Middle School Newsletter
Week 2, Term 2
Full School Notices
All parents/caregivers please read the link above for an update on the Industrial Strike Action, as well as other important information.
All Sport Notices
If your child plays sport, please click on the link above.
Middle School Notices
Message from Vanessa Gatman - Deputy Principal Middle Years
Kia Ora Parents, Caregivers and Whānau,
We have launched into our first full week of school this term. We started the week with a Middle School assembly where I shared a message titled “Not All Heroes Wear Capes.” The message was about being a person of Integrity. We have noticed that uniform, litter, and behaviours showing a lack of integrity have been occurring. Focusing on what God's word says about Integrity and being a person of Godly character set the scene for revisiting what we value at KingsWay School and lifting our expectations. At the end of assembly, it is a tradition to have Student of the Week. Each teacher acknowledges one student who is doing well in their learning and/or their character. As part of celebrating their achievement, I am now having the recipient from each class join me for morning tea so I can celebrate their success with them. It was wonderful to hear them share about what they were acknowledged for.
Next week we have our annual Cross Country. It is a day to show grit and determination and we are encouraging every student to participate. Please partner with us to ensure they are at school to take part. It will be a day of fun, participation, competition and culture building.
Middle School Cross Country
- Date: Monday, 8 May
- Venue: Shakespear Regional Park
We are joining with the Primary for our combined Year 4-9 School Cross Country event. Students will travel from school by bus and meet at Shakespear Park at 9:45 am for a race briefing.
✍ ACTION REQUIRED: If you have not already done so, please urgently complete the permission form now - Middle School Cross Country Permission Form
Parent Helpers: We require parent helpers to make this event a success. Please indicate on the permission form above if you can help on the day. We are also after parent helpers who are qualified in First Aid.
The race start times are shown below - please note these times are approximate times only. The races will not start earlier than shown.
Race Times (approximate):
10:00am Day / Race briefing for all
10:30am Year 4 Boys and Girls (approx. 1.5km)
11:00am Year 5 and 6 Boys and Girls (approx. 2.6km)
11:30am Year 7 Boys and Girls (approx. 3.0km)
12:00pm Whanau Activities
12:30pm Year 8 Boys and Girls (approx. 3.5km)
12:50pm Year 9 Boys and Girls (approx. 3.5km)
1:30pm Clean up
2:00pm Buses depart for KingsWay
Students will need to bring:
Wear house colours or PE gear
A warm jacket
Drink bottle, packed lunch
Optional: Towel and plastic bag (it will be muddy) – please make sure it is named
Wearing shoes is optional as most of the course is on grass/sand
If Cross Country is postponed due to poor weather, the save day is Friday, 12 May.
We appreciate your support in this event.
Year 7 - 9 Service Day - Wenderholm Park
- Wednesday, 28 June
This is a voluntary event with a limited number of places available - register your child by Friday, 2 June. Students will travel by bus to the venue, leaving school at 9:00 am and returning at 3:00 pm.
✍ Action Required: If you would like your child to participate in this service day, you need to register them by Friday, 2 June. To register, please complete this form: Service Day Permission Form
Wear: Mufti, closed shoes and socks, and a jacket. Gardening gloves are optional.
Bring: We recommend a towel/change of clothes in case of wet weather as the event will go ahead even when there is slight rain. Full lunch and a drink. There are no facilities for purchasing food or drink onsite.
Parent Helpers: We require parent help, please indicate on the permission form if you can help. If you volunteer, you will be sent an email to confirm your assistance is required.
Uniform Update
From Wednesday, 10 May you will be able to purchase the new Middle School polar fleeces online from the uniform shop. The cost for the polar fleece is $72.00. Your child can continue to wear the woollen jerseys instead.
Middle Years Wellbeing - Deans
I read Psalm 139 to my classes recently. I was awed by the vastness of creation, and the depths to which God knows us. He knows our inner-most being. He knows our very atoms and DNA. Experiences of awe have been shown to increase oxytocin – a contributing factor to lower stress and feelings of gratitude and connectedness. My prayer is that our students can experience this awe as they learn at KingsWay. However, this can only happen when the students are learning for the sake of learning and not concerned about passing, credits or meeting expectations. Encourage your sons and daughters to take time to enjoy their learning and appreciate the skills they are developing. Celebrating their progress helps too!
Middle School Contacts
- Deputy Principal Middle Years: Vanessa Gatman
- Middle School Administrator: Angela Andrew
Year Level Newsletters
Please click on the year-level link for your child to read this week's year group newsletter: