Kia ora parents, caregivers and friends of Western Heights Primary, Children are out at camps over the next month. All middle school children are visiting Arataki and the parent support shown for this educational opportunity has been very pleasing. I attended a large meeting last week where all information about the camp was shared.
The senior school are at Carey Park next week. Some classes are there for the Monday and Tuesday nights and the others go up on Wednesday.
These ‘education outside the classroom’ camps mean a lot of extra work for staff, but the outcomes are so exciting for the students it makes the effort worthwhile.
The senior school have a two year EOTC programme with Carey Park one year and Steadfast the alternate year.
Next year the senior school will also be participating in Beach Education at Piha with life guard instructors taking the groups. This is at the end of February, so any parents who are keen swimmers and can help on these days, do watch the first newsletter in February 2010.Last year, I was bouncing in my sleep after spending two hours in the surf, but it was such a fantastic day I did not mind.
Book Launch
Greg Doolan, a successful New Zealand author, has published a called book called ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Travelling Ted’ which he shared with the school at assembly last Friday.
This book will be marketed through the school with the launch date on Monday 16 November. The book is $19.99 with proceeds going to the school and Cure Kids.
It will be packaged and sent home with the oldest in the family. Instructions will be on the package about purchasing and returning the book.
Sporting AchievementsTouch Tournament
We had several teams at Waitakere College this week for a Henderson Cluster Touch tournament. One team gained 2nd place. The day was made possible by the availability of student referees from Waitakere College and parent helpers to support Mr Baker.
Karate
Poppy Gilson gained a gold medal at the Karate Nationals two weeks ago. She was competing in the 5 to 7 year old group. Well done Poppy.
Western Heights Enviro Day
On Wednesday 4 November, we will be holding an Enviro Day. Western Heights joined the Enviro Schools programme this year and have several projects that we would appreciate help with. This will entail help with gardening, planting, mulching and weeding in the bush area and new garden.
The day will start at 10a.m. with groups of children coming down to the garden to help in 30 minute intervals until 2p.m. (with breaks for morning tea and lunch). We want this to be a really successful day so if you can help (even for just ½ an hour) please come and give your time to help out the school.
The school community will be an example of sustainability and we hope that children will take this learning into their homes with recycling, garden to table ideas and care of the environment. A difference can already be seen just with the decrease of school rubbish over the last two years.
A few BNZ staff will also be joining us, as part of the BNZ Closed for Good Project. On this day, BNZ is closing their banks and most of their support offices – for good. BNZ staff won’t be working for the Bank, they’ll be working on community projects all over New Zealand.
Fundraising
The senior school fundraised for camp by selling chocolate which reduced the cost. Thanks to the parents for supporting your children with selling the chocolate.
World Teachers Day 30 October
We will have a ‘big hands up’ to teachers all over the world at 12.30p.m. tomorrow.
Last Orders for Calendars and Cards - Friday 30 October
Calendars are $12.00 each, with packs of cards available at $12.50. Orders to be in by tomorrow.
Team/Group Photos
These are displayed in the old office foyer and are $12.00 each. Orders close 27 November. Photos available are:
Krypton Factor Road Patrol School Council
CWSA Spanish Swimming Gymnastics
Junior Jump Jam Middle Jump Jam Rugby & League
Softball/T-ball Soccer Cross Country
CWSA Maths Enviro Group Culture Group
Training Band Advanced Band
Principals Awards
Emily Heald Hannah Westgaard Saan Binns
Thelma Magengezha Grace McCarthy Trinity Kay
Toni Stallard Savannah Hutchinson Sam Goffin
Isabelle Cooper Trey Hoeft Miluska Fecova
Rohit Verma Aiden Grieves Emma Winter
Tyler Inglis Shanay Talopau Batool Zehra
Shivneel Shankar Janeiro Moore Daniel Martinez
Corey Davies Britney-Anne Cama Mikayla Eneliko
Sahaana Arunachalam Nicole Martinez-Sutton
Scholastic Book Orders
Orders close today. Late orders taken tomorrow morning. Please make cheques payable to Scholastic N.Z.
Dates to Note
Thurs. 29 Oct. Rm. 11/18 Arataki Sleepover
Frid. 30 Oct. Middle/Senior Disco
Mon. 2 Nov. Senior Camp. Rm 19, 20, 22, 23
Wed. 4 Nov. Senior Camp. Rm 21, 24, 25
Thurs. 5 Nov. Rm. 14/15 Arataki Sleepover
Frid. 6 Nov. Concert
Thurs. 12 Nov. Rm 13/16 Arataki Sleepover
Tues. 17 Nov. Whole school athletics
Thurs. 26 Nov. Rm. 17 Arataki Sleepover
Frid. 11 Dec. Yr 6 Graduation Pool Party
Mon. 14 Dec. Senior Helpers Day Out
Mon. 14 Dec. Middle school Picnic
Wed. 16 Dec. Term 4 ends at 12.30p.m.
Wed. 3 Feb. Term 1, 2010 starts
Free Family Day Out
Saturday 31 October, 10a.m. - 6p.m. at Parrs Park. Kapahaka, hip hop, Indian dancing, Pasifika groups, food stalls. Information ph: 838 8501.
FUTSAL Brazilian Indoor Soccer 5v5
Junior Leagues starting from 4 November. U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19. Go to www.aucklandfutsal.org
Dive into books!
Apply for the Waitakere Libraries’ Summer Reading Programme now! This is a fun, incentive based programme that helps children to improve their reading habits over the holidays. It is ideal for children with reading difficulties. If you would like to participate in this year’s programme, apply online at www.waitakerelibs.govt.nz or call in to your nearest Waitakere Library branch between October 27 and November 15. Full details are available at www.waitakerelibs.govt.nz or phone 839 2260.
DON’T FORGET WORLD VISION COLLECTION AND
SAUSAGE SIZZLE TOMORROW
