May 2023 Edition
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The Connection

Week 2

Term 2

Huapai District School

May 4th 2023

Principal's Message

We named our year “reach”. This was an attempt to find a word that would describe what we thought would be happening this year. It captured our hopes and aspirations of running faster and achieving more than we have when we “run with” or “tack into” the wind. It also captured a real desire to see our school reaching beyond the classroom, engaging more with you (our school community) and getting better results for children because you are involved and part of the learning we have in place. This term our theme is “around us” with particular emphasis on the world of art.

Later this term (week 5) we plan an evening of sharing what is happening in our classrooms and towards the end of the term (week 9) we plan a celebration and festival of the arts again to share the learning. I’m really looking forward to seeing the creativity of both our staff and our students shine.

Over the break, we held two training days for staff. One focussed on coaching which will be the framework we use for leading discussion and growth and the second day was a focus on the new curriculum refresh schools are starting to come to grips with.

Lots of good things are happening in our school!
Great to have your children back.
Fantastic to welcome new families.

John Petrie
Principal

Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday 9th May - Senior Athletics
  • Thursday 11th May - Junior Athletics
  • Monday 22nd May - Friday 26th May - Scholastic Book Fair
  • Tuesday 23rd May - Parent Evening
  • Thursday 25th May - Senior Information Afternoon

School Athletics

Our goal for the past two years has been to hold our school athletics in term 1. Due to the watery start to this year our schedule has been pushed out to week 3 of this term (next week).
We hope to be able to hold our senior athletics (years 5-8) on Tuesday 9th May at the domain and our Junior athletics (years 1-4) on Thursday 11th May here at school. If the weather forces us to cancel athletics next week, we will hold the event in term 4. We would love to welcome you all to attend. Timetables are linked below. If you are able to help in any way, please let your child’s teacher know.
There is a parent race too if you’re keen…

House T-Shirts

These will be a compulsory part of the school uniform this year as children enter our school and for the full school from 2024. The t-shirts are $25 each and are available in a range of sizes from our normal uniform provider. Want to get one now? You can shop at the link below.

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.

School Community Survey

On Monday, the School Board will be sending 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 steps.

School Donations Update

Thank you to all those who have got behind the school already and paid their school donation. Currently we are sitting at 43%. Our goal is 78%.

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.

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

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 at the end of next week.

HDS Art Exhibition - Can You Help Us?

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. 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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