Kia ora whānau

What beaut days we have had this week for Pedal Ready and it has been wonderful to see the significant progress that all our tamariki have made over the years since we first began our involvement with Pedal Ready. Not only do our children learn to ride safely but they have the excellent learning of how to make sure that both helmet and bike are functioning and safe. 

Term 4 is traditionally a very busy term for us and we ask you to make sure you have read the class newsletters to make note of the significant dates ahead. On Hero we post all the important information that is needed so I do ask you all to make an effort to regularly check this app as it helps with efficient organisation. 

Thanks to all the whānau who responded to our full evacuation today on NZ ShakeOut Day. It was timely to run this practice so that everyone knows what to do should we ever have the real event. The board and staff will review our processes now so we can make any adjustments that are needed. 

Huge shout out to the parents who have helped us this week:-

- To Craig who put up our remaining backboard and hoop
- To Tim and Mackenzie for all the little fix up jobs like the gates and seat
- To Anna, Silke and Florian who provided transport and supervision for the Epro 8 teams

We are most grateful!

Have you signed up for our next speaker event? Please join us on Thursday 7 November at 7 pm when we welcome Joel Bouzaid (www.joelbouzaid.com) to lead this workshop 'Strong Families: Healthy Habits for Life’.  

This event is free and entry is open to everyone in our school community and the wider Motu-Kairangi community.  We strongly encourage parents, family members and friends to join us for what promises to be an informative and inspiring evening.

We can't wait to see you there.  Please join us for drinks and (healthy) nibbles from 7pm, Joel starts our workshop at 7.30pm.  Register at:

https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/strong-families-healthy-habits-for-life

Please spread the word and sign up now for this evening of gathering and learning.

We teachers have a day of learning tomorrow as we explore the changes to the Mathematics Curriculum and we hope you all enjoy a longer weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui

Denise

Last Sunday was Mission Sunday and Father Bill used the song- Heal the World by Michael Jackon to have us all pause at Mass to see how we are reaching out and being the face and hands of Christ. I invite you to do the same now …

On Wednesday, our class got to take part in Pedal Ready, which is riding a bike and learning to be safe on the roads. If you don’t know how to ride a bike, they teach you step by step. They took the pedals off my bike and turned it into a balance bike first. I was nervous at the start because I couldn’t really do kangaroo jumps which is pushing two feet off the ground to get your balance, but by the end of the session I got my pedals on and was able to ride a bike by myself. I still am having trouble starting off but I want to keep practising. It was a really fun day!

-Pippa

Pedal Ready was awesome because we learned how to signal for turning, do emergency braking and how to check your helmet and bike so that you are ready for the roads. When you check your bike you need to remember ABCDE. A for air, B for brakes, C for chain, D for direction and E for everything else like the quick release. As well as bike safety, we got to play some games. I would recommend Pedal Ready because it can teach you to ride a bike safely and teach you all the signals you need to know when biking on the road.

-Alexander

We have started basketball sessions. We learned when you pass the ball you have to have hungry hands which means your hands are up ready to catch the ball. We practised bounce pass and chest pass and we played some fun games. There was a tagging game where you were in teams and each team had a ball. You tagged people with your ball and if you were tagged you had to wait until someone in your team passed you a ball, but no one tagged me.

-Marianne

I loved Kiwi Hoops on Monday. The man that took it was called Jordy and he was really nice. I learned hungry hands, looking up, and good communication are important. He told us we were one of the best classes he’s had because we didn’t bounce the balls when he was talking. It was really fun and I can’t wait to keep doing it every week.

-Tyler

Check out Luna’s persuasive writing piece on ‘Autumn is by far the best season’.

 I am sure that you know that autumn is the best season. From its delightfully crunchy and colourful leaves to its mouth-watering pies and pumpkins. Autumn is the perfect balance between spring, summer, and winter.

First, it is OBVIOUS that Autumn has the best weather; a mix of cold and hot that gives you the appropriate temperature to do whatever you please, something summer and winter doesn’t offer. A cold rainy day: an excuse to watch a movie or bake some delicious food! If it’s sunny and shining outside: it’s the perfect weather for a swim or to walk your furry friend!

Second, it is UNDEBATABLE that autumn is the time for scrumptious foods, from flavourful and rich cakes to savory pumpkin dishes and sweet cinnamon-coated caramelized apples, it's impossible for it to NOT bring a sensation of warmth and happiness. To back this up, in autumn these foods are all in season therefore it's cheaper, better quality and you can find them everywhere!

Finally, autumn’s nature is by far the most stunning of them all. The leaves turn into fire, so many golds, reds, yellows, and oranges, mushrooms sprout from the forest’s earthy dirt coming in all vibrant glowing colors, juicy blackberries thrive in the tangles of their bush and fresh apples grow in their trees ready to be picked and turned into a finger-licking meal. What a bliss!

In conclusion, autumn is by far the best season, and to top it off in autumn we have daylight saving that gives us one extra hour of sleep for you to enjoy its beauty well rested!

Our public health registered nurses are coming to your school in the week starting 11 November 2024 to provide immunisation for the Year 7(and in some cases year 8) tamariki who have returned their immunisation form giving consent.

• If you have changed your mind or your situation has changed please contact us at res-immunisation@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949
• If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us on 04 587 2949
• If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us on 04 587 2949
• If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at res-immunisation@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949

We are keen to hear from families who would like to  host students coming from Japan to study at St. Mary’s College. We need places for term 1, 2025. The girls are here to improve their English language skills and to experience life in New Zealand.

The host family needs to offer a warm comfortable room, lots of chat, and outings to showcase our beautiful city and surroundings. The fee paid to families is $350 per week, Payment is made fortnightly

It can be a  rewarding , educational and  fun experience  for all the family .

If you think your household would like to be a part of our school's  international family please get in touch with Philly Smyth, HomeStay Coordinator, 044735554, philippa.smyth@stmw.school.nz. She will send out the Guide to Homestay booklet for you to see if your family and lifestyle  would be a good fit for our international students." 

If you are interested in participating in the 2025 Wellington TRYathlon, we have created a school group if you would like to join this.  

Weet-Bix TRYathlon

The Wellington event is on Sunday 16th March 2025 at Kilbrinie Park and you can enter as an individual or as a team of two.