School Newsletter - 25th September 2024
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we come to the end of Term 3, it's a wonderful time to reflect on and celebrate the many achievements of our students. This term, our learners have been involved in a wide range of activities, from Future Problem Solving competitions to Interschool sports events. Throughout all of these, our students have embodied the Kohimarama Way - demonstrating our vision, values and learner dispositions in everything they do.
Here is a list of all the events we have participated in this term:
- Art Gallery
- School Cross Country
- Interschool Cross Country -
- 1st Place Yr6 Boys
- 2nd Place Yr4 Girls
- 3rd Place Yr4 Boys
- 3rd Place Individual. Yr 4 Girls
- 3rd Place Individual. Yr 4 Boys
- 3rd Place Individual. Yr 6 Boys
- Interschool Gymnastics
- Yr8 1st place
- Yr7 2nd place
- Interschool Netball Tournament Yr7 & 8
- Yr7 & 8 Interschool Cluster Speech Finals
- Yr5 & 6 Interschool Cluster Speech Finals
- Amy Du was the overall champion of all the 20 competing schools.
- Yr5 Camp
- Junior Kids Lit Competition
- Yr6 Team placed 5th
- Yr5 Team placed 12th
- Cheerleading Grade 1 & 2 competition
- Grade 1 placed 2nd
- Grade 2 placed 1st
- Interschool Basketball Yr6 boys Tournament
- 1st place & champions of the Bays
- Yr 5, 6, 7, 8 Interschool EPRO8 heats
- Interschool Hockey Yr5 & 6 Tournament
- 2nd place
To name but a few.
As we look back on these successes, we also look ahead with excitement to the opportunities in Term 4.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our parents and whānau. Your constant dialogue and encouragement play a vital role in supporting our school and enabling our students to achieve highly.
Whenever visitors come to our school, they consistently comment positively on our wonderful students, dedicated teachers and vibrant learning environment.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank our amazing staff. This term we reinstituted our Art Gallery. Those who visited were impressed with the quality of the works produced. Teachers' commitment to student learning is outstanding - they plan thoughtfully across the curriculum, bringing learning to life for our students by knowing them deeply as learners and using the right tools to keep them engaged.
To our admin team and learner assistants, thank you for working seamlessly behind the scenes to ensure our students receive the support they need to thrive.
As we close out this term, let’s celebrate the collective efforts that have made it such a success and look forward to what’s to come in Term 4.
Refurbishment of Rooms 9&10
We are thrilled to share some exciting news regarding the refurbishment of Rooms 9&10 during Term 4. For the first time, Kohimarama School will be able to develop a purpose-built Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) that aligns with the future needs of our learners and teachers.
These newly refurbished spaces will include sliding doors that can transform the rooms into smaller or larger learning areas as required, along with designated withdrawal areas for small group learning. This flexible design will allow us to create a dynamic environment where teachers and students can explore multiple configurations to best suit their learning needs.
To date, our classrooms have followed a range of configurations determined by the Ministry of Education. However, this new development represents an important step forward for our school, enabling the school to shape our learning spaces to better support the needs of our students.
We’re excited about the opportunities this will create for our teachers and learners and look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses.
Evacuation and Lockdown Practice
On Monday we practised an evacuation to ensure all our students evacuated to our assembly point on the upper courts. This exercise took 5 minutes for all 525 students and staff to gather.
On Wednesday we practised a ‘lockdown, stay in place’ exercise. Ahead of this all teachers prepared students for this happening.
Reprinted:
Navigating the complexities of raising and educating our children in today's world, understanding the challenges they face is crucial.
Jonathan Haidt's insightful piece, "The Anxious Generation" sheds light on the increasing anxiety seen in young people today, offering perspectives that are highly relevant for parents of students in Years 1-8.
Jonathan has brought to light the rise in anxiety, depression and related mental health issues among children and teenagers. This alarming trend is often linked to several factors, including the influence of social media and a world that increasingly feels uncertain and unstable. The surge in these mental health challenges has raised significant concerns among parents, educators and mental health professionals alike.
One of the key contributors to this rise in anxiety is the impact of social media. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and community, they also pose significant risks to young people's mental well-being. The constant comparison with others, driven by curated images and highlight reels, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Moreover, the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the exposure to negative or distressing content can create a sense of stress and anxiety, compounding the challenges young minds face as they navigate their formative years.
The school plays a role in supporting students' mental health. At Kohimarama School, we are deeply committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every child can thrive both academically and emotionally. This commitment includes providing access to counselling services, integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum and ensuring that our school remains a safe and nurturing place for all students. By prioritising these efforts, we aim to help our students develop the resilience and coping skills necessary to succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Knowing what our children are doing online is critical to maintaining their well being.
Paul Engles - Principal
SIGNING YOUR CHILD OUT DURING SCHOOL HOURS
When you need to sign your child/children out during school hours, please come to the office first and the Office Staff will call your child’s classroom for them to meet you at the Office.
Please do not go to the classroom first to collect your child/children.
Please avoid collection times between 11.00am-11.30am and 1.00pm-1.50pm as these are break times.
The Kohimarama Way - Friendliness
"A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside." Winnie the Pooh. What a simile, and something most of us will be able to relate to. If it is not honey that is your comfort, it might be coffee or Thai food or a different beverage. It is that 'something' that gives you relief, release and satisfaction all in one. Similar to what a friend provides. Can you imagine not having a friend, being new to NZ, Auckland, Kohimarama and knowing no one? Maybe needing support with a child, finding a place to live, getting a library card, finding the best supermarket? A smile offers an opportunity, at the very least for a return upward swing of the lips, at the very best the start of a friendship - give it a go :-)
Walking School Bus - Are you interested in finding out more - Thursday 17th October @ 6.30 pm
This is an opportunity for your child/ren to walk to school with others in a group, supervised by a parent. It will save the chaos at the school gate, the parking in driveways and on yellow lines and everyone's frustration. But wait there's more, students will arrive at school on time, ready to learn and a bit fitter by the end of the term. And still more, for every day the students walk they get a click on their card towards achieving another token to their bag tag - 'heady' stuff. They get their own official walking school bus wet weather poncho for rainy days which will keep them nice and dry, and if they walk on rainy days they get two clicks on their ticket. Come along and meet with other like minded parents in our school Library on Thursday 17th October at 6.30 pm.
Te Whare Tapere Wānanga Session 1 - Wednesday 18th September
On Wednesday a group of Kohimarama students attended the first of four wānanga sessions organised by Ngati Pāoa Iwi Trust at Glenbrae Primary School. Students from 10 different schools in the rōpū came together with the purpose of strengthening ākonga Māori (Māori students) connections to te ao Māori. The first wānaga was about whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships), playing traditional Māori kemu (games) and singing waiata. The students learnt some new games called ‘Pass the Mauri’, Kī-o-rahi and Whano Whano. It was great to see the students actively participating in the workshops, sharing their knowledge, making new friends and having fun. The overwhelming feedback from the students was that the first wānanga session was tūmeke (awesome).
Sarah Witchalls
Bay Suburbs Hockey Team
What a fabulous team of Year 5 and 6 students who represented us at the Bay Suburbs interschool sports competition on Tuesday. Mr Engles, Mrs Mills and Miss Hill were fortunate to watch their first two games and were very impressed with their sportsmanship and tenacity in keeping their eye on the ball and chasing it. The first game was a 3-0 win to us and the second game was a hard-fought draw with great saves and even greater attempts on the goal.Thanks to Tracey Atkin and Mr Forbes for getting the team match fit and ready and to Mrs Thomas for transporting the students to and from the event. All I can say, is move over Blacksticks!
Student Fundraiser - Friday 1st November
We are raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation. This is for children who are ill and need something to look forward to, to help them through the tough times. Their wish is granted and we want to be a part of that. We are asking students to bring $2 and they can wear their weekend clothes or come as something they wish to be e.g. a movie character, a job/career in their future, a role model they admire, etc. The more support we get the more children's wishes come true.
Teachers Only Day
Please note; Teachers only day on Tuesday 29th October.
Students Leaving
As we begin our classroom planning for 2025, we ask those families who have made plans and have a student who will be leaving Kohimarama School at the end of 2024 school year to complete this form. The last day of school is 17 December 2024.
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.
Enviro
PTA
Certificates & Awards
Congratulations to these outstanding students:
- Room 1 – Stella PD
- Room 2 – Jake C
- Room 3 – Finn C
- Room 4– Francisco R, Isabelle B
- Room 5– Finn H, Noah M
- Room 6 – Daniel L, Daniel M
- Room 8 – Arad G
- Room 16 – Hugo C
- Room 17 – Marie F
- Room 25 – Sithuli A
- Room 26 – Havana C
- Room 11 – Reece H, Rian S
- Room 12 – Ben E, Honor R
- Room 13 – William H, Max H
- Room 14 – Oliver F, Frida RN
- Room 15 – Julian L, Sabine P
- Room 18 – Natalie R, Poppy B
- Room 19 – Louis P, Sascha T
- Room 20 – Joshua O, Jasper M
- Room 21 – Abigail J
- Room 22 – Leon U
- Room 23 – Nicholas BJ, Marko N
The Kohimarama Way Values - "Greenies"
A bit of rain has meant inside break times and less green spaces to play on, but in try Kohimarama style, our students have excelled themselves and turned to indoor play with vim and vigour. Congratulations to the following fortunate 'greenie' winners:
- Sebbie Rm 1 for Friendliness Atkin
- Leo Rm 1 for Reliability Atkin
- Maxim Rm 25 for Friendlinss Colenso
- Noah Rm 15 for Reliability Atkin
- Amy Rm 23 for Reliability Colenso
Community Notices
SKILLS OF SOCCER with Billy Harris
Billy is an ex All White and has been running his soccer skills programme in the school once a week after school for many years. The fun class is for boys and girls of all ages, and will help your child's confidence, coordination and ball skills. See his website www.billyharris.co.nz, and text him on 0272799042 to arrange a trial class.
