23 February 2022

Kia ora, EBIS Whanau

 As we move deeper into Term 1 we have now completed 2 full cycles of our new timetable system. Both students and staff are adapting to the new timetable and additional programmes are starting to become available for our students.

 All classes have now completed their first session with Te Matau Ora, learning a variety of Māori games and activities. For the past week the hall has been alive with the tapping of rākau, flying poi toa, and many different patterns students are creating with mahi whai.

 Students are also busy practicing the different disciplines for the upcoming athletics day during their PE times. This is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 22 March at Newtown Park. More information about this will come out closer to the event.

 On Monday 20/2 more than 100 parents and caregivers attended the “Our Kids Online” evening presented by Rob Cope. A lot of the initial information that Rob presented was concerning, eye opening, and uncomfortable to see/hear, he also gave practical advice on how to protect our students while they are navigating the online world.

In the upcoming weeks all parents should receive a PDF of most of the information presented. We will also be able to show a video of this presentation for those parents who were unable to attend and would still like to see it. If we can have another 50 parents attend we will have then have had half our community attend which is vital as we work to cyber safety together.

Rob’s call to arms was for every school to be a Parent for Cyber Safety School. If we can achieve this it is your children who will benefit.

 There are a couple of things that we are asking for your support with.

 We ask students are dropped off and picked up from the school gate as vehicles moving through the grounds while students are entering and exiting the school is a safety concern. In the morning there are a number of taxis dropping off students to both EBIS and to Kimi Ora, and in the afternoon all the students are coming out of the school at the same time.

Also please be aware of students crossing the roads around the school during this time. While most students are careful while doing this, the roads around the school get very busy at the start and end of the school day.

 Finally, this Wednesday several students helped to organise a non-uniform day to raise funds to help with the recovery after cyclone Gabrielle. This was very successful and raised close to $1100. This is a fantastic demonstration of the school values of Success and Whanaungatanga from all the students.

 Ā te wā

 The EBIS Staff