| | | | | | IMPORTANT DATES
Term 1
Week 2
Life Education Harold
Week 3
Life Education Harold
Monday 14th February - Y6 Bike Ready Programme
Tuesday 15th February - Y6 Bike Ready Programme
Wednesday 16th February - Y6 Bike Ready Programme
Wednesday 16th February - PTA Meeting 7:00pm Staffroom
Week 4
Monday 21st February - BOT Meeting 5:00pm Staffroom
Tuesday 22nd February - Y1-2 Safe Walking
Tuesday 22nd February - Whānau Meeting 12:00pm - 1:00pm (see below)
Wednesday 23rd February - Y1-2 Safe Walking
Week 6
Thursday 10th March - WPS Senior Athletics (TBC)
Week 8
Monday 21st March - Otago Anniversary Day - School Closed
Tuesday 22nd March - Upper Clutha Athletics (TBC)
Week 9
Wednesday 30th March - Central Otago Athletics (TBC)
Saturday 2nd April - Wānaka Trail Ride - Cancelled
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Parent Voice Meetings
This is an opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and for you to tell teachers about your child, their learning and interests.
We are offering 3 different options as follows:
Option 1 - Face to face meetings on either Tuesday 22nd February or Wednesday 23rd February starting at 3.20pm and finishing at 5.00pm (see below for bookings)
Option 2 - A phone conversation with your child's teacher
Option 3 - A zoom meeting with your child's teacher
To book a face to face meeting please go to the School Interviews website www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter our school code - ufbnw - to book a time to meet with your child's teacher. Room 3 (Jen and Markus) will organise their own interviews outside of these dates. Please note our Specialist Teachers will make contact in the near future.
If you do not have access to a computer, or you wish an interview to be placed for you, please contact Katrina.
Scholastic NZ Brochures The latest Scholastic brochure is available from classrooms. If you wish to place an order, please turn to the inside back page and use Option 1 - Credit Card LOOP system. No cash orders are accepted at school.
If you wish purchases to be a gift, please tick GIFT option otherwise all orders are handed out to students.
Orders will close Tuesday 22nd February at 3:00pm. |
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2022 Annual School Activity Fee The annual activity fee is $40.00 per child for 2022. This is a compulsory fee which covers extra-curricular costs, such as those incurred by bringing visiting performers/specialists to Wānaka, for example, sports coaches, dance/music/drama performances and special events. Collecting this annual fee avoids the time consuming exercise of collecting 500 plus entry fees each time there is a performance or activity. The $40.00 payment is required by 28th February 2022. Please make your payment as soon as possible, as participation in such activities is on a user pays basis.
School Donations for 2022 Since 2010, the Ministry of Education has frozen core funding to schools. This has increased the reliance on receiving a donation from parents to adequately staff and resource the school.
Your donation assists the Board to fund the following: Specialist Music (e.g. band, instrumental) Arts extension programmes All second languages (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin) Specialist Maori Tutor and Kapa Haka Programmes Extra assistance for children in specific programmes (Extension programmes, Boys Club etc) Excursions outside of the classroom to learn about our history and the environment Specialised equipment for the classrooms (computer equipment e.g. headphones) School Shows (e.g. Pantomimes) Unfortunately, Wānaka Primary only receives the bare minimum in operational funding due to the school being a Decile 10 as determined by the Ministry of Education, hence the donations received truly make a difference to your child’s experience at Wānaka Primary School.
The suggested School Donation is $150.00 per child for 2022. Tax deductible receipts are issued for all donations.
Payment of the Activity Fee and School Donation can be made by: Direct Credit to Wānaka Primary School – account 02-0673-0023784-001
Eftpos (cheque or savings no credit) available at the school office
Cash – please ensure you provide your child’s name and room number with payment
Brendan Hearle
Finance Officer
Board of Trustees
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SchoolDocs Wānaka Primary School works on a subscription basis with SchoolDocs to maintain, update, and review our policies and procedures. 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. If you would like to visit our SchoolDocs site simply: Go to - https://wanaka.schooldocs.co.nz Username is "wanaka" Password "wanakaprimary" Also please note that: except where stated, the content on the site is the copyright of SchoolDocs Ltd. It may not be reproduced without written permission from SchoolDocs Ltd. |
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Welcome Back Everyone Yay! The sun is shining, I can hear laughter and happy voices and see our 500 students out playing happily without a care in the world. We live and work in paradise.
The children and staff have had a happy, busy and productive first week...3 days... back at school. Thank you so much for supporting what has been a challenging start for families and staff given mandates and rules that keep changing. We have constantly been aware that children need breaks from mask wearing, as do we, so we make sure there are opportunities where children can work outside or distance, and can remove their masks. We remind them to put them on for close contact work. The hot days are a struggle, but please be aware that teachers are putting in such breaks and are doing all they can to alleviate the current circumstances. I will keep you updated as and when any changes occur. We are setting up a page on our school website with the latest links to relevant MoE and MoH information to help you all navigate the next few months.
Please do not send your children to school if they show any signs of being unwell such as the sniffles, sore throat, head cold, headache or aches.
The Education Life Trust Mobile classroom is parked up at the hall and we welcome Nicola the teacher and her sidekick Harold the Giraffe who have started working with classes on health, strategies in dealing with change, anxiety, stress and building resilience to whatever life throws at us. This ties in beautifully with our Pause, Breathe, Smile programme which classroom teachers will be working on this term. Nicola is holding some information sessions for parents to share what the children are learning and to introduce you to Harold. We will notify you of these sessions once they are confirmed.
Sunhats Please Please make sure your children have their sunhat at school all term as we are a sun safe school and children will be sent to the shade to play if they do not have their sunhat. Make sure the sunhat has ears, neck and face shaded, such as a bucket hat or wide brimmed hat.
Band and Instrumental Learning Pete and Helen start back with us tomorrow and every Wednesday afternoon from now on. They would like all existing band members to bring their instruments to school and any aspiring student musicians who would like to try out for the band. So if your child plays the recorder, keyboard, uke or guitar send it along with them tomorrow. Please contact Pod Leaders for more information about the instrumental learning programmes happening in pods.
Kapahaka Every Tuesday whilst Mary-Anne, our Māori tutor, is working in school, we have a junior (Year 3 & 4) Kapahaka group (11-11.30am) and a senior (Year 5 & 6) Kapahaka group session (11.30-12.15pm). Today (and for the next 2 weeks) we invited any interested children along and Mary-Anne, Anne Jenkin and Coral Potter taught some waiata and action songs. If you would like your child to take part, please send an email to the classroom teacher who will remind your child to go along next week.
Whānau Meeting
We are planning a Whānau meeting for all parents who are interested in being involved in Māori education, have a child in one of our Kapahaka groups, identify as Māori, or are just interested in coming along. We are proposing Tuesday 22nd February 12-1pm as a gathering time, where we will share waiata and some kai and talk about what we have planned this year and invite your ideas, suggestions and feedback. This is all pending Covid of course. At this stage we would look at holding this outside to accommodate anyone who wishes to attend. We will ask you to RSVP if you would like to attend this gathering so we can manage numbers and spaces accordingly (and kai of course as well). More on this in next week's newsletter. |
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Positive Behaviour For Learning - PB4L PB4L School-Wide looks at behaviour and learning from a whole-of-school as well as an individual child perspective. The framework is based on international evidence and is helping New Zealand schools build a culture where positive behaviour and learning is a way of life. Each fortnight we focus on a school wide goal to encourage positive behaviours, the current goal is: 'We take care of our school and use spaces and equipment for their purpose'. |
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PTA Meeting - Wednesday16th February 7:00pm
Our first PTA Meeting for this new school year is next Wednesday at 7:00pm in the school staffroom. If you would like to get involved or just see what the meetings are about, we would welcome you to attend. |
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Wānaka Primary Netball Committee - 2022 Season Meeting 7pm Tuesday 15 February at the Speights Alehouse
The Wānaka Primary Netball Committee is run by volunteers and we are looking for new Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 coaches, managers and committee members for the upcoming 2022 season. We encourage anyone who is interested to come along for our first planning meeting of the year. Coaching can be shared.
Netball is played during Term 2 only and involves one practice and one Saturday game per week.
Player registrations will be opening soon, so please keep an eye out for more information in the school newsletter.
Email wpsnetballers@gmail.com or call Portia on 021 454 883 for more information or if you have any queries. |
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Wānaka Trail Ride Cancelled The Trail Ride team met this week to figure out options on how this year’s event could look under current or future circumstances. Unfortunately, the decision has been made to cancel Wānaka Trail Ride 2022. We know this will be disappointing news for many, and believe us, it’s incredibly disappointing for us as well.
We have considered not only the prospect of trying to run an event under a red traffic light status, but also the impact for our incredibly generous landowners who grant us access to their properties and the many suppliers who go out of their way to provide us with the vital pieces we need to run the event. This includes our hire equipment, first aid support, helicopters, photographers, catering and the list goes on. If we were to hold off on making a decision for too long, we risk impacting many supporters, businesses and volunteers.
At the end of the day, Wānaka Trail Ride is an entirely volunteer-run event for the purpose of raising funds for Wānaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House Wānaka. We do not have the resources or the financial flexibility to reschedule, raise enough funds with heavily reduced capacity or change the event in any significant way.
But it’s not all bad. We will certainly be working toward being back better than ever in 2023! Just like we were in 2021 post the 2020 lockdown cancellation. So, hang in there dirt lovers we are looking forward to seeing you all on the trails next year. Thanks for your support and understanding in these difficult times. |
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Library News Warm happy greetings from the library here at Wānaka Primary School.
This is the first week where the classes will be coming back to the library
so you can expect to see a library book coming home this week.
I encourage the children to come and change their books if they
have finished them at morning tea or lunch any day (except Friday)
They do not have to wait for their class library day.
Wānaka Primary has a beautiful, peaceful and welcoming library.
I buy multiple copies of popular books so that the children do not have to
wait for their favourites. They are also able to place a hold on books as well.
I welcome communication from parents and children
so feel free to email me melissaa@wanaka.school.nz
I am passionate about children's books and nurturing a love of reading.
In a time where devices are taking hold it's more important than ever
to inspire their love of reading.
Even if you haven't had the opportunity to read a lot at home
it's not too late and I can always (but only always) find the right book for every child.
Click here to view our wonderful Library Webapp.
Ebooks and Audio Books
The Wānaka Public Library has 2 fantastic Ebook Platforms which are highly recommended. All you need is a library membership which is free. Click on the image below to find out more and browse to see what is available:
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Contact for our local Public Health Nurse Pip McLean is our local Public Health Nurse - should you wish to get in contact with Pip her contact details are: 03 440 4309 or 0272 839 395 or email Pip.McLean@southerndhb.govt.nz |
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Coeliac Kids Club - This Saturday |
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Summer Reading Challenge
The closing date for the Summer Reading Challenge is 14th February 2022.
Drop your completed Challenge (including bookmark design) into the Wānaka Library to go into a lucky dip draw to have the opportunity to win your design
being made into a bookmark for the QLDC libraries for the year. |
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Future FERN Netball Festival The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are coming to Wānaka for their pre-season training. The team are excited to immerse themselves in the community and provide some opportunities to kick start your pre-season netball training for 2022. You are invited to join us on Sunday 13th February at Wānaka Recreation Centre from 11-11:45am for FutureFERN Festival Day for children in years 1-6 who would like to give netball a go.
Register here for this FREE event - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/193781 Bring your activewear, gym shoes and water bottle. |
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Trauma Workshop and Suicide Prevention Seminar |
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NZ House and Garden Tours - Volunteers Needed Breast Cancer Foundation NZ have a volunteering opportunity coming up in Wānaka on the 1st and 2nd April – the NZ House and Garden Tour is on, and they are looking for volunteers to help on the day, they’ll be stationed at a house on the tour checking wristbands and making sure the houses stay nice and safe!
Volunteers get to spend the day or half day at an AMAZING house and in return receive an exclusive discount on a ticket for the day you’re not volunteering (the Wanaka tour is sold out so it’s the only way to get a ticket), as well as a thank you goodie bag from the sponsors, and you can volunteer with a friend at the same house!
This is the link to register and explains more about the shift options: https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/how-you-can-help/get-involved/house-and-garden-tours
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After School Art - Watercolour Fun |
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AYM - Music, Singing and Drama Classes |
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WORD Mountain Biking Afterschool Programme Registrations are open HERE https://www.word.org.nz/wanaka-bookings We still have plenty of spaces in our term 1 after-school programmes! The WORD Term runs for 7 weeks meeting once a week from 4.00-6.00pm. We split into groups based on abilities (1:8 ratio) and head out for a ride! Each week these groups focus on one or two new skills: -MTB riding skill (ie. cornering, braking, fitness etc)
-MTB community skill (ie. trail building, bike maintenance)
-Life skill (ie. self confidence, kindness, helpfulness, etc) Mondays
7 - 9 yr old boys - 14 February (due to Waitangi day)
Tuesdays
10 - 12 yr old boys - 8 February
Wednesdays
7 - 9 yr old girls - 9 February
10 - 12 yr old girls - 9 February
Thursdays
13 - 17 yr old girls - 10 February
13 - 17 yr old boys - 10 February
Costs: $250/term (includes Bike Glendhu pass for the sessions at this location) |
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'Get Your Zen On' After School Sessions |
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| Delicious, nutritious and popular with kids, Subway delivers school lunches every Friday. Order online at subwayexpress.co.nz by 9am. |
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