Week 7, Term 4, 2024

It's a new first. The totally online newsletter. From the printed to the fully online has been about a 10 year journey. I took a walk down memory lane and saw that the changes in readership from the first email newsletter to the Newsletter in Week Five. I have to say it took a while, although we got there in the end.

The app has had a few glitches that I expected and a few that I didn’t. The team behind the app have been trying to work out what is happening. The absences are working for some parents and not for others. What is interesting about this, is that the website and the app are the same point of truth. They are both exactly the same thing. Whatever is changed on the website follows into the app. Hence why the absence app form not working for some makes no sense. If you are not getting the notifications, then I advise that you delete the app fully from your phone. Restart the process and check that the app has appeared in your app notification section and is turned on to receive notifications. I deleted all the notifications and reset them. I can see the app in my app notification setting within my phone.

There are a few other changes occurring as well. In the past we have printed two sets of students reports for separated families. This year we will only be printing one set and if a second set is required then please contact the office and a copy of the report will be emailed to you. This is due to the increased workload to supply two sets of reports. In 2025 I am looking to have online reporting for parents so this is a transitional stage for everyone.

There is a large amount of lost property in the cupboard at the moment. It will be out on display during the Celebration of Learning on the court if it is fine. We need to have all the clothing returned to its owners by the end of the year. When you are visiting the classes please come and check this out and take some of it away.

Pet Day Survey

It is time to give your feedback on the Pet Day changes that were made this year. This is your opportunity to offer your personal suggestions.

Have your say!

Like any survey your feedback is combined into the final report. There were only 20 responses to the original Pet Day survey. Now is the time to be reflective on this annual event.

Final Day for submissions: 4p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Pet Day and Ballot

You will see that Facebook is currently sharing the Pet Day Survey and notifying parents about the upcoming ballot plus a range of new blogs. The ballot is for all families who live out of zone even if you have siblings at the school already. To help with our future planning if you are leaving town or transferring to another local school can you please let us know. This does not apply to the Year 6 students and their families, as I already know all about you leaving and exactly what day that is.

Check out the new blogs as well. Leave a comment or three to tell the teachers that you are noticing their work with the students. Teachers have been focussing on sharing the learning within them. They are also showcasing their learning of the use of writing tools within the blogs. I think they may have discovered an online tool to help them. Focus on the shoelace tying blog by Jenna Foley. That is a great skill to learn over the Christmas break.

Last week, I got a lovely surprise from the Open Polytechnic who wanted to use some of our photos from past blogs to advertise their Education based Arts Programme. The only way they could have found these photos was by searching for learning in The Arts. They asked for one photo and then came back for another. So lovely to see the learning being used by others in our education sector.

Christmas Break

I wish to announce that Carla Ross has resigned from the school and is leaving us to take on a Resource teacher of Learning and Behaviour position based in Taupo. Congratulations Carla. We know you have wanted this role for a while. All the best.

Over the Christmas break there are a number of jobs happening around the school. The school is being painted and washed down. The hall foyer is getting a spruce up. A new sand pit is being installed on the field. Rooms 9,10 and 11 will be up and running for the start of 2025.

Having projects happen at the school keeps the school safe and people around to watch over the buildings. I wasn't quick enough though to stop a speaker being taken off Rooms 15 and 16 roof!

I am starting to add dates to the 2025 calendar. Dates will start appearing in the next few weeks including Board meetings, start and finish dates for the terms and the final assembly dates and times. Schools are very systematic. We basically do the same things at the same time of the year. Year after year.

Line Dancing

The Line Dancing event is coming up on Friday December 13, 2024 at 10.30a.m., on the school field. There will be students teaching from 10.15a.m. for those who do not know the dance moves. At 10.30a.m the whole school will come and do the dance three times.

Once as a trial. Then the main event with as much synchronicity as possible. Fingers crossed. The third and last time is a free dance. Your own moves. Go wild! If you check out the Alan Jackson Youtube clip you will see a wide variety of actions that you can include.

Then the classes head back to their rooms. There is a new parent bringing a coffee cart. The rule is that if you are on site, you are dancing. We will have chairs for those who can not stand up and a photographer to capture the event.

The students and supporters are invited to wear their western outfits in readiness for the water day extravaganza that starts at 11.30 a.m. Water firing apparatus is allowed on site. Any form of water squirter is allowed. Water balloons are not welcome. Too much to clean up after.

Celebration is Learning

The Celebration of Learning does have the opportunities for you to purchase some of the wonderful problem solutions that have been created by the students. Nothing over $5. However we are not able to change anything into coins. Only coins will be accepted.

We are seeing some very tired students and the sick bay is getting full at morning tea and lunch times. Extra water and food is needed at this time of the year. The impeding feeling of change does impact the students. Like us, try to keep the end of year as regular as possible.

Accessing the WPS App

The WPS Web App is live at https://wairakei.school.nz/app-home.

Please note that access is restricted to parents of enrolled students for child security reasons. Use the email address you provided during enrolment to log in. You can update your details at the school office if required.

Enter your email address
Click "I've lost my password"
Enter your password
Follow instructions for your device to add to your home screen

Check the "Keep me signed in for 30 days"
To keep our students safe, there is a sign-in restriction that prevents outside access to the app. When signing in, please check the "Keep me signed in for 30 days" option. This feature helps ensure that only authorised users can access the app while maintaining student safety.

On the Web App home screen: