Newsletter ~ 31 July, 2025

From The Principal

Tena koutou ngā whānau, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,

Thank you to all the parents who took the time to attend Learning Conferences earlier this week. This is an important time to discuss how your child’s learning has gone so far this year and what their goals are for the rest of the year.

Prior to the learning conferences, kaiako (teachers) completed mid-year literacy testing for students. Overall, results have shown a pleasing improvement, and åkonga (students) who may benefit from a little bit of extra support have been identified. As you all realise, supporting our young people to achieve, is a joint effort between home and school.

One of the most effective ways you can support your child’s literacy is to read to them. This is key in helping them develop their vocabulary, especially with regard to words they are not yet able to decode. Research talks about the ‘million word gap’. This refers to the amount of words tamariki hear, depending on how often they are read to. At 5-years-old tamariki would have heard 4,662 words if they are never read to; 63,570 words if they are read picture books once or twice a week; 169,520 words if they are read to three to five times a week; 296,660 words if they are read to daily; and if they are read five picture books a day, 1,483,300 words. Children need to understand around 90–95% of the words they hear or read in order to comprehend a text well and considering that tamariki need to hear a word between 5 and 20 times before it becomes part of their vocabulary, it is clear how important this ‘reading mileage’ is to help tamariki develop a broad vocabulary as well as comprehension and fluency.

Research also shows that as tamariki get older, both their own reading time, and the time spent being read to decrease. However, reading aloud to tamariki remains valuable right through the primary years and beyond. Even confident readers benefit from hearing books that are above their current reading level. Listening allows them to engage with more complex ideas and sophisticated language than they might be able to decode on their own, thereby stretching their vocabulary and comprehension skills in a meaningful, enjoyable way.

Reading aloud also helps children develop reading fluency—the ability to read with pace, accuracy, and proper expression. When adults model fluent reading, children hear how good reading sounds: when to pause, how to group words together, and how tone can reflect meaning. These skills are hard to learn without hearing them in action.

So next time you wonder whether your tamariki still need to be read to, remember this: they’re never too old to enjoy a good story, grow from it, and enjoy quality time together.

This week you will have received further information about the upcoming Board elections. Nominations close next week and we would love to have a range of candidates to select from, ensuring our Board continues to have strong skills as well as diversity. Remember to contact Henry Dunne, our Presiding Member, myself, or the school office if you require further information.

Have a fabulous couple of weeks,

Ngā mihi nui,

Jill

School Board Nominations

Next week, nominations close for those members of our community who wish to stand for the school board. This is an extremely important role, and a wonderful way to give back to the school community.

The Board plays a vital role in shaping the future of our school, and the education our young people receive. On the Board, you have the opportunity to:

Set school direction through strategic planning
Oversee financial and property decisions
Support curriculum development, student achievement and wellbeing
Ensure whānau voices are heard in decision-making
Support our kaiako and kaimahi in meaningful ways
Strengthen the partnership between home and school

Nominations are open - you should have received an email in your inbox from Election Pilot. You may nominate yourself, or request someone else nominate you. We’d love you to consider stepping forward as your insight as a parent is invaluable.

Want to learn more? Reach out to Henry, our current presiding member on 021 244 8802, or have a chat with Jill.

Ngā mihi nui,

Henry Dunne - Presiding Member

Diamond State Warriors Basketball

DIAMOND STATE WARRIORS

On the 23rd of July, the Diamond State Warriors won against Sprayden Magic. It was a hard game, but we came out on top. It wasn't the nets that made us win, it was the team working together, that's how we won.

And using Maddie, Jack, Luke, Awa, Hunter, Will and Harry. We were unstoppable.

By Harry

The score was 24-20, and my team lost, but it was close. They were good at intercepting the ball, but we were good at stealing the ball.

And they were good at layups. We had a new player in our team. He was replaced by someone who thought that it was only one term.

We had 6 players at the game. They were Aden, Oscar, Bobby, Pfeiffer, Eli and Jonah. Jonah was the new kid.

By Aden

Pīoke Rain Haiku's

The soft rain falling

hard rain taps the roof
lonely puddles hold the sky
clouds seep into earth.

By Arthur

Library News

Recently, with the support of the National Library, we have transformed the Fiction section of our library. Books are now shelved within different reading genres identified by clear signage and colour coding rather than alphabetically by author as a whole. Within each genre block, books are shelved in alphabetical order. Shelving the books this way removes one of the barriers to finding a book of interest and hopefully will also encourage exploration into different reads. Books that fall into multiple genres have been shelved by their main one.

The Hell's Pizza Reading Challenge is still running and will continue through until the end of the year. Read 7 books and earn a completed pizza wheel to be exchanged for a FREE pizza at Hell's Pizza restaurants. Details of this and how it is being run at our school are up on the library window.

Happy reading!!

Lorna

School Contacts

It’s important that we have accurate and current contact details for all our ākonga. Please take a moment to check your information, and let the office know if there have been any recent change, such as phone numbers or addresses, for any of your listed contacts.

Additionally, if any medical information or emergency contact details have changed, please notify us as soon as possible.

Youth Activities Term 3 + Parent Workshops

Make & Do: Sculpture Edition — Term 3 Arvo Programme!

For Creative Kids Aged 10–12 Years Old

When: Wednesdays, 4:30–6:00pm
Dates: August 13 – September 17
Where: St Andrews Community Church
Cost / Koha: $90 for all six sessions (materials + afternoon snack included)
Spaces: Limited to 10 participants — sign up is essential!

This term’s focus is on SCULPTURE — kids will explore form, texture, and creativity while working with a variety of materials and techniques.

Meet Your Mentor: Ali Nightingale
Kia ora! I’m a local artist and teacher at Te Aratai College, with a passion for sculpture and hands-on learning. I'm thrilled to return to working with younger students, having previously taught sailing at Charteris Bay Yacht Club and studied sculpture at the University of Canterbury. I can’t wait to Make & Do with you this term!

To register fill out form: MakeAndDo

For parent & caregivers Diamond Harbour Youth and Community Trust is hosting TWO incredible free workshops to support your journey through parenthood:

Thursday 14 August, 7pm
Join the amazing team from Brainwave Trust Aotearoa as they share insights on teen development, wellbeing, and ways we can support our rangatahi.Thursday 4 September, 7pm

The Attitude NZ Team is coming to talk tech—social media, gaming, and keeping our kids safe online.Both events are free and full of practical, helpful advice.Events will be at Diamond Harbour School’s Te Kete Room
RSVP by email: info.diamondharbouryct@gmail.comIf you got any questions feel free to reach out!

DHYCT Team- Debs & Lina

Seeking feedback on Kākano

Kākano is a co-designed parenting resource, designed to help whānau support children (aged 4+) with big emotions. Rooted in Te Ao Māori values (tika, pono, aroha), Kākano takes a strengths-based, whole-whānau approach. We’re seeking feedback from parents of kids aged 4+ years on Kākano’s value, and areas for improvement. If you’re keen, please head to https://forms.gle/aM2cEpk914NsF7hQ9 to find out more.

Kindy News

One Mother to Another is an award-winning charity which through the simple act of gift giving, cares for and empowers parents and whānau in hospital with a sick child, as well as mothers who are going through their own health journey while juggling motherhood. They provide over 6,000 care packages a year to mums and carers across the South Island. Their aim is to comfort and support whānau in a particularly vulnerable time.

One of the values of Mātariki is atawhaitanga, showing kindness and compassion. In the spirit of atawhaitanga, this year Kindy will be collecting fun-size chocolates, such as mini Moros or mini Whitakers, to contribute to care packages provided by the charity One Mother to Another.
We would love for you to contribute if you can, by donating a pack or two into the collection basket in the entrance way of kindy.