Kohimarama School News - 12th February 2025
School News
A Message from Kiri Team
Kia ora everybody!
Starting school last week was exciting for the children and teachers. The week was spent getting to know each other, making new friends and having fun. We believe in creating an environment where everybody feels welcome and enjoys school.
Our morning programme of Discovery Learning in Kiri Team offers opportunities for children to develop their creativity, confidence, communication and cooperation skills. Each morning interesting resources are set up to encourage children to lead their learning in Art and Craft, Music, Literacy, Maths Problem Solving, and Science. This collaborative learning environment lends itself to develop our Kohimarama Values and Dispositions.
Last week classes took the opportunity to learn about Waitangi Day, its meaning and significance to all of us in Aotearoa. We also learnt about Chinese New Year. Asian communities from all over the world welcomed in the Year of the Snake on the 29th of January.
Kiri Sport and Jump Jam started last week, it was great to see all the smiles and enthusiasm. Year after year ‘The Witch Doctor’ never fails to be a Jump Jam favourite!
This term our Kohimarama Value is ‘Respect’. Kiri Team have been learning about how to be respectful to each other, animals and the environment. Teddy, our resident bunny, is a fabulous asset. He is cute, cuddly and fun, and allows the children to play and care for him. This is such a great opportunity for children to develop empathy and learn how to treat animals kindly. He is extremely tolerant!
Wishing you all the best for the rest of the term.
Ngā mihi, Kiri Team
The Kohimarama Way - Respect
Without respect for rules, we would have confusion. People would treat each other rudely and violate each other's privacy ad other righrs. Respect helps people for feel valued. Elders deserve special respect because they have lived longer and learned man of life's lessons. Self-respect is making sure no one hurts you or abuses you, even an elder. Whe you respect yourself, others respect you too.
Kohimarama Connect (Meet the Teacher)
We invite all parents and caregivers to our Kohimarama Connect (Meet the Teacher) Evening on 17th February at 6:30pm in the School Hall. The evening will begin in the school hall before moving to classrooms, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet teachers and gain insights into your child’s learning space.
We will also be sharing the results of our participation in national studies (Curriculum Insights and Progress Study, University of Otago) and international studies (OECD) in Mathematics and Science. Alongside this we will share with you our Pedagogy (Science of Teaching) that is used at Kohimarama School that supports these very good results.
We encourage you to mark this date in your diary and look forward to connecting with you at this important event.
Wearing Sports Uniform at Kohimarama School
We would like to trial a small adjustment to the uniform policy during term one. This is in respect to the wearing of sports uniforms.
From Monday, 17th February, we will be making a small alteration to how students wear their sports uniforms on designated sports and physical education days.
- Kiri and Cowley Teams – Students may wear their sports uniform to and from school on their designated sports and PE days.
- Hillary and Snell Teams – Students will arrive at school in their regular uniform but may leave on their sports/PE day in their sports uniform.
This adjustment is designed to support student learning and independence:
For Kiri and Cowley Teams, reducing time spent changing helps maximise learning time and minimises lost property.
For Hillary and Snell Teams, this approach maintains learning time while fostering student agency, allowing them to manage a time to change and be ready for sports and PE when scheduled.
Thank you for your support in ensuring students follow these expectations. Your partnership in maintaining our school’s high standards while maximising student learning time is greatly appreciated.
Kohimarama's Got Talent 2025
By popular demand Kohimarama's Got Talent returns to our school. This is for any interested student who would like to perform in either of the four categories: Singing, Dance, Musical Instrument or Comedy. Students will compete with other students of similar ages ie. Kiri and Cowley teams will be participating together and Hillary and Snell teams will be in the other group of participants. Students may be in more than one category, they may also sing by themselves or in a group - this is the same for all categories. If participants are singing or dancing they need to provide their own backing music. For the heats, students will have up to 2 minutes performance time each. Performances will happen during big break in the hall and be judged by Student Councillors. This is a friendly opportunity for students to participate not a high risk competitive situation. During the heats we ask that participants are able to perform without parent input, it is a low tech, fun event. Once we have seen all students we will put a final together where we will invite all the school and any interested parents of participants to attend. Once again, this will be a low key opportunity for students to have fun and share their talents. Students will enter by writing their names on the entry forms in their classrooms. If you have any questions please direct them to your child's teacher first and if they are not able to answer your question please see/email Miss Hill. You know your child best, this is opt in and for students who would enjoy this experience - so please talk with your child if they show an interest about whether this is the best opportunity for them, this year.
Band 2025
Thank you to the interested parents and students who came to our Band sign up meeting last evening. A reminder that registrations to learn an instrument and play in our Band closes this Thursday at 9.00 am. Please make sure the registration form is handed into the school office so we can action it and ensure your child is accounted for this year.
Scholastic Book Club
Issue 1 for 2025 is now out! Catalogues will be coming home or you can view online using the following link:
https://www.scholastic.co.nz/
Download the Loop app to order online and have your order delivered to your child's class for free.
Orders close 16th February.
PTA News
To access the roster please click here.
Community News
