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Paenga-whāwhā 2025
Kia Ora koutou katoa!
As we head into our Easter Break, we have so much to be proud of! Our tamariki have had an outstanding term filled with learning, growth, and positive engagement across all areas of school life. I’ve been especially impressed by the way our students have stepped up – showing curiosity, resilience, and a real love for learning. Whether it’s been in the classroom, on the sports field, in creative spaces, or during special events, they’ve given their best and shown what amazing young people they continue to be!
A huge thank you also to our dedicated teaching team for their continued hard work and care – their passion and commitment in the classroom shines through every day. And a big thank you to our whānau for the support you give your children and our school. The strong partnership between home and school makes a difference.
Farewell to a Much-Loved Teacher
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the ‘retirement’ of our dear friend, colleague, and outstanding teacher, Pauline Belson. Earlier this year, Pauline suffered a stroke and is unable to return to the classroom.
While we are heartbroken to see her journey at our school come to an end, we are so grateful for the impact she has had on our students, staff, and the wider school community. We absolutely miss ‘our’ Mrs Belson and send her and her whānau all our love and best wishes as she continues to heal and take the time she needs to rest and recover. We are planning a farewell day - although this will all be via video/recording - we’ll keep you posted.
We welcome experienced teacher Erin Burke, who will be in Room 20 for the remainder of the school year. Thank you Erin for your flexibility and availability and your awesomeness in general! We are very grateful to you for joining the WPS Whanau.
We also farewell some of students as their families move cities - we wish you all the very best at your new schools! Please note that we do not have an end of term assembly this week - however, we will farewell those leaving in their classrooms!
Nau Mai Haere Mai
Mrs Chrissy Isdale is an experienced Music teacher and choir master who will join our staff part time from Term 2. Chrissy will support the school's involvement in choir, band, and orchestra, and we look forward to showcasing some of our efforts later in the year!
We also welcome Grace Gilfillan to the teacher aide team and look forward to her working alongside our students and teachers.
The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh
We are excited to refresh our curriculum and have an implementation plan that steps out a progressive rollout of switching from old to new. Our MOE-appointed Teacher Only Days help support us in our endeavours to stay up to date with changes. See below for the next confirmed Teacher Only Day date.
PTA
We are incredibly grateful to have such an active PTA that supports the school so that our staff can remain focused on our ‘core business.’ Thank you so much for all you do - it is really appreciated! Our recent event at our local park was well supported, and we appreciate those who could contribute baking and their time to make our stall a success. We raised just over $1000 - thank you!
Cultural Exchange Programme - China
Congratulations to our successful applicants! Some of our Yr 6 students will take the opportunity to represent Woodlands Park School at their sister school in Hangzhou later in the year. Our group will spend the months ahead practicing their performances (haka, waiata, and mihi) as well as learning Mandarin. We look forward to following their learning journey!
Rooms 11-13 Refurb
I am especially pleased to finally have this project off the ground. It has been months in the planning, so to have the work begin this week has been great!
Our refurbishment will allow for a dedicated Arts Space, where students can enjoy art sessions either throughout their class art sessions or during self-managed break times. We are currently building a wish list of supplies, such as easels, sand-art light boxes, a kiln, and a lot more! If anyone is connected to the art world and can help us to source materials, I’d love to hear from you.
We are also setting up a dedicated Music Room, which will also be a space that children can access during their break times. We will continue to invest in musical instruments and equipment as we expand and expect to hear some good jams coming from this room soon!
Have a safe and restful Easter break – we look forward to an equally exciting and rewarding Term 2
Ngā mihi nui,
Nardz Stephenson
SCHOOL GROUNDS CLOSED EASTER HOLIDAYS - IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE
Our school grounds will be closed over the 2-week break to allow for multiple contractors to carry out building works to our school.
Rooms 11-13 Refurb
Multiple contractors and delivery trucks will come and go through the school grounds. They will use the netball courts for parking and offloading materials. These classrooms are being gutted, regibbed and insulated, new linings and furnishings, refurbished cloakbays, some new joinery, new bathrooms, new toilet installations, new cladding and a complete re-roof, gutters, replacement decks etc.
Internal Painting and Other Cyclical Maintenance
Our cyclical internal painting to some blocks will be carried out - our contractors will use the school grounds to park directly outside classrooms.
Furniture Delivery and Install over the Break
As part of our school upgrade this year, we are replacing most of our student furniture - a lot of planning and time has gone into working with Learning Space Global to ensure ergonomic desks and chairs in the classrooms. This huge installation involves a team of people setting up the newly delivered furniture in each classroom - which will take place over the holidays.
Tree Work
Our regular tree works (trim and maintenance, etc) will take place weather depending, over the 2-week break.
Cleaning
Our cleaning crew will be in to deep clean all areas of the school over the holidays.
Please allow all of our contractors to work freely over this period. Thank you!
Important Dates
Teacher Only Day - new date Term 4
Our next Teacher Only Day will be Monday 6th October. This is a different day to what we had previously put in our calendar. This is a Ministry-appointed teacher only day to engage with the new Maths curriculum. We had limited dates to choose from. Please note that this date is the first Monday of Term 4.
Student Led Learning Conversations - Term 2
Another date to be aware of is Learning Conversations on Thursday 26th June - the day after reports go home in the last week of Term 2. This is a day where you will be able to book an appointment to meet with your child's teacher and discuss their progress and next steps. Your child should be present for their Student Led Learning Conversation.
Health and PE Curriculum Consult
Every two years we seek feedback on our Health programmes - if you would like to take part in our survey please click here.
Wātaka | Calendar
Wātaka | Calendar
Term 1
Term 1
-Last day of Term 1: April 11th (finish at 2pm)
Term 2
Term 2
-King’s Birthday: Monday 2 June
-Matariki holiday: Friday 20 June
-Learning Conversations: Thu 26 June (all day - students at school for booked times only)
-Last day of Term 2: Fri 27th June (finish at 2pm)
Term 3
Term 3
-Last day of Term 3: Fri 19th Sep (finish at 2pm)
Term 4
-Teacher Only Day: Monday 6th October*
Term 4
-Teacher Only Day: Monday 6th October*
-Labour Day: Mon 27 Oct
-Last day of Term 4: Fri 12 Dec (finish at 1pm)
NB - School closes at 2 pm on the last day of Terms 1-3 and at 1pm on the last day of Term 4
*Curriculum PLD teacher-only day set by the Ministry of Education
CLICK HERE FOR OUR SCHOOL CALENDAR - Also on the Hero App
Woodlands Park School. Term 2, 2025
Playball is a sport and movement program for 2-9 year olds.
The main objective of Playball is not to create superstars, rather to provide children with the opportunity to develop a host of necessary social, educational and personal skills. By giving children competence in sport, they will develop fundamental life skills. From a child’s perspective the most important element of our program is fun! For many children their Playball lesson is the highlight of their week! For more information visit www.playball.co.nz
Maximum pupil:coach ratio of 10:1
Introduction to Eight sports
Positive, enjoyable coaching environment
Life skills through sports skills
Playball is offered as an extra-curricular activity for year 1-3 students at Woodlands Park School.
We are currently taking enrolments for term 1 which will commence at the school on Monday the 28th of April at lunch time
Playball fees are $110.00 (incG.S.T) for an 8 week term.
Ask about a free trial today
To enrol your child/children, sign up online:
https://www.playballkids.com/parent-zone/basket_bookings.php?classid=69089
If you have any queries contact James on 0274817000 or email james@playball.co.nz
School Donations
School Donations
Donations, trip costs, or sports payments, are now in Hero. Click on the dollar sign ($) in the Hero app. Payments through Hero are processed via Stripe, which includes a small transaction fee. If you prefer to make a direct credit payment, to avoid this surcharge, you are welcome to do so using the details provided below. Alternatively, EFTPOS payments can be made at the school office. Please note that we do not accept cash.
For EZ Lunch orders, stationery purchases, and sausage sizzle payments, please continue to use Kindo.
Bank Name Woodlands Park School
Bank Number 12-3100-0088429-00
Reference Childs Name
Particulars Room number
Code What you are paying for - Example ‘activity donations
Activity
The activity contribution is used to cover the cost of extra-curricular events throughout the year. This includes trips such as Arataki, Auckland Museum, Bigfoot Adventure Day. It also includes activities, performances, workshops and programmes run within the school (for example Surf Safety, Life Education, sporting groups, speakers and performers who visit the school). This does not cover the cost of transport that is associated with those activities.
Printing
The printing contribution goes towards, but does not fully cover, the cost of learning-related photocopying and printing.
Whilst not compulsory, your contributions are a crucial part of ensuring that we are able to provide students with quality learning resources and experiences. Your donation is very important to the school. Please ask the office if you would like to arrange a payment schedule.
We are delighted to share with you and launch our new communication system, Hero. Hero allows our school to build an online environment that reflects our unique context. It enables teachers, students, and families to view and share content anytime, anywhere on any device. The software is secure, easy to use and will eventually bring together all school-related information in one place.
Please ensure that you download this app (follow the QR Code below) on your phone or log in on a personal laptop or computer. This system replaces the use of Seesaw and other communication avenues and will enable us to have all of our communication in one place.
Please ensure you have notifications enabled for the Hero app
We are excited about the features that Hero has to offer families. These include the ability for parents and caregivers to:
● read posts relating to classroom activities, learning and whole school events
● read school notices sent to the class or groups your child is connected to
● respond to school notices such as surveys and trip permission requests
● notify the school if your child is absent or late
● easy access to the school calendar and term dates
Over the upcoming year, staff will be learning how to optimise the use of our Hero software and we are looking forward to sharing this with you to include you more in your child’s learning journey.
For information about Hero including how to log in, go to Hero which will guide you through the set-up phase.
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