As-salamu alaykum" (السلام عليكم), 

It is already week 6 and halfway through term 1.  We have started Maehe with Movin' March, having all the tamariki with Wheels in Onepū and a coffee cart to keep us all sustained.  It was so popular there was a huge line.  We have been able to find a coffee cart that can offer us quicker service, so we will put that in place for next time. 

We have so many tamariki finding other ways to come to school, or being dropped a bit further away so they can walk the rest of the way, ka pai. 

We do remind you all to keep safe when coming to and from school.  We have had a concern from a neighbour raised that some tamariki (and whānau!), are going around letter boxes, onto private property and putting themselves in danger of moving cars. Please keep to the footpath or road and be aware of driveways.  

We also ask that when you are picking up or dropping off at school that you make sure you are parked appropriately (not in the middle of the road, on yellow lines or over driveways), you use the crossing areas that we have that are either patrolled with our trained road patrollers or the safety crossing that is painted blue. 

Some te reo Māori for you ... as it is Movin' March here are some action words:  Peke: Jump, Hīkoi: Walk, Oma: Run, Kanikani: Dance, Hitoki: Tiptoeing, Tū: Stand, Noho: Sit, Whakarongo: Listen, Turituri: Be quiet. E tu: Stand up, E noho: Sit down, Titiro: Look, Korero: Speak, Pakipaki: Clap hands. 

Newsletters are sent out in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 each term.  There is a lot more information on HERO from kaiako for you too. If you are not seeing more information on HERO please let us know and we will try to fix that for you. 

It is important that tamariki attend school every day we are open.  If you are finding it tricky to get your tamariki to school, let us know and we will work something out to support you.  If we see attendance is dropping, we will get in contact with you to see how we can help.  Tamariki are expected at school unless they are unwell.  Please contact the office or put absences through on HERO so when we check them we know the reason is relevant.  We will contact you about any absences if you have not let us know.  This is to keep tamariki safe. 

Who are we?  This week we are introducing our kaihautu, the leaders of our Whānau Roopu.  These Kaihautu applied for their positions to be leaders.  They wrote a persuasive letter, had an informal interview and a meeting to discuss their strengths.  Then current kaihautu, Whānau Ropu lead, and Melanie made the final decision.  It was hard as there are so many talents, some whānau roopu had a huge number of applicants, while others had a small number.  There will be leadership opportunities  throughout the year for everyone. 

Term 1 sport fees are now overdue.  If you haven't yet paid, please do so by the end of this week.  Now that summer sports are well underway, we begin our preparation for term 2 sports.

We offer two afternoon/weekend sports in Term 2 – Netball and Miniball.
We also have three Eastern Zone Sports events in Term 2 – Cross Country, Football and Miniball.

Please read the information below, and if your child is interested in playing a sport, please register using the links as soon as possible so that we can arrange the teams.  The final day for registrations is Friday 28th March. 

Netball – Year 5/6 – all genders

This is run over Term 2 and 3.  It requires commitment for both terms, to attend a weekly training session and games that are held on Saturdays at the EBIS courts.  This competition is run by Motu Kairangi Netball for Year 5 and 6 players.  There are 6 players on a court, playing a modified version of Netball to enable skills to be developed by players.  The cost per player is $65.  Payment can be made in person, or via Kindo now.

If you are interested in playing for Term 2 and 3, please complete the registration form by Friday 28th March.  Click this link to register: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/155660

Like all sports, each team will require a coach.  If you are interesting in coaching, please email sport@lyallbay.school.nz  We are unable to confirm team entries unless we have a coach.

Miniball – Year 3-6 – all genders

This is run in term 2 for 9 weeks at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre.  It is run by Wellington Basketball.  There are 5 players on the court, playing a modified version of basketball.  The cost per player is $65.  Payment can be made in person, or via Kindo now.

Year 5/6 – play on Monday between 4pm and 6pm.  The season beings on 28th April and ends on 23rd June (exclusion date 2nd June).

Year 3/4 – play on Tuesday between 4pm and 6pm.  The season begins on 29th April and ends of 24th June

If you are interested in playing Miniball for term 2, please complete the registration form by Friday 28th March.  Click this link to register: Miniball Term 2 registration form

Eastern Zone Sports (EZ Sports)

Cross Country – Year 4-6 – all genders

When:   Wednesday, 14th May (alternative date:  Friday, 16th May)

Where:  Scots College

The Lyall Bay School Cross Country team will be selected based on results from our school's Cross Country event.  The date of the Lyall Bay School Cross Country will be published at the beginning of Term 2, as the event is held on the beach and is weather and tide-dependent.

Football – Year 5 and 6 – all genders

When:   Wednesday, 28th May (alternative date:  Wednesday, 4th June)

Where:  Miramar Park

Tamariki will sign up at school, and priority will be given to those who currently play club football and futsal.  Team entries are limited.

Miniball – Year 5 and 6 – all genders

When:   Thursday, 26th June

Where:  Ākau Tangi Sports Centre

Teams playing in the afternoon league in Term 2 will be entered into this tournament.

All Eastern Zone Sports events are co-ordinated by Lyall Bay School Kaiako.  However, all events require parental support to supervise, manage, and/or coach teams.  If you are able to perform one (or more) of these roles, please email: sport@lyallbay.school.nz 

Further information will be sent out on HERO closer to each event.

If you have any questions regarding Term 2 Sports happenings, please email sport@lyallbay.school.nz 

Learning Conversations are in a few weeks time. The bookings for this are open on HERO for you. Come and celebrate the learning of your tamariki. Kaiako will be there to support and chat with you. Let them know if you have something specific you wish to talk about. Tamariki will share what they have been learning and show you what they have been working on, as well as their current goals. Sessions start every 30 mins but are rolling so you can come in anytime during the 30 mins, and stay for the length of time you need. 

Summer in the Bay 2925

Many thanks to all those who came to Summer in the Bay 2025 and contributed to making it such a fun afternoon.  A big shout out to our seniors who helped MC the day and kicked off our disco in super style.  It was wonderful to see so many staff at the event, we are grateful for your commitment to our school and understand that weekend are precious. To all our super star volunteers, you rock the party and make Summer in the Bays possible.  A big thanks to PaknSave for the ice blocks and Wellington Airport Community Fund for the grant for this years event. 

See you all next year!!

________________________________

Friends of Lyall Bay School 2025 AGM Tuesday March 18 7pm, school staff room. Come along and find out what we do to support Lyall Bay School.  We need some more people to keep Freinds rocking along.  We have two main goals, creating a sense of community in the school and fundraising

Friends of Lyall Bay School help cement the relationship between our kura and the community. Meetings are productive but it’s not all process and minutes – we guarantee fun, kai and kōrero!
All welcome. 

Kia pai te wiki

Melanie