Kia ora e te whanau. The year is certainly flying by and very soon, staff will start looking at student class placements for next year. If there is anything we need to consider for your child's class placement, please talk to your child's teacher. A reminder that next week is a short week with our Teacher Only day on Thursday (14 Nov) and Canterbury Anniversary Show Day on Friday (15 Nov).

Mid Canterbury County Athletics: Congratulations to the following Year 5 and 6 students that competed in the County Athletics: Jaylah, Vaine, Jesse, Summer, Natalie M, Jacob F, Morgan, Ramona, Zac L, Ashton L, Tuaitaoa, Taupiri, Jherika, Ruby S, Kalo, Lochlan, Lima, Maria, William B, Lucas F, George N, Eleni, Jaxon L, Jackson B, Rikki, Samuel T, Tu'i'onetoa, Jasmine T, Feleti, Maddison M, Scarlett W, Tise. We were very proud of your efforts and for being excellent sports. A special mention goes to the following students who have qualified to go on to compete at the Canterbury zone Athletics in Christchurch. Jacob, Taupiri, Tuaitaoa and our Year 6 Boys Relay Team (Jacob, Taupiri, Morgan, Tise). We wish them all the best.

New Entrants 2025: If you know of anyone starting as a new entrant next year that haven't yet enrolled. Please let them know that they can enrol online through our website: https://hampsteadschool.co.nz/a/6n7ofSv Our school adopts a cohort entry system and there will be 8 entry point dates as set by the Ministry of Education below:

Term 1: 27 January & 10 March

Term 2: 28 April & 26 May

Term 3: 14 July & 18 August

Term 4: 6 October & 10 November

Photography: The photography students went to the A&P show to view the best of their photographs taken throughout Term 3 at various locations.  They were very pleased to see their prizes.  Pictured below are the first prizes.  Addison Wederell with her seaweed picture taken at Wakanui beach which also got a Special award.  Other first were: Skyla Jensen with her old buildings photo, Ruby Smith with her rooster, Pearl Byron with the lamb, and another first for Ruby with the daffodil.  It has been awesome seeing the children’s skills and confidence grow with their photography.

Kai for Kids: Kai for Kids have been doing some cooking lessons with the Student Coucillors and some Year 5 and 6s.  The first week they made chocolate muffins and a slice, while this week they are making bliss balls.  It’s fantastic to see them learning cooking skills but also working well within a group.

PLAYWEEK: Anna and Alice came out at a lunchtime last week from Sport Canterbury – Mid Canterbury to encourage lots of play.  They certainly achieved that with the children loving the variety of equipment.  It was also great to see some of the older children helping the younger with the parachute game and loads of children playing with children they might not have played with before!

Swimming ribbons:    Some of the Year 5/6s passed the level they were on in their Swim Weeks in Term 3. These were awarded at our last team assembly. Overall, four children passed Level 1, 13 passed Level 2, 13 passed Level 3, one passed Level 4, and one passed their Level 7! Congratulations to everyone!

ICAS: Last term some Year 5/6s were selected to sit some ICAS exams. They achieved fantastic results.  In the English exam Emily got a Distinction,  Ashton, Jaxson and Zac got Credits, Dominik got a Merit and William and Natalie got a participation.  In Mathematics Emily, Hunter and Zac got a Credit, Jaxson, Dominik and William got a Merit and Jaxon and Jacob got awarded a participation.  Fantastic results everyone!

Student of the Week: Isla of Rm 10 Isla, you are a hard working, cheeky and cheerful member of Ruma Tekau. We absolutely love having you in our class, you have a great sense of humour and carry yourself to such a high standard in all of your classwork. You are dedicated to your work, your friends and are just a delight to teach. You embody all of our school values and are a great role model to those who are lucky enough to know you. Continue to shine your light, thank you for being you, keep up the amazing mahi! Maddison of Rm 14: Maddi is an amazing, kind, polite, helpful and outgoing young girl and I have been so delighted to be able to teach Maddi this year. She is always looking out for her peers and offering her help to her classmates. She gets along with all members in Room 14, she always has a bright, bubbly smile and is very approachable. Maddi constantly tries her hardest in everything she does and has shown so much progress this year. You are a wonderful role model for Hampstead School Maddi. Keep up the fantastic work and keep putting smiles on everyone’s faces, you’re incredible Maddi!

Upcoming Dates:

Teacher Only Day: 14 November

Canterbury Show Day: 15 November

Year 6 Leavers Party: 5 December

Final Assembly, Picnic, Last day: 13 December

First Day 2025: 27 January

Nga mihi nui,

Claudine Campbell (Principal)