School Newsletter - 11th October 2023
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome back to Kohimarama School for the final term of the year. I trust that you all had time with family and perhaps holidays together. I know that a number of you went to visit family overseas after a long period of separation.
This term is always a ‘sprint to the finish’. We are expecting that learning is accelerating and that students are capitalising on the gains already made. Teachers are supporting students, especially our Year 8's to transition into secondary school. This year our Year 8 students are benefitting from coaching in these last two terms. The coaching is designed to assist them to know themselves and how they learn, socialise, relate to themselves and others. This, along with the Kohimarama Way ensures success for all our students in a new learning environment.
I am currently recuperating after shoulder surgery last Thursday. This will remove the constant pain that has been with me this year. I hope to be back to school tomorrow, Thursday 12th October, all going well.
Earlier in the year I reflected on the state of the teaching profession across New Zealand. At the New Zealand Principals’ Federation Conference, I also reflected on the input from Professor
Pasi Salberg, Harvard University. The following article is a summary of the perception of teaching by the public and as a career for our young people. Link
Our teaching staff and learning assistants work very hard to ensure that our students make progress. They know about and care for the students in their care. They are working to ensure that the future for Kohimarama students is bright and full of possibilities. Thank you to our staff.
Two Teacher Only Days (TOD) scheduled in this term.
Each year we hold a TOD attached to Labour Weekend. This year our day will be facilitated by Louise Dempsey. Louise is working with staff to further develop and refine the teaching of Writing in our school. This means there will be no school for students on Friday 20 October.
Our second TOD is provided by the Ministry of Education and will be on Friday 17 November. The purpose of this day is to provide an opportunity for staff to further unpack the Refreshed Curriculum with a focus on Mathematics. There will be no school for our students on Friday 17th November.
Fencing project nearing completion
You will have seen that our fencing project is now almost complete. We are awaiting the final gates to be installed on Kohimarama Road entries. The Board are also completing a branding exercise that will settle on the fonts and images for the school that reflects its history. This will initially take the form of signage on the bluestone wall on the corner of Kohimarama and Rawhitiroa Roads.
Works undertaken along the Rawhitiroa Road boundary.
Many thanks go to the parents who, in the first week of the school holidays, involved numbers of our Year 7 & 8 students in volunteering to tidy up the boundary along Rawhitiroa Road. The volunteering component of the William Pike Challenge is certainly paying off for our school. Thank you to all involved.
Kohimarama School EPRO8/Future Problem Solving successes - Enrichment class.
EPRO8
Congratulations to our year 5/6 boys team who placed 3rd at Grand Champs.
This means they are the 3rd best team in Auckland.
This is only the 3rd time we have had a team make Grand Champs, and it's the first time we have placed at this level. A huge achievement.
Congratulations to the team; Isaac W, Jeffrey D, Spencer K or Thomas O.
Future Problem Solving
We received a phone call from the head of FPS to advise me that two of the Kohimarama Teams had been selected for the National Finals.
- Year 6: Freya C, Madeleine S, Jamie C, Thomas R-W
- Year 8: Liz Z, Harry E, Lara K, Phineas H
The FPS National Finals are being held October 27th - 29th. A Friday and Saturday night are spent at Carey Park Christian Camp in Henderson/ Waitakere with us returning on the Sunday.
Thank you Mrs Crow and congratulations to our teams on reaching national finals.
Reminder
In Term 4 our school policy is that students must wear their Kohimarama Hat. Please ensure that this is named and that your child(ren) has their hat each day. As the weather improves this term it will protect students during their times outside. Please also ensure that children are wearing the correct school uniform. One of our values is Respect (Which we learnt about last term) and wearing the correct uniform supports this.
The Kohimarama Way - Compassion
Compassion is having kind feelings toward someone who is hurt or troubled It is caring deeply and wanting to help, even if you don't know them. It is being kind and forgiving to someone who has hurt you.
Photolife - Sibling Photos
Our next photolife session is on Thursday 9th November. If you would like your sibling photo taken, please complete a form at the school office by Wednesday 8th November.
Road Patrol - Parent Supervision needed please
Are you able to support our student road patrollers in the morning from 8.25 am to 8.55 am? We are looking for parents or caregivers for:Monday morning on Rawhitiroa RoadTuesday morning on Kohimarama RoadWednesday morning on Kohimarama RoadYour assistance ensures our students cross safely and our road patrollers have the necessary adult supervision to complete their job. Please contact Meegan Hill mhill@kohimarama.school.nz
School Disco - Change of Date
Due to the National elections and our Hall being used from Friday 13th - Saturday 14th we have had to change the date for our disco. Confirmation in the holidays from DJ Dave means that our school disco will now be on Friday 10th November. Tickets will be sold via Kindo on sale from Monday 30th October to Thursday 9th November. There will be no door sales available.
Library help needed - covering books
Are you free next Tuesday 17th October at 10.30 am to cover books for our school library? We have a backload of books waiting to go onto our shelves, but not enough hands to get them ready for the shelf. If you are able to spare 1 or 2 hours next Tuesday please contact our Librarian Claudette cndenzako@kohimarama.school.nz to let her know. Thank you in advance for your support.
Music Opportunities 2023
We have two music specialists this year teaching piano or ukulele, guitar and drums. If you are interested in finding out more please contact them directly.
Piano
- Rebecca Erskine - bec.erskine@hotmail.com
Guitar, ukelele or drums
- Ben Jurisich - eastsideguitar@gmail.com
Leavers
As we begin our classroom planning for 2024, we ask those families who have made plans and have a student/s who will be leaving Kohimarama School at the end of 2023 school year to complete this form. The last day of school is 15 December 2023.
Note: The form does not need to be completed for Year 8 students.
Many thanks for your support in assisting us with our advance planning.
Community Notices
