May 2023 Edition
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The Connection

Week 5

Term 2

Huapai District School

May 25th 2023

Senior Leadership Message

Thank you for taking the time with our recent school community survey. This is now closed. We will feed the results back over the next few weeks. The survey has a number of measures we use to track our improvement and parent confidence and comfort with how we are going as a school. Really pleasing is that your feedback confirms what we believe is happening in our school with our focus and improvements made. There was room also within the survey for individual comments which are often very insightful and helpful in identifying specific things we need to either start doing, stop doing or continue doing. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Your comments will be seriously reviewed and addressed (where possible and appropriate). The survey results will be published on our web site in the interests of total transparency when fully compiled.

Recently, we were all shaken by the tragic drowning of a student involved in a caving expedition. If there is a positive from a tragedy like this, it is that we are inclined to look at our own systems, our communication and what we would do if faced with something like this. Our school Board was also challenged to review our processes. There is always learning, improvement and further education we can undertake to ensure we can respond to incidents as we do everything we can to manage, mitigate or minimise risk. I can assure parents our processes are sound and robust.

Thanks for all you do and the support you bring to our school.

John Petrie
Principal

Upcoming Events

  • Thursday 25th May - Senior Information Evening
  • Friday 26th May - Scholastic Book Fair (closes 12:30pm)
  • Monday 5th June - King's Birthday (school closed)
  • Tuesday 6th June - Teacher Only Day (school closed)

Teacher Only Day - School Closed

Tuesday 6th June
All primary schools in the area will be closed on Tuesday 6th June for a Community of Learning Teacher Only Day. Our staff will be attending education based seminars all day alongside other teachers in the area.

Scholastic Book Fair

Last Day TOMORROW
We are hosting this exciting annual event Monday 22nd May - Friday 26th May in the library.
Tomorrow is the last day. It will be open from 8:45am - 12:30pm, for any last purchases. Eftpos is available.

Life As A Senior Student At HDS

TONIGHT in the Senior Zone (Studio 3&4)
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. 6:30pm in the senior zone.

Immunisation Record Update

Given the recent comments in media around the rise and concern around measles immunisation, we thought it appropriate to ensure we have an up to date immunisation register. The link below provides an opportunity for parents to update this information. This form is a one minute exercise.

Possible Teachers Strike - Wednesday 31st May

This date has been tabled as a possible industrial action day. If this proceeds we will not know until Monday 29th May. We are hoping the strike will not proceed and are expecting to be able to stay open even if it does proceed.

The Annual Quiz Is Back

The original local community quiz is back for another year! Book your table today. Numbers are limited, we want you to be able to join us on Saturday 5th August.

House Captains

This year we are thrilled to announce the return of House Captains to HDS. These students will lead our school houses and have exciting ideas brewing.

Go Zen

Over the past few years, we have noticed a rise in the number of students and adults who are dealing with anxiety. We have had many enquiries from parents asking for advice and strategies for their children. As a school, we are fortunate to be able to integrate the Go Zen program into our Health curriculum this year. Health coach Roz Ryan will be delivering the workshops alongside the classroom teachers throughout the school. Please find attached an information sheet for the course. More information can be found at gozen.com. Should you wish, Roz is available for 1:1 follow up sessions with you and your family. Please contact roslyn.proto@gmail.com

Breakfast Club

HDS runs a breakfast club every morning from 8:30am to 8:55am. This is open to all students; all we require is permission from a parent / caregiver. This can be done on KINDO or on a form available at breakfast club.
We serve Weetbix, milk and sandwiches with a choice of peanut butter, honey, jam and vegemite.

Please note: for weeks 5-7 of term 2, we will be operating in Room 10 instead of the hall.

Property Update

Our hall floor is being sanded and re-sealed over the next 3 weeks. This will make this space unavailable. Huapai Plus will be relocated to Rm 17 - (the building by the Station Rd entrance).

Parents Parking In The Bus Bay


We have had reports that people have been parking in the bus bay at the front of the school. Please do not park here, especially at pick-up and drop-off time, as this is where our school bus is to park for those that catch the bus before and after school.

Uniform

As the weather is getting colder, it’s a good time to check that school jerseys still fit and are named. Any thermals worn under polos are to be plain navy or black. Tights / stockings may be worn under the school skirt but not by themselves. Leggings and track pants are not part of the school uniform.

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 - TONIGHT

Come along tonight to what about the Sports Camp opportunity for our Year 7 & 8 students.
6pm in the senior zone.

Good Luck

Good luck to our Year 5&6 rugby team who are playing in a tournament this Sunday.

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.

Vote For Huapai District School

Morepork BBQ are running a festival at their restaurant in Kumeu called "Memphis in May" on Saturday 27th May.
The school with the most votes will receive the donation.

Staff Vacancies At Huapai District School

Can You Help?

Moments From The Week

HDS BAND AUDITIONS!

With MusicHub.

Band mentoring program to commence at HDS! Students must be fully committed to rehearsals, learning their parts thoroughly, making good progress throughout the year and make themselves available for performances opportunities. Open to all instruments! Lead vocalist - Back up vocals - Guitar - Bass - Keyboard - Drums - String - Brass & Woodwind.
Auditions are being held in the music at lunchtime on Monday 29th of May. Please prepare a short audition piece preferably 1 - 2mins long.

For any additional information please contact Scott - scott.wotherspoon@musiqhub.co.nz

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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