Newsletter 4, Term 2, Week 3 2022

This newsletter has been such a pleasure to compile – it is brimming with photos and stories about our students and learning experiences that are happening across our school. Although we are only in week 3, it feels as if we’ve already experienced enough learning to fill the whole term. It has also been SO lovely to have our parents and whanau back onsite. We notice that some of you are choosing to waiting outside the gates, which is very much appreciated, as every step we take to help reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading, is a step in the right direction.

Curriculum @ Rewa Rewa School

Each class teacher has already sent their first newsletter for the term to all of their families . Please take the time to read these, as they give very detailed notes about what your child is learning about this term, across the curriculum. To date, we’ve already we’ve had…

Life Education Trust

I wish I had eyelashes as long as Harold’s! Life Education Trust, Harold and Marsha shared some amazing ideas with our students around healthy eating choices and how to look after our bodies.

Fairy Garden

The wonder of creativity via our Learning Through Play provocations in Wai class makes me want to be a student again. Be sure to visit these exciting developments in the outside play area.

CELEBRATING OUR UNIQUENESS

At the end of last term Wai students had the opportunity to come to school dressed in something that was special about them. Some celebrated their overseas home country, others dressed up to acknowledge their NZ identity and favourite food – mmmm pavlova (Chloe you looked delicious enough to eat!), and yet others decided to celebrate what they like doing, such as dancing and playing rugby.

AUTUMN POETRY

Writers in Hau class recently explored our local park and then created wonderful Autumn poems.

Cheeky Cheeky Leaves

Red leaves, gold leaves

Leaves, leaves, leaves

It looks like Autumn is here.

Looks like we need some yard- work done

Crunchy leaves under my feet

Now let’s play hide and seek.

Poet: Honor  

Pitter Patter

 Crunchy

Leaves under

My feet as

Autumn winds

Blow

Poet: Cyrus

Autumn Day

Floating

Leaves falling

Off the tree

Wind blows

Softly

Poet: Pranav

Covid-19 News

We know that about half of our students have not yet tested positive for Covid and neither have the majority of our staff. For this reason, we remain on alert, continuing to track and  monitor what is happening in our community so that we can respond quickly. Please continue to read all Covid-19 emails and bulletins that we send to you, as these will guide you along the way. We also ask that you continue to let us know as soon as your child becomes a Household contact or tests positive for Covid-19, so that we can give you the appropriate support and advice. In the meantime, wear those masks and stay well!

The Resilience Project (NZ)

GEM (Gratitude  Empathy  Mindfulness)

Last year. my Principal’s Sabbatical led me on a fascinating journey as to how we might support our learners to navigate our ever-changing world. It became very clear to me how important it is to promote a strong Sense of Wellbeing. We can achieve this within our localised curriculum by teaching the skills of empathy, gratitude and having a ‘can-do’,  positive attitude. Rewa Rewa school is the first school in Wellington to undertake The Resilience Project programme as part of their curriculum. Lessons have begun this term, with each child having their own special journal to record their thoughts and ideas – ask your child to show you their journal. Last week, I visited classes whilst their lessons were in action. I was stunned by what I heard and saw. The high level of thought-provoking, positive ideas being articulated by our Yr 1-6 students was mind-blowing. Later this term, the CEO from TRP (NZ) is attending our scheduled community hui. So, make sure you’re there to learn more about TRP and its benefits for children. In the meantime, you can delve further on the TRP website https://theresilienceproject.com.au/ or read the brochure attached to this newsletter.

Wai class learning all about Belly Breathing, a strategy that helps to calm us when we’re feeling cross.

Board News

Staffing

Next week we say farewell to Frances Reilly, who has won a teaching position at St Brendans School in Upper Hutt. We congratulate her on this appointment and wish her all the very best for the future.

We welcome Portia France who has been appointed to teach in Whenua class (Yr 3-4). Over the next term, please introduce yourselves to her so that she feels welcomed by our community.

New Board Candidates

We had an outstanding turnout at our first event of the year for those in our community interested in joining our new school board in September. The next stage for those intending to stand is an invitation to attend a board meeting. Our next board meeting is on Tuesday 24 May and we invite you to join us any time between 5.30-6.30pm.  Please RSVP to office@rewarewa.school.nz.

LSC Upgrade

Our 2022 property work is finally starting to get underway. The LSC Room (near the Staffroom is being upgraded, so that it is fit for purpose for our specialist teachers, such as the Learning Support Co-ordinator (LSC), ORS teacher and librarian. This project is 100% MOE-funded and does not use our school’s property funds.

Learning Through Play Junior Playground (LTP) and Mural Open Day

Watch out soon for a flier inviting you to a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and morning tea to officially celebrate the completion of our new Junior LTP Playground.

Community Helpers

We couldn’t do without the additional help that so many people offer through their time, resources and commitment. Our special thanks to:

• Dash and his family for weeding the Junior Playground and the crib wall in the holidays
• Lynnda and Brenda for an outstanding effort in the front gardens
• The Porteous family for their amazing Mud Kitchen donation
• Our PTP helpers who have continued to offer reading support to our students
• To Rochelle and Miranda for organising the Scholastic Bookclub orders each term
• To those families who do special things, such as dropping off morning tea for the staff, donating stationery and school hats to support other families in our school – you know who you are and we say a huge “thank you”.

What do we need help with next?

Home & School Parent Group – our next big project is to develop the top field running/cycling track. If you’d like to join this group of volunteers, please contact Naomi (naomi.godfrey@rewarewa.school.nz).

Yummy Stickers – collecting these stickers gives us access to many $$$ worth of free PE gear – can you take responsibility for this? If so, please email office@rewarewa.school.nz.

School Gardening – there are always areas that we can allocate to you and your family -e.g. planting flowers in the quad pagoda area – just let us know when you can help.

If you have any other ideas that you’d be keen to help with in our school, just let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

Wednesday 25 May   11am-12.30pm

Thursday 7 July          7-8.30pm

Thursday 26 July        9-10.30am

Friday 11 November

School Cross Country

Newlands Intermediate Open Evening

NIS “School in Action” morning

NIS Orientation Morning – pre-enrolled Y6s only

Term 2

Monday 02 May – Friday 08 July

Fri 03 June—Newlands Cluster Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Mon 06 June—Queen’s Birthday, School Closed

Tue 07 June – Teacher Only Day, School Closed

Fri 24 June—Matariki, School Closed

Term 3

Monday 25 July – Friday 30 September

Term 4

Monday 17 October – Thursday 15 December (School closes at 1pm)

Mon 24 October—Labour Day, School Closed