School Newsletter - 19th June 2024

A Message from the Principal

We are excited to announce that we will be producing the second iteration of the Kohimarama Way. 

The Kohimarama Way is made up of various components, the Vision, Values and Learner Dispositions. These key elements describe our ‘way of being’.

This new Kohimarama Way will blend the Maori and English versions on one page and turn the Kohimarama Tree symbol portrait. 

The paintings in the Office and the Hall are produced this way. We will be using A2 versions of this in classrooms and common areas. 

Kohimarama Learner Dispositions: Native Birds and Capabilities

Our students have chosen native birds that best reflect our learner dispositions. These birds symbolise the capabilities we aim to develop in our ākonga. You'll find a vibrant image above the main playground area and 3D birds placed around the school grounds for students to discover.

School Values and Symbols

Our values are represented by symbols that reflect New Zealand Sign Language. These symbols can be found in the hall and around the school entrances, bringing our values to life through language and sign. These are also integral to our school waiata, written specifically for Kohimarama School.

By incorporating Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, we honour the two official languages of New Zealand.

Kohimarama School Learning Process

Our learning process is inspired by four key stages: Dream, Inspire, Create, and Empower. Each stage guides both teachers and ākonga in a journey of discovery and growth.

Core Curriculum at Kohimarama School

At Kohimarama School, we take immense pride in our students' high achievements and their ability to exercise agency across the New Zealand Curriculum. Our commitment to excellence encompasses all eight key learning areas: Mathematics, English, Social Science, Science, The Arts, Technology, Physical Education, and Health and Wellbeing.

We go beyond these basics by integrating these areas into rich, engaging, and relevant contexts. This approach ensures that our students receive a broad and balanced education, preparing them not only for academic success but also for leadership in an ever-changing world.

Our students' exceptional performance and readiness to learn and contribute are a testament to our dedicated efforts and the collaborative partnership between our school and our community. We enjoy a dynamic and nurturing environment that Kohimarama School offers, every child the ability to thrive and reach their potential.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our Kohimarama Way, our vision, values and learner dispositions..

To finish on a couple of positive notes:

I had a nice email from a parent this week... Our eldest daughter has been at Kohimarama School since 2016 and it’s hard to comprehend that she will be heading to college in 6 months time! 
Her primary and intermediate years have been sensational with unwavering support from yourself and the teachers. A special shoutout to Tom who is nothing less than a legend! Our youngest daughter is into her 3rd great year and is shifting from a highly anxious and nervous little girl to a child who loves school and everything about it.   Thanks for everything.
One of our Year 8 students that left last year to go to a private college, has started a company specialising in Social Media Management. He approached me because as a past pupil he wanted to improve our online presence. He manages social media accounts for companies around New Zealand to allow ease of use between them and their clients.  What a great example of how a past pupil is set for the future of learning and business.

Our Annual Hikoi to Kohimarama Beach

We would like to invite all of the Kohimarama School community to celebrate Matariki. On the Morning of Wednesday 26th June at 6:45 am we will be going on a Hīkoi (walk) from School to Kohimarama Beach. On the beach we will welcome in the Matariki Stars with Karakia and Waiata. This year, we will be joined by learners and whānau from Ōrākei and Stonefields Schools for this special event. Once we return to school at 7:45 am we will have a shared kai in the school hall to continue the celebrations.

This is a family event, please feel free to bring grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings along. Everyone is welcome for both the beach welcoming and the breakfast. Breakfast will be a 'bring a plate' style shared breakfast. Please note - for health reasons, please take into consideration the ease of what you bring for sharing.

Toi Wearable Arts Competition

The Snell Team proudly entered nine garments into the prestigious Toi Wearable Arts Competition, held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland. This competition runs in collaboration with the World Wearable Arts, offering students a  platform to showcase their creativity. Starting in the middle of Term 1, students had the exciting opportunity to choose from one of four design briefs: Stories of the South Pacific, Year 3024, Larger than Life, or Myths, Legends and Fantastic Creatures.

Working in teams of three, they not only designed but also brought their creative visions to life. Last Thursday, a model from each team showcased their stunning creations alongside 65 other entries from intermediate and secondary schools.

This event was a fantastic experience for all involved, offering a chance to mingle with other aspiring designers and artists.

We are thrilled to announce that two of our teams won awards:

• The Experiment by Isabella G and Charlie B won an award for Outstanding Stage Presence.
• Corrupted Flower by Ryan C, Emily C, and Kaylie PF for Creative Storytelling.

Congratulations to all our talented students for their hard work and creativity!

An audience with Dr Jane Goodall

Claire and Saskia were very fortunate in being chosen to attend a session with Dr Jane Goodall who has spent her life studying chimpanzees, she is 90 years old.  A special thank you to St Kentigern's Girls School for inviting us.  We found her to be an interesting and insightful speaker.  Dr Jane introduced herself using chimpanzee 'speak'. We learnt that she actually fell into studying chimpanzees when she visited South Africa and got a job as secretary to Dr Louis Leaky because his previous secretary had left just a week prior.  South Africa allowed her a visa, but she was not allowed to stay without a chaperone, so she took her mother for the 4 month stay.  Dr Jane was the first person to witness chimpanzees using tools, something that all scientists believed animals could not do.  The chimpanzee was using a stick to dig out the termites.  She named the chimpanzee David Greybeard.   Dr Jane went to Cambridge university because Dr Leaky believed she needed qualifications to be listened to, with all the new information she was learning about chimpanzees.  She was the only woman at that time at Cambridge and all her professors who were all men, were negative and disagreed with all she had witnessed.  She returned to South Africa as a Dr and became an activist after attending a 4-day conference on the environment and the changes that had been made to the animals' habitats due to increased population.  Now she heads the environmental programme Roots and Shoots which encourages others to take an interest in the environments where they live and to make positive changes to support the animals and plants there.  

Claire's reflection was that humans are seen as the most intelligent beings on Earth, and maybe one day animals like chimpanzees might catch up to us.

Saskia's reflection was as Dr Jane Goodall said," try your best and don't give up because you never know what it might lead to."  Dr Jane didn't want to be a secretary, but if she hadn't had the training she wouldn't have been asked by Dr Leaky to work for him and her life would have taken a different direction.

Dr Jane also shared, "Hang on to your dream, but don't be afraid to change it if you have made a mistake or want to go in another direction."

House Chant Competition

Our House Captains are running a House Chant Competition as they felt that our current chants need some refreshing. The competition is open to all students at Kohimarama School and entries can be made by a group, pairs or individuals. Entry forms can be collected from the Office or from Class Teachers and must be back to the Office by the 27th of June. For more details see the poster below...

Parent Help- School Cross-Country 2024

The Kohimarama School Cross-Country is booked for Wednesday August 7 at Madills Farm. We also have a reserve day booked for Thursday August 8. This is a full school event.

We do require some parents to assist with the event. If you are available to help out on one or both of these days, please email dforbes@kohimarama.school.nz

Matariki - Orakei Bay Village

We are thrilled to announce that your child's hard work will be showcased at Ōrākei Bay Village, alongside ākonga from Stonefields School, Ōrākei School, and St Thomas's School. Just like last year, we are coming together to celebrate Matariki and share our learning with the community. Join us in this special celebration of our students' achievements and the spirit of Matariki! We can't wait to see you there! 

Certificates & Awards

Congratulations to these outstanding students:

• Room 1 – N/A
• Room 2 – N/A
• Room 3 – N/A
• Room 4– N/A
• Room 6 – N/A
• Room 8 – N/A
• Room 16 – N/A
• Room 17 – N/A
• Room 25 – N/A
• Room 26 – N/A
• Room 11 – Carla PG, Ellie Y
• Room 12 – Zach H, Ava J
• Room 13 – Ray T, Freya H
• Room 14 – Sam M, Clara R
• Room 15 – Lily M, Freya O
• Room 18 – Viggo H
• Room 19 – Jian S, Jackson K
• Room 20 – Nicole L, Saskia C
• Room 21 – Katie T, Pedro TR
• Room 22 – Connor B, Kirill L
• Room 23 – Jessica C, Ivanna K

Caught Being Good - "Greenies"

Thank you to all our students for showing our values in the break times at school, you are all awesome.  Our winners this week are:

• Caleb            Rm 12             for friendliness              Selwyn
• Nils               Rm 12             for Friendliness             Selwyn
• Aiden            Rm 14             for Commitment            Atkin

Sports Results

Flippa Ball & Mini Polo Results

• Bearded Dragons
  Win 5-2. POD Cormac R
• Kinas
  Win 6-0. POD Millie T
  
• Year Sharks
  Loss 4-6. POD Poppy M
• Bluebottles
  No Game

Netball Results

• Year 7 Sparks
  Win 10-4. POD Forest A

Policies and Procedures

To see the Cellphones and Other Personal Digital Devices Policy, follow the link below;

'Thank you to all the parents that have already sought permission for their child to have a mobile phone or smart watch at school.

If your child has a device at school, please click here to seek permission from the Principal.'

Community Notices