nighttime events they get nothing. This is a measure of the commitment and our staff have made to this community and to our children and I cannot thank them enough.

The classes for 2023 have been decided and this week teachers and teacher aides shifted all the children into the new learning spaces for 2023. It is very disconcerting as I walk out of my office and realize I’ve gone in the completely wrong direction. Ryan is in the process of writing a notice so that children and you will know who the teacher will be for 2023. We believe it’s really important for everyone to know ahead of time because it cuts down on the wondering and worry and it matters to us that children have a chance to attach to the new teacher. They would’ve had three experiences with their new teacher before the end of the year.

It is important that you keep track of school news via Skool Loop or the school newsletter or   seesaw because we do advertise the dates of events well ahead of time so that you can make arrangements to have time off work or take a few hours or get a babysitter. We feel your frustration when you haven’t seen the announcements and end up in a pickle. The government has announced that all schools will have two teacher only days next year and the following year to allow teachers some time to adjust to the massive shifts that are being made in the New Zealand curriculum. We are trying to coordinate those dates across our area so that there is a minimal disruption to parents. I love it when those things are left to us. There may be more teacher only days but we won’t know that until the NZEI employment contract is settled.

My heart thanks to our school board, scores of volunteers, community organisations and our staff for a brilliant Year. Our data looks like Covid never happened and we were so pleased to see our students on a continued trajectory of success. This data is public information and we will have it published on our website

For many of our families this is their  last year at our school and we wish you every success in your new ventures. We often think and talk about past students and families with very fond memories. You are always welcome to come back and visit.

On behalf of all of us I wish you all a very Merry, safe and happy Christmas and a very special summer vacation. We look forward to all of the stories in the New Year and to seeing you all.

Many blessings and regards

Marriene
Tumuaki

This year for camp we went to Waipara Adventure Centre. There were loads of activities to do. We did Archery, Faulty Towers, the Giant Swing, just to name a few. For the Giant Swing there are three levels. On level three there is a drop at first before you start to swing. It was great to see everyone give it a go.

At Faulty Towers we had to stack milk crates on top of each other and get as high as you can. At our school Cefiro got the highest out of everyone. She got 19 milk crates, but the world record is 39. The Waipara record is 37 and they only have 38 crates.

I think almost everybody enjoyed meal time because the food was so great. The waterslide was a hit. It was great to cool down when it was hot. Some people got 3 pushes from the teachers so they would zoom down at top speed. If you lay down on the slide water would spray across your face.

When we did Archery we had six arrows each. The instructor put balloons on the target and we had to try and hit them. Matua Ryan was great at archery; he hit 3 out of 4 balloons. 

There was also a gaga dodgeball pit and Jarman was the champion. For the first day the pit was flooded. Then it evaporated under the dazzling sun.

On Wednesday we did a newspaper fashion show. The theme was summer. It  was so cool to see what everyone did. The hall was covered in newspaper after we had finished. The parents all got together and made a team as well. The parents made a wedding and Matua Simon was the groom and Royzina (Matua Roy) was the bride. 

On Thursday night we played The Grog. The Grog is a game where Matua Simon (The Grog) chases you around and says something like “YOU’VE BEEN SPOTTED BY THE GROG!” and then you would have to sit down and wait until a parent or a teacher comes and you would have to sing a christmas song to them. You win by finding all the torch pieces and shining it into the night sky and then the grog has been defeated.  

Hey parents everyone says thank you for helping us without you there would be no camp.

By Peter, Mischa, Ella and Alex

As our final leaders newsletter for 2022 we wanted to reflect on being leaders this year. The leaders have answered a few questions. We are missing some of the leaders' comments as those children have been away. 

What did you enjoy most about leadership this year?

The thing I enjoyed the most this year was learning how to be a great leader and gaining confidence. - Renee Cox

The thing I enjoyed most about leadership this year was going to the 

juniors during inside play.  - Mischa Jamieson 

The thing I enjoyed most about leadership this year was collecting up the house points. - Peter Nieuenhuijsen

I think that the thing I enjoyed most about leadership is helping everyone during the year. -  Reenad Al Zarzour

One thing I enjoyed this year was the house days - Pasene Fomai

The things I enjoyed most was learning how to be a leader and helping the school - Gab Glifonea

The things enjoy is leading cooper in athletics - Henry Ulutau

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of when I spoke in front of the whole school for the first time. - Renee Cox 

I am most proud of the time when I spoke in front of the whole school for the end of term assembly - Mischa Jamieson    

I am most proud of how I have built up my confidence by speaking on stage a lot. - Reenad-Aalzarzour 

I am proud of everything I have accomplished this year. - Pasene Fomai

I am proud of stepping up and doing everything I did this year. - Peter Nieuwenhuijsen

I am proud of my achievements and stepping up to be a leader. - Gab Glifonea

I am proud of stepping up in leadership roles and speaking in front of lots of people - Henry Ulutau

Advice for other children wanting to be a leader in the future?

I think that if you want to be a leader in the future you should take every opportunity and just give everything a go. - Mischa Jamieson

There are always more opportunities in life. - Pasene Fomai

If you want to be a leader then step up and do everything that comes your way. - Peter Niewenhuijsen

If you want to be a leader then you have to take everything that comes your way. - Reenad Alzarzour

If you wanna be a leader, you must be confident, willing to take a challenge and most importantly, being helpful. - Gab Glifonea

If you want to be a leader, step up in different areas. - Henry Ulutau

Give everything a go and don't be afraid to try something new. Renee Cox

Whaea Libby

Digital Safety

As young people use more digital technology, it’s crucial they continue to learn about online safety. While you might think your child knows more than you know about technology, there are a few things you can do to help them keep safe online. 

Netsafe is a great place to start and has an Online Safety Parent Toolkit designed to enhance your digital parenting knowledge via these seven steps.

1. Understand: Read about the potential online risks, challenges and sometimes illegal behaviour young people face to understand what may happen

2. Learn: Ask your child about what they do, how they use devices and who they talk to learn about their activities. Check in regularly to see what has changed

3. Explore: Take the time yourself to explore the sites, apps and technologies your child uses to improve your knowledge and understand their experience

4. Agree: Create a family code with your child to agree on what they can do online including sites to visit, appropriate behaviours, privacy settings and limits

5. Teach: Recognise each child has unique needs, but some online safety concepts are universal. Start by teaching yours the Five tips to help your child thrive

6. Model: Be a good example to your child. Make sure you role model the sort of behaviours you want to see your child use online and offline

7. Plan: Make a plan so everybody knows what to do if something goes wrong and where you will be able to get advice and support in challenging times

Ngā mihi

Matua Ryan

We are looking forward to having our community join us again in the new year for our annual hāngī. If you have knowledge in preparing and putting down a hāngī and are willing to support us with this event, please get in touch with me at ryan.pearce@westspreydon.school.nz

Ngā mihi

Matua Ryan