Wānaka Primary School Newsletter for Term 4  Week 9
View this email in your browser
Newsletter Term 4  Week 9
5th December 2023

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

IMPORTANT DATES

 
Term 4
Week 9
Wednesday 6th December - Matinee Pantomime Performance - 1pm
Wednesday 6th December - Butterfields Loop walk for Rooms 5 and 7
Thursday 7th December - Pod Shift (Pods 3, 6 and 8)
Thursday 7th December - Butterfields Loop walk for Rooms 6 and 8
Thursday 7th December - Pod 4 trip to Domini Park
Thursday 7th December - Year 5 Student Leadership Training
Thursday 7th December - Evening Pantomime Performance - 6pm
Week 10
Monday 11th December - Pod Shift (Pods 1, 2 and 4) 
Monday 11th December - Year 6 Leadership Celebration Afternoon
Tuesday 12th December - Tribe Water Fun Afternoon
Wednesday 13th December - Senior Kapa Haka Morning Tea to farewell Mary-Anne at Take Kārara - 10am
Wednesday 13th December - Year 6 Leavers Graduation Assembly - 1pm
Thursday 14th December - Farewell Assembly for Kerry Guise and Jo Roberts - 2pm.  Everyone is welcome.
Friday 15th December - Last day of school for 2023 - school closes 3pm - buses are running.

Term 1 2024
Week 1
Wednesday 31st January - First day of Term 1, 2024
Week 2

Monday 5th February - school open
Tuesday 6th February - Waitangi Day - school closed
 

IMPORTANT NOTICES


Tribe Water Fun Afternoon

Our last tribe day will be a fun water day!  Children will have the opportunity to play water games, have a go on a water slide and have a water gun fight to name but a few activities.  We will also have some dry activities planned for those who would rather not get as wet :)
When: Tuesday 12th December
Where:  All over school
MUST bring:  togs (including a t-shirt or rash vest to cover shoulders), towel, brimmed hat, sunscreen
Can bring:  water gun, water shoes / trainers that would be okay to get wet
 

Year 6 Graduation Assembly

A warm invitation is extended to parents/caregivers of our Y6 students who are graduating at the end of the term.

This will take place on Wednesday 13th December, at 1pm in our school hall.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Please make sure all graduates are dressed in full school uniform, hair done and teeth ready to smile for that graduation photo.
  

Farewell Assembly for Kerry Guise and Jo Roberts

On Thursday 14th December at 2pm we are holding a farewell assembly for Kerry Guise and Jo Roberts.  We would love you to join us to farewell Kerry and Jo who are going to be so missed by staff and students.
 

WPS Sports Tops Amnesty

Please have a check at home to see if you have any Wānaka Primary School sports tops lying around as we are missing a large number of them.  Please return to the school office.
 

Leaving Wānaka Primary School

If your child / children are leaving WPS at the end of this term and you have not yet advised the office, can you please do so as soon as possible as we have started planning classes for 2024.
 

Lost and Found Property

A bank note was found and handed in at the book fair.  If you lost money at the book fair please come and see us at the office to claim.
 
Do you recognise this? Please come and see us at the office if it's yours.  We also have a ring, keys, watches and earrings that need to be returned to the rightful owners before the end of term.

TERM 1 2024 begins on Wednesday 31st January


Students are requested to assemble outside their allocated Pods by 9.00am – dressed in full uniform, including a sunhat.
  • Pod 1 – Year 1
  • Pod 2 – Years 1 & 2
  • Pod 3 – Years 3 & 4
  • Pod 4 – Years 3 & 4
  • Pod 6 – Years 5 & 6
  • Pod 7 – Years 5 & 6
Parents will be notified of their child's teacher and classroom in the last week of this term.

New enrolments are welcome at 10.00am on Tuesday 30th January to complete enrolment and participate in a tour of the school.

Please check the Wānaka Primary School website for zoning information. Those outside of the Wānaka Primary School zone, should contact Te Kura O Take Kārara

Stationery lists are available on the school website. Stationery should be brought to school on Wednesday 31st January.

Come and See Our Panto - This Week!


Tickets available from the school office with limited door sales available.
BOARD BUZZ

WPS Board Casual Vacancy for a Parent Representative

A casual vacancy has occurred on the school board for an elected parent representative.

The board has decided to fill the vacancy by selection.

If 10% or more of eligible voters on the school roll ask the Board, within 28 days of this notice being published, to hold a by-election to fill the vacancy, then a by-election will be held.

Request for a by-election should be sent to:

Brendan Hearle
Board Chair
Wanaka Primary School Board
bot@wanaka.school.nz
or 7 Ironside Drive, Wanaka
by: 29th December 2023
CURRICULUM COMMENT

Panto Dress Rehearsal

Our Panto Dress Rehearsal was a great success today and we look forward to welcoming you to tomorrow's matinee at 1pm and Thursday's evening performance at 6pm.  Tickets are still available at $10 each from the school office.  Limited door sales will also be available.
 

 

Year 6 Kapa Haka Celebrating Citizenship 

The twenty nine Year 6s in our senior kapa haka group sang the National Anthem and performed two waiata to celebrate the new citizens of New Zealand, from Wānaka.  This is their last performance in our kapa haka uniforms and we were so proud of them as they performed with mana and passion.
 

 

Organisation for 2024

Our organisation of classes and pods is as below:
  • Pod 1 will start with 2 classes and will build to 4 over the year.  NE/Y1 teachers in Pod 1 are Sharon and Charlotte Baldwin.  We anticipate we will start up two more new entrant classes over the year in Pod 1.
  • Pod 2 will start the year with 2 Year 1/2 classes (Ben and Casey) and  2 Year 2 classes (Megan and Mel Hewson). The older Year 1 students will be placed into Pod 2 to keep class sizes manageable in the Year 1/2 area.  Jason will be in touch with parents of these older Year 1 students.
  • Pod 3 will start with 3 Y3/4 classes with teachers Lisa, Anne and Kelly.
  • Pod 4 will also start with 3 Y3/4 classes with teachers Kylie, Danielle and Robyn.
  • Pod 6 will start with 3 Y5/6 classes with Anna, Kath and Moira.
  • Pod 7 will  start with 4 Y5/6 classes with Karina, Dave, Charlotte Lawrie and Coral.
Marg, Marj and Jen C are continuing with their individual and small group literacy teaching, as well as some classroom release.  Kirsty Hendry is training in Reading Recovery next year and so will join Jen, and they will work with 4 students each, every day.

The Leadership Team are myself, Jason and Jennie Croxford and of course Leah, our SENCO (Special Needs Co-ordinator).  We have Andrena working 3 days CRT (classroom release time), and Jo Parr working 2 days.

We hope to email you your child's teacher for 2024 in the last week of this term.
SCHOOL NOTICES

Pod 2 Christmas Assembly





Thank you to Pod 2 for their wonderful Christmas assembly.

How David Ruined Christmas

By Hazel Robinson

'Twas the night before Christmas in Wānaka town.  But this time there was something bringing folks down.  I wandered out in the evening heat, to bring some jam tarts.  A nice Christmas treat. 

But little did the folks of Wānaka know.  There was about to be weather, much much worse than snow.  Then suddenly, out of the warm heated air, a spinning tornado came out of nowhere.  I tried to get home with all of my might, but instead I got sucked up and pulled through the night.  I finally stopped spinning and fell to the floor, only to find someone taking it all. 

He was taking the presents, the tinsel and the trees.  He was taking everything Christmas needs.  Do you want to know who was taking them all?  It was David Disastrous, worst of them all.  When I saw him laughing I was so very mad.  I had finally discovered what was making people sad.  I had an idea to take it all back.  I just needed something to use as a bat. 

If I could knock David out, then Christmas would be saved.  So, I decided I had to be brave.  I saw a bat sitting on a shelf.  David clearly liked cricket,  he played by himself (which is pretty sad).  I snuck up behind him with the bat in my hand, then I knocked him out...BLAM!!  I was very, very glad that I had been brave.  I returned all of the stuff, then Christmas was saved. 

My story’s ended. 

ENJOY CHRISTMAS!!!

Pod 6 Giving Trees

Pod 6 children have collected items under their Giving Trees for donation to Community Networks. These will be boxed up and delivered Wednesday for distribution for Christmas.
SPORT NOTICES

WPS Netball

WPS Netball is calling for new committee members to join for the 2024 season. All welcome, and rest assured any tasks are minimal, other than input on teams and tournaments.  Please email wpsnetballers@gmail.com to register your interest.

We’d like to thank Portia Campbell for her great work as President of WPS Netball for the past two years and welcome Bec Williamson into the role for 2024.
 
Keep an eye out for player registrations in Term 1!
LIBRARY NEWS

Library News

I would like to wish all the Wānaka Primary School Whānau a very happy and safe summer season. 

Please feel free to email me anytime if you need help with your child's "reading 4 pleasure" choices and or recommendations.  I also welcome recommendations.

I would also like to mention our wonderful local public library.  It is free to become a member.  Click on the links below for more information.

 

Digital and Audio Resources

Borrow box is an amazing resource which you can have free access to for digital reading and audio resources for your children.  Click on the image below to look at the amazing range.  You need a QLDC library membership (which is free) to borrow. 
 

 

Quote of the Week

 
HEALTH SNIPPETS

Contact for our local Public Health Nurse

Pip McLean is our local Public Health Nurse - should you wish to get in contact with Pip her contact details are: 03 440 4309 or 0272 839 395 or email Pip.McLean@southerndhb.govt.nz
COMMUNITY NOTICES

Hawea Christmas Wonderland

Wanaka Preschool Cheese Fundraiser

Zero Waste Xmas Wrapping

Come along to a Furoshiki fabric gift wrapping workshop, just in time for Christmas!  You can wrap anything using just a bit of fabric.  Best part is you can use the fabric over and over again.  No sellotape or ribbons required.
 
Fabricate - 15 Gordon Road, Wanaka 
13th December 6pm - 8pm 
Cost - $25 

All proceeds donated to Wānaka Community Networks/LINK for the community Xmas hampers they make up for those who are finding the end of year a little difficult.  Materials provided by the amazing team at @wanakawastebusters, or purchase fabric from Fabricate at $5 per metre and bring your own!  We will show you how to wrap all sorts of gifts including wine bottles, odd shaped gifts and larger items like kids bikes!  No sewing required!  Bring along a friend for some Xmas cheer, a few giggles and discover the incredible space that is Fabricate.  There's limited spaces so be in quick.  Email contact@revology.co.nz or drop into the Revology store on Helwick St to reserve your spot.

Festive Celebrations at the Library

Aspiring Gymsports Fundraising Disco and Karaoke

Community Support Fund

The Incredible Years Parenting Programme

HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES

Aspiring Gymsports Holiday Programme

Free Water Safety Education Programme

Wanaka Kids Club Holiday Programme

OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

SongCatcher - Song Writing Classes

Delicious, nutritious and popular with kids, Subway delivers school lunches every Friday.  Order online at subwayexpress.co.nz by 9am.
Copyright © 2023 Wānaka Primary School, All rights reserved.
School Newsletter

Our mailing address is:
Wānaka Primary School
7 Ironside Drive
Wānaka, Otago 9350
New Zealand

Add us to your address book


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp