| | | | | | IMPORTANT DATES
Term 1
Week 3
Life Education Harold
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 - Parent Voice Meetings 3:20pm - 5:00pm (Except Rms 3 and 26)
Tuesday 22nd February - Y1-2 Safe Walking
Tuesday 22nd February - Whānau Meeting 12:00pm - 1:00pm (see below)
Wednesday 23rd February - Parent Voice Meetings 3:20pm - 5:00pm (Except Rms 3 and 26)
Wednesday 23rd February - Y1-2 Safe Walking
Week 5
Tuesday 1st March - Rm 26 Parent Voice Meetings 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday 2nd March - Rm 26 Parent Voice Meetings 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Week 7
Tuesday 15th March - WPS Senior Athletics
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. Rm 26 (David) will have their meetings on either Tuesday 1st March or Wednesday 2nd March starting at 3.20pm and finishing at 5.00pm (see below for how to book).
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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Welcome Back to School Welcome back to the new school year. It is another year with lots of change and challenge against the continuing backdrop of Covid. The Board of Trustees is continually updated on issues in the school and we are aware of some very strong opinions in our community about mask wearing and vaccinations. We would like to emphasise that Wendy and the team are doing a great job of supporting what are sometimes some challenging requirements from the government, and that their focus is always on the complete well being of our children. The rules and requirements are based on the best and most complete scientific evidence and are designed to keep our whole community safe. Please remember to be kind, as in these difficult times this is our best course of action to look after everyone. |
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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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Omicron I am actually home with an ear ache as I write the newsletter blurb today...the doctor tells me it is glue ear! What a hoot! I feel like a big kid, I hope to be back at work tomorrow and back out at pick up and drop off to greet everyone.
You will gather by the news that Omicron is spreading, however we will continue as normal, with masks, social distancing, hand sanitisers, good room ventilation and making sure your kids are happy and learning. We are ensuring there are lots of outside or distanced spaces for children to work in so they can work without a mask, only putting their mask on inside when they are working in closer spaces. Teachers are aware of how difficult it is mask wearing all day so look forward to having these breaks and times themselves. Please let teachers know if there is anything that is worrying your child at school. We are aware children and parents are feeling a bit anxious and unsettled at the moment.
Please keep children at home if they show any signs of being unwell. We have plans in place, the Board is ready and waiting to make any local decisions needed, we have good communication networks with health and education, and we are making sure we are being fluid and flexible in our approach to this. If needed I will go back to sending you daily emails so please do not worry. We will work hard to keep your kids at school and safe. We will also move quickly if we need to go to home learning even if that is pod by pod.
Wānaka Primary School Continuity Plan
Please click here for a larger version Fan Zone The Year 5s had an amazing time at the Fan Zone Winter Olympic sessions on Friday. They experienced various activities such as dryland trick skills, clip 'n' climb, completed a fact finding mission and listened to Olympian Willis Feasey who talked about his experiences as an Alpine Skier at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and answered questions.
We would like to extend a big thank you to the NZ Olympic Committee and Snow Sports Wanaka for our experience at this very well run event.
Activities at School Kapahaka, both the senior and junior groups have had a great turn out. Next week we will be asking children to make a commitment for the year if they wish to be part of these groups.
Band lessons will be underway tomorrow. Pete and Helen met with interested, prospective band members last week. If your child is in the STAR programme but wishes to take part in the band you will need to have a conversation with STAR teacher, Danielle Nicholson.
Language teaching for Year 5 & 6 starts in week 7, Tuesday 15th March. Over the coming weeks children will be choosing their language from the following: French, German, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese and Te Ao Maori. We are looking forward to using this time to not only learn about another language and culture but also to keep our brain healthy and active.
Whānau Meeting We invite all parents, particularly those who have children in Kapahaka or identify as Māori to attend our whānau meeting at 12:00 to 1:00pm next Tuesday 22nd February. I will join Anne and Coral (our lead teachers in Maori), Mary-Anne Tamati (our whaea and mentor) to welcome you for this consultation get together. This will be held outside, but please wear your masks into school. We will provide some kai and look forward to sharing ideas for the year ahead with you and listening to your ideas and feedback as well.
Parent Voice Meetings Tuesday 22nd February and Wednesday 23rd February 3:20 - 5:00pm for face to face meetings. Rm 26 (David) meetings will be Tuesday 1st March and Wednesday 2nd March 3:20 - 5:00pm.
These meetings are held so teachers can get to know their students better and also you too, as strong relationships between student, parent, teacher are so crucial to outcomes for children. Please find some prompt questions here in case you need some ideas to get conversations going. But please feel to add your own and make a note of any issues you have as well. Teachers will make note of all you share so they can better support your child. These face to face sessions need to be booked online now. 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.
If you would prefer a Zoom meeting or a phone call, please make direct email contact with your classroom teacher to organise this.
Sun Hats For all of term 1 make sure your child has a named sun hat with a brim and, like the masks, these are best kept at school for the week so they are not forgotten. Please remind children to take their masks home when you think they need a wash and send them back too. |
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Good Grief and Seasons for Growth Programmes Central Otago REAP offer a suite of Good Grief and Seasons for Growth Programmes plus a range of information to support local families and professionals.
Seasons for Growth is an innovative grief and loss education programme that uses the imagery of the season to illustrate the experience of grief. It aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people (aged 6-18) who are dealing with significant life changes.
Trained adult 'Companions' facilitate the small group programme, where participants support and learn from each other in age appropriate and engaging activities.
Young people learn that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change, loss and grief, and build their communication, decision making and problem solving skills within a supportive peer group.
If you think that your child would benefit from the Seasons for Growth programme you can find out more information here or complete an enrolment form by clicking here. The programme is held in a private classroom here at Wānaka Primary and usually runs for 40 minutes in the afternoon between 1.30 - 3.00pm on Thursdays. |
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Life Education Mobile Classroom Parent Session There is an open afternoon for parents with Nicola from the Life Education Mobile Classroom to share what the children are learning and to introduce you to Harold! She is able to see 15 parents at a time and the session will last roughly 30 minutes. Children are welcome to play in the playground whilst you are at the session.
To make a booking please email office@wanaka.school.nz with your preferred day.
Session times : Wednesday 16th February - 3.15-3.45pm Wednesday 23rd February - 3.15-3.45pm |
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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 leave and enter areas in a respectful way'. |
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PTA Meeting - Wednesday 16th February 7:00pm
Our first PTA Meeting for this new school year is tomorrow, 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 Tonight - 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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Library News
Click here to view our wonderful Library Webapp.
Feel free to email Melissa at any time if you have any questions.
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:
Why English is So Hard to Learn
by Marlene Davis
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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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Trauma Workshop and Suicide Prevention Seminar |
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Torpedo 7 Friends and Family Discount |
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Fit Collective Gym Sessions |
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Upper Clutha Junior Rugby
For registrations please go to www.sporty.co.nz/upperclutharugby
Registrations close 20th March
Key Dates
March 25th – Open day
2nd April - 7 aside rugby tournament in Alexandra
30th April – First Game of the Season |
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Join Pippins - GirlGuiding NZ Wānaka māwhero Pippins unit are looking for more girls aged 5-6 years old to join them on their girlguiding journey in 2022.
GirlGuides is a worldwide non-profit organisation where girls are encouraged to discover their passions, form friendships, go on adventures and become confident leaders of the future! At Pippins, girls develop awareness of the the world around them. They learn important new things about themselves, other people and the environment.
Pippins meet every Monday from 4-5pm during term time and each week do something different!
More information about Pippins and GirlGuiding can be found here: https://girlguidingnz.org.nz/join-us/pippins/
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'Get Your Zen On' After School Sessions |
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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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AYM - Music, Singing and Drama Classes |
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After School Art - Watercolour Fun |
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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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