Week 2, Term 3 Newsletter
In this week's newsletter:
School Life
This Week
WSS 2026 School Events
Other Opportunities
Pasadena Enrolment 2027
Western Springs College – 2027 Enrolments open now
Auckland Cartooning Weekend Program
Auckland Netball
No Limits Netball
Auckland Rugby's Biggest Family Day
Auckland Central Volleyball Club
Ponsonby Intermediate Open Day
Marist College - Enrolments for 2027
Playball for Term 3
School Life
This Week
I've realised it's been a while since I've talked about teaching and learning. With all the government changes to the curriculum, it felt like that was all I was talking about at one stage.
The biggest shift in the curriculum overhaul so far has been to the Mathematics curriculum. Expectations have shifted by approximately 18 months to two years, meaning objectives that were once meant to be achieved by the end of Year 6 are now expected at Year 4. The curriculum has also been granulated into even greater detail so there are more progressions to check off at each year level. It has been encouraging through tracking our goal wheels and testing that we have not had a drop in achievement; we do, however, currently have fewer children achieving well above, but we expect to see shifts as the year progresses. We are also pleased that our tamariki are still enjoying mathematics and embracing the challenge.
The Ministry have put together an excellent parent portal that outlines the expectations at each year level by subject. This gives you clear detail about what your child is working on here at school. It also gives you suggestions about how to help at home. This is particularly useful if you're not sure about some of the phonics sounds - there are slideshows with the sequence of sounds and audio.
We continue to strive for a good balance between our mandated 1 hour a day each of Maths, Reading and Writing and the broader curriculum. Our Performing Arts Kaupapa has kicked off for the term, but there is still time scheduled in for PE, te reo Māori, visual art, wellbeing, etc. Your tamariki have pretty jam-packed days!
School Donations
Thanks to those of you who have made your school donations - we're up to 62% paid! That represents 89% of our school population. We really appreciate it. Along with support from Westmere School Supporters, your donations have made it possible to have Lottie as our SENCo/Assistant Principal this year. We have no Learning Support Co-ordinator funding from the Ministry but plenty of learning needs in our school, so your help to help our tamariki has been vital to keeping our school running the way it does.
Shout out to our Travel Wise Kaitiaki
A big thanks to our Travel Wise Kaitiaki for working hard to keep everyone safe on their way to school and especially at our crossings!
Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi Quiz Night and Karaoke
Get your tickets NOW! Use this link or go to our website westmere.school.nz > shop > Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi to buy tickets.
You can buy individual tickets or gather your friends together and purchase a whole table.
WSS 2026 School Events
Other Opportunities
Pasadena Enrolment 2027
Western Springs College – 2027 Enrolments open now
Simple steps to follow:
Go to our website and click on the Western Springs College logo on the left. This takes you to the website opening page.
Click on the Enrolment button and scroll down to: Online enrolment application
Parents – fill in your name (first and last name) in the boxes, add your email address and an enrolment link will be sent to you at that address so that you can begin your application.
Please do this promptly.
If you wish to book in for one of the additional tours, you can register HERE
Auckland Cartooning Weekend Program
Auckland Netball
After-school and Weekend Netball Skills Clinics
No Limits Netball
No Limits Netball is an inclusive netball programme, designed for individuals with disabilities to give netball a go in a welcoming environment that suits their needs.
These are FREE sessions that are held once a month.
We have a range of adaptive equipment available, including different sizes and textures of balls, adjustable hoops and bell balls.
These sessions are held indoors, in a wheelchair accessible venue.
Address: Auckland Netball Centre, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive
Dates & times:
Friday 24 July, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday 21 August, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday 27 September, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Friday 16 October, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday 22 November, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
More information can be found on the Auckland Netball Website.
Auckland Rugby's Biggest Family Day
Join us for the MediaWorks Throwback Festival at Western Springs Stadium on Saturday 8 August. Enjoy a day packed with family fun including the Mai FM Bullrush Battle, a supersized kids' zone, live music, games, entertainment and Auckland Rugby taking on Wellington.
Tickets from just $10 adults and $5 children*
Every child receives a FREE Coolish ice cream
Book here now
Auckland Central Volleyball Club
Ponsonby Intermediate Open Day
Marist College - Enrolments for 2027
Playball for Term 3
Playball is so excited to be back at Westmere School for Term 3, 2026!
Playball is a sport and movement program for 2-9 year olds.
The main objective of Playball is not to create superstars, but rather to provide children with the opportunity to develop many necessary physical, social, educational and personal skills. From a child's perspective the most important element of our program is FUN! For many children, their Playball lesson is the highlight of their week!
We will run Playball at Westmere School every Tuesday after-school, 3pm-4pm.
Playball fees for Term 3 are $130 for a 10-week term (inc GST).
To enrol your child/children, sign up online form. You will find 'Westmere School’ under the classes section- Get in quick! Spots are limited.
If you have any queries, contact Tania on 02102895901 or email tania@playball.co.nz
