WELCOME TO WAI-ITI 2019

We're delighted to welcome you to the new year in Wai-iti. We have given out a paper copy of our first newsletter outlining routines and requests for the start of the year. Let's know if you can't find it! 

We wanted you all to know a little bit about us so we've shared somethings below. Kirsty Hay would like the children to call her Kirsty and I like to be called Mrs Campbell by the children but happy for parents to call me Tracy. We are also very lucky this year to have teacher-aide Matt Robinson joining us each morning. He's happy to be called Matt.

KIRSTY

My name is Kirsty Hay and I have been teaching for over 16 years at a variety of levels and schools. I am very lucky to be teaching at Waimairi School, I thoroughly enjoy the supportive families and amazing staff and of course the enthusiastic children.

I live with my husband Pete and our two boys, Angus is 11 and has just started Intermediate and Quinn is 9 and in Year 5. As a family, we are very busy with lots of sports, including rugby, soccer, basketball, cricket and I even manage to play hockey each week too.

We enjoy lots of camping throughout the year and we spend lots of time with our extended family too.

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your family this year, please don't hesitate to email or come and see either Tracy or myself with any queries.

MRS CAMPBELL

 A very warm welcome to you all.  This is my nineth year at Waimairi as a teacher but many years ago I was a parent at Waimairi and it has always had a wonderfully supportive community.  

I did my teaching degree when my children were young. My husband Michael feels he trained as a teacher also as he is often roped into cutting out, hammering nails, drilling screws, painting… you get the picture! 

We have three grown children. Helen is 26 and a dentist, Matt is 25 and a project manager and Nathan is 23 and in the process of applying for the New Zealand Police. Helen has her first home so we are often helping out there. Matt and Nathan are keen basketballers so don’t be surprised if some basketball stories come home from time to time. 

Every year I say my goal is to improve my golf swing but actually it’s to develop a golf swing. I’ll let you know how that works out for me!

As Kirsty said we’re really looking forward to getting to know your children and your family and our door is always open. 

MATT

Hello my name is Matthew but everyone calls me Matt. I have been a teacher aide at Waimari for a year and a half. I’m originally from England and I really love being a part of the Waimairi Community. My two sons also attend our school. I’m really looking forward to this year watching our amazing rebuild and working with Kirsty and Tracy! In my spare time I enjoy watching Football and Cricket, reading, listening to my vinyl collection and cooking for my family and friends. I can also be found riding my mountain bike from time to time.

THE BLOG

 We will be using the blog to let you know about events that are happening in Wai-iti or the school. Please check it regularly. As detailed in our paper newsletter you can enter your e-mail on this page and you will receive the updates as they happen. Once we have started our project work we will also publish the creations that are made in Wai-iti by the children.

SWIMMING

Our swimming days are Tuesdays and Fridays. All children will need their togs on these days and please name clothing as we are getting changed at the pool.

Enjoy Waitangi Day.

Many thanks 

Kirsty, Tracy and Matt

Finishing School

Good Afternoon


We are aware that a few children are finishing the year on Friday this week rather than Tuesday lunch time. If you plan for your child to finish tomorrow please let us know so we can make sure all books (and treats) go home.
Many thanks
Monique and Tracy

Kohara and the Super Rugby Trophy

Look what we found at school - the Super Rugby Trophy! We were amazed by how heavy it was - we needed Darren to give us a hand getting it outside for a photo.

Oscar's Enderman

Oscar loves Minecraft so he created this Enderman to go with his previous Creeper that he made. It looks just like the one in the game!

Pippa and Luca's Christmas Trees

Pippa and Luca have been busy creating Christmas trees in readiness for the holidays. We love the decorations they have added to make them look festive.

Jackson's Fire Station

We think the children have been inspired by our recent visit from St John's as we have lots of emergency services popping up in Kohara! Jackson has created this very detailed fire station and by the look of the fire engine outside it is already getting used.

If you had to ring 111 for a fire engine what would you need to tell the operator? Can you remember what we practised?

Lucia's Horse Farm

Lucia loves horse riding so she had plenty of knowledge about what horses would need in her latest project. We really love how she learnt to make the fencing for her paddocks - now she is teaching others how to do this! Lucky horses Lucia!

Thomas Creates a Hospital

Thomas has been working hard on his hospital project and we love the details he has included like the curtains and windows and the ambulance. Now he is ready for his toys when they get hurt! Well done Thomas - you have been working really hard on completing this over many weeks and it looks fabulous.

Lola's Singing

Lola recently sang us all a Christmas Carol and she did a great job in front of such a big audience. It certainly got us all in the Christmas mood. Well done Lola.

Sullivan's Safe

Sullivan has completed his final project - a safe. It is very secure with a padlock and we love the quality job Sullivan made on painting it. We wonder what treasures he will keep inside?

Rainbow Reading Graduates

Congratulations to Jackson, Luka and Declan who have all recently graduated from Rainbow Reading. We know how much effort the boys have put in as well as all their practise and we are very proud of them. Congratulations boys!

Avania's Snake

Avania has finished her paper mâché snake and we think it looks s-s-s-s-splendid! Well done Avania on persevering and getting it completed - paper mâché takes a long time and Avania had to do several layers before painting and decorating.

Week 9 (10-14 December)

Welcome to Week 9 :)

Swimming
Monday: Lunchtime Swim for Kohara
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: Class Swimming
Please note we have an extra swim booked this week on Thursday plus an extra swim time next week on Monday 17th.

Classroom Release Time
Room 19 children have Mr Lukes on Monday morning 9-10.30am following Monday Meet Up.
This is our last CRT for the term.

Fitzroy Rest Home Visit
We are visiting the Fitzroy Rest Home on Tuesday 11th, leaving school at 1.30pm by bus and returning by 3pm. We are looking forward to sharing our Christmas singing with the residents - it is always such a highlight for them (and us!)

Class Placements for 2019
Class placements for next year will be coming home with the children on Tuesday. The children will have a chance to meet their 2019 class and teachers on Friday this week.

Mylo's Farewell
Join us at 2.45pm on Thursday 13th outside the old office to farewell Mylo and his family who are moving to Cambridge. We wish them all the very best for their move up North.

Library Books and Reading Books
If you have any more reading books or library books please send them back to school asap for shelving and stocktake before the holidays.
A big thank you to our helpers who have been returning these for us and to everyone who has helped out with this over the year - we have really appreciated your time to do this.

Parent Helpers
A big thank you to those who have been a parent helper over the year - whether it has been every week or every now and again. We have appreciated your enthusiasm and time to help us out with reading, games, woodwork, baking, projects,  and crafts. The children also love having you in the classroom and we certainly love having an extra pair of hands to help out.

Last Day 
School finishes for the year on Tuesday 18th December at 12.30pm following the final assembly.

Have a great week :)

Cecilia and Siale-Maia Make Playdough

Cecilia was very kind and thought it would be nice to make some play dough for Kohara to use since we had run out of plasticine. Cecilia organised her ingredients and roped in her Dad and Siale-Maia to help.

Cecilia and Siale-Maia had to follow a recipe in sequence, measure ingredients and make sure the consistency was just right. We found out later that we needed to add a little bit more flour so it wasn't too sticky and now Kohara are having lots of fun using it. Thanks Cecilia and Siale-Maia.

The Dreaded Headlice

They're back! Please check your child's hair. We have a reported case in Kohara. If you find them please treat as soon as possible.
Many thanks.

Athletic Sports

Thank you to everyone who came and supported our junior athletic sports today. The children had many highlights - no doubt they will sleep well tonight!

Reading Books & Library Books

Please keep any remaining library books or reading book returns coming in.

Thank you to our fabulous helpers who have been returning these to the book room - you are superstars!!

Music Lessons 2019

Music Lessons 2019

If you would like your child to learn an instrument at school in 2019, please find information about the lessons on offer, pricings and bookings on this form or type https://goo.gl/forms/ii4PSrGgGaR7nFg62 into your internet browser. If you prefer paper copies, these can be obtained from the school office.  Please complete the forms and return no later than Thursday 6th December 2018.  

Please be aware, there are limited places for some instruments and preference will be given to older students. In the event your child should miss out on their preferred choice, we will contact you to discuss an alternative instrument. 

If you should have any questions, please contact Susan Pageot: susan.pageot@waimairi.school.nz or Katie Lord: katie.lord@waimairi.school.nz. 

Week 8 (3-7 December)

Welcome to Week 8 :)

Swimming
Our class swimming days are Tuesdays and Fridays. Please send togs on these days.

Lunchtime Swim
Starting this week Kohara children have the option of a lunchtime swim on a Monday.
Meet Mr Anderson at the pool gate at 12.45pm after eating lunch with your swimming togs if you are keen.

Junior Athletics Day
The weather forecast is looking good for our athletic sports on Tuesday starting at 11am on the back field. Remember junior children may wear sporty mufti and if possible a t-shirt in their team colour (please refer to the previous notice that went home or ask your child what team they are in).

Please remember a sunhat and a water bottle as the children will be outside between 11am and 1.30pm.

You are welcome to join us for a picnic lunch at approximately 12.40pm after the class relays and the school coffee shop will be open until 1pm.

Our relay teams representing Kohara are:
* Leo
* David
* Anika
* Tess

* Sam
* Caleb
* Luca
* Ruby

Reserves: Jackson & Sofia (in case of any absences on the day).

Classroom Release Time
Room 18 children have Art with Mrs McHaffie on Thursday afternoon from 1.30-3pm.

Reading
All class reading books and school library books should now be returned to school for end of year stocktake. If you find any more at home, please send them back asap.

We would also love a few helpers to help re-shelve our class reading books - if you have any spare time over the next few days we'd be most appreciative :)

Favourite Story
Because we have returned all our class library books we would love it if the children could bring a favourite book or Christmas story to share at school over the next few weeks (maximum of 2 each please). Please make sure they are named so we can return them at the end of the term.

Kapa Haka
Our junior Kapa Haka is on Tuesday from 1.30-2pm.

Craft Club
Craft club is on Tuesday lunchtime 12.45pm in Room 22.

Oscar's Farewell
This Friday 7 December we farewell Oscar and his lovely family who are leaving Waimairi School. Please join us for our poroporoake farewell ceremony outside the old office at 2.45pm (or in the hall if wet).

New Office Location
The admin team are now located in their new office space. You'll find them at the back of Te Puna - please enter from around the outside of Te Puna opposite Darren's shed - just follow the signs.

Pool Keys
Pool keys are on sale now for the summer season - there is a discounted price for those who are available to help put the pool cover on over 2-3 nights (you choose the nights that suit you best).
Keys can be purchased from the office - eftpos is available.

Christmas Disco
The PTA are running a Christmas themed disco this Friday 7 December.
Juniors Y0-3 from 5.30-6.30pm
Seniors Y3-6 from 6.45-7.45pm
Entry is $2 plus a can of food of a wrapped present for a child in need to go under the Christmas tree.
Dress up: Christmas theme (optional)

Have a great week :)

Christmas Joy with Ali Harper

Come support Archie's Mum Ali Harper in her Christmas Show.
Look out for the red tent in the morning to buy tickets.