Year 0-2 Term Four Update

Tēnā koutou, nau mai hoki mai | Greetings to you all, welcome back! 

A Term of Exciting Change and Growth!

Kia ora e te whānau,

Welcome back to a fantastic new term! It’s incredible to think how much progress our youngest learners have already made this year. We're consistently impressed by the leaps and bounds we’ve seen in both literacy and mathematics, and it’s wonderful to celebrate those academic gains. Our literacy and mathematics programmes continue to be taught through a structured approach. Your child's literacy and maths teachers are the best port of call for more information about their specific learning for the term. We encourage you to connect with us to find out more using the email addresses found below. 

One of the most heartwarming developments has been the way our students have embraced collaboration. They are truly proving that we all shine when we bring our best together, supporting each other in their learning every day.

Handwriting booster!

Alongside this, we’ll be placing a specific focus on handwriting. Our goal is to develop fluent letter formation that allows our students to communicate their wonderful ideas clearly and confidently. If you would like more information about how to support your child at home to develop their handwriting, please speak with their literacy teacher and check out these slides with more information.

Hubs open at 8:30am

An important reminder that Hubs are not open for learners until 8:30am each day. As teachers, we want to be ready and prepared for our learners. Waiting until 8:30am to enter the Hub ensures your child receives a warm and present welcome from their teacher. Kelly Club is open before school for those who need an earlier drop off. 

We look forward to partnering with you for another term of growth, exploration, and fun!

Ngā mihi nui,

The Year 0-2 Teachers, Laura Choat and Shoba Segar

To contact the Hub Teaching Teams, please use the email addresses below:

hub1teachers@stonefields.school.nz

hub2teachers@stonefields.school.nz

hub10teachers@stonefields.school.nz

laura.choat@stonefields.school.nz

shoba.segar@stonefields.school.nz

Teacher Strike - Thursday 23 October

NZEI Te Riu Roa Teachers’ Union are currently in negotiations with the Government regarding their collective agreement. The union has called a strike on Thursday 23 October. With the number of staff involved in this strike, we will not have the ratios to safely remain open, therefore, school will be closed for instruction on this day. Kelly Club will be open if you need childcare. Apologies for the incorrect date in our previous comms.

Water Safety Sessions - Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October

A reminder our Year 2's will be taking part in Water Safety Skills sessions on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October. Learners will be bused to Swim Magic in groups throughout the two days. 

Cost: $40.00, please make payment via your Kindo account. 

Please ensure your child is prepared on both days with the following: 

• swimming togs 

• towel (preferably a hooded towel to keep your child warm)   

• goggles and a swimming cap (if you have these) 

• a waterproof bag for after their lesson 

• hair to be tied up  

• shoes that can be easily put on and taken off by themselves, like sandals. For health and safety reasons, they will be wearing shoes on the bus to and from swimming.

Learners will get changed at school and leave behind uniforms, bags etc. They will bus to swimming wearing their hooded towel to cover up and keep warm. Please ensure all items are CLEARLY NAMED including underwear, socks, shoes, uniform, togs, towel, goggles and swimming cap. 

Please complete the Google form from Swim Magic. This will help the swimming instructors to place your child in the correct confidence level group. 

Friday Cafe Volunteers Needed

A reminder that Friday Cafe will be run a little differently this term. Each week has been assigned to a Hub. We require two parent volunteers from that Hub to help run the cafe for that day. There will be an experienced volunteer there each week to help support and train up any newbies. Volunteers are only needed for one hour, 2.40pm to 3.40pm, on the Friday. We are assigned the following weeks:

• Hub 10 - Friday 28 November

• Hub 2 - Friday 5 December

• Hub 1 - Friday 12 December

If a Hub is unable to secure two volunteers for their week, Friday Cafe will be unable to operate that week. Many hands make light work! Please let the office know what date you can help on.

Junior Assembly Dates

This term we have two Junior Assemblies. This is a great opportunity for parents to see everything we've been exploring and learning about in the Hubs. We hope you can join us at 2pm in the Hall on: 

• Monday 20 October

• Monday 17 November

Library Days

Our children love their library visits. All Year 0-2 hubs will visit the library weekly and during this time the children will have an opportunity to browse, borrow a book, listen to stories, and learn some library skills. To avoid disappointment, please remind your child to bring their library book to school on their library day so they can return it and borrow a new book each week. Our library days are as follows:

• Hub 10: Mondays after morning tea

• Hub 1: Thursdays after lunch

• Hub 2: Tuesdays after lunch

This term, while the Year 0-2 children learn about taking responsibility for their library books, they will only be allowed to borrow one book at a time. Many children also enjoy visiting the library during their break times and they can return their book and borrow a new book at these times too. 

This year, the library will be open before and after school if you would like to visit it with your child.

Toys from Home 

A gentle reminder that children should not bring toys, game cards or other precious belongings from home. These items are distracting in the hub and often there are tears when a child misplaces their precious items. Please take a moment to remind your child about keeping their toys etc at home.

Brain Food

We encourage parents to send their children with a “Brain Food” snack, to eat mid-morning. The best choices are fresh fruits or vegetables, ideally pre-cut and packed in a separate container for easy, mess-free eating. This simple habit helps fuel their focus and learning. This brain food snack is separate to their morning tea and lunch food.

Learning Achievement Celebration - Wednesday 10 December

Mark the date in your diary! On Wednesday 10 December from 6pm we will be having our Learning Achievement Celebration, held at Sacred Heart College Auditorium. This is an event for the whole school community to celebrate all learners' achievements this year. All learners Year 1-8, and whānau are expected to attend. For our youngest Year 0 learners, we understand this is a late night and you may choose not to attend. 

Uniform 

At Stonefields School we wear our uniform with pride. We appreciate your support in ensuring your child is wearing the correct school uniform:

• Blue polo shirt (short sleeve or long sleeve) 

• Charcoal trousers, skort, or shorts    

• Black shoes, including black laces, or black sandals 

• Black or white socks

• Sun hat

• Fleece Jacket

• Black or dark blue plain hair ties/bands (no other colours please) 

• Black tights/leggings and a black long sleeve thermal can be worn under the uniform for extra warmth if required 

• No jewellery or necklaces should be worn, as this is a health and safety concern during playtimes and PE sessions. Exceptions to this include jewellery of cultural significance, small stud earrings, and watches however no smart-watches. 

New uniform items can be purchased online and delivered to your home. Pre-Loved uniform items can be requested here and collected from the office. 

Here's all the key dates for Term 4

• Fijian Language Week | Monday 6 - Friday 10 October

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 17) | Friday 10 October | 3pm

• Year 2 Water Safety Sessions | Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October 

• Friday Cafe performances (run by Hub 16) | Friday 17 October | 3pm

• Junior Assembly (Year 0-4) | Monday 20 October | 2pm, Hall 

• Diwali Morning Tea | Tuesday 21 October | 10.50am, Staff Hub 

• Stonefields School Board Meeting | Tuesday 21 October | 5.30pm, Te Pātaka Ako

• NZEI Strike Day | Thursday 23 October | School closed 

• Diwali-Themed Friday Cafe (run by Hub 13) | Friday 24 October | 3pm

• Labour Day | Monday 27 October | school closed

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 12) | Friday 31 October | 3pm

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 9) | Friday 7 November | 3pm

• Mid-Term New Entrant Cohort starts | Monday 10 November

• Manaiakalani Film Festival | Wednesday 12 November 

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 8) | Friday 14 November | 3pm

• Junior Assembly (Year 0-4) | Monday 17 November | 2pm, Hall 

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 7) | Friday 21 November | 3pm 

• Stonefields Market Day | Saturday 22 November 

• 2026 New Entrant Cohort Visit  | Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 November | 9.15am

• Stonefields School Board Meeting | Tuesday 25 November | 5.30pm, Te Pātaka Ako

• AUCC Cricket Festival (Year 3-4) | Tuesday 25 November

• Whānau Hui | Thursday 27 November | 6pm

• Pasifika Talanoa | Thursday 27 November | 6pm

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 10) | Friday 28 November | 3pm

• Kapa Haka at Te Kōtuku Cultural Festival | Saturday 29 November 

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 2) | Friday 5 December | 3pm

• Learning Achievement Celebration | Wednesday 10 December | 6pm at Sacred Heart College

• Friday Cafe (run by Hub 1) | Friday 12 December | 3pm

• 2026 Transition Morning | Monday 15 December

• Term 4 ends | Tuesday 16 December | 3pm 

View our School Calendar to keep up to date with all events