Staff & Students Create a New Garden & Seating, Basketball Court Opening, Absences Update, Student Well-Being, School Uniform, Staff Only Day Thursday 14 April, and Staff Changes for Term 2

Kia ora e ngā whānau,

Staff & Students Create a Garden

Thanks to the team of students (more than pictured above) and staff for beautifying our school environment over the last couple of weeks. Led by Paul, our caretaker, and supported by a number of staff and students (and of course, George, the dog) we now have a beautiful garden outside the entrance to Room 23 and Room 1. Great to see the students involved in this project from the start by digging the trenches, helping concrete the edging for the timber seating, building the seating and yesterday adding the finishing touches. Awesome team effort!

Basketball Court Opening

On Sunday morning a small crowd gathered to offically open our new basketball court. Thanks to the Waimea College Kapa Haka group and staff for supporting this event. It was also great to see a number of keen basketballers in attendance and even Riley Benseman, a local basketball hero, a past student of Waimea Intermediate School and also a team player in the Nelson Giants.

Absences Update

Once again, I would like to thank you for the very proactive way in which you have been keeping us informed about absences. As I stated in the previous newsletter, we really appreciate this, as in these times it is important for us to have the full picture about cases of Covid19 but also of other reasons for absence. As expected, our numbers of confirmed cases within our student body and staff continue to grow although there does seem to be a slowing down of new cases reported over the last couple of days. Yesterday we had 51 active student cases, with over 132 students back at school after recovering from the virus. There were eight staff members absent either as confirmed cases, in isolation due to being a household contact or for other reasons unrelated to COVID. This is still a lot of staff absent at one given time, and we continue to cover classes as per the plans shared with you via email on Friday 11 March and detailed in the previous newsletter. We are still noticing that those who return (both students and staff) after having COVID are very tired by the afternoon.

Mask Wearing on the School Bus and Inside School Buildings 

Staff continue to remind all students, even if they have had COVID, to wear their masks inside whilst at school and on the school bus. We have appreciated the support we have been getting from parents on this. Huge thanks for your continued support with this. Please email any masks exemptions to your childs teacher.

Student Well-Being

Adolescence can be an exciting time of new opportunities and increased independence. For most of our students, they can draw on support from those around them and make sense of unfamiliar and challenging situations with a happy outcome. However, for some students they require additional emotional support just as some students need in academic areas of learning. For these students this time can be a very scary and lonely time. For parents and teachers interacting with any adolescent we need to ensure consistent and clear boundaries are still provided, even with increased independence. This is not always an easy path. Some students are relived when they are told they cannot do something, as it means they do not have to make the decision themselves (often not actually wanting to do it anyway) and lose face with their peers. Regardless of age or how individuals respond to situations we all, from time to time, need a little more support to work through some situations we face. We encourage the students to find someone to talk to and that this someone should be a person they trust and respect their opinion. Our students have a variety of opportunities within the school to seek support. This includes visiting one of our three counsellors (Sue, Chris, and Anna), their Homeroom teacher or another staff member and of course our two 24/7 Youth Workers Millie and Mia. Many of our students also find using help lines such as the youth line number 0800376633 that they can call free at any time. As a parent you might find the Youth Line advice hub useful as it offers numerous resources and information around a variety of teen topics.

Well-being and mental health are very topical in New Zealand, and we are fortunate to have access to some useful tips and information provided by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. You can visit their website for all their information and contact details https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/ . 

The five ways to well-being are a useful reminder of how to support others in our families and look at what we are doing for ourselves. This is a brief overview of the information provided on the site about the five ways to well-being.

1. Connect – Me Whakawhanaunga

Strong relationships with others are an essential part of building resilience and boosting wellbeing. Talk and listen, be there, feel connected.

2. Give – Tukua

Giving makes you feel good. Carrying out acts of kindness, whether small or large, can increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing.

3. Take notice – Me aro tonu

Paying more attention to the present moment, to thoughts and feelings and to the world around us can boost our wellbeing.

4. Keep learning – Me ako tonu

Being curious and seeking out new experiences positively stimulates the brain.

5. Be active – Me kori tonu

Being physically active every day is great for our bodies and minds. It can decrease stress, depression, and anxiety.

There are three other information sheets downloaded from the website included in this newsletter below.

School Uniforms - Link to details HERE

With daylight saving upon us, we will be experiencing cooler weather. Please make sure that your child has the correct uniform. The link to our uniform information has been included below for you. Our uniform can be purchased from Sterling Sports in the Richmond Mall. Due to COVID supply issues our school t-shirt has a new look. Students are able to wear either of the t-shirts, please do not think you are required to purchase the new look t-shirt as either t-shirt is acceptable. If you have any problems or concerns about purchasing the uniform, please let us know, as we will be able to assist.

Staff Only Day – Thursday 14 April

As per previous emails just a friendly reminder that next Thursday the school has a Staff Only Day. This means that the school is closed for instruction while staff continue work on developing localised curriculum.

Staffing Updates and Changes for Term 2

At the end of this term, we farewell Olivia Greening, Homeroom teacher in Room 5. Olivia has been with us for the last four years and is moving away from the region to take up a middle leader’s position at another school. I’d like to thank Olivia for her contributions to our WIS learning community during her time with us and we wish Olivia all the very best for her move and new adventure. Rebecca Leslie will be taking over the role as the homeroom teacher in Room 5 from the start of Term 2 and replacing Rebecca for her two days a week in Room 18 is Jane Miles. We are fortunate that both Rebecca and Jane are well known in our school already having taught here on a part time basis for many years.

Janine Higgins, Deputy Principal, will be taking leave for Term 2 and 3 whilst she is seconded into the Nelson Ministry of Education as a curriculum advisor. This is an exciting opportunity for Janine as the timing coincides with the roll out of the refreshed curriculum, New Zealand Aotearoa Histories curriculum and many other curriculum initiatives. We will continue working with Janine during this time in her new role supporting the development of our localised curriculum. 

Covering the Deputy Principal role in Janine’s absence is Deane Taylor, homeroom teacher of Room 11. Deane will continue in his Team Leader role. Taking over the teaching role in Room 11 whilst Deane is acting DP is Vivien Fekete, who is also known already to many of our students having spent time relieving in our school during COVID absences. Vivien has already spent time in Room 11 and is looking forward to spending more time with the students in the class.

Jane Merryfisher, our music specialist teacher, is also taking leave until the end of this year. This position has been advertised and we are holding interviews this week. We wish both Jane and Janine all the very best for their new roles and look forward to their return later in the year.

As this is the last newsletter for the term, I would like to thank you for your continued support and wish our learners a restful and relaxing holiday break. Looking forward to seeing them all back in Term 2.

Justine McDonald