|
|
|
|
Newsletter ~ 7 May, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
From the Principal
|
Kia ora te whānau Te Kura o Te Waipapa,
|
The term has a habit of accelerating along as the winter days bring the temperature down to single figures!
|
|
A typically busy fortnight, with our Staff engaged in professional learning, while classes have enjoyed various outdoor activities.
|
The focus for our Teachers this term is to establish our Assessment and Reporting guidelines to reflect the new Ministry of Education requirements, as flagged by Sam in the February Newsletter and outlined last week in our Hero post with regards to the SMART tool. We are working with an external Professional Learning Advisor to fine-tune our procedures around what information we gather, how we do it, when we do it, and how we report to whānau. We have scheduled meetings each week. In Week 11, you will receive a report outlining your child’s progress and achievement using a new format with explanations on how to read and understand the new terminology.
|
Outside the classroom, Patiki enjoyed a sunny day at Living Springs, being challenged with rock climbing, building carts, swimming and the exhilarating monorail, and Pioke enjoyed a cultural experience visiting the Art Gallery and creating some of their own masterpieces. Several classes have also enjoyed some Cross Country training under the guidance from Sport Canterbury.
|
I thoroughly enjoyed our first student-led assembly of the term that showcased learning and celebrated tamariki who have displayed our school values.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Living Springs Day
|
|
|
Year 4 and 5 went to Living Springs. I went in a truck year 4 and 5 because we’re going overnight but I got cancelled so we went for a day.
|
|
First we meet at the basketball court. Then we went bouldering at Don's shed. Bouldering is climbing without a harness. To get to Dons shed we had to walk down a steep hill, it was slippery and I nearly slipped.
|
|
Next, we built go karts out of pipe. It was very fun. We tested the kart brakes alot and it had things to lay on and a handle to hold on and it worked but a bit wobbly.
|
|
We did the monorail. It had a slow start then it went around and down at the same time. It was very fun and scary at the same time.
|
|
On Tuesday, we went to Living Springs for a day trip. We meet at the basketball courts again. Then we did go karts and bouldering at Don's Shed. We had morning tea at 10:30am, which was yum yum. After that, we did more go karts and bouldering at Don's Shed. Then we had lunch at 12:30pm, which was yum yum too. After lunch, we went swimming, and then we went on the monorail. At 2.40 we went back to school.
|
|
Living Springs got cancelled, but we still got to do lots of fun activities. We did bouldering, and it was so fun. We also did the monorail and went swimming. At lunch, we had nachos. The monorail was scary when you went around the corners. We also went bouldering, which is when you climb with no rope. There was a challenge with a pickup and a tyre, and it was hard to sit on the rope. It was my favourite activity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 5 did go karts, year 4 did bouldering. It was a looong walk to Don’s shed. We went down a hill then up a hill until finally we made it to Don’s shed. When the year 4’s went inside Don’s shed for bouldering we had to put our bags on a set and listen to the instructor. When we went in the bouldering part we had to take our shoes and socks off so we didn’t get the wall dirty. We got on a mattress then chose a buddy. My buddy was Beckett.
|
|
To do bouldering, you had to choose a line and climb up it. But I went first. After a while, we had a game called Shark Attack. You get the rules: you swim around. When the instructor says “shark attack” you had to run to the wall before the sharks can tag you. After that we did a bit more climbing, then we played around the world. That’s where you have to climb around the wall. After that we went back for morning tea.
|
|
After morning tea we swapped, and the Year 5 did bouldering and the Year 4 did go cart building to do go cart building, you had tubes of plastic, one plank of wood, two pegs, wheels and two metal sticks. You had to put everything together to make a cart and we made one so big we had to sit on it. We had to pick up materials to make a cube. First one to make a cube was the winner, after that, we had lunch.
|
|
After lunch, Year 4 did the monorail and Year 5 did swimming. To get to the monorail, we had to climb up a hill. When we made it to the top we lined up. It was so scary. On the second corner, I was hanging on for dear life. After everyone had a turn, we went down to the pool. The pool was so fun. Finally, we went back to school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
World Vision Conference
|
|
|
|
At the Junior World Vision conference, we sat as a school within the auditorium. The Conference started and there was a host, her name was Jade. All the staff members introduced themselves and then discussed the Solomon Islands, the focus of this year’s 40 Hour Challenge. We heard about how some people in the Solomon Islands are struggling to grow food due to sea level rise because of climate change.
|
After hearing about that, we played a game where there were pegs all over the place, and we had to get as many pegs as we could. The pegs were about getting fresh air, clean water and a safe shelter. After the game, we had lunch.
|
|
When we came back, Stacy Waaka came onto the stage and talked about her career as a Rugby League player, and then the audience got to ask her questions. We got to feel her Olympic medals. Then we talked more about the 40 Hour Challenge, and then we went with our class to do a presentation about it. We presented it to another school, and they liked it. Then we sat in our seats and the school we presented to chose us to go up on stage. We had to present to all the schools there, then after we got off stage we talked about it more, but sadly the day was over and we had to leave. It was really fun, and I'm definitely going to go next year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garden to Table
|
|
Exciting things are happening in our school garden. As part of our Garden to Table programme, we are in the process of installing new garden beds to expand our growing space and give our tamariki even more hands-on learning opportunities.
|
We’re pleased to share that two of the new beds are already in place and planted out with cabbage and silverbeet. The students are looking forward to caring for these plants and watching them grow over the coming weeks.
|
There are another six garden beds still to be installed, which will further develop the space and allow us to grow a wider variety of produce. This expansion will support our Garden to Table learning, helping students build skills in gardening, sustainability, and healthy eating.
|
|
We’re excited to see this space continue to grow and thrive, and we look forward to sharing our harvests with you later in the year.
|
|
|
|
|
Story Time on Monday
|
With Lyon, Charlotte and Ruby
|
|
|
|
|
|
In story time, you get to step up and read or listen to a book. If you are in Te Kohanga year 0-1 and you listen to a book, then you can check off a pizza on your pizza wheel.
|
|
We also give out stickers and house points.
|
|
We also sometimes do puppets, and we are going to have a puppet mascot and the kids can choose its name.
|
|
I do story time because I like reading to kids. I do not want other people to be left out or not included at lunchtimes.
|
|
If you read a book, you can tick off a pizza on your pizza wheel.
|
|
We give away house points and stickers if you're good at listening at storytime. If you come, you might get a chance to read to us and get better at reading. Story time is a great time every Monday. Story time is proud of everyone who comes.
|
|
|
|
Food Fairy Fun Run
|
|
|
|
We’re excited to be hosting our annual Food Fairy Fun Run next Wednesday, 13 May. Our tamariki have been practising every day and are feeling confident, energised, and ready to go.
|
This fun event is not only a great way to promote fitness and school spirit, but also gives those children who are interested in representing the school at cross country zones the opportunity to push themselves and achieve a strong lap time.
|
All food donations collected will be given to The Salvation Army, supporting those who need it most.
|
We would love the support of our whānau on the day. If you are available to help supervise along the course, please email Sarah.jenkinson@diamondharbour.school.nz we’d really appreciate your time.
|
|
Thank you for your continued support. We’re looking forward to a fantastic day!
|
|
|
|
Meet & Greet The Harlem Globetrotters
|
|
|
Five of our very lucky students recently had the incredible opportunity to take part in a special meet and greet with Moose and Sunshine from the Harlem Globetrotters, and what an unforgettable experience it was.
|
|
The students were all smiles as they met the world-famous players, known for their amazing basketball skills, humour, and entertaining tricks. From impressive ball-handling to plenty of laughs, Moose and Sunshine made sure it was a truly memorable occasion.
|
|
Our students described the experience as “heaps of fun” and loved every moment, especially getting up close with the players and seeing their skills in action. It was a fantastic opportunity and one they won’t forget anytime soon.
|
|
We’re thrilled these students had the chance to represent our school and be part of such a special event
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing our new Tumuaki/Principal
Richard Goodyear
|
|
Kia ora, Diamond Harbour whānau,
|
I'm beyond thrilled to start as the permanent principal from term 3. I've now visited your school several times and met many of the teachers, some of the kids and of course the Board of Trustees. I felt at home right from the beginning and knew that Diamond Harbour would be the place I could bring my absolute best leadership self. I've been in educational leadership for over a decade, most recently as principal of a rural school in Wairarapa. This year, I moved to Lyttelton and am loving getting to be part of the community. My interests in boats, arts and music, sports (currently tennis) and Te Ao Māori certainly have a great home here! I have two grown up children and recently learned I am to be a granddad later in the year.
|
|
I have an endless fascination with education and have had a varied career in mainstream and special character schools, city and rural, large and small. I'm focused on great teaching and learning and on a school being the vibrant, welcoming hub of a community. I can't wait to get started at Te Kura o Te Waipapa Diamond Harbour School and meet you all in a couple of months. Have a great term 2, and I'll see you soon!
|
|
|
|
Parents' Evening with Brett Harvey from Tāima Kōrero
|
|
|
DHYCT is hosting another evening event for parents from around the Harbour.
|
|
We are bringing back Brett Harvey from Tāima Kōrero. If you came along to his session 2 years ago you will know what important and practical information he brought around mitigating the effects of harmful online content for young people.
|
|
We encourage you to come along again to hear the updated session and bring a friend who missed it last time. If you haven't attended a session before this is a great opportunity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's Coming Up at Diamond Harbour School
|
|
|
- Wednesday 13th May - Food Fairy Fun Run
- Friday 15th May - Pink Shirt Day
- Friday 15th May - Patiki Assembly
- Wednesday 20th May - Food Fairy Fun Run Postponement Day
- Tuesday 26th May Zone Cross Country
- Friday 29th May - Te Kohanga Assembly
- Monday 1st June King's Birthday - School Closed
- Tuesday 9th June - EnviroAfternoon
- Friday 12th June - Te Kohanga Assembly
- Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June- 40 Hour Challenge
- Tuesday 23rd June - Zone Basketball
- Friday 26th June - Diamond Challenge Assembly
- Thursday 2nd July - Matariki Night Makete
- Friday 3rd July - Last Day of Term 2
|
|
|
What's Up In The Local Community
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's Up Outside Diamond Harbour
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
