Hui-tanguru 2024
February Newsletter

8 February

Kia Ora koutou katoa! 

A huge thank you to everyone for supporting our Mihi Whakatau last Tuesday to welcome in our new students. To our Kapa Haka ropu - we are very proud of you! We have just over 40 new students starting the new year with us and it was fabulous to meet all of our new families. Our teachers enjoyed meeting with parents and the opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with their new classroom space, teachers and friends. 

Classroom programmes are already in progress across the curriculum with a balanced integration of key competencies, school values, te whare tapa wha and te ao Māori. 

Literacy - Reading

At the end of last year our school wide data showed 99% of our students achieving at and above the expected curriculum level in Reading. Analysis of the data shows a marked improvement in knowledge of sounds and skills needed to form a solid foundation of reading. We attribute positive and accelerated shifts in progress to our structured literacy approach which has been implemented over the last 18 months. This pedagogical approach has had positive feedback from teachers and success from our students. We will continue to resource teacher training and new structured literacy reading materials for classes. I would also like to acknowledge the Board for their continued commitment to employing support staff who work alongside various classes and help teach these programmes working with small groups of students or 1-1.  

Literacy - Writing 

At the end of last year our school wide data showed 92% of our students achieving at and above the expected curriculum level in Writing.  We are committed to continuing to expand our knowledge and ability to teach writing and have started our 3 year learning journey with Writers Toolbox. Independent research by the NZ Governments Education Review Office  reported schools using Writers Toolbox showed ‘writing effect scores double those normally experienced as well as increased momentum and confidence from both students and teachers.’ The school will provide an online writers toolbox annual licence for all of our year 4-6 students. We look forward to sharing updates of our professional learning and student successes throughout the year. 

Mathematics & Statistics 

At the end of last year our school wide data showed 99% of our students achieving at and above the expected curriculum level in Mathematics and Statistics. We continue to analyse assessment data and identify areas where additional support is needed as well as investing in resources to run Numicon - (a mastery, structured Maths approach covering all contexts/strands, providing explicit teaching, explorations, and investigations based on the science of learning maths. Additional teacher aide support in class also ensures that students continue to thrive. Our Year 5&6 students will continue to consolidate their Maths knowledge and practice problem solving skills through completion of Mathsmate as part of their home learning. Each student is provided with a Mathsmate programme for the year - we track weekly progress of our students to identify strengths and gaps in their learning and follow up with specific skill teaching or extension where relevant. We appreciate your support to encourage students to complete their work each week so that they continue to deepen their understanding of mathematics, statistics and problem solving. 

Physical Education - Water Skills for Life 

We're now in our third year of implementing the 'Water Skills for Life' Programme as part of your child's Physical Education curriculum. This program teaches vital water safety skills and supports their progressional skill development throughout their six years of primary school.

Unfortunately, school pools are becoming increasingly rare in NZ due to school’s having to cover maintenance, repair and day to day operational use without Ministry funding.  Despite this challenge, we recognise the importance of teaching water safety as part of the curriculum and ensuring children enjoy themselves in the water. A big thank you to Robert for his dedication in keeping the pool in operation especially over the holiday break and thank you for the positive feedback from keyholders who continue to enjoy the use of this fantastic asset. 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

This year as part of our school strategic plan we are trialling an initiative where classes are rostered to attend STEM classes. These classes are taught by Lee Bartlett who has a passion in this area. We are dedicated to resourcing this initiative and providing exciting opportunities for learning throughout the year. Lee has set up an engaging and inspiring environment and students are already keen to get to STEM class and explore, investigate, analyse, create and more! We are also looking forward to a visit from Nano Girl - so watch this space! 

Inquiry 

Our Inquiry this term explores the beginnings of Te Ara Whakamana. Te Ara Whakamana in education supports exploration of building positive relationships and helping children identify and navigate different emotions. This is done comprehensively through building connections to Te Ao Māori.

Vision West 

Last year we formed a partnership with Vision West to support students who may need counselling from time to time. A referral process and specific criteria are in place, with the school covering the cost of these sessions. There are some limitations on how many students Vision West can take at one time, but we do have a wait list. If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health please touch base with our Learning Support Coordinator for further information. 

Bee Education Centre

We are making good progress on developing our Bee Education Area (Kohanga Pi). With structures almost complete, we are working towards a planting plan that will span the length of the year. We will keep you updated with any planting days.  Parents are welcome to join your child’s class on these days - we’d love to see you! 

Education Outside the Classroom - Finlayson Camp Year 5&6 (27-30 August)

A definite highlight for our Year 5&6 students will be camp in Term 3! Information will be sent out shortly which will include all of our health & safety forms (these will be digital). We will also hold a parent evening, where our camp team will share further information. If you are thinking of putting your name down as a parent volunteer for camp this will be an important meeting to attend. 

We would like some feedback before proceeding with organisation of further individual fundraising to support the cost of camp. Last year a number of students participated in the selling of Whittakers chocolate. There is an opportunity to sell Juicies through Whittakers House of Fundraising to reduce your individual costs. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this fundraiser by filling out this form as soon as possible.  

PTA 

Our first PTA meeting of the year will be held this week - we continue to work towards a junior playground and organising fun school/ community events. A massive thank you to our dedicated team of volunteers!

Ngā Mihi, 

Nardz Stephenson 

Principal 

School Photos - Next Wed & Thu

Next Wednesday and Thursday we have school photos in the hall. Individual and sibling portraits on Wednesday Feb 14th and class photos on Thursday Feb 15th.

No booking is necessary. Students will be called by class starting with the year 6 classes and they will be asked to collect their younger siblings on their way to the hall. The sibling photo and each individual portrait will be done at this time.

Please see the message from our photographer below.

Kia ora Woodlands Park School Families,

I am excited to bring Fine Art School Portraits to your school next Wednesday and Thursday. You can expect a different school photo experience this year. We provide a fun relaxed photo session that captures genuine expressions on a modern black backdrop. You will have 5-10 images of your child in colour and black and white to choose from and all siblings will be photographed.

• Individual and sibling portraits - Wednesday Feb 14th

• Class Photos - Thursday Feb 15th 

To get the best results please avoid plain black clothing and tops with a picture or word on the front. We do recommend lots of colours, patterns and textures! Tie dye, florals, all over patterns and textures will make those school photos become wall worthy. Examples on the website https://www.rachelsearsonphotography.com/woodlands-park-school

But at the end of the day, happy kids are most important thing for capturing great photo so no pressure from us :)

Looking forward to meeting your kiddos soon,

Rachel and co

www.rachelsearsonphotography.com/woodlands-park-school

Hākinakina - Sports

Term 1 events;

Cross Country
The Woodlands Park Cross Country will be on Thu 7th March. The top 6 place-getters aged 8 and over will be in the Cross Country team. The team competes in the Kelston Cluster competition at Konini School on Tues 26th March.

Swimming
We will begin tryouts for the swim team this week. The inter school swimming competition will be at West Wave in late March (date tbc). Listen out for the notices if you want to try out (Years 4-6).

Basketball
Please see the notice below for the after-school basketball programme with Sports-X.

TRIATHLON - Friday 23rd February 2024 - 5pm 

We have a long-held tradition of holding an annual triathlon in Term 1. There are individual events for all ages and a team event for children aged 8 and over. We also have a wheels race for pre-school children on the courts. 

Ages 5 – 7 

Stage 1: Bike one lap around cycle course (on the field)

Stage 2: Run to the swimming pool and do one length  any way you choose 

Stage 3: Run one marked circuit of running track 

Ages 8 – 10 

Stage 1: Bike one lap around cycle course (on the field)

Stage 2: Complete three lengths of the swimming pool   any way you choose 

Stage 3: Run two marked circuits of the field

Programme for the evening 

5:00pm - Kindy Race (bikes or scooters) on the court

5:30pm - Age 5 – 7 Events (girls and boys) 

  - Age 8 – 10 Individual Events (girls & boys) 

  - Age 8 – 10 Team Events 

We will email more details with a map of the course this week. Entries will be available on Kindo soon.

Keen gardeners needed!

Each year at Woodlands Park School we run a gardening club for students who are keen to learn about growing their own food at school. We meet every Wednesday lunchtime during terms 1 and 4 and once every fortnight during terms 2 and 3 to grow and harvest a wide variety of vegetables. The students learn a variety of useful skills during these sessions, they enjoy hanging out with one another and they get to experience the joy of seeing things grow and later eating things fresh from the garden. 

It would be really lovely to have a parent or two to help out with these gardening sessions this year, so if you enjoy gardening, working with kids and can spare an hour once a week on a Wednesday I would love to hear from you. 

If you are keen to get involved feel free to come and see me in Room 15 or you can email me at micahh@woodlandspark.school.nz

Nga Mihi

Micah Haughton (Room 15 classroom teacher)