Mālō e lelei

This week is Tongan Language week - Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga.  This year’s theme is 'E tu'uloa 'a e Lea faka-Tongá 'o ka lea'aki 'i 'api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-'a-kāingá’, which means the Tongan Language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community.  There are more than 80,000 people of Tongan descent in Aotearoa and the largest age groups are the youngest – meaning many ākonga are enriched with Tongan culture.  You can find out more here Tonga Language Week 2023 – Ministry for Pacific Peoples 

We have been having some better weather lately, which means a change in clothing for some.  Please make sure all clothing is named, sweaters often come off during tākao (play) and are left on the playground.  If they are named they can easily be returned.  If they are not named then they end up in the Lost Property bins.  Kathy and I went through both bins this afternoon and returned any named clothing to the owners.  Please come and have a look through the bins as they are still overflowing with unnamed clothing.  If you have clothing that has turned up at your house, but doesn't belong to your child (named or not), please return it to the office so it can be placed back in the bins for the owners to find.  Please remember that hats (not caps) are compulsory in term 4. 

Learning Conversations are in the last week of school on the 19th and 20th of Hepetema (September).  These conversations are focussed on the learning that tamariki have been part of.  They are for all tamariki who have been at school since the middle of term 2.  Ahu whānau, your kaiako will contact you to let you know if you need to book these or not.  If there is something specific that you to speak to kaiako about, please email them prior to the time, so they can connect with you about it.  Please book through https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/nrm3p  or use the QR code on the poster.

Please check HERO for Timely Comments about the learning of your tamariki.  This will give you an idea of what has been learnt and what you can ask about at the conversations. 

Congratulations to all our swimmers who have qualified for the Inter Zone Swimming Sports.  Musa, Zac, Clara and Poppy have shown their great form and will be competing against schools from all over Wellington. 

Many of our tamariki have been working toward ArtSplash.  We have one choir roopu, who come together with many other schools for a massed choir, and one dance group roopu.  With the support of Kaiako they have choreographed their own dance over many weeks.  We were lucky enough to see a rehearsal of it last week, and they are looking great.  Both will be performing next week at the Michael Fowler Centre and we wish them all the best. 

The newsletter is published every two weeks on Tuesdays.  The newsletter is available on HERO and on our website.  In each newsletter some kupu will be shared with you to help with all of our understanding.  This week's kupu are all around kura ... kura- school, hoa- friend, whānau- family, pukapuka- book, kaiako- teacher, mātauranga- knowledge, understanding, ako - to learn, whakamārama - to explain.

Electives in term 3 have been a great hit with so many learnings.  One group has opted to support the beach in keeping it clean, as well as planting to support the sand dunes.  They worked alongside experts to help with this.  Ka pai tamariki, you are really supporting our environment. 

THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE ONLINE WORLD OF OUR KIDS

Understanding our kids' online world and how to keep them safe is really important in an ever-changing online environment.  Come and hear Filmmaker and Author, Rob Cope, in what promises to be a hilarious, straight-talking parent-to-parent talk.  Along with Miramar North School and Roseneath School we have arranged to have KidsOnLine come and speak with you all about how you can best protect your tamariki when online.  Schools around the country have heard Rob speak and the feedback has been 'Every parent needs to hear this', make sure you don't miss out.  This event will be held in the Lyall Bay School hall on October 17th from 6.30 - 8.30 pm.  As we are joining with two other schools (to help with costs) there will be limited numbers, so it will be on a first-in-first-served basis.  Please click on the Simple Survey with this pānui HERO to let us know you will be attending.

All our tamariki have been working on their Calendar Art for our latest fundraiser.  Kaiako will have put some examples on HERO for you, so you know what you are ordering.  You can order on Kindo - just go to the school website, go to the 'school info' tab, click on Kindo - School Shop, and then click on the badge.  If you don't already have an account then you can create one (it's free).  If you do have an account follow the instructions to order the calendars.  If you have any trouble you can pop in and see Kathy or give us a call and we will see if we can help at all.  Once orders are closed Friends will collate them, send them off and we will give them out as soon as they arrive back.  These make great presents for your whānau.  If you would rather pay by cash, order forms are available at the office.

Next week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.  You can sign up as part of our school community to access a range of resources and put us in line for a prize!  Just click the link https://www.reomaori.co.nz/128484?recruiter_id=16398 and sign up.  Te Wiki o te Reo Māori will be celebrated at our kura in many ways such as whole school kapa haka, te wa tuku te reo at 12 pm each day, coming together on Paraire for waiata. 

The Ahu renovation is coming along and is due to be completed on 16th October.  Here are some photos of how far they have come.  There is still flooring, wall linings, joinery, ovens, fridges and lighting to be put in, but it is looking amazing.  Thanks so much to all of you for your support through fundraising, and for having our youngest tamariki in Onepū during the project.  We look forward to moving in early next term.

Here is an update on what learning looks like across the school.  These infographics show what has been happening with our focusses for this year, links to the New Zealand Curriculum, as well as how we incorporate the interests, agency, and aspirations of ākonga (learners) with Learning Through Play.  Learning Through Play is a pedagogical approach where children can explore, experiment, discover, and solve problems in imaginative ways and kaiako notice, recognise and respond to ākonga.  Learning Through Play is distinct from the broader concept of play.  A range of learning areas can be explored with connections made across learning areas as well as to home practices and the wider world.  

Lyall Bay School Out of Zone Ballot

The board invites applications from ‘out of zone’ parents who wish to enrol their child/children at Lyall Bay School.

Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office.

Please phone or visit the school office or website for details of enrolment applications. The enrolment form can be downloaded from the website, or send an email to principal@lyallbay.school.nz. 

The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Friday 20th October 2023 at 5 pm.

The board has determined that 20 places are likely to be available for out-of-zone students next year. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school's home zone.

Applications from out-of-zone students will be processed in the following order of priority:

• First priority must be given to any applicant who is accepted for enrolment in a special programme run by the school: 

• Second priority must be given to any applicant who is the sibling of a current student of the school: 

• Third priority must be given to any student who is the sibling of a former student of the school: 

• Fourth priority must be given to any applicant who is a child of a former student of the school: 

• Fifth priority must be given to any applicant who is either a child of an employee of the board of the school or a child of a member of the board of the school: 

• Sixth priority must be given to all other applicants

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot.  If a ballot is required, it will be held on Tuesday 24th October 2023.  Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

If you know of anyone who is keen to join our amazing school, please let them know that the ballot is now open.

Mā te wā
Melanie