Hakihea 2023
December Newsletter

5 December

Kia Ora koutou katoa,

Successful       Inclusive      Courageous

At Woodlands Park School we have a relentless focus on strengthening progress and achievement as well as strengthening student wellbeing through Hauora and Te Ao Maori. You will be able to read your child’s end of year report next week as they finish up the school year! We are super proud of the amazing progress and achievement of all our students. 

The school continues to meet its strategic goals in support of strengthening student progress and achievment.  I shared our mid year data with you in July and I am pleased to share that we have achieved the following in the last 6 months; 

• 99% of our students are working within and beyond the expected curriculum level in English - Reading 

• 99% of our students are working within and beyond the expected curriculum level in Mathematics and Statistics

• 92% of our students are working within and beyond the expected curriculum level in English - Writing
  
  

Of note, at mid year our Maths data for Year 4 was showing only 69% of our students working within the expected level of the curriculum. After analysing the data we reset our maths goals and increased additional support through investing in further resource to help support these students. This has resulted in 100% of our year 4 students now working within the expected curriculum level. This is huge achievement and I would like to thank our Year 4 teachers for their inclass teaching as well as our Learning Support Coordinator for her intensive support in the delivery of the Numicon Maths curriculum programme. 

We were also thrilled to make further progress in our Writing achievement this year and are grateful to the board for supporting our 3 year commitment to the integration of ‘Writer’s Toolbox.’ Our first Writers Toolbox PLD workshop with teachers was fantastic and generated a lot of excitement as we aim to bring a coordinated and collaborative approach to the teaching and delivery of one of the hardest curriculum areas to teach. In 2024 we will provide all Year 4-6 students with Writers Toolbox paid licences to help support their literacy development.

In 2023, the school has continued to top up resource not provided by the Ministry of Education - we are committed to self-funding teacher aide in-class support for students as well as extra learning support for students. We are always grateful to our have such caring and dedicated support staff. 

We have enjoyed the Arts this year led by Mrs Jess Parks. We invested in musical instruments and teacher PLD. Our students have embraced learning how to read music, play the glockenspiel and everything in between! - Thanks for all of your hard work Mrs Parks! 

Last week we celebrated and thanked our wonderful parent helpers who have supported the school this year  - from helping with trips, coaching, fundraising and much more - we have been very grateful for all your help!  If you were unable to make it, please still accept our gratefulness for everything you have done to help make our school a fabulous place! 

Over the weekend our school defibrillator was used by a member of the public to save a life - we were really relieved to hear this good news! 

Finally, we are waiting on some engineered parts to be completed for the school pool, as well as a final inspection before being able to fill and have the pool up and running.  Our target opening date is Friday 22 December. Information will be out soon from the office about how to hire a key and pick up details. 

Ngaa mihi, 

Nardz Stephenson 

Term 1 2024 - Starting Dates

• Tuesday, January 30, 2024
  9am - Pōwhiri
  10:30am - 12:00pm - Meet the Teacher

• Classes Begin: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

The new school term will start on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 with a Pōwhiri and Meet the Teacher. From 9am there will be a pōwhiri in the hall to welcome all new students and whanau to our school. Then from 10:30-12:00pm classrooms will be open for you to meet your child's new teacher(s). Meet the Teacher event is a 'doors open' time, so no bookings are needed. Please feel free to drop in and visit your child's teacher at any time between 10:30am and 12:00pm.

Classes will begin as normal on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please be sure to check the school website or calendar for more detailed information about the school day and upcoming events.