What's on this week?

Four-Year-Old Programme (last session for Term 3) - 2-2.45pm Monday 19 September
Harakeke & Pōhutukawa Sports Sessions - Tuesday 20 September
MOE Photoshoot in Pōhutukawa - Tuesday 20 September
PSW Inter Zone Swimming - Thursday 22 September
Speech Finals - 2-3pm Friday 23 September
St Brigid's Kapa Haka Festival - 9.30am Saturday 24 September

Changes to Mask Wearing

Effective from 11:59pm on 12th September, all mask wearing requirements have been removed at Amesbury School. This means ākonga, staff and visitors at school will no longer be asked to wear masks. However, people are very welcome to continue wearing masks, if you would like to do so.

Changes to Household Isolation

Also effective from 11:59pm on 12th September, only those who test positive for Covid-19 will be required to isolate for seven days. Household contacts will no longer be required to isolate, but they are asked to take a rapid antigen test each day for five days. Find further information about how to get a Covid test here. If you show symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home and get tested.

Public Holiday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II - 26 September

Cabinet announced a one-off public holiday for Monday 26th September to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. This will be a chance for people to both mark her death and also celebrate her life. School will be closed on this day, which will be Monday of the final week of the school term. There will be a State Memorial Service held in Wellington, which will be televised and live streamed.

School Board By-Election

Nominations have been called for three casual parent representatives vacancies on the school board.

The Returning Officer has provided the required information in the formal notification here.

Nominations must be submitted to the Returning Officer no later than noon on Thursday 29th September, 2022.

Online Conferences for Term 3

A reminder to book in for the online conferences if you haven't done so already.

The conferences will be held online and parents/caregivers are asked to book a time. All of the information, including links, are in the HERO notification that you have already received.

When the conferences are running:

Bronwyn Thurston's whānau:

Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22 September 3.30pm - 7pm
(Conference bookings will close at 8am Wednesday 21 September)

All other whānau teachers:

Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 September 3:30 - 7:30pm
(Conference bookings will close at 8am Wednesday 28 September)

If you have any questions about the set up of the conference please contact your child's whānau teacher.

Speech Finals - 2pm Friday 23 September

The finals of the Amesbury Speech competition will be held in the hall on Friday (23 September), commencing at 2pm.

Whānau are invited to come along and support the participants.

St Brigid's Kapa Haka Festival - 9.30am Saturday 24 September

This coming Saturday (24 September) and starting at 9.30am, Amesbury, with the support of Onslow College, is this year's very proud hosts of the St. Brigid's Kapa Haka Festival.

Take the opportunity to get along to Onslow College to see our very own Kapa Haka group performing as well as those from other schools. It's always a spectacular event.

Representing Amesbury this Week

All the best to Yiqi (Y4) & Jiya (Y5) who are off to represent Amesbury at the Inter Zone Swimming at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie on Thursday, having qualified from the Northern Zone Swimming last month.

It's a busy week for Jiya who, on Wednesday, is also representing Amesbury at the Wellington & Kapi Mana 2022 Schools Singles Tennis Tournament.

Senior Athletics Day - Change of date

Due to the timing of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day, our Senior Athletics Day at Newtown Park will be delayed by a day and will now be held on Tuesday 27 September.

Eilís has provided details about the day and these can be found here.

Eilís is also looking for parents to help out on the day. Parents who help out will be able to move from event to event with their child.

What have Koru Hub been up to?

Well, you can read that for yourself in Amaria's report.

Beware! There is also a maths problem contained within. You can send your answer to Amaria. I already did, but I think that I got it wrong.

Sharing Food

Please help us by reminding your child(ren) that food items are not to be shared with their friends at school. It's lovely that students want to share with their peers, particularly when it is a special occasion e.g. birthdays, leaving, cultural celebrations, however, we don't want to set an expectation with students or parents around this practice because, in addition to risks associated with allergies and dietary restrictions, there are just too many students in one hub to make this fair and feasible.

Uniform

Time to do a stocktake and get ready for the return to wearing sun hats for Term 4!! Sizes for everyone - extra small, small, med, large and extra large.

Lost and Found (at the office)

Pink bike helmet with unicorns and ladybirds Macpac cap (possibly lost on the clean up walk on Thursday).

Lunchonline - Nada Bakery

Just a reminder as the term draws to a close that Nada Bakery are offering an incentive to those who buy their yummy lunches three times before the end of Term 3:

Holiday Programmes

Don't forget the Kelly Club & Drama Remedy Holiday Programmes included in last week's notices.

In addition we have the following:

Inverlochy Art School

Website: https://www.inverlochy.org.nz/

KidzStuff Theatre

These school holidays KidzStuff Theatre for Children are presenting 'Why Are My Parents So Boring?', Written by Dan Bain and Directed by David Ladderman

What: Why Are My Parents So Boring?

When: 1st - 14th October 2022

Where: Tararua Tramping Club, 4 Moncrieff Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington

Times: Weekdays 10am & 11:30am, Saturdays 10am, no show Sundays

Tickets $12.50pp, Children under 2 Free

Bookings: www.kidzstufftheatre.co.nz

3D Printing & Software Holiday Programme

Whitby Collegiate will be hosting a 3 day introduction to 3D printing and CAD software holiday programme in October. Our IT experts will teach students how to design a 3D model using the modelling computer programme SketchUp. Students will keep their printed 3D designs. No previous experience is necessary. Students must bring their own chromebooks/laptops. Limited spaces available.

Dates: Monday 4 - Wednesday 6 October 2021Time: 9:00am - 3:00pmCost: $270Ages: 10+ https://form.jotform.com/whitbyenrol/3d-print-cad-software-holiday-prog

Girls Basketball Camp

Date: October 14th
Time: 9:30am-2:30pm
Location: Karori Rec Centre
Ages: School years 3-8 (girls)
Cost: $50
Registration Link: https://www.capitalbasketball.org/girls-got-game-sign-up

Community Notices

Tots to Teens

The latest online edition of Tots to Teens is now available. There should be something to suit everyone so have a look for yourself.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wellington

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wellington recruit, train and support adult volunteer Mentors across Hutt Valley and the Wellington region, matching them with tamariki (children) aged between 6 and 12 who are in need of a little extra support.

Every dollar donated over the next two weeks will be invested straight back into the Wellington community, supporting vulnerable tamariki and their whānau.

Can you help Big Brothers Big Sisters Wellington ignite the potential in the lives of young people in Wellington?

Can you please donate and/ or share our campaign with your community:

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/help-big-brothers-big-sisters-wellington-ignite

Don't forget, we are also taking child referrals. Here is the online child referral form:

BBBS Wellington Child Referral Form