May 2023 Edition
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The Connection

Week 3

Term 2

Huapai District School

May 11th 2023

Principal's Message

The Secret To Becoming Happier…

Usually, we dream about things which would make OUR OWN selves happy. I remember as a child, the joys of my happiest time of year - Christmas. Waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking full of goodies and a pile of presents for me under the Christmas tree.

The older I got my happiness came not from what I got under the tree, but what I was able to give others. The look of joy, knowing I can make someone else happy has become the greatest gift of all. Research in neuroscience and psychology shows by making others happy you can become happier YOURSELF. How cool is that?!

This term, we hope to bring happiness to others when we showcase works of art in our Art Exhibition during Week 9. The greatest gift for our students will be people coming and admiring the effort they have put in over the term as they think critically about the world around them through various forms of art. It is an exciting learning journey they are on and one where they are learning to appreciate the world around them.

Have a great week.

Keryn Annan
Deputy Principal

Upcoming Events

  • Friday 19th May - Pink Shirt Day
  • Monday 22nd May - Friday 26th May - Scholastic Book Fair
  • Tuesday 23rd May - Parent Evening
  • Thursday 25th May - Senior Information Afternoon
  • Monday 5th June - King's Birthday (school closed)
  • Tuesday 6th June - Teacher Only day

Community Survey

On Monday, the School Board sent out a community survey. This survey helps the Board track the progress the school has against our goals and also gives opportunity to gain feedback and input from our community. The survey will take around 4 minutes to complete and will be really influential in the schools review and next step. A follow up reminder will be sent on Monday. The survey closes Monday 22nd May.

Scholastic Book Fair

Monday 22nd May - Friday 26th May
We are hosting this exciting annual event Monday 22nd May - Friday 26th May in the library. Eftpos is available. All students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair. We will have the fair open until 3:15 each day as well as two evenings for your convenience.

Parent Evening

Tuesday 23rd May
We are delighted to invite you in to spend time with your child’s teacher discussing your child’s learning. The session will consist of a presentation of key elements of your child’s classroom, as well as a student led showcase of learning.
Bookings for this afternoon (3pm - 5pm) will be available early next week.
This is for all year levels.

Life As A Senior Student At HDS

Thursday 25th May
We would like to invite our school community to an information evening to find out more about school life as a senior student at HDS (Years 7&8). What makes us special and what opportunities are available for your child here at HDS. Thursday 25th May. RSVPs for this will be made available early next week.

Athletics Days

Our plan was always Term 1, but the cyclone pushed this out. We thank you for your patience as we tried for an early Term 2 event. This was not to be. We look forward to enjoying a sunny athletics day with you later in the year. Juniors (Year 0-4) will be Monday 30th October and Seniors (Year 5-8) will be Thursday 2nd November.

Pink Shirt Day

Friday 19th May
On Friday 19th of May, our school will be holding a mufti day in support of Pink Shirt Day.

In Aotearoa, Pink Shirt Day is a day led by the Mental Health Foundation that aims to create schools and workplaces where all people feel safe, valued and respected. It is a day to spread aroha and kindness, celebrate diversity and put an end to bullying.

On Friday 19th May, our students are invited to wear a pink shirt to mufti day and bring a gold coin to donate to this worthy cause. We hope to see our school transformed into a sea of pink for Pink Shirt Day!

Te Ahi Ora

We are really excited to be able to host this opportunity for our year 2-8 students on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th May. We are keen to invite you to one of two evening performances here at school on these evenings by the group here at school where they will demonstrate the skill with fire! 6-8pm on the school soccer field. A great chance to come and see what your children have been learning. Please have a watch of the video linked below to see what the lessons will involve for your child.

Leadership Awards

Our school leadership awards have gone digital. These are no longer paper booklets. Please access HERO to upload the evidence for your child’s leadership award activities. We see this as a way to preserve the journey of leadership throughout the years that your child undertakes.

Change Of Clothes

Can you please ensure that your child is coming to school with a spare change of clothes (uniform if possible) in their bag, in case a change is needed throughout the day. While we do have a few spare items in the School Office, these are for First Aid emergencies only. If your child requires a change of clothes but does not have one, we may need to call you to come and collect them or to bring a change of clothes in.

Driving On School Grounds

The school driveway is reserved for authorised vehicles only. We have noticed an increase in cars driving onto school grounds recently, especially at drop off and pick up times. This is a health and safety risk. We therefore request that you please park on the road when dropping off or collecting your child(ren).
We also ask that you please refrain from parking across the school driveway, even for a short period of time, as this prevents vehicles from entering or exiting the school.

Yummy Apple Sticker Promotion

Each year we have the opportunity to trade in stickers collected from the Yummy apple range for sports gear. This is an annual promotion that has seen the school earn some great gear that is used across the school. It’s that time again to remember to collect the stickers.

A collection sheet is linked below, or each of the classrooms have one on their wall for use at school. Paper copies of the sheet can be collect from the school office should you wish.

Sports Camp Information Evening

This is a week long wider opportunity camp for our Year 7&8 students, to spend a week living and breathing sports with other schools from across the North Island. If you are interested in hearing more, Stacey Watson and Maree Lloyd will be hosting a brief parent information evening at 6pm on Thursday 25th May in the senior zone (timed to be just before the senior information evening). Registrations of interest for this camp will be opened after the meeting.

Tough Guy And Gal Challenge - Helpers Please!

This is an event we enter a school team into each year. It is also OUR school’s event, to earn money for the school by supplying marshals for the event. The role of the marshal is to stand in one location on the course and point the racers to the next obstacle. Super easy, super fun and a really easy way to show your support for the school.
Please click the link below to register your child(ren) PLEASE CHOOSE TUESDAY 1ST AUGUST.
Please also click the link below if you are able to help as an adult Marshal for the event.

Rugby Opportunity

Entries close TOMORROW
We have another opportunity for our Year 3&4 and Year 5&6 male and female rugby players. There are two Harbour Sports Rugby tournament days coming up this term. We are looking for interested players and parent coaches for the days. There are both rippa and tackle options available.
Please use the form linked below to register your interest for your child. Entries close tomorrow.

School Hall Closed

29th May - 16th June
Our school hall will have the floor sanded and recoated during this time. Huapai+ will be relocated to Rm 17 (room by the Station Rd entrance).
We look forward to seeing our school hall return to its full glory.

Can You Help?

Moments From The Week

Creative Matters

Creative Matters are back for the 2023 year. With classes on Mondays, 3pm - 5pm in Room 17. Please book at the link below.

Brain Play

Wednesdays, 3:30pm - 6pm in Room 17.
Brain Play teaches science & technology classes to Kiwi kids aged 5-13, right across the country! We offer holiday programmes, online classes, in-person after-school classes, in-school classes, and free events for communities. Our topics include 3D printing, coding, animation, STEM experiments, LEGO & more. Free trials are also available for new students. This term we are in Stanmore Bay, Huapai, Parnell and Hobsonville (as well as online)! Check out our website to learn more about what's on at Brain Play & book in today.
Please book at the link below.

Music Lessons With MusiqHub

MusiqHub are looking forward to another awesome year of music in 2023 at Huapai School! They will have a bunch of slots available for Guitar, Drums, Piano and Ukulele lessons. If you're interested, be sure to get in touch to reserve your spot or ask any questions you may have. Contact details below:

Drums: paul.barry@musiqhub.co.nz

Guitar, Keyboard and Ukulele:
scott.wotherspoon@musiqhub.co.nz

2023 Term Dates

These are the Term Dates for 2023:

Term 1: Tuesday 7th February - Thursday 6th April
Term 2: Wednesday 26th April - Friday 30th June
Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September
Term 4: Monday 9th October - Tuesday 19th December

Teacher Only Days:
Monday 24th April (the day before Anzac Day)
Tuesday 6th June (King's Birthday weekend)

HERO Notifications

We use HERO to send classroom updates, to share regular learning posts and now for payment on all in-school costs. HERO sends push notifications or emails. You can now choose how you receive HERO notifications as well as manage devices that receive them.

To set your own notification preferences:
  1. Click on your profile image
  2. Select EDIT PROFILE
  3. Scroll down to My Devices and select your preferences.
Or please see the full instructions linked below.

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