School Newsletter - 31st July 2024
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents
Welcome back to Kohimarama School after our winter break.
Today we are holding learner conversations for those who wish to voluntarily take the opportunity to talk to teachers about the next steps in the learning process for your children.
We are excited to share with you our approach to fostering academic excellence and personal growth at Kohimarama School through learner conversations. Research consistently shows that when students actively reflect on their learning, their academic achievement improves. Here's why these conversations are so beneficial:
The learner conversations support enhancing achievement through reflection. When students take the time to reflect on their learning, they gain a deeper understanding of what they have accomplished and identify areas where they can improve. This process of self-reflection has been proven to enhance academic performance, as students become more aware of their strengths and areas for growth. This supports our drive for learner agency.
Learner conversations support active learning by involving students in their own learner conversations and makes the learning process more active and engaging. Rather than passively receiving information, students actively participate in discussions about their progress, setting goals and identifying strategies for improvement. This active involvement leads to a more meaningful and personalised learning experience.
Learner conversations foster self-evaluation and encourage students to evaluate their own work and progress. This skill of self-evaluation is crucial for lifelong learning, as it helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. By assessing their own work, students learn to take ownership of their learning journey.
Learner conversations encourage responsibility through students leading the discussion about their learning, they develop a sense of responsibility for their education. They learn to set goals, monitor their progress, and take initiative in addressing challenges. This responsibility not only enhances their academic success but also prepares them for future endeavours.
At Kohimarama School, we are committed to providing a learning environment that empowers our students to thrive academically and personally. Learner conversations are an integral part of this commitment, as they encourage our students to become active, reflective, and responsible learners.
Today I was fortunate to meet Trevor Manning, grandfather of Isabella Manning in Rm 17, with his son Craig.
Trevor is a former field hockey goalkeeper from New Zealand who was a member of the national team that won the gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec.
In this picture Trevor is holding his gold medal and Craig is holding the Olympic torch that was carried by Trevor ahead of the Sydney games. What a privilege to meet such a successful athlete within our Kohimarama School community.
I want to draw your attention to an opportunity to hear from Peter O'Connor, a professor of education and co-director of the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland. Peter has been recognised internationally for his work with children during and after disasters such as earthquakes, flooding and bushfires, Peter uses and researches the potential of the arts to bring joy and wonder back to life in these disaster-affected areas. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2023.
Peter will be talking about Imagining a better school system for New Zealand. He will look at the coming changes in education and what this will mean for students. He is a proponent of a full, balanced curriculum that allows for creativity and imagination to thrive within an academic environment.
The Kohimarama Way - Friendliness
Friendliness keeps you and others from feeling lonely or left out. It helps people feel that they belong. When something good or bad happens, it feels good to share it with a friend. Friendships don't just happen - they are made by people who are willing to be themselves with each other.
2025 Term Dates
- Monday 3rd February – Friday 11th April
- Monday 28th April – Friday 27th June
- Monday 14th July – Friday 19th September
- Monday 6th October – Wednesday 17 December
School Cross-Country
Our second major sporting event for 2024 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday August 7 at Madills Farm. If the weather on this day is not suitable, we will move the event to Thursday August 8.
Approximate race start times:
10.00am Year 7/8
| 11.00am Year 2
| 12.00pm Year 4
| 1.00pm Year 6
|
10.30am Year 0/1
| 11.30am Year 3
| 12.30pm Year 5
|
PTA Meeting - Monday 5th August
Please join us at 9am on Monday 5th August in the hall for an update from our PTA.
Many hands make light work.
Student Fundraiser - Friday 2nd August (this week)
We are raising funds for Starship hospital this Term and ask students who wish to participate to come in mufti (weekend clothes) and bring $2. Students may if they wish bring a soft toy for the day.
School Disco - Hollywood theme
- When: Friday 13th September
- Where: School Hall
- Tickets: $5 available on Kindo from Monday 2nd September until midnight Wednesday 11th September
- Junior Disco: Years 0-4 5.00 to 6.00 pm
- Senior Disco: Years 4 - 8 6.30 to 8.00 pm
- Snack and drink for all students who purchase a ticket
- No door sales & no sales from the office
Road Patrol Parent Supervisors needed - can you help?
We are in need of two parents/caregivers who are able to support our school by giving time in the mornings to supervise our Road Patrollers either on Kohimarama Road or Rawhitiroa Road. Are you able to be at school from 8.25 to 8.55 am one morning a week or share the role with another and do it once a fortnight? Please contact Meegan Hill mhill@kohimarama.school.nz if you are able, thank you.
School Art Gallery - Opening Night Tuesday 13th August @ 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Each of our students have created two pieces of artwork which will contribute to the School Art Gallery that will be on display from 13th - 15th August in our school Hall. You are warmly invited to come along to our Opening Night, which will start at 5.00pm with a student performance followed by viewing until 7.00pm. The Art Gallery will be open for viewing by parents and family members from 8.30 - 5.00pm Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th August. Please come and enjoy our students' creativity.
Kohimarama School Book Fair 2024
Hello School Community!
We have only 2.5 weeks to go until our Book Fair kicks off, which is hugely exciting!! No doubt you will have seen posters go up around the school!!
In addition to a HUGE range of books for for sale, there will be posters, kids diaries, and heaps of novelty stationery.
ONE WEEK ONLY - Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August. Before and after school, plus a late night on Tuesday 13 August. Details in the flyer below.
If you would like to assist with either being a cashier or costume wearer (costume is provided) for this event, please sign up on the attached roster:
Certificates & Awards
Congratulations to these outstanding students:
- Room 1 – Maia T
- Room 2 – Jaslina C, William M
- Room 3 – Liam F
- Room 4– Eva H, Sienna L
- Room 6 – Avni J, Daniel M
- Room 8 – George P, Chloe G
- Room 16 – Anna S, Maria K
- Room 17 – Jack R, Mathilde S
- Room 25 – Amelia L, Sylvia R
- Room 26 – JJ H, Leo TR, Mia T
- Room 11 – Poppy P, Ambra K
- Room 12 – Zara F, Caleb O
- Room 13 – Ella C, Xanthe H
- Room 14 – Poppy M
- Room 15 – Henry M, Pierre G, Lily M
- Room 18 – Oliver D, Fred G
- Room 19 – Arthur C, Isabel G
- Room 20 – Aurelia T, Jacob N
- Room 21 – Grace P, Carlos H
- Room 22 – Sophia RN, Hamish B, Isabella R
- Room 23 – Annabel B, Ryan C, Mia-Rose K
The Kohimarama Way - Values "Greenies"
Thank you for all our students who are doing the 'right thing' in the playground supporting and welcoming all students who want to join in and play. Our fortunate people last week were:
- Victoria Rm 2 for Respect Colenso
- Maxwell Rm 3 for Friendliness Atkin
- Orban Rm 25 for Friendliness Selwyn
- Rogan Rm 18 for Reliability Patteson
Road Patrollers of last week
Thank you to all our Road Patrollers for keeping our students and parents safe when they cross the roads using the pedestrian crossings. Our road patrollers of the week are: Spencer and Oliver C
Community Notices
