Woodlands Park School Newsletters - Matariki 2025 Newsletter

Kia ora koutou katoa!

Thank you all for such a great turnout this morning. Taking time to remember those who have gone before us, the things we are grateful for in our lives, and our future goals was a great start to our Matariki long weekend.

We are already halfway through the school year with Matariki on the horizon. With the drop in temperature, the month of Pipiri, so aptly named with its meaning ‘to huddle, cling to and bind together,’ should signal us to decelerate the pace and fall into the more natural ebb and flow of our energy output. As we mark Māori New Year and travel through the winter season, we are looking forward to celebrating the successes and progress of our students next week.

Woodlands Park School Parent Consult - Re: Year 7/8 extension

Thank you all for completing the consultation survey. The board met this week, and based on the positive feedback (almost 100%) supporting recapitation, we have decided to proceed with a formal application to the Ministry of Education. Following initial contact with the Ministry, we will be guided through the application process by the networking team. Please note that there is no certainty of recapitation; however, we will keep you informed throughout the weeks ahead.

International Cultural Exchange

Our sister school in Hangzhou, China, is busy preparing for their visit to Woodlands Park! If you can host students, we would really appreciate it - please contact Liz through www.lpstudenthomestays.co.nz asap.

1st Group - Dates 10-18 August 2025

2nd Group - Dates 18-24 August 2025

Payment of $380 per week per child ($760 per week for two students).

Some of our Year 6 students will travel to China later in the year, and we look forward to sharing their learning experiences with you all following their adventure.

Mid-Year Progress Reports and Student-Led Conferences

Next Wednesday, you will receive your child’s mid-term progress report. This report reflects achievement and next steps in their learning journey. We look forward to celebrating progress at our student-led conferences on Thursday and giving our students the opportunity to share their proudest moment of school this year!

Our school grounds remain open for our local families to enjoy. If you notice any inappropriate activity or damage to property, please contact Intercept on 0800 INTERCEPT or report directly to the Police by calling 111. Thank you

Finally, as we wrap up another term, I hope you find renewed strength by embracing Matariki - remembering those who we have lost since the last rising, celebrating the present and giving thanks for what we have, and lastly, looking to the future and the promise of a new year.

Ngā manaakitanga

Nardz Stephenson

Principal

Message from the Board
Parent Consultation: Considering Staggered (Mid-Term) Elections for the School Board

Kia ora e te whānau,

The Woodlands Park School Board is considering a change to the way we elect parent representatives. We currently hold elections every three years for all five of our parent representative positions at once. We are now exploring the option of moving to a staggered election cycle, where approximately half of the parent representatives would be elected every 18 months.

We are seeking your feedback before making a decision.

What would change?

If the board adopts this model:

Instead of electing all five parent representatives every three years, we would elect three members in the triennial election and two members in a mid-term election, held 18 months later.
To establish this staggered pattern, the 2025 election would include:
- Three positions elected for a three-year term, and
- Two positions elected for an 18-month term.
From that point forward, all positions would return to the standard three-year term, with elections alternating every 18 months for either two or three positions.

Why are we considering this change?

Moving to staggered elections can offer several benefits:

Stronger continuity: A mix of new and experienced members helps retain knowledge and direction on the board.
Better onboarding: New board members can be supported by those already in place, improving confidence and effectiveness.
Greater opportunities to participate: More frequent elections can make it easier for parents to get involved without waiting three years.

What stays the same?

All parents can still vote and stand for election.
The principal and staff representative positions are unaffected.
The Ministry of Education funds and supports both the mid-term and triennial election processes; therefore, there would be no additional cost to Woodlands Park School.

Next steps

The board will consider all feedback received and decide whether to proceed with this change at a meeting on Tuesday, 15th July, at 6.30pm, in the school staffroom. All board meetings are open to the public, and parents are welcome to attend.

We invite your feedback before we make a decision.
Please email any comments or questions to the board by Friday, 11th July:

wpsboard@woodlandspark.school.nz

Ngā mihi mahana,
Michelle Hutton
Presiding Member
Woodlands Park School Board

Important Dates

Teacher Only Day - Monday 6th October.
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 - Thursday 26th June
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.

You can make a booking to meet with your child's class teacher on the School Interviews website (www.schoolinterviews.co.nz). Click on "Make a Booking" and enter the code pmr3r.

See our website for more information about reporting.

Wātaka | Calendar

Term 2

-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

-Last day of Term 3: Fri 19th Sep (finish at 2pm)

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

Wātaka | Calendar

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4-Teacher Only Day: Monday 6th October*

Term 4
-Teacher Only Day: Monday 6th October*