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Newsletter ~ 20 November, 2025
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From the Principal
Tena koutou ngā whānau, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,
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It has been a lovely couple of weeks in school with wonderful events such as our Pet Appreciation Day (thank you Karen Coom and the student council) and the Christchurch Primary School Music Festival. We are in the final stretch of the year now, with the Year 8 ākonga heading off to Wellington next week (thank you Kat for all your organisation of this) with Kat and myself. This is a wonderful experience for our ākonga to celebrate the end of their primary school years, before they head off to secondary school. We also wish Oscar all the best for the High Jump at the Canterbury Athletics.
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Education has been in the media a lot during this year, with discussions about curriculum, student achievement, attendance and the impact of cellphones. There also has been a lot of curriculum change during the past year. Over the past couple of decades, there have been two main influences on pedagogical thinking: the ‘Knowledge-Rich Curriculum’ and ‘Inquiry Learning’ or ‘Deep Learning.’ It is the ‘Knowledge-Rich Curriculum’ that has influenced this recent curriculum change.
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With a Knowledge-Rich curriculum, there is a focus on core-knowledge which is taught in a carefully sequenced order. Instruction is teacher-led. While this builds a strong foundation of knowledge which is essential for student success, it is important that ākonga also have opportunities to apply their knowledge in a range of contexts. This leads us to Inquiry Learning.
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Inquiry Learning or Deep Learning focuses on students exploring open-ended questions, collaborating, and considering a range of ideas. There is a focus on problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. However, it is important that ākonga have the necessary core-knowledge as the raw material to use in the application of these higher thinking skills.
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Most effective teaching and learning balances both of these approaches, blending strong foundational knowledge with meaningful learning experiences. It is essential to teach core knowledge and skills, but also essential to use inquiry approaches so ākonga have opportunities to apply their knowledge, use their knowledge to inquire, think critically, and to engage meaningfully with big ideas. Inquiry approaches also strengthen learning through creativity, collaboration, encouraging deep thinking, and providing opportunities for ākonga to learn from each other, and justify their thinking.
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Key strategies to enable the combination of both approaches include:
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- Designing learning experiences that include core knowledge and rich learning experiences, along with feedback, reflection, and ongoing assessment.
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- Having a structured curriculum that builds a strong framework of knowledge, showing clear progressions and allowing student agency and creativity.
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- Using explicit teaching with opportunities for ākonga to collaborate and apply their learning.
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- Providing opportunities for ākonga are able to use their knowledge and skills in a range of tasks, such as problem-solving, rich tasks, and collaboration, which allow for student agency and creativity.
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- Ensuring a culture of supportive, caring and trusting classroom relationships, focussed on ākonga feeling connected and valued.
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While educational approaches can change it is important that we track a steady path, balancing change and stability. It is crucial we engage with evidence-based best practice in teaching and learning, and meet our statutory obligations by adopting curriculum changes. It is also important to take a measured and thoughtful approach, ensuring effective implementation of improvements to support ākonga achievement, while recognising our core values and local priorities.
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Next week, the Board is meeting to focus on strategic planning. While the implementation of the latest version of the curriculum must be a key priority, the Board seeks the input of the community into development of our strategic planning. Early next week we will be sending out a survey for parents to complete. This will focus on the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes you believe are most important for your tamariki to develop during their time at Diamond Harbour Primary School. The results from this survey will feed into the Board’s strategic planning. Then, early in 2026, there will be additional opportunities for whānau to provide input as we refine our goals for the next three years.
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Have a fabulous couple of weeks,
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Pīoke Ballet - The Nutcracker
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On the 13th of November, Pioke left school shortly after 11 o'clock to go and see the second half of ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet performed by the Royal NZ Ballet. The dancers did an excellent job, and it was incredible to watch. The sugar plum fairy and the nutcracker had an especially good dance, with lots of spins, lifts, and jumps. All the dancers were very in sync, and it doesn't take a genius to tell that there was a lot of work put into the show.
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On behalf of the rest of Pioke, we would like to say a big thank you to the parent helpers who drove us to the theatre and enabled us to see the dance.
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BNZ Kiwi Hoops – Hoops and Dreams Tour
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On Friday, the 6th of November two Year 5-6 basketball teams and the two Year 3-4 miniball teams from Diamond Harbour School were invited to take part in the BNZ Kiwi Hoops – Hoops and Dreams Tour, proudly delivered by Basketball New Zealand, sponsored by Bank of New Zealand, and hosted by Canterbury Basketball Association.
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This was a free special event which took place at Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston and was designed specifically for tamariki.
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The tamariki had an amazing time and have shared some writing about the day.
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Pet Appreciation Day
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Last week, we celebrated Pet Appreciation Day and had lots of furry-themed fun for our ākonga.
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We were fortunate to be visited by John from Diamond Harbour Cat Rescue, who spent time with both Pātiki and Te Kōhanga. John shared the important work the rescue does in our community, from caring for abandoned and stray cats to helping them find safe and loving homes. Students learned what’s involved in adopting a rescue cat and gained helpful tips on how to care for them, showing empathy, responsibility, and compassion.
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Els and Bizzy visited Pioke to deliver an engaging and informative presentation on dog care. They demonstrated how to look after dogs properly and discussed safe ways for children to interact with dogs, an essential skill for keeping both humans and pets happy and safe. Their hands-on session was a highlight for many students.
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We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the parents/caregivers and for all the donations they provided. Your support helped make Pet Appreciation Day a meaningful and memorable event for our tamariki.
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Pīoke Poetry
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This week, Pīoke ākonga have been writing poems with the theme of a 'sea-change'; a dramatic change caused by nature, inspired by reading one of Shakespeare's poems in 'The Tempest'. Here are a few examples:
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From storm to still the sea transforms,
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It's rage undone by dawn's charms.
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What once did wreck, now gently mends,
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In every wave, the past descends.
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The sea began in wrathful crying,
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Roaring heart would tear the sky...
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Lightning danced upon its crest.
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A forest filtered with glistening light,
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But not for long after darkening night.
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Crunching leaves on frostbitten ground,
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The smell of rotting tree trunks pollutes all round.
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Knotted old tusks once standing tall,
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Now relieved to their gracious fall.
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Wind rippling like a current of evil,
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Stirring the disintegrating brown carpet below.
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Deep under the inky blue sea a rusted giant slumbers,
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The Proud ship inhabited by skeletons in numbers,
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Glassy eyes and Seaweed feet,
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At night the eerie crew marches to the cabin,
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Their gaping moths and ancient joints creak in the current,
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Glassy eyes and Seaweed feet,
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The ghostly galleon arises,
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The phantom ship creeps silently across the water,
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Only when dawn arrives does it seem to falter
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Down goes the Rusted giant,
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Waiting Under the inky blackness for the moon to rise again…
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Ancient forest stuck in place,
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Movement captured, falling through the sands of time,
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Lost and still yet so peaceful.
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Thought moves quickly but takes so long,
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Can't keep the reason or the rhyme.
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Hear the waves calling, calling, calling...
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Goodbye to the reason, goodbye to the rhyme,
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Leave the forest there to stay in time.
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Fire Wise
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Te Kōhanga 1 and Te Kōhanga 2/3 have been learning about being Fire Wise. We know that lighters and matches are tools, not toys, so if we find them, we must give them to an adult. We learnt how to get out of a house/building safely if it is on fire. You have to get down, get low and get out fast! If your way is blocked by fire, shut the door and then go a different way. If you are in a 2-storey building, go to the window and yell "Fire, Fire, Fire", because you can breathe fresh air, and the firefighters will help get you down. You must never ever go back into a house/building that is on fire. When you get out, you need to go to your Safe Meeting place and then call 111 for the fire brigade.
Smoke alarms sense the smoke and are very loud, but don't be scared, they tell you when you need to get out fast. At night, you can not smell smoke when you are asleep, so you must have working smoke alarms. You should always yell "Fire, Fire, Fire," rather than for help, because people might think you are playing a game or not being serious if you are asking for help. People always come if you shout "Fire". We learnt that if you are in the building still and you hear a noise like Darth Vadar, it is the Fire Fighters breathing oxygen through their breathing gear coming to save you.
On Monday, Karla from the Fire Wise programme visited us. She thought we were amazing and very Fire Wise. Most people in our class knew where their Safe Meeting Place was, and she was very impressed. Then, Lachie and Patrick's Dad and Ruby and Jessie's Dad brought the Fire Truck for us to see. We all got a go at squirting the Fire Hose. The Fire Hose was heavy and powerful with lots of water, which made it hard to aim.
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Giving Tree Supporting Cholmondelay
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It’s Giving Tree time!
As part of our cherished annual tradition, we are once again setting up our School Giving Tree to support the wonderful work of Cholmondeley Children’s Centre in Governors Bay.
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Cholmondeley provides short-term, emergency, and planned respite care for children, offering a safe, supportive, and nurturing “home away from home” when families need a helping hand. Their work makes a huge difference in the lives of tamariki, and we’re delighted to support them again this year.
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If your whānau would like to donate a gift, please attach a small tag noting the suggested age and gender, if applicable, so the team can match gifts with children who will love them.
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Important date: This year, we’ll be delivering all gifts to Cholmondeley on 10th December, which is one week earlier than usual. This gives their fabulous staff plenty of time to sort and organise gifts so everything is ready for the children’s Christmas celebrations.
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Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness—your donations truly brighten the season for local children.
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Canterbury Primary Schools Music Festival
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Christchurch Primary School Music Festival
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For the music festival, we first had a practice in the morning. That lasted about 3 hours. Then we went back to school. After we went to the town hall at night, all the Diamond Harbour singers got together, went up the stairs, and got into our assigned seats. We all waited until it was time, and then we started singing. There was an orchestra there, with a bunch of instruments. We also sang some songs such as ‘Be Kind to Your Parents,’ ‘Thank You for Being a Friend,’ and ‘The Living Years.’ It was very fun. Thank you to everyone who helped us.
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Tea Towel Fundraiser
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Lost Property
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We currently have a large collection of school uniform items, jackets, drink bottles, and other belongings waiting to be reunited with their owners.
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If your child is missing any part of their school uniform or other personal items, please pop into the office and check the lost property as soon as possible.
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We will also put lost property on display after our next school assembly.
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Please take a moment to have a look through the items. It would be wonderful to see everything returned to its rightful home.
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A friendly reminder to name all uniform items clearly, as this makes it much easier for us to return lost belongings in the future.
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What's Coming Up at Diamond Harbour School
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- Monday - Thursday, 24th - 27th November - Year 8 Wellington Camp
- Friday, 28th November - Diamond Challenge Due
- Tuesday, 2nd December - Enviro Afternoon
- Tuesday, 9th December - Junior School Run, Jump and Throw
- Wednesday, 10th December - Postponement date Run, Jump and Throw
- Thursday, 11th December - Year 8 Dinner
- Friday, 12th December - Diamond Challenge Assembly
- Monday, 15th December - End of Year Music Concert
- Tuesday, 16th December - End of Year Celebration and Prizegiving
- Wednesday, 17th December - Final Day for 2025 - School Finishes at 12.30
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Lunch programme $3:50 per week (a slight increase from the last few years) - Thursdays
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After School Care - contact the office at office@diamondharbour.school.nz
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What's Up In The Local Community
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SCHOOL FUNDRAISER!! XMAS HAMS!!
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IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
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Our 2025 Christmas Car Raffle is back!
For just $20 a ticket, you’ll go in the draw to win a 2021 Toyota Corolla GX 2.0L Petrol CVT Hatch, valued at $25,990.
Only 4,000 tickets available – that’s a 1 in 4,000 chance to win!
Your prize includes:
3-year warranty
AA Roadside Assistance
New Warrant of Fitness
2 months’ registration
A full tank of petrol – ready to drive away!
If you would like a ticket, please get in touch with our fundraising team at fundraising@cholmondeley.org.nz
Don’t miss out on the chance to make this Christmas unforgettable.
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What's Up Outside Diamond Harbour
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The Dyspraxia Support Group is a charitable, non-profit organisation, committed to providing support, practical advice, and educational programmes for those who support and care for children, youth and adults affected with Developmental Dyspraxia/DCD. This neurological disorder affects at least 6% of the population.
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If you wish to learn more regarding our child and youth programmes we hold in Christchurch or just learn about dyspraxia/DCD, please feel free to contact us.
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