School Newsletter
Term 3 - 3 September 2026

Kia ora e te whānau | Greetings all

To all our amazing students and whānau heading to AIMS Games 2026 this weekend, we wish you the best of luck! We are so excited to see our athletes take on this incredible opportunity and represent Stonefields across Rock Climbing, Yachting, Swimming, Tennis, Netball and Futsal.

We're also loving seeing so many kids get involved with Basketball. Both before school, lunchtimes and after school, the courts are filled with kids getting active and shooting hoops with friends. 

I wanted to personally say a huge thank you to everyone for taking the time to complete our whānau survey. We received 352 responses, the highest number we've ever achieved! The results are shared below.  

I'm also so thrilled to see the progress in gardens thanks to the grant from Oke and some very determined staff and Enviro leaders. 

This week we had a lighting rig installed in the Hall in preparation for the School Show. The kids are loving the experience of being on stage and the lights are bringing everything to life. We can't wait to share this with you in just a few weeks. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Sarah and the team

New Garden beds thanks to Oke

It's all go in our garden! The old garden beds have been demolished and new ones are currently being installed. Thanks to a team from Oke, with help from some Enviro leaders. We can't wait to get planting! 

Transition to Intermediate 

Our Year 6 learners participated in an engaging transition visit to the Intermediate hubs, where they got a hands-on preview of what to anticipate and look forward to in Intermediate. During the visit, learners brought their collaboration skills to build and race gravity rollercoasters as they gained valuable insights into the learning opportunities awaiting them. The learners also took home a booklet displaying the wealth of opportunities on offer for Intermediates. Here is a copy if you didn't receive one. This is an important stage in a child's learning journey as they prepare to take the step up to Intermediate. 

Year 5 learners also had their own introductory visit to explore the Intermediate space.

MathEx teams represent with pride

Last week, our Year 7 and 8 MathEx teams represented Stonefields School with pride at the annual competition held at Selwyn College! Our learners have been working hard to sharpen their skills for this fast-paced challenge. It was fantastic to see them using determination, self-awareness, and critical thinking to tackle complex problems under pressure. Working closely as a team, they navigated the learning pit with true resilience and celebrated every well-earned success along the way. 

Device Time - How much time do children spend on digital devices at school?

We know that many parents are naturally curious, and sometimes concerned, about how much time children spend on digital devices at school. As technology evolves, ensuring we get the balance right between traditional learning and digital literacy is something we take very seriously.

At Stonefields School, our approach to technology is intentional, research-informed, and grounded in what we observe every day in our learning spaces. We view computers not as a replacement for foundational skills, but as an essential tool for work, learning, and modern life. Our goal is to ensure our learners become fluent, responsible digital citizens who know how to type, navigate digital platforms, and most importantly, discern when a device is the right tool for the job.

Here is a breakdown of our approach across different year levels: 

Years 1–2

Our youngest learners have very little to no device time. Teachers model learning on large paper pads or whiteboards, supplemented occasionally by a shared TV screen. Small group interventions may utilise targeted digital tools for up to 20 minutes a day to accelerate specific learning needs.

Years 3–4 

Our Year 3-4 learners continue the hands-on focus of the junior years. Again small group interventions may utilise targeted digital tools for short periods of time. In Term 4, Year 4 learners are introduced to Chromebooks through structured Cybersmart workshops. This builds safety habits, digital citizenship, and foundational skills to ensure they are confident and ready for Year 5.

Years 5-8 

At this age level, keyboarding is introduced to the New Zealand Curriculum. Devices are intentionally used to support research, creation, and communication. They sit alongside physical workbooks, collaborative group work, and hands-on activities. Device use is capped at no more than 1 to 1.5 hours per day across various learning contexts. There are often days within the week where devices are not used at all. 

Our pedagogy will continue to evolve as we listen to research, review internal practice, and respond to the needs of our learners. We believe this measured approach gives our children the best of both worlds: strong foundational skills and smart, safe digital capability.

We know many of you have raised concerns about device use at home. There are loads of helpful resources like Netsafe, this article on How to raise a healthy video gamer and avoid gaming addiction 

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel to reach out or drop by.

Neurodiverse Community Morning Tea

Thank you to the families who joined us for Morning Tea last week. Our goal was to create an opportunity for whānau with neurodiverse members to connect and share ideas, resources and supports. If you'd like to join the conversation on WhatsApp, join here. 

Winter Illnesses - How to decide if a child is well enough to be at school

As you will know, communities across New Zealand are experiencing high rates of winter illnesses. We understand that some parents have been finding it tricky to know when their child is well enough to attend school and when an unwell child should be at home. Health NZ has put together the following guidance to help support families. 

Online GP Care - free for under 14yr olds

Health NZ also have an online GP care option which is free for all ākonga up to, and including, the age of 13. Appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call and the service can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy. 

Interschool Sport - Term 4

• Eastern Zones Volleyball Y7-8 | BOYS Thursday 15 October | GIRLS Thursday 22 October OPEN

• Tamaki Touch (Y5-8) | Wednesday 21 October OPEN

• Senior School Athletics Day (Y5-8) | Wednesday 4 November

• Eastern Zones Athletics (Y7-8) | Thursday 19 November(Pre-qualifiers)

• Tamaki Athletics (Y5-8) | Wednesday 25 November (Pre-qualifiers)

Visit the sports website for sports sign ups, and find other important sports information: Stonefields.school.nz/sports 

Sports Coaching Sessions Update

We’ve had a number of students keen to participate without being formally registered. As this is a trial year, we are introducing a $5 casual rate to help balance access, participation and programme sustainability.

Casual Attendance - $5 Per Session

• Registered students have priority in each session.

• Unregistered students may participate where there is capacity.

• A $5 casual fee will be charged to the student’s Kindo account.

• Coaches will record attendance and identify students as registered or casual.

Sports Available:

• Basketball

• Rippa

• Volleyball

• Football

• Hockey

If your child would like to participate on a weekly enrolled basis and receive priority in sessions, we encourage you to complete the registration form below.

Coaching Schedule: sports website 

Register Now: Extension Sports and Coaching Enrolment Form

Please note: There will be no Rippa, Football, Volleyball or Hockey sessions in Week 9. These sessions will instead take place in Week 10. 

Basketball will run as usual in Week 9.

For more information about all sports opportunities, please visit: stonefields.school.nz/sport 

• AIMS Games | Friday 4 – Friday 11 September  

• Stonefields School Board Meeting | Tuesday 8 September | 5.30pm, Te Pātaka Ako

• Kapa Haka practice | Wednesday 9 September | 8.20am Te Pou Manawa

• Friday Cafe | Friday 11 September | 3pm

• Tamaki Netball (Year 3-8) | Tuesday 15 September 

• Kapa Haka practice | Wednesday 16 September | 8.20am Te Pou Manawa

• Friday Cafe | Friday 18 September | 3pm

• Marimba Festival | Saturday 19 September 

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

Congratulations Sommerville School - New Zealand Education Excellence Awards winners!

Last month Sommerville School were awarded Excellence in Quality Teaching and Instruction at the 2026 New Zealand Education Excellence Awards | Ngā Tohu Kairangi Mātauranga o Aotearoa. A ceremony was held at Parliament in Wellington for the recipients. Very well deserved! 

Have you ever thought about becoming a Teacher?

In 2027 we will again have opportunities available to train to be a teacher. Through both the Auckland Primary Teacher Education Collaborative and The Teachers' Institute you could train to be a teacher whilst working in a school.

Contact them for more details. 

Ellerslie School's 150th Anniversary 

Ellerslie School is turning 150 years old in 2027! Are you a former student of Ellerslie School?  They'd love to reconnect with their alumni for the special event. Get in touch here. 

Community Activities

There are plenty of sports, art, and cultural activities available in our community including school holiday programmes. Check out our Community Noticeboard for more details.