Kia ora e te whānau o Windy Ridge School

This week, we have been celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. The theme for Te Wiki 2024 has been ‘Ake ake ake—A Forever Language' which represents the resilience, adaptability, and endurance of the language. By celebrating and recognising Te Wiki we aim to inspire our tamariki to speak the Māori language proudly which is part of the wider effort to revitalise the language.

Over the week, our tamariki and kaiako (teachers) have been learning new phrases and words, building upon our daily paepae, where we start each morning by sharing and learning te reo. On Thursday, we embraced the concept of tuakana teina, and our tamariki moved around the school to participate in learning opportunities with tamariki from different classes and year levels.  Tamariki made fry bread, learned new games, planted harakeke, and sang waiata, to name just a few of the activities they could engage in.

The week has highlighted the importance of valuing our country's unique culture and heritage to ensure the reo (language), tikanga (customs) and mātauranga (knowledge) Māori are not lost for future generations. When we celebrate and value culture, we help our tamariki connect and understand its significance while creating an inclusive environment.

Looking ahead...

Kia pai tō rā whakatā (have a great weekend)

Samantha Knowles

Tumuaki

Many of you have been collecting Yummy stickers and bag-tags (cut-outs) all year.  We send these in to Yummy for credit towards free sports gear for our school.  Thank-you for your mahi! These are due in at the end of Term 3, which is fast approaching.  Please get your stickers and tags back to school in the next week, so that we can count them and send them off to the Yummy fruit company.  After that, keep collecting for next year's round as well! Ngā mihi.

PhotoLife Class & Individual Photos https://photolife.co.nz/ 

Today we are sending home this information flyer, please look out for it in your child's bag.

Please complete the form and return to the office by Friday 18th October if you wish to have sibling photos taken, there will be the opportunity to have photos taken with preschoolers.

We have kept the prices as low as possible.

Classic Calendar           $12.00

Greeting Card               $13.00

Diaries                         $15.50

Mouse Mats                 $14.00

Sketch Pad                   $13.00

If you're interested in coming along and finding out more about what the PTA does and how we contribute to the school, please get in touch with Chris Bone through our email address (pta@windyridge.school.nz).

Term 4
Calendar Art  
School disco - Friday, 15 November
Bunnings Sausage Sizzle, Bunnings Glenfield - Sunday, 24 November

Carols on the Green supported by the PTA - Thursday, 5 December 

Carols on the Green supported by the PTA- Thursday, 12 December - saver day

PTA Chair - Chris Bone

PTA Secretary - Emma Ryburn-Phengsavath

PTA Staff Reps - Nicola Tyler and Joy Marshall

PTA Members - Kieren Striefler (Treasurer), Jade Upton, Marie Cheeseman, Niki Sherriff, Ruth Niu, Amy Dennis, Luisa Cardenas, Marcia O'Brien, Kyle Aitken, Danielle Church, Caroline Carpenter, Samantha Knowles

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets up our minds and bodies for learning. Breakfast clubs offers children Weetbix and fruit everyday in the Gardens (over in team Kotare). If you are able to assist with Breakfast Club from 8.30am - 8.50am please contact Jane Brown on jbrown@windyridge.school.nz. We are always needing cans of fruit to enjoy with our breakfast. All donations of fruit would be gratefully accepted through the office.

Kickstart Breakfast programme delivers free breakfast to 1400 schools around New Zealand The KickStart Breakfast Programme https://www.kickstartbreakfast.co.nz/ is a joint initiative between Fonterra, Sanitarium and the Ministry of Social Development. The programme is designed to positively impact child well-being through providing access to nutritious food at school.

In term 3 we are reviewing topics in the Employer Responsibility Policy section. 

See the full 2024 Review Schedule and Board Assurances

Who reviews our policies and procedures?

The board is responsible for board-level overarching policies. The table below shows which topics the board should review. Note that other reviewers can review these topics too; they're not exclusively for the board. See Board Responsibility.

The review opens Monday 8 July. To start reviewing, click on a topic name below, then click the Start your review button. If a link is inactive, your school doesn't have the topic.

Note that if you'd like to provide feedback on a topic that's not listed below, you can still do so if it has a review button.

Term 3 review topics 
Concerns and Complaints - Board review
Media 
Performance Management - Board review
Professional Development
Protected Disclosure - Board review
Staff Conduct 
Staff Leave  

Reviews who are not able to use the online review tool can use the Policy review form.

By now everyone is using the HERO app to receive community notifications and to report an absence - thank you.
Throughout Term 3 you can expect to see a personalised learning story and photo about your child at school.
 

Playball is back at Windy Ridge School for Term 4 2024!

After a successful first term in term 3, we are excited to be bringing Playball to Windy Ridge School in Term 4 2024!

Playball is a sport and movement program for children between the ages of five and nine. All of the programs are taught in a fun-filled, energetic and positive environment.

Playball programs are age specific, with each of our programs taking into account the difference in the cognitive, emotional, social and motor development of the children in each age group.

Our Playball North Harbour coaches are dedicated to providing the best learning environment for children by using physical activity as a vehicle.
Some examples of sports we focus on in schools are; Hockey, Football, Tennis, Basketball and many more! We also bring in competition and more team elements to our 5-9 year old program to prepare the children for sport in the future. Each week will be different, to build on the skills and movements learnt in previous lessons.

Classes at Windy Ridge School will be held on:
Fridays from 3:15-4:00 starting October 18th.
The cost for the term will be $110 with an EARLYBIRD price of $99 available until October 11th.
If you would like your child to take part this term, please click the following link to complete the sign-up process: https://www.playballkids.com/parent-zone/basket_bookings.php?classid=64375
Use the code "EARLYBIRDWR" at the checkout for the discount.

Classes will be held on the school field.
If a class is postponed, parents will be notified ahead of class time.
Please let me know your child's classroom.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Coach Reuben on 0277674060 or reuben@playball.co.nz 

Term Three

Wednesday 25 - Friday 27 September - Year 5 and 6 Camp
Friday 27 September - 9:00am, Year 0-4 Assembly
Friday 27 September- last day of term - 3:00pm finish 

Monday 21st October - PhotoLife Class & Individual Photos
Monday 28th October - Labour Day - SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday 17 December - Last day of school 12.30pm