Term 3 – Week 3: Newsletter

  MONDAY 31 JULY

PLAYGROUND BLESSING

Kia ora e te whānau o Birkdale,

This morning at 6:30am Matua Shannon said a karakia for our playground | papa tākaar to officially open it. It was a lovely, fresh morning and a great way to start the week.

I’d like to acknowledge the fundraising efforts of many of our families, unfortuntely also some that have moved on; it’s been a concerted effort over the past 7 years by many. Special and huge thanks must be given to our original fundraising committee that have been dedicated for years organising galas etc., to help make this playground happen. Our fundraiser originals are Leanne, Christine, Fiona, Nardia and Jade – you have gone above and beyond for a very long time for our children. Thank you.

Also thank you to the Birkdale Board of Trustees who prioritised the last bit of funding on the playground.

Our beautiful papa tākaaro [playground] has been supported by the community, for the community. We hope you enjoy it and look after it as much as we will.

Meitaki ma’ata

Whaea Natasha 

LEARNER HUI

Next week are Learner Hui. Please make a time to meet with your child’s teacher. Go to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and make a booking. Our school code is: mxdds

If the times on the bookings don’t suit, make a new time with your class teacher through seesaw.

HEALTH CURRICULUM

Puberty, vaping, emotional regulation and digital safety are all topics in our whole school health curriculum. Take this short survey and let us know which topics you think are very important and which are not.

   ************************Click this link to take the survey****************************

PROPERTY UPDATE

Cameras New cameras have been installed. Being a school open to the public has it’s challenges – hopefully, cameras will help us keep an eye on what’s happening after hours!

Covered Outdoor shade – due to start 21st August…..fingers crossed there are no more delays!!!

SCHOOL MEETINGS for FAMILIES

This term, we will be wanting to hear what you, whānau of our learners, have to say about a variety of issues. We have developed a new graduate profile using the aspirations and ‘must-have’ skills and knowledge you fed back to us last year. Apologies for having to reschedule our first hui.

Please save the dates below:

Whole school hui – All families welcome: Week 5, Thursday 17th August @ 6pm

Pasifika Fono – Pasifika families: Week 6, Thursday 24th August @ 6pm

Auraki Māori Whānau hui – Auraki Māori whānau: Week 9, Thursday 14th September @ 6pm

We will be writing our new strategic plan and deciding priorities to focus on for the next three years. We want to hear what you think are key focus areas for our school and for learning.

Coming up this term…save the dates

ENROLMENTS

Please, if you’re in zone and your child is coming to Birkdale Primary this year, enrol as soon as possible. Our school enforces an enrolment scheme. Out of zone applicants need to be accepted through ballot.

Te Puāwaitanga – Level 1 Immersion Māori Medium. 

This is not bilingual education (Level 2). If you are wishing to enrol your Y0/1 child into TP, you will need to attend an enrolment interview, have an adult living in the home that is fluent in Māori and/or be commited to prioritising te reo Māori in your home by learning the language yourself. If your child is older, they will need to have an oral assessment to ensure they are able to learn fluently in te reo.

Please apply to enrol as soon as possible to help with our roll predictions for next year.