The energy at school is palpable; there are certainly a lot of happy children reuniting with friends and enjoying reconnecting with school routines. Our focus is firmly on student wellbeing and a positive transition back to school. Thankfully the weather has been on our side, and we have been able to enjoy learning in the fresh air. The past week has been a wonderful time for children to play and learn.

At break times, there have been so many games happening it is hard to keep track. What is evident is that any activity can be play. The secret sauce is playfulness - the ability to see a situation and be curious about it, realise it can be enjoyable and get involved.

We know that there are so many benefits of play, this week, we have planned learning experiences that create wonder, spark curiosity and drive creativity.

Play contributes to intellectual development by building executive function skills, content knowledge, and creative thinking. For example, when children build with blocks or draw, they count, classify, and create and examine patterns. Play helps with social development as it requires listening and sometimes taking another person's perspective. It can encourage children to share ideas and express feelings while negotiating compromises. We also know that children learn self-regulation as they follow norms and pay attention while experiencing emotions such as anticipation or frustration. Play teaches children how to set and change rules and decide when to lead and when to follow, so play supports emotional development. Finally, play helps physical development; as children play sports, outdoor games, and dance, they develop strength, muscle control, coordination, and reflexes. They push limits and try new things — racing down a hill, swimming underwater — that can motivate them to take risks and grow resilience in other circumstances.

Playful learning creates choice, wonder, and delight. Choice can mean developing and sharing ideas, making rules, negotiating challenges, and choosing how long to play. Wonder is children exploring, creating, pretending, imagining, and learning from trial and error. Thirdly, delight is happiness: children smiling, laughing, being silly (certainly something we have seen a lot of this week!) or generally feeling at ease. 

After the past few months, our children need time and space to play; this is part of our wellbeing strategy. We are truely getting into the spirit of play, but just quietly...its learning in disguise!

Class Placements

On Wednesday,15 December, you will be emailed your child's 2022 class placement.

The placement process is a team effort focusing on ensuring every child is placed in the best possible learning environment for their specific needs. We appreciate this can be an anxious time for parents. However, we ask that you trust us in this process and can be assured that we have made every effort to place your child with the teacher who we feel is most appropriate to ensure that they have a productive and joyous 2022.

End of Year Reports

This year your child's end of year report will be delivered online. On Wednesday, 15 December, we will be launching the Parent Portal. This is a one-stop shop where you can access your child's end of year report, achievement data, and supporting documents.

In the future, the Parent Portal will enable you to view your child's learning in real-time, including current learning goals, achievements, challenges, next steps and latest assessment results.

Information about how to access the Parent Portal will be emailed in the next couple of weeks.

Year 6 Leavers Day (9am to 1.45pm)

On Friday, 17 December, the last day of the school year, we will celebrate our Year 6 leavers. The day will begin with the formal Prize-giving Assembly, including the presentation of certificates and trophies. This will be followed by a rotation of exciting (top secret!) activities and lunch. We will make sure it is a wonderful day to remember.

Due to public health measures, parents will not be able to attend. We will be videoing the Prize-giving Assembly to share with you.

We will email year 6 parents with details. 

Resource Amnesty

Over lockdown, we loaned out a considerable number of school resources to support home learning. We would appreciate them being returned!

Please can you hunt out library books, mini whiteboards, reading books and any other school resources that may be hidden under beds or down the back of the sofa!

Device Collection

Between Monday 13 and Thursday 16 December, we ask that you return any loaned devices.

You will need to clearly label the device and charger with your child's name and room number, then ask your child to hand it in to their class teacher.

Covid Questions?

Finally, a reminder that as we navigate the Covid Protection Framework, should you have any questions, please email the Covid Response Sub Committee at covidenquiries@stanleybay.school.nz. The team will continue to send out the responses on Wednesday and Friday.

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As we have watched the children return to school, it has been so rewarding to reconnect with our families, albeit over the fence! Thank you for your ongoing support as we have navigated reopening. Your support has once again highlighted how fortunate we are to have such an engaged and vibrant community, who are committed to helping us to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children.

He aha te mea nui o te ao

What is the most important thing in the world?

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

Noho ora mai

Lucy Naylor
Principal / Tumuaki