Message from John Bunting

Attached are some final thoughts from John Bunting, the Board's Presiding Chair as he steps down from the role and indeed from the Board itself.

Please take a few minutes to read through it. You will find it at the top of this week's Amesbury Digest.

30 January 2023

This is the first day of school for 2024.

We look forward (already) to those returning next year and wish all those who are leaving us all the best in their future schooling. We have loved having you as part of the Amesbury whānau and you will always be welcome to come and visit.

We have also said a very sad farewell to some of our teachers. Thank you for the impact you have had on the lives of our tamariki and the wider whānau.

End of Year Reports

The 2023 End of Year Reports are available on HERO. Hopefully, everyone has seen them.

For those who haven't, notice of this was sent to parents and caregivers on Tuesday together with info on how to access them.

Co-curricular Lessons in 2024

Co-curricular reports were also included on HERO on Tuesday. If you have any questions please contact John (communications@amesbury.school.nz).

Our plan is to send out co-curricular invoices for Term 1 in early January. These will be sent to for all tamariki currently taking co-curricular lessons and continuing at Amesbury next year. If you wish to add or change lessons please contact John before the invoices are sent out as it reduces the administration significantly.

Just a reminder that we have some additional co-curricular activities next year. If you are interested in these or any of our existing classes please email me (communications@amesbury.school.nz).

What's new?

Dance
Singing
Rhythmic Gymnastics - (not really new but it has been a few years since we were able to offer it)
Recorder, clarinet & saxophone

To find out more details please read here. We are looking into the feasibility of some other activities but if you have any other things that you would like us to consider, again please contact John (communications@amesbury.school.nz).

Water Play Fun

See here for plenty of photos of this year's traditional water play day.

Beach Education 2023

Eilís has provided a brief report of the recent Beach Education Programme with plenty of photos. Please view here.

Diving Presentation

Our Year 3-6 tamariki were provided with the opportunity to receive a diving presentation from a New Zealand representative diver, Cameron. The session finished with the tamariki taking part in gymnastic moves and drills that divers use to perfect their craft.

Attached is a report of the session together with photos.

Touch Rugby - Term 1 2024

If your tamariki are interested in playing touch rugby in an Amesbury team after school on Mondays in Term 1 next year please note that registrations will be open in late January.

Homestay Host Families Needed for Mandarin Language Assistant 2024

Just as we have just farewelled Liping recently, so we look forward to next year when we will again have a Mandarin Language Assistant.

We are seeking interested host families to accommodate someone for a minimum of a term in 2024. If you think that you may be interested in this opportunity, please read all of the details in Jenny's article and complete the registration of interest form contained within.

Message from Kindo

Is your student leaving or changing school?

A few important steps if your student is leaving or changing schools next year:

Find out if your new school is using Kindo:

Ask the school directly or go to “My Details” in myKindo and click on the list of schools to see if your new school is listed.

If your new school IS using Kindo:

Simply click on the new school from the list in “My Details” of your Kindo account and you’ll be attached to the new school’s menu. Any balance on your Kindo account will remain available to spend with the new school. If you have personalised accounts on your myKindo portal, there may be a slight delay as the schools switch records over.

If your new school is NOT using Kindo, or your student is leaving school:

You may need to close your account. If you have another student starting within the next 14 months you may keep it open. To close your account, follow these steps:

Please stop any regular automatic payments now.
Use the “Close Account” button within the “My Details” page on myKindo. You can either withdraw your account balance or choose to donate your balance to the school. Please note that all withdrawals will be made via electronic payment to your New Zealand bank account. Kindo is unable to process cash withdrawals.

If you want to withdraw your Kindo account balance, or make a donation that exceeds Kindo’s threshold of $10,000 total per year, Kindo will need to undertake some identity checks on you to comply with its obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Act 2009.

Please action the withdrawal or donation in your Kindo account as outlined above and if these AML checks are necessary Kindo will advise of the next steps required in this regard. Kindo has endeavoured to make this process as pain-free as possible and appreciates your patience. More information is available here.

Kelly Club Holiday Programme

Enrolments are now open for the Kelly Sports Pre-Christmas and January 2024 School Holiday Programme!

We have some fantastic days planned:

Pre – Christmas Holiday Programme

Let’s Get Messy Day, Cool Cartoons Day, Classic Kiwi Xmas Day plus a trip to Avalon Park for a Picnic – and Mr Whippy is coming for an ice cream.

January 2024 Holiday Programme
Our Amazing Race, Summer Splashin, Carnival Day, Yum Yum Summer fun, Wicked Wheels Day, KC Favourites, Iron Child, Fantasy Friday, Kids Vs Staff. Summer Sports Day and lots more!

Plus trips to:

Wellington Zoo, Ice Skating, Ten Pin Bowling, The Movies, Laserforce

You can enrol at www.kellyclub.co.nz and in the school box put “Amesbury”.

Kelly Sports Football Holiday Programme

Kelly Sports is back in January with the ever popular Football Holiday Programme.

Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Jan 2024
Tues 23 - Thurs 25 Jan 2024
9.30am-12.30pm
For children aged 5-12 years

Held in the Green Room (artificial turf) at the Wests Rugby clubrooms, Ian Galloway park, Wilton.

This programme is perfect for "Beginner's" and those wanting to find out more about the game and have fun.

Come along and improve technique, knowledge and skills.

In this programme we will focus on the core skills of control, dribbling, passing, tackling and shooting but most importantly having as much fun as possible!

Book online at www.kellysports.co.nz.

Community Notices

Wellington City Libraries Summer Reading Adventure 2023-4

This summer, Wellington City Libraries is inviting kids, teens and adults on a Summer Reading Adventure!

From the 1st of December 2023 – 31st of January 2024, you’ll be able to log your reading, write, draw or film book reviews, and complete activities and challenges to earn rewards like collectible badges, free books, ice-cream vouchers, and go in the draw to win one of our fabulous Grand Prizes.

Visit the library website today at wcl.govt.nz/summerreading to pre-register for the Summer Reading Adventure, or visit any of our libraries from the 1st of December to pick up your Adventurer’s Guide and get started.

Christmas in the Quarters

The Wellington City Council is bringing you Christmas this year with four events, one in each quarter of the city. Each event has a different theme.

Kids,

come and make Christmas crafts on Saturday 25 November in Midland Park.
Bop along to Christmas music on Saturday 2 December in Glover Park.
Enjoy circus acts under the sails at Queens Wharf on Saturday 9 December, and
Be at Waitangi Park on Saturday 16 December for Santa’s arrival, to meet Santa, and for a fun range of Christmas activities.

For more specific details follow this link.

Musical Stars Performance Trust

The Musical Stars Performance Trust is locally based and has run musical theatre classes for children aged 5-18 years old for over 20 years.

The Musical Stars are passionate in igniting children's passion for performing arts and in giving them a chance to be challenged and to succeed. We believe performing arts encourages the formation of many different skills that can support and enhance children in their everyday lives. We would love to share this with you!

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

There are lots to do at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve these summer school holidays - see ngamanu.org.nz for more details:

Lil’ Explorer adventure trail– Our NEW Lil’ Explorers adventure trail provides a fun-packed, interactive journey around the reserve. Pick up your explorer backpack full of tools and activities that guide children through the reserve looking for hidden taonga, while teaching them about nature and conservation. Answer the activity questions and go in the draw to in up to $500 of Ngā Manu gift shop vouchers.
KIDS GO FREE on our Overnight Wildlife or Overnight Kiwi Encounter package this school holidays – from $270, save up to $90. Stay the night in Theo’s Cottage inside the reserve and choose between the Kiwi Night Encounter or the Native Bird Close Encounter tours (1 and 2 adult family options available).
Wildlife Experience Christmas Gift Vouchers- we offer a wide range of wildlife tours and close encounters gift vouchers perfect for an environmentally friendly stocking stuffer. Purchase online or in-store.

Free Puppet Show and Puppet Making

Newlands community Centre
Thursday 25th January
11am
4-10 year olds with accompanying adults

"Flutter" Is a story about a bat who is afraid of the dark, friendship and bravery. It is also about the threats to our native species from introduced predators.

This will be followed by a shadow puppet workshop where we will use natural materials to create shadow puppets and make a shadow box to take home.

Facebook event: http://tinyurl.com/4bxnh5c3
Promo video: https://youtu.be/NwTtIhzsJ-s

In this issue

Water Play Fun