Term 4, Week 4 — School news, upcoming dates and notices
Upcoming Events
| Y6-8 Sexuality Education | Mon, 5 Nov - Fri, 9 Nov |
| Y0-1 Swimming | Mon, 5 Nov - Thu, 8 Nov |
| Y6-8 First Aid - Block 1-3 - Rm 21 | Tue, 6 Nov |
| Celebrating the Arts | Tue, 6 Nov |
| Y4 Scooter Safety | Tue, 6 Nov |
| House T-Shirt Day | Fri, 9 Nov |
| School Athletics | Fri, 9 Nov |
| SCHOOL CLOSED | Mon, 12 Nov |
| Y2/3 Zoo Trip | Wed, 14 Nov |
| Y4 Waiatarua Orienteering Trip | Thu, 15 Nov |
| Y8 HPV2/Y7 Boostrix | Thu, 15 Nov |
| School Assembly 1.45 pm | Fri, 16 Nov |
| BOT Meeting 6.30 pm | Mon, 19 Nov |
| Band Sign-Up - 6.30 pm | Tue, 20 Nov |
| Wacky Hair Day - Youthline Fundraiser | Thu, 22 Nov |
| Y8 HPV 2/Y7 Boostrix Catch-ups 11.50 am | Thu, 22 Nov |
| House T-Shirt Day | Fri, 23 Nov |
| Y7/8 Coast to Coast | Fri, 23 Nov |
| Y2-3 Exploration Days - Blocks 2 & 3 | Tue, 27 Nov - Wed, 28 Nov |
| Y6 Camp | Tue, 27 Nov - Thu, 29 Nov |
| Y5 Camp | Thu, 29 Nov - Fri, 30 Nov |
| School Assembly 1.45 pm | Fri, 30 Nov |
| Y7/8 Camp | Mon, 3 Dec - Fri, 7 Dec |
| New Entrant Parent Info Meeting 8.55 am - 11.50 am | Tue, 4 Dec |
| Y2/3 Team Celebration | Tue, 4 Dec |
| Y0/1 Zoo Trip | Wed, 5 Dec |
| Y4/5 Team Celebration | Wed, 5 Dec |
| House T-Shirt Day | Fri, 7 Dec |
| Sports Assembly 9.15 am | Mon, 10 Dec |
| Y6 Celebration | Tue, 11 Dec |
A Message from Kiri Team
Tena Koutou Katoa
It was an exciting and busy start to Term Four to have our wonderful Greats and Grans visit our school on the first Friday of the term. Kiri Team started off the morning with Jump Jam followed by lots of fun activities with Grandparents. We had a great turnout and it was lovely to see all the interactions between generations. We weren’t quite sure who was teaching who on the I-Pad!
Week 1 also saw many dirty fingers and smudged faces. This is the result of our hands-on Calendar Art which Kiri Team have now put on display in the library. We used indian ink, printing, pastel and dye, and collage to produce our calendars. The children worked hard and are very proud of their artwork.
As our Kohi Way value this term, Room 4 is performing a role-play on Friendliness and how we can be a friend. There have been some lovely examples of this seen in the playground, with children sharing sports equipment and imaginary play with the dress-ups. All of this play during break times helps in developing a child’s self esteem and confidence.
You will find Kiri Team swimming at Swimtastic during Weeks 3 and 4. We are having great fun catching the buses Monday to Thursday and splish splashing about with expert instructors. We have been working on our floating, kicking, stroking, rolling, and breathing. Already within one week we have seen super improvements and big smiles on the children’s faces. This is a very important two weeks as it helps to build and reinforce water confidence and safety around water before our summer starts.
Summer is nearly here and we hope you enjoy some longer days and sunshine. Thank you parents for your support over the year. It has been very much appreciated.
Haere Ra, Kiri Team
The Kohimarama Way – Friendliness
You are practicing Friendliness when you: like yourself and realise you have a lot to offer, smile and greet someone you don’t know, get to know someone and let them get to know you, show an interest in others, show caring when a friend needs you, are friendly to people who look and act different.
News
Strike Action – Monday 12 November 2018 – SCHOOL CLOSED
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The NZEI has again called its members to strike due to the lack of progress against the Primary Principal and Primary Teacher Collective Contracts. As a teacher and Principal, I know that strike action is a very difficult decision for our profession and it is not taken lightly. The strike action is to be held on Monday 12 November and the Board of Trustees has informed you that Kohimarama School will be closed for instruction on that day.
I have mentioned in previous newsletters about my fears regarding the retention and recruitment of the highest level of candidates to be the teachers of our students. The desirability to enter the teaching profession has been diminishing over recent times. In the last 10 years there has been a reduction of 40% intake into the Faculties of Education. The resulting loss of academic staff is also a concern. Currently New Zealand is suffering an employment crisis in education. Therefore the ability to fill positions with highly competent, New Zealand teaching professionals is uncertain. Addressing the complex needs of modern learners, including those with additional learning needs, are just some of the issues that affect us at Kohimarama School.
The government is beginning to address some areas. Recently an announcement was made with respect to special learning needs, however this will take time to plan, implement and address the disparities. In the meantime, we continue to act diligently as a profession in a challenging environment. Your support is appreciated for the great work that the staff at Kohimarama School undertake daily. I would like to see the Principal and Teacher Collective Contracts resolved as soon as practicable. Please feel free to email c.hipkins@ministers.govt.nz with your comments.
Paul Engles, Principal
SchoolDocs
Our school has been working with SchoolDocs to create a website for our Policies and Procedures. We are excited to announce that the site is now live and available to our school community.
The School works on a subscription basis with SchoolDocs to maintain, update, and review our policies. SchoolDocs provides us with a comprehensive core set of policies which have been well researched and follow the Ministry of Education National Administration Guidelines. The policies and procedures are tailored to our school, and the School supplies specific information such as our Charter and procedures for behaviour management, reporting to parents, etc.
SchoolDocs updates, modifies, or creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools, and regular reviewing from the SchoolDocs team. Our Board of Trustees has the opportunity to view changes/additions and comment on them before they are implemented. We will advise you when policies are up for review and how you can take part in the review.
We invite you to visit the site at http://kohimarama.schooldocs.co.nz/ (note that there’s no “www”!). Our username is kohimarama and password kohi.
Sailing Achievements
Celebrating the Arts – Tonight at 6.30 pm in the Hall
It is going to be a great hour of entertainment. We have outstanding performances from our three Bands, two Choirs, Kapa Haka and Jump Jam group. Students need to be at school by 6.00 pm (6.15 pm for Jump Jam) in full school uniform. We are very much looking forward to enjoying the culmination of a year’s hard work of practices and dedication.
Road Patroller of the Fortnight
Weekly Results
House Points Update: Term 4, Week 4
Congratulations to Atkin for being Week 3 winners.
House Points for the Fortnight:
- 1st Atkin
- 2nd Patteson
- 3rd Selwyn
- 4th Colenso
Total House Points as at 6 November 2018
- Atkin: 12703
- Colenso: 12923
- Patteson: 11233
- Selwyn: 10984
Class Certificates
Congratulations to these outstanding students:
- Room 1 – Ollie P, Leo M
- Room 2 – Ben L-H, Nick B-J
- Room 3 – Amy, Evie, Winston
- Room 4 – Saskia C, Rogan H
- Room 5 – Annabel B
- Room 6 – Harrison W, Micaela R
- Room 7 – Mattias E, Bella P
- Room 8 – Stephanie G, Luke P
- Room 9 – Caleb G, Hazel C
- Room 10 – Olivia C, Austin R
- Room 11 – Sofia H
- Room 12 – Nathan P, Leon L, Andrew F
- Room 13 – Phoebe A, Finn M, Gabin M
- Room 14 – Maya W, Matthew H
- Room 15 – Harald S, Mackenzie R
- Room 16 – Finn D
- Room 17 – Joao L
- Room 18 – Afridi N, Mason T
- Room 19 – Matthew B, James B, Darsha W
- Room 20 – Ken U, Luke G, Grace D
- Room 21 – Lauren M, Sebastian W
- Room 22 – Connor R
- Room 23 – Harry E, Daniil D
Caught Being Good – “Greenies”
Thank you for doing the right thing in the playground, congratulations to:
- Arthur Room 2 for Respect, Colenso
- Fletcher Room 2 for Reliability, Patteson
- Lily M Room 6 for Commitment, Atkin
Touch Results
- Y3 Kohi Kiwis won 5-2, POD Angus B
- Y5 Kohi Hurricanes won 3-1, POD Henry M
Flippaball Results
- Y3 Kohi Kinas lost 4-8, POD Xavier H
- Y4 Kohi Jellyfish won 9-0, POD Finn E
- Y5/6 Kohi Narwhals lost 1-2, POD Bella J
- Y5/6 Kohi Stingrays won 1-0, POD Ben W