Newsletter: Term 1, Week 1

  THURSDAY 1st December 

Kia ora e ngā whānau o Birkdale,

Welcome back to our 2024 school year. Staff have been in over the week getting ready to welcome you all back; we can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to.

Schools are dynamic places that rely on powerful partnerships between everyone involved. Feedback collected last year indicated that parents were wanting more information about learning – we’ve been thinking about how to do this and will offer a variety of ways for you to join us in partnering together to help your children achieve the best they can. Turn on your app notifications to stay in the loop.

This year, we welcome new staff and students with a whole school pōwhiri on the first day of school. Details of this have been sent out to our new families.

Mā te wā – see you soon!

Ngā manaakitanga,

Whaea Natasha 

STATIONERY

A reminder that this is purchased through the school. New starts at school – $50; everyone else $40

Stationery packs will be purchased and sent straight to the classes. No more stationery shopping with different lists each year! We’re not making profit off this and are working hard to keep costs down.

If you haven’t paid yet – please do this as soon as possible so your child starts the year with what they need.

If you would prefer to pay in 4 installments – contact Leanne through office@birkdaleprimary.school.nz.   OR

Transfer straight to the school account with your family name as reference:

ACC – 12-3035-0598237-00

NEW STAFF

This year we welcome 5 new staff members in various roles.

Natasha Peterson – Natasha is teaching in Rimu this year and is a very experienced teacher who has been, most recently, working as an RTLB (Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour) with schools in West Auckland. 

Heather Grant – Performing Arts teacher to cover our classroom release for teachers. Similar for Auraki (Mainstream) last year with Music, classes will have an 1hr of performing arts a week (dance, drama and music). Rumaki classes will also be included in these classes this year.

Ella Stewart – Learning Assistant in Te Puāwaitanga who is interested in further studies in education at some stage.

Ricky Nikora – Learning Assistant in Te Puāwaitanga who might be interested in further educational studies.

Wendy Pack – Co-teaching for now in Tōtara our reception class. Wendy has been working as a reliever/release teacher on the North Shore for a little while.

We also have Mere Maika on study leave for 3 terms this year, completing post-grad. qualifications. 

Whānau learning connections

Meet the Team

On Wednesday 14th February, we are opening up classrooms to give your child a chance to show you around their learning space. As well as this, each area of the school will spend 20-30mins sharing their approach to learning for 2024; some of this information will include teaching practices used, routines and expectations.

This will not be the time for conversations about your child’s learning specifically.

Juniors Y0-3:  5-5:30pm Information session | 5:30-6pm Look around spaces

Seniors Y4-6: – 5-5:30pm Look around spaces | 5:30-6pm Information session

More details about where the information sessions will be coming soon.

Learner Hui

These sessions are for specific conversations about just your child’s goals, targets and learning in general – including social, emotional and academic learning, depending on need.

We will run the option of face-to-face, zoom or phone appointments. More details to come.

HATS, UNIFORM and SWIMMING

Hats: Compulsory this term. Purchase at the office.

Uniform: We have a school polo and jumper. Your child must wear dark blue or black bottoms (shorts, pants or skirt). Shoes must allow for full participation in school activities. 

Swimming: This term all classes are timetabled in twice a week. We’re lucky we’re small enough to do this. Classes can’t swim unless we have whānau volunteers. Your child’s teacher will let you know how many they need and for what days. Swimming is a compulsory part of the curriculum – opting out is not an option.

Devices: No ‘smart’ devices – internet or messaging capable devices at school. If your child must have a phone for after or before school, it must be handed in at the office as soon as they get to school.

NEW SPACES

You’ll notice that this year Nīkau is being used as a classroom. The senior class (Y4-6) from Te Puāwaitanga will be in there. 

Before and after school care will move back to the Hall.

Mānuka is a spare room for now.