Kia ora koutou katoa
As we start Week 5 of term I would like to thank you for your ongoing support of your children and our school. We had a fantastic athletics day on Friday with students participating and competing in great spirit. Congratulations to Sheppard whānau who won the competition on the day. Thanks too to the parents and family that came to support – it was lovely to have you there. We will be posting photos of the day via our Facebook page over the week ahead so please look out for those.
This week we have our Whānau and Excellence Evening and it would be great to have you here to look around our school and meet your child’s Mentor teacher. Please see the key information and timeline for this below:
School finish time on Wednesday
School will finish at Break 2 / 1.20 pm on Wednesday to enable preparations for the evening event. Cultural practices will run from 2 pm for those groups in Polyfest / performing on Wednesday evening.
Amazing Race: 4 pm to 5.30 pm
- All welcome – bring your family and participate in our amazing race to be in to win one of three chromebooks!
- Cultural performances: 4.15 pm Kapa haka, 4.30 pm Samoan Group 4.45 pm Delara Group, 5.00 pm Tongan Group
- Free sausage sizzle (vegan and halal options available)
Meet the Mentor: 5.30 to 5.50 pm
- Meet your child’s Mentor teacher (either in person or online via google meet)
Celebration of Excellence and Leadership: 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm
- Commissioning of Student Leaders for 2024
- Badges for Excellence in NCEA
- Please note you will receive a separate invite for this if your child is to be recognised at this event.
As a school we would also appreciate you as a parent / caregiver noting the following so you are aware of our school expectations and can support your child in ensuring they are met:
Attendance and Punctuality
In order to gain success with their learning and the NCEA we need students to be at school every day and ready to learn. We know that attendance over 90% is one of the biggest predictors of success in student’s learning and achievement and we really appreciate your support as parents and caregivers in making sure they are here each day on time.
Students should be onsite by 8.50 am ready for a prompt 9 am start Monday to Thursday, and by 9.20 am on Friday ready for a 9.30 am start. It is essential they are at their Mentor meeting at this time in order to get access to their device for the day, as well as get important student notices for the day ahead.
If your child is unwell or unable to attend on any given day your support in ensuring that you notify the school as soon as possible is greatly appreciated.
Uniform
We have a uniform that is designed to represent our school with pride, as well as be warm and comfortable for students. Your support in ensuring that your child is attending each day in correct uniform is appreciated. The following rules should be noted please:
- School shoes must be plain black shoes that cover the whole foot – no white / logos etc. Plain black or brown sandals with ankle straps are also allowed.
- No facial piercings are allowed except in approved exemption cases. Students can use clear acrylic type jewellery, if necessary, otherwise all facial jewellery must be removed or covered with a plaster during the school day.
- Jerseys that have been ‘cut off’ into vests are not school uniform and must not be worn. We are giving all parents and students sufficient warning now that alternatives must be found before the winter term. Please note these will be confiscated from Term 2 if they continue to be worn.
If you would like any further clarification on these rules then we will be available on Wednesday to answer your questions, or you can email your child’s Mentor teacher or Dean.
Looking forward to seeing lots of you on Wednesday – I will be at the sausage sizzle with the other members of the Senior Leadership team!
Ngā mihi maioha
Louise Addison