Winchester Rural School

FLAVA Cultural Festival

Whaea Julz and Mr McKerracher were very proud of the Kapa Haka Group’s performance on Saturday when they competed in the FLAVA Festival alongside both high, intermediate and local primary schools. The children rose to the occasion and put on their best performance yet, singing a series of waiata with actions. Part of this involved the girls in the group showing their developing skills using poi and the boys gave a rousing haka as part of a waiata. A great deal of mahi has gone into this performance and we are grateful of the support from Taylor in helping with the actions and waiata.

The children gave a dress rehearsal performance at school on Friday and before they headed off to Timaru on Saturday morning. 

Later in the school news you will be able to see some video footage of their actual performance.

Wheels Days

While Pohutukawa kids have got their wee green tractors and bikes to zoom around on daily at playtimes, the rest of the children across the school look forward to our termly Wheels Days when they can bring in their scooters, skateboards, Segway's, hoverboards and rollerblades and skates. 

Thank you to the school council children who organize these days and mark out the tracks on the concrete for the children to speed around. Only a few scrapes and bruises happened over 3 days of fun and high energy.

Wig Wednesday Charity Day

We are very grateful for the great response to our call for gold coin donations for the Kids Cancer Charity cause. Despite extra demands on all whanau because of the high cost of living we still managed to raise a whooping $267 to send to this charity. 

It’s a win win situation for all, as the children really enjoy the excitement of putting their hair in weird and wonderful styles or wearing a wig and the opportunity to wear mufti and the Charity benefits too!

Basketball Season

This season we have two Year 3 and 4 teams and four Year 5 and 6 teams entered for the basketball leagues in Timaru. 

We are grateful to parents who are managing and coaching the teams and all who are transporting the children to the games. It is this support that makes participating in this sport possible.

Watch This Space

After the disappointment of a postponement and cancellation of the Year 5 and 6 Ski Day Mrs Haynes and Mr McKerracher have been discussing other options with the children about a day out very early next term. The children showed much resilience when this event was called off. 

Now plans are coming together and soon we will be able to announce when and where this new day out will be and what the children and teachers have chosen.

Term 4 Events

Please check out the parent/caregiver calendar for dates and events coming up in Term 4. 

Unfortunately due to ongoing repairs the school swimming pool is out of commission and so we will have no daily swimming happening at school. Instead there will be swimming coaching at Temuka pool for the Year 3-6 children later in the term and the Year 0-2 children will have a week's sessions at Geraldine pool.

Please note there is a public holiday in week 3 (Labour Day) and in week 6 there is a Teacher Only Day on Monday 13 November and school will be closed on both these days.

Noho ora mai - All the best

Tre