27 Sep 2024

Kia ora everyone. 

What a busy/ crazy term it has been! Production and camp made our term extra hectic, but it was all worth it!

To top the term off, we won the Ngā Wiki O Te Reo Māori prize by being 'caught' using te reo in the playground. Despite being away at camp for the first week of ngā wiki o te reo Māori, we managed to earn the most tickets to win the trophy and $100, which will go towards a shared lunch for our class. We will look at doing this in Week 2 or 3 of Term 4. 

The cut off date for Home Learning Challenges will be the end of week 4, Term 4. If your child has not yet presented any challenges, have them consider using the holidays as an opportunity to prepare some to share with us.

We would like to thank you all for your wonderful support this term and hope you have a safe and happy break. 

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday 14 October. 

Nā māua noa,

Ethan and Kura

 

 

27 Sep 2024

Waitākere Primary School is considering implementing cohort entry for children starting school after they have turned 5 years of age.

We are providing the whānau of our learning community the opportunity to provide feedback in order for the school to make an informed decision. We have provided some information below to assist you in sharing your thoughts.

What is cohort entry?
Children start school in cohorts after they have turned 5.
There will be 2 entry points per term:
1 on the first day of term
1 at a mid-point during a term.

Ministry of Education Cohort 2025 Entry Dates

Term 1
03/02/25
10/03/25

Term 2
28/04/25
26/05/25

Term 3
14/07/25
18/08/25

Term 4
06/10/25
10/11/25

Benefits of cohort entry

• To allow students to settle quicker into school.
• Evidence shows that starting school alongside others can help foster relationships and support smoother entry to school.
• Cohort entry supports the new structured literacy program for reading and writing with each new cohort commencing their learning together.
• Less disruption for class teachers as they can plan for groups of students doing both school visits and starting school.
• Allow for a more beneficial transition program.
• Easier report tracking.
• Schools that are already using cohort entry believe it offers their children the best start to their school life.

FAQ…

Q: My Child turns 5 the day after a cohort entry date, can they start on their birthday?

A: Unfortunately, not. Your children would be starting at the next cohort entry date.

 

Q: My child turns 5 the day after a cohort entry date, can they begin a day earlier with the cohort.

A: Unfortunately, not. Children in New Zealand can’t be enrolled until they are 5.

 

Q: When is the latest my child can start school?

A: In New Zealand all children must be enrolled by their 6th birthday.

 

If you would like to share your thoughts, in support of or against, cohort entry please email office@waitakereprimary.school.nz by Friday 18th October 2024.

 

27 Sep 2024

Hi Puāwai families,  
 
What a busy term we have had! With CAMP, CROSS COUNTRY, POETRY RECITALS, and lots of new LEARNING there will be some very tired kids heading into the Term 3 holidays! 
 
A few notices for next term: 
 
Home Learning:  It has been awesome to see all of the Home Learning Challenges coming in. You child will be posting on Seesaw today how many challenges they have completed and how many they have left. The holidays are a great time to smash some out ready for next term, all challenges need to be completed by Friday 8th November! 
 
Learning for next term: 
Writing – recounts, instructional, and letter writing  
Reading – continuing to build on our skills and comprehension of different texts  
Math – Statistics  
Physical Education – Athletics  
 
Sunhats:  
Over the holidays, tamariki will need to dig out their hat and bring it to school for the start of next term.  While the weather can sometimes be a bit unpredictable with four seasons in one day, students are required to wear a sunhat when outside at school to keep them safe from the harsh NZ sun.  If your child doesn’t have a hat, the school holidays might be a good time to go shopping for one that has a wide brim all the way round.   
  
Library: 
Our library day continues to be Wednesday, please remind your child to bring their library bag and library books.  
 
Spelling and Basic Facts: 
We are so proud of our tamariki for their progress in our Spelling and Basic Facts. Thanks so much to all the families who are supporting these skills at home.  
 
Dates: 
28th October – Labour Day   
29th October - Teacher Only Day    
8th November - Spring Fling Disco - Year 0-4 5:30-7pm  
2nd December – House Day – dress in your house colours  
3rd December – Home learning celebration   
18th December – Last day for the year, 12.40pm finish 
 
 
We are very much looking forward to the holidays and spending some time with our families. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on 14th October ???? 
 
 
Monique, Eriko, and Jennie  
 
mwatt@waitakereprimary.school.nz 
etaingahue@waitakereprimary.school.nz 
jhendren@waitakereprimary.school.nz