Hōngongoi 2024
July Newsletter

There are so many others who contributed but we also want to recognise the efforts of:

• Our brilliant stallholders who put in lots of mahi to find and display all their preloved items. We hope you managed to declutter more than you recluttered Emoji

• Our incredibly talented face painters, Natalie and Aine

• Simon and Lane, who sizzled a whole lot of sausages

• Robert who collected tables from all over West Auckland so that we'd have plenty for all the secondhand wares

• All the wonderful makers and bakers who stocked up the lunchbox filler table (and a lot of lunchboxes for the week). Congratulations to Room 18 for bringing in the most baking. Iceblocks all round for them!

Ngā mihi nui to all of you from your very grateful PTA crew!

Based on all the feedback we've received so far it sounds like this might need to become a regular event on the WPS calendar!

Ngā manaakitanga,

Woodlands Park PTA

One clear Friday, room 17, 16 and 14 walked down a big steep side —single file— leading to Tangiwai reserve. Once the walk was over, we walked over to a big gazebo with tarpaulin beneath.

When everyone had all into their gumboots and gloves, we all trotted over to the two park rangers standing on the grass. Ranger Kim, who was helping as a ranger last time we went to Tangiwai, is now the main ranger of our area. Walking over to ranger Kim, I noticed that the grass was very dewy, meaning we would have to crouch down instead of sit. When we were all settled, ranger Kim and Theo said to listen up. The entire syndicate turned towards the two rangers. They said to plant a sapling that first you dig a small hole, take the plant out of the pot ; then put the plant into the hole. Then you cover up with the remaining soil. It's very important to do the Pukeko check. Theo told us to grab a spade with your group. I was in a group with my best friend Oli. Then we were off!

Me and Oli went down the right end of the reserve and found a lot of plants deep in the bush. Our parent helper was very funny and nice. Mike, who is Flo's Dad, was our parent helper today. Determined to help the planet, me and Oli were going as fast as we could. As fast as we could while still keeping the plants safe. Mike said me and Oli were speed demons as we had already planted six saplings halfway through. Once we were done in the area we picked deep in the bush, we started walking up towards the more see-able part of Tangiwai Reserve.

Ten minutes later, Ranger Kim said to come back to the gazebo to get ready to go back to school. We all put our spades, gloves and gumboots back, we all crouched down to say thanks to the two rangers. We all said bye and thank you to Kim and Theo and then started the big walk back. On the way, Mike made up a game where the first five cars that went past me were my car, and the first eight were Oli's. My first car was a very old Jaguar, and Oli's was an E-Bike! It was such a fun game.

Once we got back to school, we were all talking about how much fun we had! It was an outstanding sunny day for planting native trees; everyone was so joyful.

Written by Jack (Room 17)

On Thursday the 27th of June it was Matariki. I woke up at 5 and slipped on my shoes and jacket and hopped in the car. I got to school. Lulu jumped into the boot. Sneaky Lulu, I thought. "Found you", I said. Dad opened the boot, and Lulu jumped out. She had the most excited face I've ever seen. I ran down the hill so excited. I saw mum waiting for me.

- Matilda, Year 3

Rātu rua ngahuru mā toru o Hōngongoi
Tuesday 23rd July

at 6:30pm
in our School Hall

Our Kapa Haka rōpū will open our hui, all whānau are welcome.
The kaupapa for this time together is: to connect, create introductions and links with each other and discuss our dreams and aspirations for our tamariki.

Tea/coffee and light snacks will be available