BBS Newsletter 25 June T2W9
Dont forget to book your Parent/Teacher Conference. These will take place in the first week of Term 3 (see link and code below). Enjoy the holidays!
Coming Up
FOTS Pie Day Fundraiser - Thursday 26 June
Term 2 Ends - Friday 27 June - 3pm
Term 3 Starts - Monday 14 July
Parent/Teacher Conferences - Wednesday 16 July & Thursday 17 July
Sports Assembly - Friday 18 July 9.45am start (Y3-6)
Contents
Principal News
Farewell To Two Staff Members
Property Update
Parent/Teacher Conference Bookings
School Notices
School Lunchroom
Intermediate School Enrolments 2026
Friends of the School/P.T.A
Math-A-Thon
School Events
2025 Junior Mathex Competition
Principal News
Farewell to Two Staff Members
This week we say farewell to Sange Houston who has been running our school lunchroom for many years. Sange will be a real loss to our school, but I am looking forward to sharing exciting news about the lunchroom next term.
Thank you Sange for everything you have done to support our school, and equally importantly for the kind and thoughtful way you have worked with the children. Go well in your new adventure.
We also say farewell to Helene Brown who has been a long serving part of our Learning Support team. As part of the team, Helene has been a strong advocate for students with significant learning needs. I know Helene to be patient, calm, highly skilled and determined that the children she supports enjoy every aspect of school life.
Helene is returning to a previous career and we wish her well with this. Congratulations Helene and thank you for everything you have done for our children.
Property Update
Our next projects are two planting projects and working towards the replacement of the middle school playground.
As we move into Spring, we will finish the planting along the section of Masterton Road around the school office and will hopefully plant some quite substantial trees along our fence lines. This will increase the amount of shade for the children. We are currently working with some landscapers, but if you have contacts or are able to help in any capacity please let me know:teresab@brownsbay.school.nz
Parent/Teacher Conference Bookings
Don't forget to book your Parent/Teacher Conference before the end of term.
You can book a Conference with your child`s teacher by clicking here and using the code q3894.
*Please note that Kellie Shimmin, Room 14, is not available until the following week, but you can still make a booking using the same code*
*Please also note that Michelle Crabb's interviews will be re-scheduled for later in the term.
School Notices
School Lunchroom
The School Lunchroom will be out of action for at least Weeks 1-4 next term. ezLunch orders will be available.
Intermediate School Enrolments 2026
Next term we will be underway with the Intermediate School Transition Programme for our Year 6 students.
Once the students have visited their nominated school, they will bring home further specific enrolment information.
The Transition Visits will be held on:
Wednesday 13 August - Murrays Bay Intermediate School
Monday 18 August - Northcross Intermediate School
Only those students intending to enrol at the school should attend the visit. Please fill in the Google form that has been emailed to you to let us know which visit you would like your child to attend.
Jo Hewitt
Deputy Principal.
Friends of the School/P.T.A
Math-A-Thon
This year, the Friends of the School/P.T.A will be having a major fundraiser which is a Math-A-Thon.
This will take place in Weeks 3-5 in Term 3. We are fundraising for the upgrade of our school playground areas. Each Year level will have a set of questions from the new Maths Curriculum that they will practice and be tested on in Week 5.
We need to have every family on board to manage this, and the knowledge building that will occur can only benefit every participant!
At the start of Week 3 next term, questions will be sent home for the children to practice both at home and at school. We hope this will provide another real opportunity for students and their families to focus on building some Maths knowledge.
Our Math-A-Thon is a ‘challenge’ for children to practice and gain knowledge to enable them to complete a Math-A-Thon test, with as many correct answers as possible.
Each student will create their own fundraising site through “Go Raise It”.
All information will come home at the beginning of Term 3, and this fundraising link can be shared with friends and family anywhere in the world!
There will be three prize draws throughout the Math-A-Thon period.
Friday 01 August - Week 1 of Math-A-Thon - any student who has created a Go-Raise It fundraising site will go into the prize draw.
Friday 08 August - Week 2 of Math-A-Thon - any student who has received any sponsorship via their Go-Raise It fundraising site will be in the prize draw.
Friday 15 August - Week 3 of Math-A-Thon - any student who has received any sponsorship via their Go-Raise It fundraising site will be in the prize draw.
We also have 3 major prizes for the students who raise the most money.
First prize – Rainbows End Super Pass for 2 adults and 2 children - this includes entry and rides
Second prize - $100 Westfield voucher
Third prize - $50 Westfield voucher
There will also be a class incentive - Pizza lunch for the 2 classes with the best participation (worked out on a class average).
Major prizes will be awarded at the School Assembly in Week 10.
Thank you for your support with our 2025 ‘Math-A-Thon’, a fun way for our children to learn and to raise money for our school playground upgrade project.
Tanya Sheppard
School Events
2025 Junior Mathex Competition
Three teams from BBS participated in the 2025 Junior Mathex Competition, hosted at Northcross Intermediate School. It was a high-energy event with over 60 teams from various schools, all ready to take on the challenge. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and just a little bit of nervous anticipation.
One of our teams, BBS 3, was made up of four smart and awesome students: Chris Rm 27, Kaiyi Rm 24, Daniel Rm 24 and our runner Charlie Rm 24. All teams needed a runner, whose job was to collect questions and return answers during the event. To keep things fair, runners had to start by touching the back wall of the gym and then move two tables to the left or right, depending on where their team was seated. This ensured everyone ran the same distance.
The event took place in a large gymnasium filled with long rows of tables, and each team had to solve 20 challenging Math questions in just 30 minutes. The problems tested a wide range of skills—Math knowledge, logical thinking, and most importantly, teamwork and communication. With the pressure on and the clock ticking, it was a true test of focus and co-operation.
Before the competition kicked off, Northcross Intermediate students welcomed us into their School Library. It was a relaxing space and even had a small pond inside with tiny fish swimming around—a surprising and peaceful touch. After spending a short time there, we were led to the Auditorium for roll call. While the Teachers explained the rules and how the marking would work, a Student Council member named Charles kept us entertained with jokes and riddles. His humor definitely helped lighten the mood and calmed everyone’s nerves.
When our school was called, we followed a Student Leader into the gym and got into position. Once the timer started, we jumped into action. Every Team member played an important role, whether it was solving equations, discussing strategies, or running back and forth with answers. The problems were tough and we had to stay calm and focused under pressure. One of the teams in BBS (BBS 2) got fourth place with only a 30 second gap.
Even though we didn’t place in the top rankings, we gave it our all and walked away proud with a strong note held. It was a great experience that taught us not just about Math, but about teamwork, perseverance and staying focused.
Report by: Charlie Rm 24, Chris Rm 27 and Kaiyi Rm 24 (photos coming soon).
Community Notices
