Here are the 2025 announcements.

We have a booking system so you can book a time with your child's new teacher for 2025 ( the teacher's name is on the bottom of your child's report).

Here is the link: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/7t338

Monday 3rd February is a chance to share what you know about your children with their teachers before the school year begins. It is an opportunity for your children to look around their new class and to familiarize themselves before they start school on Tuesday.

Tuesday 4th February is the day we start instruction. The bell will go at 8.30 a.m. and we would appreciate all students to be in their classes then. Ideally if families can drop children off at 8.15 a.m. each morning then when the bell goes to start learning we will have everyone there.

If children arrive after the start bell it is disconcerting - the class learning is interrupted while they find a seat or put their bags away. The teacher stops to amend the roll so Jane doesn't ring up to check when she doesn't need to.

Everyone has a chance to chat with their friends before the start bell and this helps with feeling good about being in class.

For children who may need a bit of reassurance the time before the start bell gives them an opportunity to talk with their teacher and to share their worries from the night before.

Next year we are changing our interval bell so that the first learning block will be from 8.30-10.00 a.m. Interval will be at 10.00-10.30.

Then the main learning block ( literacy and mathematics) will be 10.30-12.30.

The first week of school from 4-7 February includes Waitangi Day, the 6th February. The school will close for this public holiday and re-open on Friday 7th.

Next year we are starting with Life Education on 4th and 5th February - so you will see the caravan parked on the school courts when you drive in. The Life Education programme ( Harold and Chanelle) next year includes: how to make friends; how to communicate; how to make good choices; finding out about nutrition and what foods are essentials for growing bodies; how our brain works and how to keep ourselves fit.

Our swimming day is Wednesday - so each class will go over to Baywave for their swimming lessons every Wednesday for Term 1. The only change will be that the swimming programme starts in Week 2 when we have a full week of school.

Friday 7th February is Thomas More's birthday so we will be having a special treat for everyone that day.

We're looking forward to catching up with you all in 2025.

The powhiri for the students starting at Aquinas is scheduled for Monday 3rd February - so the three principals (St Thomas More, Aubert and St Mary's) will be there to support our students and families joining the Aquinas family.