Vision in Action - Waihanga Kaiārahi Mō Āpōpō Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori was te rawe.  Every day we met for Huihuinga learning new waiata, kupu, whakakauti and more.  Ākonga became kaiārahi, teaching others through hākinakina:  Tī Rakau led by Te Reo Champions - Keiran | Denim | Rohan | Honor-Grace | Annabelle | Milly;  Poi Ngahau led by Te Reo Champions - Courtney | Ari HP | Indi | Israel | Mayada;  Whitu led by Te Reo Champions - Betselot | Thea | Nuku | Willem | Audrey | Aurian;  Takahia Paki led by Te Reo Champions - Gus | Mela | Nia | Kaia | Maihi | Florence P.

We had a Learning Through Play day that focussed on local pūrakau.  Kaiako, kaimahi and tamariki had a miharo time.  A lot of toro was shown as tamariki went to each of the different zones.  Can you work out which pūrakau they are learning about? 

We also held a mihi whakatau to welcoem a delegation of Principals and leaders visiting from China. Ka pai tō mahi. 

Learning Conversations

Last week we had Learning Conversations.  These were a great hit, with positive feedback from whānau.  Tamariki were so proud to share all the learning that they have been doing, and there were many opportunities for whānau to kōrero with kaiako.  If you missed the conversations, please contact kaiako or me to book another opportunity.  Learning Conversations are part of our reporting process. 

This term, there was the option of a private 5-minute kōrero with kaiako, as we heard that some whānau preferred to have this.  About 30% of people took this option up, so we will continue that in the future. 

If you have any other feedback for us, please let us know. 

Attendance 

We hope you are taking advantage of the break and going on holiday during this time.  Term time is for being at school, and breaks are for holidays! 

If you are going to be away during term time, please notify Kathy, as she is the one who marks the attendance and sends out the absence messages! kathy@lyallbay.school.nz  Kathy will send you a text message if your child is not at school.  When you respond, the correct code is entered.  If there is no response, the code is Truant.  

If your tamaiti is late to school, please sign in at the office; this automatically marks them on the roll so you do not get a text. 

Term 4 Sport 

Friendly reminder that our Term 4 Sports registrations close on Wednesday at 5pm

We don't want your child to miss out, so please don't delay.  A HERO post was made on 18th September with information about each sport.  Please use the links in the post to register or email: sport@lyallbay.school.nz

Confirmation of teams will be sent out on the first day of term 4.

Term 3 Sports

Please send any photos of your team and results through to sport@lyallbay.school.nz  so that we can celebrate the great results from this term.

Electives:

We will be running our Electives programme next term on Tuesdays from 2 pm- 2.45 pm.  If you have a skill or activity that could be taught to the same group of children for 5 weeks, please consider helping us out.  In the past, parents have offered sewing, knitting, cooking, sports and art ‘n’ crafts. 

Please email jo.graham@lyallbay.school if you are interested.

PRE SALE TICKET ARE OPEN FOR TAGATA MOANA!

We are excited to share that our school is taking part in the Tagata Moana Regional Pacific Festival this year!  This is the first time the festival is being held in Wellington, and we are delighted that our tamariki will have the opportunity to represent Lyall Bay School.

📅 Date: Wednesday 21 October
📍 Venue: Michael Fowler Centre
⏰ Time: 4:00pm–8:00pm
🎟️ Tickets: Adults $30 | Children $15 (up to 18 years) | Babies with no seat - no charge

This special event brings together schools and a'oga amata from across the region to celebrate Pacific cultures, languages, music and dance.  We are looking forward to our tamariki having the opportunity to share, celebrate and proudly showcase Pacific cultures alongside other schools and communities.

Tickets

Families will be able to purchase presale tickets from Monday 21 September through Kindo or at the school office.

Presale ticket orders close on Tuesday 13 October.

Tickets will then be delivered to the school and distributed to families before the festival.

Board Updates

Meetings 5 and 6 from Term 3

August Board Hui - Community Summary

The Board met on Monday, 3 August.  Key areas of discussion included:

• Ākonga achievement:  Mid-year data showed that achievement in reading and mathematics remains stable.  Writing has been identified as an area requiring further attention, and the school will review how writing teaching can be strengthened.

• Target learners:  The Board reviewed information about how tamariki receiving targeted support are identified, monitored and supported. Tamariki may move into and out of this group as their needs change, and whānau are kept informed about their child’s progress.

• Sharing learning information:  A one-page Learning Pānui will be developed to help whānau understand our mid-year achievement information. The school will also share more about how Learning Through Play and Structured Literacy complement one another across the curriculum.

• Reporting and consultation:  The Board reviewed the draft whānau survey and suggested simplifying some of the language and response options.  A small group of whānau will also work alongside the school to provide more detailed feedback about reporting.

• Our new vision:  The Board agreed on the English wording of our new school vision:  Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow.  An appropriate te reo Māori translation will now be developed.

• Strategic planning:  Progress against the current Strategic Plan remains on track.  The progression of Learning Through Play across the school will continue to be refined so it clearly shows how learning develops as tamariki move through the year levels.

• Property and security:  The Board discussed progress with the roof replacement project and approved an upgrade to the Maranui alarm system, subject to clarification of the quote and confirmation that funding is available.

• Financial monitoring:  The Board reviewed the school’s financial position, including the projected year-end deficit and the impact staff illness has had on the budget.  This will continue to be monitored carefully.

The Board also acknowledged the success of the recent Pūrākau evening and the positive feedback received from our community.

September Board Hui - Community Summary

The Board met on Monday, 7 September.  Key areas of discussion and decision-making included:

• 2027 school dates:  The Board approved the 2027 school year, which will run from Wednesday 3 February to Friday 17 December.  Teacher Only Days will be held on Friday 13 August and Tuesday 26 October, following Labour Day (see information in this newsletter)

• Out-of-zone enrolments:  The Board approved offering 20 out-of-zone places for 2027.  These places will be advertised, with applications closing on 20 November 2026.

• Strategic and Annual Plans:  The final version of the school’s three-year Strategic Plan was approved.  Five of its seven priorities will be the focus for the remainder of 2026, allowing the school to concentrate on achievable actions that respond to feedback from whānau, tamariki and staff.

• Sharing our Strategic Plan:  A simple whānau summary is being developed, and the Board will also create a short video introducing the new plan and its priorities to our community.

• A te reo Māori name for our kura:  The Board discussed exploring a te reo Māori name for Lyall Bay School.  Before progressing this, the school will seek guidance to ensure the correct process and appropriate tikanga are followed.

• Learning Conversations:  The redesigned Learning Conversations were discussed.  The new approach was developed in response to whānau feedback and provides opportunities for both shared conversations and optional private discussions.

• Achievement information:  A one-page Learning Pānui will be shared with whānau at the end of the term to make mid-year achievement information clear and accessible.

• Attendance and policies:  The Board noted that the school’s Attendance Management Plan has been approved and is available on the school website.  The Concerns and Complaints Policy and supporting processes was also reviewed.

• Financial monitoring: The Board approved the mid-year budget review and discussed the increasing financial pressures faced by the school.  A significant area of expenditure is the additional Teacher Aide support funded by the school to meet the learning and wellbeing needs of tamariki.

• Playground and fundraising:  Early ideas for future playground development were discussed, including how this could connect with our Learning Through Play approach.  Further consultation with school leadership, kaiako and tamariki would be needed.  The Board and Friends of Lyall Bay School will also work together to coordinate fundraising priorities and explore suitable grant opportunities.

The next Board meeting is Tuesday, 27 October, at 5.30 pm in the Staffroom.  All welcome. 

Out of Zone Enrolment

If you know anyone who wants to attend Lyall Bay School but is 'out of zone', enrolments are open until 20 November. Please apply online and email kathy@lyallbay.school.nz to let her know it is an out of zone enrolment.

We offer:

MindPlus

Learning Through Play

Beach School

Electives

Effective teaching and learning

Structured Literacy (BSLA)

Supportive community

and much more.

Before School Care

We are looking into the option of providing Before School Care. If you think this might suit you, read the poster below and email principal@lyallbay.school.nz with the days of the week and how many tamariki you would be enrolling. The fee would be a flat rate, we have not set this yet. 

We are incredibly proud of all that our tamariki and kaiako have achieved this term.  I hope the holidays bring your whānau time to slow down, reconnect and enjoy being together.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.  We look forward to welcoming everyone back next term.

Melanie Dean

Principal

Dates to Diary

Tue 22 Sept Talent Quest Huetepara 1.30 pm

FoLBS (Friends) meeting 7.00 pm online

Wed 23 Sept Talent Quest Maranui 1.30 pm

Thur 24 Sept Talent Quest Onepū 1.30 pm

Thur 24 Sept Turning Five party Ahu 1.30 pm

Fri 25 Sept Whole School Assembly in hall 2.00 pm (Onepū)

Last day of Term 3.  Finish at 3.00 pm

Mon 28 Sept Calendar Art orders close

Mon 12 Oct First day of Term 4.  Wear your full brimmed hats!

Tue 20 Oct Tsunami hikoi drill

Wed 21 Oct Tagata Moana Festival

Fri 23 Oct Staff Only Day (school closed)

Mon 26 Oct Labour Day Public holiday (school closed)

Tue 27 Oct 'Save the Bees' performance

Wed 28 Oct Whole School;  Athletics Newtown Park

Wed 4 Nov Yr 4-6 Eastern Zone Athletics

Tues 10 Nov Onepū Art Gallery visit

Wed 11 Nov Huetepara Art Gallery visit

Thur 12 Nov Onepū Art Gallery visit

Fri 13 Nov Maranui Art Gallery visit

Whole School:  Assembly TBC

Mon 16 Nov Maranui / Au Hāro Art Gallery visit

Tue 17 Nov Interzone Athletics

Wed 18 Nov Road Patrol Training

Tue 1 Dec Regional Athletics

Wed 2 Dec EZ Floorball: yr 5-6

Tue 8 Dec Whole School:  Sports Day @ Akau Tangi

Thur 10 Dec Turning Five Party

Fri 11 Dec Maranui Market Day

Mon 14 Dec Graduation Assembly

Academic Reports out on HERO

Wed 16 Dec Last Day of term 4 - school finishes at 12.30pm

Final Assembly at 12 pm

We are finalising a date for 'Songs on a Summer Afternoon'.