Our walking school bus will return on Monday 15th February kicking off with Walk to School week ! Each day that week will feature a fun theme and walkers will be in the running for great prizes.Further details about this will be on the school website next week.We have three different walking buses : 1. Erlestoke Crst; 2. Waverley/Westchester/Amesbury; and 3. Amesbury Dve north. The service is fully run by our Amesbury School families with parents volunteering to lead a bus whenever is convenient for them - all our students are welcome to join in even if parents aren't able to volunteer. We're here to support our great school community !If you'd like more information and/or are keen to get involved we'd love to hear from you ! 

Email walkingbus@amesbury.school.nz or contact Angela on 021 272 4321 (Matilda's mum) or catchup at pick up/drop off time :)

In Week 4 on Thursday 25th Feb all students are invited to stay overnight at school as part of our exploration this term around what it means to be part of a community of social beings. 

Students taking part in the school Noho Marae will go home as usual at 3pm on Thursday, (or attend Kelly Club After School Care, if this is part of their routine). They can then return at 5:30pm to set up their beds before our shared kai (dinner) at 6pm. We will then have several activities happening across the school that evening, followed by a (hopefully) good night's sleep in the learning spaces!

The following day will be a day of themed activities across the school for all learning groups (not just students participating in the overnight stay). We will start with a school Powhiri for a group of educators who will be visiting Amesbury that day from Sweden. Students will then rotate around a wide range of activities, possibly including harakeke weaving, singing, haka, poi, and games such as ki-o-rahi. 

The cost for the overnight stay will be $10 per student. This cost covers dinner on Thursday night, and breakfast and lunch on Friday. For any adults participating in the Noho Marae the cost will be $5 to cover dinner and breakfast costs. Students will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow and sleeping mat with them, along with sleepwear, a change for clothes for the next day, and toiletries. 

We cordially invite any parents who would like to join us to also stay overnight in the learning spaces with us. This opportunity will allow us to increase our understanding of the aspects involved in belonging to a community and relating well with others. It will also encompass developing our knowledge and understanding of protocol around staying on a Marae. For older students this provides a safe opportunity to stay away from home overnight without parents, whilst still remaining very close to home. It can be a good first step for students who are nervous about going on camp without Mum or Dad. 

To help with planning and organisation we ask that all families complete the Noho Marae Google form, even if you are not planning on attending. This allows us to confirm numbers for catering. It is a short form; please follow this link. 

If you have any further questions about the Noho Marae please contact Angela (angela@amesbury.school.nz) or Urs (urs@amesbury.school.nz).

Warm regards, 

The Amesbury Team