Hōngongoi 2023
July Newsletter

Rāmere 28 o Hōngongoi 2023

Kia ora koutou katoa,

What an awesome start to the term with a successful Matariki Disco! A massive thank you to our PTA and volunteers who gave our students such an awesome evening of celebrating Māori new year! 

We continue to welcome all new staff and students with Mihi Whakatau and the sharing of kai together. A big thank you to our kapa haka who keep going from strength to strength in support of our commitment to Te Ao Māori. 

Woodlands Park School has an ongoing partnership with ERO and last year our profile was published to reflect the school’s strategic vision in line with the national priorities. Following collaboration last year and compliance/assurances, under the schooling-improvement framework we are sitting in the top matrix across the continuum. This is a massive achievement and one which we are all extremely proud of. 

Over the past month we have analysed our midyear data to ensure our students are continuing to make progress across the curriculum. Here’s a snapshot of the following assessment results at mid-year. 

Reading - 95% of our students are working at or above the expected curriculum level (65% within and 29% beyond the expected curriculum level). 

Writing - 78% of our students are working at or above the expected curriculum level (75% working within the expected level, 3 % working beyond the expected level). 

Maths - 90% of our students  are working at or above the expected curriculum level (72.2% within and 17.8% beyond the expected curriculum level). 

Based on our analysis at mid year we have identified many of our Y5/6 students reading within NZ curriculum level 4 - 5 for Reading. The expected aspirational level for end of Year 6 is Level  3A of the NZC. Last week Karen and I administered an e-asTTle adaptive assessment with these students, which measures student progress against the national norm. Our students sit above the national average and individual pathways have been provided which support  the continued excellent classroom teaching and learning.

We continue to have a number of support measures/programmes in place this term as we continue to aspire to strengthen progress and achievement for all of our learners.  If you have any concerns about your child’s learning at any time, please contact us. 

Woodlands Park School has an established reputation as a leader in Enviro Education with a strong interest in the environment and sustainability. The school has been on this journey for well over 20 years and continues to go from strength to strength. Over the course of this term our whole school will be building towards a reflection day to be held Monday 18 September. This day will include a number of guests as well as local school groups visiting with all of our staff invested in contributing to the celebration day. Further details will be out soon! 

We would like to thank Robert Alderson who has been looking after our school grounds and property for the past 5/6 weeks. The grounds are looking stunning as well as the buildings and we are grateful to his commitment and hard work. 

Next week our students will be able to participate in some learning about the Cook Islands as we celebrate Cook Island language week - many of our students have visited the Cooks and will be able to share their experiences of Cook Island culture too!

Finally, there has been quite a buzz as the FIFA World Cup continues! We wish our NZ  Football Ferns all the best for Sunday! 

Ngaa mihi, 

Nardz Stephenson 

Principal 

Hākinakina - Sports and EOTC

Upcoming Inter-school Dates:

• Inter-school Gymnastics - Fri 18 Aug

• Inter-school Netball (Year 5 &6 teams) - Wed 13th Sept

• Inter-school Football
  Girls - Wed 25 Oct
  Boys - Thu 26 Oct

• Inter-school Athletics - Tue 28 Nov