Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

This Term at School

We are so excited to kick off Term 1 with some fantastic learning experiences! Our school-wide focus this term is all about the history of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Students will explore the unique stories of Woodend, our cultural narrative, and what makes them special.

Later in the term, our learning focus will shift to Embracing the Power of Change. From past to present, we’ll ride the winds of transformation to unlock growth, embrace new possibilities, gain insights, and foster deeper understanding! Students will engage with:

• Science: Exploring the Nature of Science and the Living World strands.

• Social Sciences: Investigating how people hold different perspectives depending on their values, traditions, and experiences.

Mihi Whakatau - Welcome to New Students and Families

We were thrilled to welcome all our new students and their whānau who started in 2025 at our Mihi Whakatau on Friday 14th February.

Woodend School Vision and Mission

During the school holidays, our teachers reflected on our vision and mission and what they mean for teaching and learning at Woodend School. We aligned them with the refresh of the New Zealand Curriculum and our Woodend 7 Principles of Learning. These principles help ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed.

Our Vision (The Why): Learning 4 Life

• Developing Ō Tātou Pou, allowing learners to act positively on their own authority, with mana.

• Engaging learners in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

• Equipping students with resilience to succeed in the future.

Our Mission (The How):

• Building a collaborative learning community through positive relationships.

• Supporting learners in setting goals, reflecting on progress, and seeking challenges.

• Encouraging tuakana-teina relationships where we learn from and support each other.

Sun Hats and Uniform

As part of our Sun Safety Plan, all students are required to wear a brimmed sun hat during Terms 1 & 4. Hats and school uniforms can be purchased from The Warehouse or the school office. Please remember to name all clothing to avoid lost items!

School Absences - Report Using the Hero App

All absences must be recorded using the Hero App:

1. Log in and open Hero.

2. Choose "Report an absence" and select the appropriate reason.

3. If your child is absent but not sick, please provide additional details (e.g., holiday, offsite activity).

School Communication 2025 via the HERO App

Our primary communication platform is the HERO App. Through Hero, you can:

• Receive notices from the school and your child's class.

• View school term dates and the calendar of events.

• Read learning posts from your child’s teacher.

• Track learning progress and achievement.

• Notify the school if your child is absent or late.

• Navigate to other school-related webpages.

• Customise your account with a profile image.

Hero provides a secure, easy-to-use platform that keeps all school-related information in one place. Throughout the year, staff and students will share learning posts, curriculum insights, and goal-setting updates via Hero.

To download HERO, click this link and follow the instructions: Hero New Zealand - Support & Services. Scroll down for login and setup instructions.

For further assistance, visit Hero online or contact the school office.

Kia pai tō rā!