PRINCIPALS NEWS
Tēnā Koutou Kio Kio Primary School Community
Greetings to you all
School Roll: 159 Students
Kia Ora, Namaste, Mabuhay, नमस्ते, Mālō e lelei, Hallo, Howzit, හෙලෝ, Hello, G’day,
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of term 3 and what an incredible journey we have been on. The term has been action-packed with many learning opportunities on offer for our students to have a well-rounded education. Our dedicated team of teachers and support staff consistently go above and beyond their job description to create a dynamic learning environment, fostering both academic achievement and nurturing student well-being. Their commitment ensures that every student has access to a well-rounded education that prepares them for the future.
Our school’s focus on the POWER values this term has led to a noticeable improvement in student interactions and positive behaviour. It’s wonderful to see students enjoying each other’s company during break times, playing together, and building strong relationships across the school.
This week, some of our senior students participated in the Badminton Cup after spending one afternoon each week honing in on their badminton skills and learning the rules of the game. The sportsmanship on display was truly inspiring. A special thanks to Mrs. Rosemary Fleming for generously dedicating her time to coach our students—it’s through contributions like these that our students thrive.
Sunsmart
As we head into Term 4, a reminder that all students are required to wear hats while playing outside. Sunscreen is available in every classroom, and we encourage students to wear sun-safe clothing such as t-shirts with sleeves. We also have a limited supply of spare hats for those who may need them. Please ensure that your child’s hat is clearly named to prevent loss.
Curriculum Refresh:
The New Zealand Curriculum is undergoing an exciting refresh, with significant changes on the horizon. The first two areas to be updated are Mathematics & Statistics and English. These updated curriculums will provide clear, knowledge-rich guidance on what students should understand, know, and do from Year 0 to Year 13. Evidence-based teaching practices will be integrated, ensuring a comprehensive approach to education that balances knowledge, skills, and capabilities.
Teacher Only Day
During the holidays, our teachers will be engaged in professional development to unpack the new curriculum documents, with a focus on preparing for the rollout of the updated Mathematics and English curricula in 2025. To support this, the government has allocated an additional Teacher Only Day for schools in Term 4, and Kio Kio School will be closed on Monday, 4th November for this purpose.
Community Consultation:
On Friday, we will be sending out a community survey to gather input on the strategic direction of the school for 2025. I encourage everyone to participate and share their thoughts. A paper copy of the survey will be available in the office, and it will close on the 18th of October. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our school.
Friday Brought Lunches:
Next term, we’re excited to offer Friday lunches through *The Fat Kiwi*. Orders can be placed directly with them via email or phone, and payments should be made by Thursday each week. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available, and more details, including the menu, are attached to this newsletter.
The process will be:
- Order your child’s lunch by email or phoning the FAT KIWI - info@fatkiwicafe.co.nz or phone 072146300.
- Write your child’s first & last name & their classroom.
- Write the food they would like to order.
- Pay The FAT KIWI via internet banking 02 0316 0562720 000 with your child’s name as the reference each Thursday.
- All orders and payments must be made each Thursday.
- Lunch orders will only happen on a FRIDAY of each week.
- If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact The Fat Kiwi.
- There are gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
- See the menu attached to this newsletter.
Early Birds:
Our teachers work hard to prepare each day’s lessons and often use the mornings for important meetings or final preparations. While we understand that some early drop-offs may be unavoidable, we kindly ask that you check with your child’s teacher if you need to drop them off before 8:15 am. Before this time, teachers are not officially on duty, and you are responsible for your child’s supervision.
THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to our Supporters Committee for their generous donation, which allowed us to purchase new Chromebooks. These tools are already making a big difference in the learning experiences of our students.
Term Four:
Please refer to our school calendar for important dates, including the final assembly, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 17th December. After the community consultation, we will decide whether the assembly will take place during the day or in the evening—so be sure to have your say in the survey.
Finally, we’re ending the term on a high note with the senior classes heading off to the movies today—a well-deserved experience after a busy term! I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable holiday with your families. We look forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed, and ready for Term 4, starting Monday, 14th October.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Pip Were