Kia ora parents and whānau

It has been a busy and exciting few weeks at Amuri Area School with plenty of learning, activities, and experiences for both students and staff. We have also had some visitors to the school recently who commented on the amazing community vibe they always feel when they visit and just how special Amuri Area School is as a learning environment. As someone new to this community, I am still regularly blown away by the warmth, support, and enthusiasm of our students, staff, and whānau. It is truly heartwarming to be part of such a fantastic learning community.

At the end of last week our Year 7 students headed off to Hanmer Springs for their camp. They had an amazing time challenging themselves in outdoor activities such as tree climbing, mountain biking and an urban scavenger hunt. It was fantastic to see them working together, stepping out of their comfort zones and making the most of the opportunities that camp provides. A big thank you to the staff and parents who supported this experience!

Teachers also recently had the opportunity to attend a Cultural Hui at Tuahiwi Marae where we practiced our mihi and deepened our understanding of tikanga Māori. This learning is invaluable as we continue to strengthen cultural responsiveness in our classrooms and foster an environment where all students feel valued and connected to their learning.

As the seasons change, we've already had a few chilly and wet days and it's time to start thinking about warm clothing for school. Please make sure your child has layers and a jacket so they can stay comfortable during break times. Even when it’s cold, our students love getting outside to burn off some energy, and being dressed appropriately ensures they can fully enjoy their playtime.

We have also been making some important curriculum decisions as a Primary Syndicate. We are excited to continue using the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) for literacy and extend this to include Year 4, 5, and 6 students. BSLA is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps children develop strong early reading and writing skills. We have already seen its positive impact and by extending it across more year levels, we can ensure consistency and continued progress for all students.

For mathematics, we are implementing Mathematics and Statistics for Aotearoa New Zealand Years 0-8 across our whole Primary Syndicate. This programme has been specifically designed for New Zealand learners, incorporating real-world contexts that make maths relevant and engaging. It encourages problem-solving, collaboration and deeper mathematical understanding, equipping students with essential numeracy skills they can apply in everyday life.

Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce our new cohort entry approach for new entrants starting in Term 2. From now on, children will start school on set dates rather than on their fifth birthday. The first two start dates will be Monday 28 April and Tuesday 3 June. If you know of anyone with a little one who is ready to start school, please encourage them to visit our school office to complete an enrolment form or complete our digital enrolment form online on the Amuri Area School website.

A quick reminder that parents should have received a parent survey via email a couple of weeks ago. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete and return it as the information gathered is valuable to our teachers in supporting student learning and well-being. We really appreciate your feedback!

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students do their best. If you have any questions or would like more information about anything mentioned in this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ngā mihi nui,
Becks Hawtin
Deputy Principal – Primary