Principal's Message

Wellington South ANZAC Day Commemoration

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to speak at the ANZAC Commemoration Day.
The event was well attended as people came together to remember those who have served in wars, as well as those who continue to serve and support others in need.

After the service, a number of people shared that they had connected with parts of the speech, so I have included an excerpt below in the hope that it may be meaningful to you as well.

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Peace. It is something that we all strive for. But what is peace and what does it mean for us today? Today I hope to explain using an acrostic poem form, what it means to me and how we can ensure we have peace.  

P is for Pope Leo XIV: 

The leader of our Catholic church who is leading the way of advocating for peace.
Think of Pope Leo XIV as a global guide or a "moral lighthouse." He teaches that peace isn't just about sitting quietly; it’s a proactive choice. Being a peacemaker means "building a bridge" to people who feel left out or lonely.

He believes that if you see someone being treated unfairly and you say nothing, you’re actually helping the unfairness continue. He calls on world leaders to lead with their hearts and reminds us that every single person has value. To follow his lead, we have to show kindness to everyone—even people who live in different countries or have different lives than ours.

E is for Everyone: No One Left Out

Peace isn't a "members-only" club; it belongs to the whole human family. When a few people keep all the good stuff for themselves, the world becomes unstable. To fix this, we have to stop thinking in terms of "us vs. them."

We are all interconnected. Think of the world as a giant puzzle: if one piece is missing or broken, the whole picture is ruined. If a kid on the other side of the planet is hungry or unsafe, it matters to us, too. True peace means making sure there is enough room for everyone to have a "fair go" in life.

A is for Active Kindness: Using Your "Moral Muscle"

A lot of people think peace is just a time for silence or being in a quiet room, but real peace is actually active. It takes a lot of "moral muscle" to stay calm and kind when someone is being unkind to you. It’s easy to be a destroyer, but it takes real strength to be a builder for peace. It is unfortunate that many people, particularly around our region, have been terribly affected by the extreme weather conditions this past week. My thoughts and prayers go out to them during this challenging time. But it is in these times that we can truly show an act of kindness by giving to those in need, or simply by offering a prayer. A great way to demonstrate peace.

A Peace Advocate does three things:

• They Talk it out: They Use words to calm a situation down instead of making it explode.

• They Show courage: They Stand up for what is right without being a bully.

• They Fix things: They look for ways to help out or fix problems before they get bigger.

C is for Cultivating Care: The Garden in Your Heart

Making the world better starts with making yourself better. Think of your character like a garden. Every day, you have to pull out the "weeds"—things like being greedy, acting superior, or just not caring. In their place, you plant "virtues" like honesty and patience.

The main tool for this is empathy. Empathy is the ability to "walk in someone else's shoes" and understand how they feel. If a friend fails a test, a peacemaker doesn't tease them; they imagine how they would feel in that situation and offer support. When we are peaceful on the inside, we bring peace to everything we do.

E is for Earth Helpers: Protecting Our Home

We can’t have a peaceful world if our planet is sick. The Earth gives us everything we need to survive—clean air, fresh water, and food. Being a peacemaker means being a steward (a protector) of nature.

When we waste things or pollute, we are being unfair to the kids who will be born 50 or 100 years from now. This is called "intergenerational justice"—making sure the future is just as good as the present. By keeping the Earth healthy and sharing its resources fairly, we prevent the big fights that happen when people run out of the things they need.

The ANZAC legend isn't just about the past; it’s a set of values that helps us understand how to be better people today. Connecting the PEACE concepts to the ANZAC spirit is like finding a manual for how to treat your friends, your community, and your world. Let us follow their example of peace within ourselves, with our community and with the world.

A special thank you to all who came to support and to the children who generously volunteered their time. Your support and involvement were very much appreciated and helped make the occasion meaningful for everyone attending. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Nikolai Solia

Principal

Congratulations 

Warm congratulations to the Campbell family on the arrival of their daughter, Josephine. Wishing you all much joy and happiness. 

Condolences..

We extend our sincere condolences to the Ramathas-McAuley family on the passing of their father and grandfather, to the Wilson family on the passing of their father and grandfather, and to the Leififi family on the passing of their uncle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. 

SPORTS 

Term 2 Miniball (years 5 -6) and Basketball (years 7 - 8) - Players still needed!!!

We have space in our year 5/6 and year 7/8 teams if anyone would still like to register their child/ren. All information and registration is on Kindo.

Cross Country 

This year, our whole school Cross Country event will take place on Tuesday 5 May (Week 3), with a postponement date of Tuesday 12 May, at Wakefield Park. 

As we prepare for this exciting event, we kindly ask for your support in helping to marshal the race tracks. Parent volunteers are essential to ensuring the safety and smooth running of the day, and we would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide. We will need support from 9.45am to approximately 1.30pm.

Please complete this form if you are able to help:  https://forms.gle/rQUa2CxgrTV84KTY6 Your involvement will make a significant difference in the success of the day.

Event Information 2026:

Years 4 - 8 (Middles/Seniors)

• 9.10am – Gather on the bottom court

• 9.15am – Walk to the park in classes

• 9.30–9.45am – Arrive at Wakefield Park

• 9.45–10.00am (approx) – Briefing

• 10.00am (approx) – Races begin

Year 4-6 students will return to school after their races. 

Years 1 - 3 (Juniors)

• 11.30am – Leave school and walk to the park in classes

• 12.00pm (approx) – Arrive at Wakefield Park

• 12.10pm – Briefing

• 12.15pm (approx) – Races begin

Year 7-8 students will remain at the park to support the juniors and will walk back to school with them. Attached are the race track maps, if you would like to do some practice with your child. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch anita.patel@sfds.school.nz  

Garden to table

Harvesting fresh, homegrown kūmara and potatoes from our school gardens, with the tamariki getting hands-on as they dig, lift, and collect the produce they’ve helped nurture throughout the season!

We are also planting spring bulbs and winter vegetables, with the children actively involved in every step—preparing the soil, planting carefully, and learning first-hand about seasonal gardening, growth cycles, and caring for our environment as we look ahead to the next harvest.

If you would like to join us even for the day- email and let us know! you are always welcome! vic.martin@sfds.school.nz 

Dates to Add to Your Diary

Our  SFDS Events Calendar is the best way to stay up to date with everything happening at school — including PE days, special events, and other important dates. You can find the calendar by clicking on the link above or either on our school website or through Hero.