Some of our Friendship Games Leaders and students pictured here enjoying some Friendship Games together.

Coming Up

• FOTS Disco - Friday 17 October - School Hall (Theme is Pyjama Party) - Tickets available now on Kindo until Thursday 16 October 3pm *Please note the Senior disco starts at 6.45-8pm, not 6.30pm as previously advertised.

• NZEI Strike Day - Thursday 23 October - (School closed unless there is a change from the NZEI Union)- see more information below

• BOT Meeting - Thursday 23 October - 6.30pm (Staffroom)

• Labour Day Holiday - Monday 27 October - (School Closed)

Contents

Principal News

• NZEI Strike Day

• Drop Off and Pick Up

• School Hats

Awhi Update

• Get Ready - Shakeout

School Notices

• Class Placements For 2026

• Second-Hand Uniform Sale

Friends of the School/P.T.A

• School Disco

• Tea-Towel Fundraiser

School Events

• Peer Mediators and Friendship Games Leaders

Principal News

NZEI Strike Day

Please remember that school will be closed on Thursday 23 October. I have had a few questions about this as not all Primary schools will be closed on that day. The Board of each school needs to make a decision based on their ability to safely keep the school open. Not all teachers are NZEI members, so it will be different for every school.

Browns Bay School will be closed unless the NZEI Union position changes.

Drop Off and Pick Up

Term 4 usually means that less children come to school by car. It helps everyone when more children walk, scooter or cycle.

If you are new to the school and have missed the information, please remember that the Drop Off and Pick Up Zone may not be used for parking and waiting for your child. Please stay in your car and be ready to move on.

The Pick Up Zone opens at 3pm every day. You may be ticketed if you are parked in the Zone before 3pm. Please do not park on yellow lines or across neighbour`s driveways.

School Hats

Thank you to everyone for being super organised with school hats. Unfortunately, the weather means they have not been needed this week!

Despite the terrible weather, it is important that children are well prepared - so thank you again for being organised. It is compulsory this term to have a sunsafe hat at school for outdoor activities.

Bucket hats can be purchased from the school office for $12.50 by Eftpos. Slouch hats can be ordered online through Argyle $14.50.

Awhi Update

Get Ready - Shakeout

This term’s Awhi lessons have been adapted to support everything that’s happening between now and the end of the year. Last week we focused on the behaviour expectations during break times. It’s been wonderful to see so many students sitting and enjoying their morning tea and lunch with friends. Teachers are spotting students who remember to wear their school hat every time they are outside. 

The National Shake Out drill is this week. Many work places will be running a drill this Thursday morning.  We have used our Awhi lesson to teach students what to do during an earthquake. The resources on the Shakeout Drill website are excellent. We encourage you to have a look and make a plan for home with your child. 

School Notices

Class Placements For 2026

We will shortly begin the process of finalising class placements for 2026. This is a thoughtful and rigorous process, and our team works hard to create balanced classes where every child can feel safe, secure and ready to learn.

Our Teachers incorporate student feedback and use sociograms, (a tool for mapping student friendships and working relationships), to ensure we consider every child as an individual when forming the groups.

As part of this collaborative process, parents are welcome to email with any information you feel will help us best meet your child’s learning needs. Please direct your email to the relevant Staff Member:

• Year 4-5: joh@brownsbay.school.nz

• Year 0-3: tanyas@brownsbay.school.nz

Please note that while we welcome your input regarding learning needs, we cannot take specific requests for a Teacher into consideration.

This information must be received by Friday 17 October.

Second-Hand Uniform Sale

Friends of the School/P.T.A

School Disco

SCHOOL DISCO THIS FRIDAY! *Please note the Senior disco starts at 6.45-8pm, not 6.30pm as previously advertised. Come dressed up in your favourite pyjamas and dance the evening away! A bargain at only $8 per ticket! Buy your ticket by (tomorrow) 3pm via Kindo!

Tea-Towel Fundraiser

Last chance to buy your tea towels - orders close tonight! They make great Christmas presents for family - buy yours now! Check your school messages for information on prices and to view your child`s year group`s fabulous tea-towel portraits.

The FOTS Team.

School Events

Peer Mediators and Friendship Games Leaders

Our Year 5 students have begun their leadership journey by learning what it means to be a Peer Mediator and a Friendship Games Leader. You can now spot them proudly wearing their bright green and orange High-Vis vests while on duty in the playground!

During their first training session, the Peer Mediators learned how to use the mediation script to help students solve small problems during playtime.

Meanwhile, the Friendship Games Leaders have been practising how to set up and teach fun games for our younger students to enjoy.

We’re so proud of the way our Year 5 leaders are stepping up, showing kindness and helping to make our playground a happy and inclusive place for everyone. 

Community Notices

For more information on sKids click the link HERE

Help us get to 30,000 signatures by 23 October!

Unfortunately, the Government have not moved towards the change we need to see and next week educators from across the motu are going on strike. On 23 October, over 40,000 NZEI Te Riu Roa members including principals, teachers, support staff and some Ministry of Education specialists will join their secondary school colleagues, as well as doctors, dentists, nurses and Allied Health staff, in striking. No educator wants to go on strike, but they are fighting for better investment in the future of our tamariki and they need the Government to know they’re serious. The campaign demands an education system that has a teacher aide in every classroom, that fairly values educators, that upholds Te Tiriti and defends quality childhood education. Can you help back our educators to back our future by signing and sharing this petition with your friends and our community. The more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here. Thank you! Ripeka Lessels Te Manukura / President NZEI Te Riu Roa