Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 10

Kia ora whānau,

We are now at the end of the school year of 2025 and what a year we have had! We just wanted to thank you for all the support you have given us over the year. We couldn't do this without you!

We have ended the year with lots of fun celebrations and events and below are some photos for you to enjoy.

Hut Day

Hut Day was a real success. It was great to see all the children working together and problem solving in order to make their ideal huts.

Peter Pan Ballet

The Peter Pan Ballet was a brilliant performance and the children just loved it. It was an amazing experience just to go into the old theatre which is so beautifully done up. Some of the children were also extremely excited to go on a double decker bus to get there!

Kind Donation

The Kōwhai team were very lucky to receive a kind donation from parents of Beckenham to pay towards something fun for the children. So everyone got a giant bubble wand and had lots of fun, blowing bubbles all over the park!

Finally, we say farewell to Nick who is moving on to Pōhutukawa. We will miss you in the team! We also farewell Tracey who has been an amazing support in Kōwhai, working with all the tamariki across the team as well as taking target literacy groups. Lastly, we farewell Krystal who is moving to Selwyn House School. We wish you all the best and hope that you will keep in touch. 

To all the Kōwhai whānau, we hope you all have an amazing holiday break and we look forward to seeing you back again at the beginning of 2025!

Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 8

Kia ora whānau,

We are rapidly approaching the end of term and the end of the year and we still have lots to look forward to. 

Hut Day

Next Thursday, we are having a Hut Day. This will start after morning tea as we have a Kahikatea performance to go to first up. The children have been forming groups and designing their huts, thinking about what they will need to bring from home. They will be bringing this list home next week. This could be things like pegs, blankets, old sheets or pillows etc. Every child can also bring a soft toy and a game that they want to play - only with your permission! It is always a fun event and the hub will be transformed into a labyrinth of huts which is impressive to see. Below are some photos from last time to give you an idea.

Peter Pan Ballet

Next Friday, we are excited to be going to see the Peter Pan ballet at the Isaac Theatre Royal. Here is a link to the social story if you would like to look at it with your child to go over expectations and prepare for the trip.

Transitions

Last week, we had transition time with Pōhutukawa when the Year 4 children went over to the Pōhutukawa hub in Parenga to spend time with the Year 5 children whom they will be with next year. The Year 6 children then came over to Kōwhai in Tahaki to join in Discovery with the Year 3 children. This was extremely successful and the children had a great time either connecting or re-connecting with one another. There will be another session on Monday afternoon next week.

This week, the Year 2 children came to visit the Year 3 children and had Discovery together while the Year 4 children had their own programme. This was also great for the children to re-connect with buddies that they spent time with last year in Kahikatea. Again, there will be another session on Wednesday morning next week.

Books

Over the next week, the children's workbooks will be coming home bit by bit in preparation for the end of the year. There will also be artwork coming home and any leftover stationery. If you have any reading books still at home, we would really appreciate if these could be returned to school over the next week too. Thank you so much for you support with this!

Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 6

Kia ora Kōwhai Whānau!

We are having a fabulous Term 4. 

A reminder that all students need to have a hat at school each day or they will not be able to play in the sun. 

Thank you to all the families who have clearly named their hats. This makes them so much easier to be returned to the correct person should they go missing.

Word of the Week

Our word of the week is RESILIENCE. Resilience is the ability to bounce back after challenges and through tough times. It is a skill that we frequently revisit with the students as they tackle new challenges daily at school and in life in general. 

Nau mai te wero! (We Love Challenge)

Swimming

Last week was our final week of school swimming for the term. Our students had a great time learning new water skills and how to be safe both in and around water. The life jackets and inflatable boat were a big hit with the students.

Poetry

During our literacy lessons, students are currently exploring different types of poetry. Poems are a great way to express yourself in written form and the topics and types of poetry are endless. We are having so much fun exploring this genre.

Maths Learning

Here's a notice, think, wonder picture to get your math brain activated.

In regards to the picture:

- What do you notice?

- What do you think?

- What do you wonder?

- Where is the maths / what maths could you explore from the picture?

Cyber Safety

Staying Safe Online: Online Grooming 

As young people become more independent online, they can connect and communicate with people they don’t know.

Often this is a positive experience, but sometimes your tamariki could be being groomed or talking to someone who

isn’t who they say they are. Netsafe’s advice explains how unwanted contact works, including grooming and what

\whānau can do to educate kids.

Check out the link here.

Thanks!

Team Kōwhai,

Anna R, Rowe, Nick, Anna M, Krystal and Tracey