In this week's newsletter: 

School Life

• Rescheduled Whānau Forum
• Teresa's Update
• Bake Sale Fundraiser
• Walking School Bus

Other Opportunities

• Skateboarding Lessons
• Ponsonby Ponies Rugby Club Registrations Open
• Play Festival 
• Western Springs Football Club Registrations
• Head Held High Holiday Programme

School Life

Re-scheduled Whānau Forum for English-medium
Re-scheduled Whānau Forum have been booked for Tuesday 4th April. This is a chance for your child to share their learning with you and for you to catch up with your child's teacher. Each slot is for half an hour.

• Tuesday 4th April
• Use this link or go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and use the code xx8uj
• Classes finish at 12:30pm on this day so we can fit all the interviews in. 

Whānau Forum for Māori-medium (NUONI)

These will be re-scheduled once we are back from the noho.

Westmere School Board of Trustees

The Westmere School Board are responsible for the governance of our school. They play an important role in setting the strategic direction of the school and ensuring that our resources are used to maximise educational outcomes for your children.

Te Mete is co-presiding member of our board. This was formerly called the chair. Te Mete served on the board as a co-opted member before agreeing to share the position of presiding member with Kim.

Kim has two children at school, her oldest in the Middle School and youngest in the Juniors. 

Paul was elected to the board last year and is also the parent of children in the Junior and Middle school. 

Nadine was also elected to the board at the last elections. You will often see her bringing her grandchildren to school, one in the Senior School and one in the Middle School.

Antony was our third elected candidate at the last election. Anthony's wife Pip is actively involved with Westmere School Supporters.

Kate has two children in Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi. Kate is our newest board member, having been co-opted to represent whānau in the bi-lingual and immersion pathways.

At our board meeting next week we will be reviewing three policies. The board establish a set of policies that keep the school legally and financially safe, as well as guiding the direction of teaching and learning.

You can have your say on policy reviews. Please log onto School Docs (using westmere as both the log in and password) to comment on our current reviews;

• student attendance
• enrolment
• uniform and dress code

Ice Block Day
Ice block day last Friday brought so much fun to Westmere - the best day ever according to some children. You raised over $600 for the Red Cross appeal to support families after Cyclone Gabrielle. The last donations are still being counted. 

Thank you so much to the Westmere School Supporters Team for making Westmere a great place for our children.

Easter Bake Sale

Calling all bakers and buyers!

The WSS will be holding an Easter Bake Sale Wednesday 5th April under the Supertop. Please send your child with gold coins for delicious treats.

If you can help with baking (or buying treats), it is greatly appreciated. 

Add your items to this Google doc EASTER BAKE SALE. Please drop off your baking anytime before 3 pm on 5th April at the school office.

As this is the second-to-last day of term, please collect your container straight after the bake sale or put the baking in a container you don’t need back (such as an ice cream container).

 Thank you!

The Walking School Bus is Coming!
Thanks to everyone who filled in the survey indicating their interest in our Garnet Rd Waka Waewae.

A morning tea to discuss the route, safety guidelines, and volunteer rosters will be held this Monday, 20th March in the staffroom at 9 am. All are welcome to attend and find out more information.

With the response we’ve had, we think we can make a real impact on traffic congestion around the school gate and even make a difference to the environment! 

The increased walking will also improve the health and road safety skills of the children involved.

If you would still like to complete the survey please click here or if you would like to get in touch please send an email to westmere.wsb@gmail.com

Other Opportunities

Aroha Skate Lessons
Aroha Skate is running after-school skate lessons, Fridays in Term 2 at Westmere School.

The lessons are open to all ages and ability levels and are about learning to skate and building confidence. 

Please register on their website https://www.arohaskate.co.nz.

Ponsonby Ponies Rugby Club Registrations Open

Come and join Auckland’s longest standing grassroots rugby club. Sign up to try rippa rugby or learn tackle rugby under the watchful eyes of experienced coaches. There are boys-only teams, girls-only teams and mixed teams playing at various times throughout the week and weekends at Western Springs Stadium (next to MOTAT).

https://www.sporty.co.nz/ponsonbyrugby/Registrations

For more info, you can contact Sandra Ioane at admin@ponsonbyrugby.co.nz or check out www.ponsonbyrugby.co.nz

The Play Festival

Calling whānau and friends from all cultures to join our first Play Festival in Tāmaki Makaurau!

Come to the beautiful Tuna Mau / Western Park (Ponsonby) to play and explore traditional games, music, and food from the many different cultures present in our community! All ages welcome.

The Play Festival celebrates cultural identity, facilitates intercultural connections and creates a safe and inclusive environment for people to play, interact and simply have fun.
It includes:
- traditional games for any age, delivered by play providers from diverse cultural groups
- nature play and loose parts play
- arts and crafts activities
- traditional group performances
- music and dance
- ethnic street food

Western Springs Football Club

Head Held High Holiday Programme