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.
On Wednesday this week I received an email stating that we would have two MOE directed Teacher Only Days next year to focus on implementation of the new curriculum, and associated assessments. Yesterday, the Deputy Minister announced that there would be no more Teacher Only Days and time spent “not learning” in schools. In my memory of being Principal here (9 years), we have never had a Teacher Only Day that wasn’t MOE directed. It is frustrating to have continually conflicting messages from the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education, which create hype that is both inaccurate and unnecessary in the media. Once again, I reflect that it would be nice if the Education system in this country could be removed from the political battleground, and remain focussed on teaching and learning.
Incidentally, we do have a MOE directed Teacher Only day next term, on Friday 15th November, along with all other schools in this area.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday as we build up for warmer weather and the busy, but fun Term 4.
Nga mihi,
Kathryn Ramel
Principal
School Diary
School Holidays Saturday 28 September – Sunday 13 October. The school office will be open for enrolments, uniform and other support Thursday 10 – Fri 11 October 9am – 3pm.
A reminder – hats compulsory next term
A good school holiday activity is to ask your kids to find their SBS hat ready for next term! Some of us got a little frazzled at Walkathon – it was a good reminder of how we need to be sunsmart. All our kids will be required to wear their hats at break times and PE from day one next term. Can’t find it? Pop into the office and grab one for $16 on the last two days of the holidays.
A great Walkathon – and a huge thanks to our amazing PTA
We were unbelievably lucky for the calm, settled weather on the day of our Walkathon. It really was a fun and relaxed event. Huge thanks to our PTA & everyone who supported them with home baking. The kids definitely enjoyed buying themselves some treats for lunch and the PTA made a huge $1845 for our school! Walkathon donations will be gratefully accepted in cash or via electronic banking direct to our school account:
ASB 12-3095-0002327-00
Reference: WALKATHON + name of student
NB: If using this method of payment, please write ‘Online Payment’ on pledge form next to ‘amount collected’.
We would love to have all donations in by the Friday of the first week of next term. See our social media for some great pics of the day!
Milo the Monkey’s Birthday – Junior Celebration
Milo the Monkey is a bit of a big deal for our kids. Milo’s Birthday Surprise is a key text in our Structured Literacy Programme which:
- Opens up the world of sounds and letters in an engaging way for young children
- Facilitates effective and systematic teaching of the simple alphabetic code
- Introduces characters who become mnemonics to read and spell.
Yesterday our Year 0/1 Team celebrated Milo’s Birthday with fun dress ups as one of the special characters and some a shared lunch. Everyone had a great time! See our SBS Facebook or Instagram for some great snaps of the kids outfits.
Four Square opening in Snells Beach
Need something to do these school holidays? Create and enter your very own LEGO creation inspired by our Auckland Brick Show theme ‘Explorers’ and enter the competition to win a LEGO prize pack for you and your classroom!
But that’s not all, finalists will win a family pass and have the opportunity to feature their creations at the Auckland Brick Show 2024 October 26-27 at Te Pai Stadium in Henderson.
Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.co.nz
Head to www.aucklug.co.nz for competition details and to submit your entry.
Young Ocean Explorers Holiday Programme
Our Explorers Programme is designed to bring ocean keen kids fun ocean based activities in the school holidays! We have 2 exciting options of Explorers Programmes these school holidays!
Young Ocean Explorers, alongside NZ’s top marine education providers, is excited to provide your child with a day trip of a life time! Either going to Kelly Tarltons or the famous Goat Island Marine Reserve for the day!! Exploring what lies below the surface of Aotearoa – these school holidays.
Generously sponsored by:
Activities included in Goat Island day:
- Rocky shore exploration and citizen science.
- Lab-based observations and a dissection (for those who would want to do that) with marine biologists and experts!
- Experience the touch tank and amazing displays at the Discovery centre!
- Fascinating presentation from marine experts!
- A special scavenger hunt!!
- And a whole lot more!
- *You will have to get your child to Goat Island* Sorry there are no buses this time. Parents are more than welcome to attend too.
- Hours for Goat Island: 9am – 3pm
Activities included in Kelly Tarltons day:
- Behind the scenes tour of Kelly Tarltons
- Turtle talk with turtle experts!
- Feeding fish behind the scenes
- BLAKE Virtual Reality
- Learning from marine experts
- And more!
- Hours for Kelly Tarltons: 8:30/9am – 4pm
For booking details see here: https://www.youngoceanexplorers.com/explorers/
Brick Bay Sculpture Trail – Kids Walk Free
Local events and activities
Thankyou to the local businesses supporting Skoolloop