Tēnā Koutou, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Namaste, Ni sa bula, Noaia’e mauri, Fakalofa lahi atu, Kia Orana, Ni Hao, An Nyung Ha Sai Yo, Nay Ho, Hej, Hallo, Sawat Dee, Cześć, Goeie Dag, សួស្តី, Здравствуйте, hola, 안녕하세요Greetings to our school families.

Welcome to Term 2! One of my favourite terms – there’s so much on. Learning programmes are well underway, Year 5 Camp Bentzon, (Kawau Island), Year 6 Camp Tongariro, Netball and Football/Soccer Zone Days, Matariki Celebrations, Reports and Parent Interviews to finish off the term – whew!

There’s been a lot in the media regarding education in the last few days, particularly regarding achievement levels. The Minister has announced plans for structured Literacy and Maths across all schools. For us, this will be “business as usual” – we have been implementing Structured Maths via Prime Maths (based on Singapore Maths) for a while now, and the results are clear. Structured Literacy is taught across our Junior School to Year 3, using an evidenced based approach called “Little Learners Love Literacy”.

What we have ALWAYS maintained here at SBS however, is that successful schooling is not produced via one set programme or method of teaching. It’s about celebrating individual difference, allowing space for creativity to happen and building a solid platform of values with which kids can navigate their way through the world. It’s important that in the current educational climate, we don’t lose sight of the fact that we are working with little people, not statistics. We want our kids to be academically successful. We also want them to feel they can be successful in life. It should not automatically be assumed that those two goals will happen together.

Nga mihi,

Kathryn Ramel

Principal

School Diary

Week 2: Mon 6 May – Fri 10 May

  • Weds 8.5  Year 6 Camp Meeting 5:30pm Totara 2
  • Weds 8.5 PTA Movie Night “Back in Black” – more info below
  • Thu 9.5.  NZ Defence Force Helicopter landing at SBS
  • Fri 10.5   Cultural Friday (Kapa Haka & Cultural Group Practice)

Week 3: Mon 13 May – Fri 17 May

  • Wed 15.5   Inter School Netball
  • Fri 17.5 Whole School assembly 2:00pm Rimu 2 presenting

Week 4: Mon 20 May – Fri 24 May

  • Tues 21.5 Year 5 Camp Bentzon
  • Weds 22.5 Year 5 Camp Bentzon
  • Thurs 23.5 Year 5 Camp Bentzon
  • Fri 24.5 Year 5 Camp Bentzon, Cultural Friday (Kapa Haka & Cultural Group Practice)

Welcome to our new students – we hope you enjoy your time at our school!

Mila P, Bree P, Aria P, Remy L, D’Angelo P, Elizaveta Y, Ted B, Coen C

Value for the Term: Freedom Mana

Our Values Programme aims to inspire our young people to develop positive character traits enabling them to become the best people that they can be. It provides a common language amongst students and staff and is an important part of our daily curriculum. We find that students are more tolerant and cooperative in their interactions, assume responsibility for their behaviour and learning, and work together more cooperatively. Each term we focus on a different value. 

This term our value is Freedom Mana. Our younger students begin to understand that freedom is learning to have positive thoughts in order to feel better and be more confident. Older students learn that freedom is not always being able to do what you want to do, but having the right to do what you ought to do. Students are taught that freedom is gained when rights are balanced with responsibilities. Hopefully they will ‘live their values’ at home!!!

Welcome Mrs Waddell!

The students of Nikau 2 have enjoyed getting to know Mrs Waddell this week. Toni was due to start at our school in February, but unfortunately she had to return to the UK for family reasons for a term. She is looking forward to heading off to Camp Bentzon with her class in a few weeks time. 

Year 6 Camp Tongariro Meeting – next Weds 8 May 5:30pm in Totara 2
It’s that time of year again! Kids are not to attend, but are welcome to wait in Totara 1 while the meeting happens.
We encourage all families to have a parent in attendance – there are some small changes this year, due to our size and also some provider differences. The Camp will take place Tues 4th June – Fri 7th June (the week after Kings Birthday Weekend).
At the meeting we will provide information on:
– food & accommodation
– activities
– gear (most is school provided)
– parent help
– cost
Cost should not prohibit students attending. Please, please, talk to us if you need help. We realise times are tough.
PTA Movie Night

Snells Beach School sharing garden

Our school garden is having a mini-makeover and we have planted new vegetables and flowering plants in the school garden. Pop down and have a look if you can.We hope to harvest these vegetables successfully to place in the Pātaka Kai outside the school office. The idea surrounding this sharing pantry is “take what you need, leave what you can”. So if you have excess fruit on your trees like lemons, apples, figs etc or crops in your garden, consider placing them in our sharing pantry for others to enjoy.

Occupational Therapy groups at Snells Beach School

 

Keeping in touch – communication is key

In current times more that ever, keeping in touch is important. We need to be able to contact whanau quickly and efficiently. If you have changed address or contact details, please let us know asap, either via email admin@snellsbeach.school.nz, or by calling the school office 09 425 6058. 

  • Following our school Facebook page or Instagram

“Snells Beach School”, which operate as a digital newsletters. This is a great way to get quick updates and reminders. We post reminders and notices on Facebook – Instagram is more quick updates and snapshots of school life

  • Downloading our School App

Simply download the “Skool Loop” app from either App Store or Play Store & select “Snells Beach School” from the drop down box to receive instant notifications & reminders. This is an effective way to get immediate notices – they will pop up direct to your phone. Mahurangi College use the same app which is useful – just use the drop down box to change schools.

  • Subscribing to our school email database

Please email us admin@snellsbeach.school.nz to be added to the list. If you do not receive this newsletter via email on Friday afternoon, you are NOT in our database. All new families should have been added – please check. You can unsubscribe at any time.

  • School Newsletters

We do not usually print newsletters– just the first one each term while people update their contact details if needed. They are emailed out or linked to our school Facebook page. School newsletters come out once a fortnight – teachers may send home additional class or team messages at other times.

  • Staff Emails

All SBS staff emails are available via our website. Our main email is admin@snellsbeach.school.nz

After School Activities

Arts 4 Kids Free After School Class

Toukon Ryu Karate

Classes at SNELLS BEACH SCHOOL on TUESDAYS, 6.30 – 7.30PM.
My name is Paul Hart and I am the Founder and Chief Instructor of Toukon Ryu Karate New Zealand; affiliated to JKF (Gojukai Japanese Karate Federation). I have been involved with Martial Arts for over 35 years. I have studied Goju Ryu Karate for the past 26 years and I have been teaching a variety of students from the age of 5 through to students in their 80s!
I’m very excited to be bringing karate to the local community.
Karate is the ideal sport/activity for kids and adults alike. In today’s world it is vital that we equip ourselves, and especially our children, with self defence skills. Karate helps promotes self-confidence, balance, fitness, co-ordination, discipline, courtesy, health and wellness, responsibility, and will power. Children may start training in Toukon Ryu Karate as young as 5 years of age.
I hope to see all the students again from last year, but also all Beginners are welcome to come along and have a go. Uniforms are called a ” Gi ” pronounced ” Gee ” – parents will need to purchase one which they can do through Paul if they wish.
All other information regarding joining etc will be supplied at the class or feel free to txt Sensei Paul on 021 297 2431
FB toukon ryu karate
I look forward to seeing you

 

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