This is our first newsletter for 2024, and I am delighted to welcome our staff, families and tamariki back to school. It was good to see so many people attending our Meet the Teacher day yesterday. We find this is an excellent way to ease our children back into school life.
I would like to extend an especially warm welcome to the new families and children who have joined our school community this year. I am sure your child is excited about starting school, and perhaps a little nervous with their new routine, but I know that they will settle in very quickly and enjoy their time at Sunnynook.
We also welcome our new staff members for 2024:
Mr Joe Miller, who will be teaching in Room 18 and is the Ngā Totara Team Leader for 2024.
Ms Young Shin So, who will be bringing her experience and enthusiasm to our ESOL team. Mrs Zoe Jones, who will be job sharing with Mrs Duffield in Room 1.
Please make sure to read our newsletters, Hero posts, and check our updated website for information and activities that are happening around the school. There are a number of events happening this term, and this newsletter also highlights some of the exciting changes that have taken place around the school over the holidays.
We are fortunate to have a very active PTA (Parent Teacher Association) committee who are always looking for willing committee members. Please look out for their meetings held throughout the year if you would like to join the PTA. There will be regular updates regarding events and fundraisers that are held throughout the year.
I hope that you will have the opportunity to mark our public holiday on Waitangi Day. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and has been a public holiday since 1974. Waitangi is considered the ‘birthplace of our nation’ where our founding document was signed on 6 February 1840. Waitangi, which means ‘weeping waters’ in English, was chosen for the signing of the documents. Whatever way we choose to observe Te Rā o Waitangi, it is an occasion that sets us apart from the world and reminds us of our connection to Aotearoa and each other.
On Wednesday, 7th February, at 9.15am we will be opening our new playground and welcoming new families to our school with a whakatau. Please feel free to join us.
Ngā mihi
Virginia
Sounds of Sunnynook Update
Thank you to our Sponsors
The Sounds of Sunnynook was a great success and we would like to send a huge thank you to our sponsors for the raffle, and ask that our community support these businesses wherever possible.
Thank you to the following companies:
Barfoots Real Estate - Dutch van Geuns & Kinbou Zhang The Y Gym Northcote Jungshin Glenfield Taekwondo ScratchPad Kids Tech Tutoring Hunting & Fishing, Constellation Drive Bunnings, Constellation Drive Northcare Pharmacy, Constellation Drive Farro's Constellation Drive Fine Wine Delivery Co, Constellation Drive Great Café, Sunnynook Cheesecake Shop, Sunnynook shops The Bottle-o, Sunnynook Hoyts Movies, Wairau Park JB Hi-fi, Wairau Park Placemakers, Wairau Park Countdown / Woolworths Living Simply Tramping Supplies Snowie Shaved Ice Dean Greenwood Swim School
What's Been Going On Around Here?
An update on the new projects at school!
You may have noticed some exciting work has been carried out around the school over the holidays. A big thanks to Mr James, our caretaker, for co-ordinating and managing these projects.
New Junior Playground:
It is with great excitement that we announce that our new playground has been built! This project is the product of a year long extension math inquiry conducted by some of our 2023 Year 6 students who in consultation with students from throughout the school, designed this fabulous playground. On Monday, the final safety modifications will take place and the bark will be topped up. We will officially open the playground on Wednesday morning.
As there is much excitement from the children, for the first few weeks there will be a roster so that all year levels get to experience our new playground. We will start with the older children to allow time for our younger students to practice on the playground with their classroom teacher.
The construction had a tight timeline close to Christmas which brought some challenges. Our maths students who had a budget to stick to appealed to the community to do a working bee to save money so that the children could have more equipment.
A huge THANK-YOU to the families who came to the working bee at a very busy time of year (Friday 22nd December) and worked extremely hard on our mountain of dirt!
Despite the huge task, it was a lovely community event with everyone chipping in from some of our younger school students, through to year 6, past pupils, parents and grandparents.
We had many people come and go as their schedules allowed so my apologies if I have missed anyone but thank-you to the following whānau:
Ward Family, Emery family, Rapana family, Pou family, Todorenko family, Greenwood family, Wilson Family, Zhang family, Hauraki family, Ling family, Cooper family, Le Mouton family, Hosken Family, Brailey family, Wang family and Mr James.
Mrs Hosken
Rooms 21 & 22 renovations: Work is ongoing on the inside of the classrooms, and the outside area is being levelled in preparation for the decks and shade structure coming later in the project. We can't wait to see the classrooms finished!
Rooms 1,7,8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17: These classrooms have all had new carpet and vinyl installed which looks fabulous and has given a fresh feel to the classrooms.
Covered turf: The faulty shade canopy has been removed and replaced with a new canopy.
Website Redesign:
Have you seen our new look website? Over the holidays our website was redesigned to make it more user-friendly. Quick link buttons can be found on the home page. The ability to change the language is also available at the bottom of the home page. Content will be updated throughout the term. Please send any feedback to Rebeccah Bassett-Smith (Deputy Principal)
Road Patrol Volunteers Required
Pedestrian Crossing Unmanned
Please be aware that the pedestrian crossing in Tonkin Drive is currently unmanned. Students will undergo training in Week 3 and a notice will be placed on Hero when the pedestrian crossing will be supervised. In the meantime, please help your child to cross the road safely.
We are currently seeking the support of parent volunteers to help supervise the crossing on Tonkin Drive before and after school. You will be required to assist the students in setting up and putting away the equipment and also monitor their confidence and capabilities. Morning supervision is from: 8.20-8.45am Afternoon supervision is from: 2:50 – 3:15pm. Without parent volunteers we will be unable to supervise the crossing.
If you are available to volunteer, please email Rebeccah Bassett-Smith on rebeccahb@sunnynookschool.nz. You will be provided with road patrol training.
Whakatau & Playground Opening
Invitation
On Wednesday 7th February, we will be welcoming our new staff and students with a whakatau. A whakatau is a form of a welcome ceremony similar to a pōwhiri, but less formal.
This welcome is underpinned by the tikanga (values and principles) of:
manaakitanga – the process of showing respect, generosity and care for others
whakawhanaungatanga – the process of establishing relationships
which are two of our schoolwide values.
New families will receive an invite with specific details however all of our Sunnynook whānau are welcome to join us at 9.15 under the shade structures. Chairs will be set out for the parents behind the children.
Summer is here
School Policy
With this lovely weather the temperatures can be quite warm. Our school policy advises:
When the temperature is very hot (e.g. heatwave), we:
stay out of the sun and remain indoors as much as possible
limit physical activity and encourage everyone to drink plenty of water
recommend wearing loose, lightweight clothing
keep buildings cool by closing curtains or blinds and opening windows for ventilation (air conditioned areas are used if possible)
monitor the inside temperature
Please make sure your child comes prepared to school for this weather. They will need to bring their named hat and drink bottles (water only) to stay hydrated. Please also make sure they have sunscreen.
Start of Year Housekeeping
Maintaining accurate records at school
The communication between the school and our community is very important, and the details we have for your child on our systems are used to make contact with our parents/caregivers in case of emergencies and for notices, newsletters and other important information.
Over the holidays, you may have moved house or changed phone numbers or email. Your childs medical details may have changed, or their emergency contacts.
Could you please contact us at: secretary@sunnynookschool.nz if any of these details have changed and provide us with the correct information.
We look forward to being in touch with you throughout 2024!
Paper Plus Sunnynook
2024 Stationery Lists
We would like to thank Ijaz and his team at Paper Plus in Sunnynook for their continuous support. Paper Plus are suppliers of our stationery items - please see our website for the stationery lists for 2024.
Important Dates
2024 Term Dates
Term 1
Thursday, 1 February - Friday, 12 April
Monday, 5 February - Teacher Only Day Tuesday, 6 February - Waitangi Day (Public Holiday)
Friday, 29 March - Good Friday (Public Holiday) Monday, 1 April - Easter Monday (Public Holiday) Tuesday, 2 April - Easter Tuesday (Public Holiday)
Term 2
Monday, 29 April - Friday, 5 July Friday, 31 May - ACCORD Teacher Only Day Monday 3 June - King's Birthday (Public Holiday) Friday, 28 June - Matariki (Public Holiday)
Term 3
Monday, 22 July - Friday, 27 September
Term 4
Monday, 14 October - Tuesday, 17 December
Friday, 25 October - ACCORD Teacher Only Day Monday, 28 October - Labour Day (Public Holiday)
Important Information
Contact Details, School Hours, Late Students and Absences
If any of your details have changed, please let the office know via email. This is particularly important for new phone numbers and emails in order for us to contact you in an emergency.
School Hours Our school day is structured as follows:
Class hours are 8.50 am - 3.00 pm each day.
Classrooms open at 8.30 am.
Morning interval is from 10.35 am - 11.00 am.
Lunch is from 12.30 pm - 1.25 pm.
School finishes at 3.00 pm.
Late - Students who arrive after 8:50 am need to report to the office via the student entrance for their late pass before going to class.
Absences - If your child is going to be absent from school, please inform the school office every day that your child is going to be absent by either phoning 410 6534 option 1, via the Hero app or via our website. If possible, please inform the school office before 9:00 am.
Hero - School App
We encourage you to use the Hero App.
In 2024 our main form of communication with you - our school community, will be via Hero. On the Hero app, the little bell icon at the top right of your screen shows whether you have any new notifications. At times if the post is a longer one you may need to click ‘read more’ to view the whole message. We would appreciate it if you could also use Hero to report absences.
Any parents/caregivers who haven't yet signed up for the Hero App can do so by clicking on this link.
Around School
Hat Orders
Our school is a SunSmart school and hat-wearing is compulsory for Term 1 and Term 4. A reminder to place your hat orders as soon as possible. You can place your orders with Argyle Uniforms here or purchase one from the school office for $14.50.
Important Dates
TERM DATES for 2024
All Day
Term 1:
Thursday, 1 February - Friday, 12 April.
Term 2:
Monday, 29 April - Friday, 5 July
Term 3:
Monday, 22 July - Friday, 27 September
Term 4:
Monday, 14 October - Tuesday, 17 December
Teacher Only Day | ACCORD Day
All Day
No students at school
Waitangi Day - School Closed
All Day
Whakatau and Playground Opening
-
Year 5/6 School Camp
All Day
Community Notices
Playball is back at Sunnynook Primary School for Term 1 2024!
Playball is a sport and movement program for children between the ages of five and nine. All of the programs are taught in a fun-filled, energetic and positive environment.
Playball programs are age specific, with each of our programs taking into account the difference in the cognitive, emotional, social and motor development of the children in each age group.
Our Playball North Harbour coaches are dedicated to providing the best learning environment for children by using physical activity as a vehicle. Some examples of sports we focus on in schools are; Hockey, Football, Tennis, Basketball and many more! We also bring in competition and more team elements to our 5-8 year old program to prepare the children for sport in the future. Each week will be different, to build on the skills and movements learnt in previous lessons.
Classes at Sunnynook Primary School will be held on: Mondays from 3:00-4:00 starting February 12th (Due to February 5th being a teacher only day). The cost for the term will be $110
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