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Newsletter ~ 3 April, 2025
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From the Principal
Tena koutou ngā whānau, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,
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We are nearly in the final week of the term and there is no doubt that most people are looking forward to the upcoming break. While the term seems to have flown by, when we reflect on what we have covered it is no wonder we are feeling ready for a break!
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Implementation of the refreshed Mathematics curriculum is making excellent progress, and we are confident we are in a situation where we are working ahead of the expected timeframe with regard to implementation of this. This past week, the year 7 & 8 refreshed English curriculum has been published. We have been waiting eagerly for this. However, as this is still in draft form, this will be more of a focus once it is in the finalised form in the second half of the year. Alongside this, we continue to refine our Structured Literacy approach. Many parents comment that it appears to be ‘magic’ how their children learn to read, and when you consider the complexities of the English language, it does seem to be like that. There is no specific ‘reading’ area in the brain. Rather, the brain uses multiple areas, visual processing, language comprehension, and speech production, and repurposes these to enable reading. In the initial stages the brain works at mapping particular sounds to particular shapes or letters. This is called the alphabetic principle. Learners then blend these sounds together to form words. While some languages have singular letter/sound relationships, the English writing system has 26 graphemes (or letters), 44 sounds (or phonemes) and there are over 200 ways to spell these 44 sounds.
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When reading an article a few days ago, I came across the below graphic which helps to give fluent readers a taste of what it is like to learn to read. In this, the sentence reads right to left and each of the graphics maps to a particular sound (as per the code below the sentence). Giving this a go, helps us realise that those first steps in reading are tricky, and the structured approach, with ākonga just learning a few letter-sound relationships at a time, helps to support their confidence, and enables them to begin their journey as readers.
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Also, on the topic of reading and books, this past week has been another amazing Book Week, and massive thanks must go to Lorna for all the mahi she has done to make this a fabulous week. Yesterday we had our book character parade and I have to say I was in awe of many of the creations. Well done both to the tamariki and their parent helpers with these amazing costumes.
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Next week, our final week, we have our Celebration of Learning on Thursday evening. I look forward to seeing many of you there. Board members will also be present. Remember we have Board elections this year, so if you are interested in a governance role in our wonderful kura please have a chat. As a starting point, if you wish to find out more about this role, here is some useful information.
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Best wishes for a wonderful weekend, and we hope everyone has a wonderful term break with some morning sleep-ins, a break from the usual routine, and some fabulous time with family and friends doing the things you love.
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Book Week 2025
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On April 2nd, our school celebrated Book Day! Everyone dressed up as their favorite book character, bringing stories to life with their creative costumes. After getting into character, we gathered outside the Year 0/1 classroom. One by one, each class was called up to parade around the court, showing off our costumes as we completed a few laps. Afterward, we took group photos based on our book themes. Lorna then announced the winners and handed out certificates for the best costumes. Once the celebrations wrapped up, we returned to our classrooms.
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After morning tea, we made our way to Te Kete to meet author Heather McQuillan. Heather, a former teacher, has written several fiction books, including Avis and the Promises of the Dragon and Avis and the Call of the Kraken. In total, she has published five books—one of which took an incredible 11 years to complete! Interestingly, a few of her books feature an eye on the cover. Many of her stories are inspired by the sea and beaches.
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During her visit, Heather shared her journey to becoming an author and read excerpts from her books. It was fascinating to hear about her writing process and the stories behind her novels. After the session, we returned to class for lunch, feeling inspired by her words.
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By Baxter, Bobby, and Mickle
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Junior School Swimming Display
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On Thursday, Te Kōhanga 1 and Te Kōhanga 2-3 had their swimming display. The water was nice and warm. Our parents came to watch us show off what swimming we can do. First, we got changed. Then we got in our 4 groups. Each group got to share what they have been learning. Some of the skills we showed off were streamlining, freestyle, backstroke, freestyle breathing position, horse races on noodles and blowing bubbles. Our parents said "good job" when we were finished. It was lots of fun having lots of people watching you.
Now we have finished swimming and we miss it.
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Cycle Safety Year 6 & 7
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Cycle Safety Yr 6 & 7 Day One
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First we each got a bike and we made the seat height to our waistline and then we got split up into groups and they went on both sides of the basketball court.
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My group played follow the leader we followed them around the court then we
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played a game were you had to land perfectly in the area around the cones. After that we went around the little kids garden for a brake and we had to make eye contact with the person next to us until the coaches said stop then we joined with the other group and got lined up, we did signalling and another thing we had to do was look behind us and the coaches would hold up a number and we had to say it out loud we did that for 10 mins then we did some more signaling, we would have to go past a red line on the court and put our hands out bent to signal which way we were going.
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Then we had a challenge we had little frog soft toys and had to pass them to the person next to you on your bike while moving. After that we went inside Te Kete and played a kahoot. At first the questions were about biking but then there was this one about m&ms it was pretty silly but also nice. That day all of us learnt a lot of things but it came to an end and we still had one more day.
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Enviro Afternoon Term 1
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Diamond Harbour School - Nature Agents Project
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Diamond Harbour School students head down to Orton Bradley Park to conduct water testing and gather data on the quality of the water in Te Wharau stream. On Tuesday the 25th of March, we went to Orton Bradley for a water survey. We went in two buses and two cars. Once we arrived there we got selected into 3 groups, each group had 10 people and got to do a different activity.
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One group checks the physical site and habitat. This includes site characterisation, and examining the habit or the stream’s physical environment including checking the size of the stones and how much algae is in the water. The temperature and pH of the water is also measured. We also look at the size of the stones as the more different sizes of stones there are, the more there are different habitat spaces for the invertebrates and small fish.
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Another group collected invertebrates and checked out what each one was. With gumboots on, students get into the water and kick to stir the water and the soil at the bottom of the stream. Invertebrates are then collected from the water with a net. After that the invertebrates are put into their tray with water. These are collected with a dropper and put into a petri dish so the students could examine them. Magnifying glasses were used to look at the invertebrates closely and an identifying chart was used to identify each invertebrate and find out facts about them.
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One of the favourite invertebrates that was caught was a mayfly larvae. It had three long tails and lots of little legs and it was eating all the smaller bugs! Students even found a massive dobsonfly larvae which was two inches long! Once identified students discussed how having a large range of invertebrates showed a good water quality.
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Another group checked the water quality. They did this by checking water temperature, clarity and pH. To check water clarity they collected water in a 1-metre-long tube. In the tube there is a black target which is attached to a magnetic slider on the outside of the tube so the slider can be moved along. Students look in the tube at one end and move the slider away from them until they can no longer see it through the water. If the target can be seen for a long distance it shows good water quality.
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By Finn, Josh and Mitchell
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Te Kohanga Year 2-3 Smart Playground Designs
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Te Kōhanga Inquiry - First, we listened to a Sustainability story about a King who wanted lots of stuff. He built lots of factories to make stuff, so then he needed roads and railways built. He drilled for oil. His kingdom started to get really messed up and he began to take notice and make changes. But we don't know if it will have a happy ending yet or not.
From the story, we then talked about wants and needs. We learnt that we need clean air, food, water, shelter, medical care and love to survive. Most other stuff is things we want because it's fun and makes our lives easier and not what we need.
We then learnt about Smart Schools which use lots of technology. We thought a self packing backpack, robot leaf sweeper, duty teacher robot, Road Patrol robot and an automatic self driving school bus would be cool. We particularly would like a Smart playground.
In pairs we designed our own Smart Playground for the school, our designs included moving platforms, a banana swing that moved by itself, a Christmas room which snows and has a present making machine, a slide that takes you up and down, self-adjusting monkey bars, secret tunnels that the doors shut, a camouflaging wall to hide you during games. We really wish we could build our Smart Playgrounds but we know that they are a want and we don't need them
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Swimming Zones
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On March 17, a group of us headed to Jelly Park for the swimming sports zones. We met at school bright and early at 7:30 AM before carpooling to the pool. Since we arrived early, we spent some time playing on the playground while waiting for the other schools to arrive. When we were finally let in, the place was packed with excited swimmers—it was such an incredible atmosphere!
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The competition kicked off with the freestyle races, with Hazel competing in one of the first heats. After that, the breaststroke events began. I was really excited for my race, but since I was in the Year 8 category, I had to wait quite a while before it was my turn. Next up was backstroke, where everyone gave it their all!
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The final individual event was the open butterfly, which had just two races—one for girls and one for boys. After that, the relays began. We stayed to watch because Phillipa was in charge of recording the placements, so we waited until the very end before heading back.
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It was an amazing day of racing, teamwork, and fun!
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Garden to Table News
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In the garden, we have been harvesting produce and weeding the empty beds. So far, we have found some potatoes and picked quite a lot of pumpkins. The chickens are doing very well, and the garden beds are looking quite good. We just cut down a tree because it was in the way of the pathway, and we relocated it. We also had a unique way of harvesting apples; we climbed up a tree and shook it until the apples fell into buckets we have started bottling,and dehydrating them to use in the future.
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Library News - Book Week!!
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We are currently making our way through Book Week which began with participants navigating their way round our library using a map for the "Great Library Hunt". This activity is a great way to learn where different books are located while having fun and this year the map revealed a rabbit. The Library readers ran a quiz which was themed around different book characters and we had our popular story-time in pyjamas with hot chocolate. Thanks must go to our guest readers and a high-five to year 6 student, Gracie, who read a story to everyone. Very brave, well done!
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Wednesday 2 April was International Children's Book Day which we celebrated with our "dress up as a book character" parade and author visit. So many different characters marched round the basketball court; Princesses, Fairies, Dogmans, Harry Potters and Cat in Boxes just to name a few. It is wonderful to see the imagination and creativity come to life in this much looked-forward-to event and thanks must go to all parents and students who make it such a success.
We were lucky to have Christchurch author; Heather McQuillan visit and give presentations. She captured our younger students in making a collaborative story together and then engaged our older students with the work up and process behind her 'Avis' books, one of which was inspired by the harbour we live in. Thank you once again to the Diamond Harbour School Education Charitable Trust for funding another valuable author visit.
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We have yet to make woven bookmarks making use of old written-off books and solve the "Who am I?" mystery. In addition to the above activities our school has been producing an "Evolving Story" where each class takes part in making a section of the story without knowing what the previous class(es) have written other than the last sentence or two. The story is completely directed by our students' creativity and imagination and only once the whole story is read will anyone know how it started or finished!! The finished product will be barcoded and made available for loan in our school library.
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The Community Dental Service will be closed for some of the upcoming school holidays
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Closed On: Friday 18th April,
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Reopening on: Monday 28th April
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Five of our community dental clinics will be open during this School Holiday period:
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Burnside (96a Memorial Avenue)
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Woolston (11 Hopkins Street)
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Rangiora (163 Ashley Street)
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Northcote (24 Tuckers Road)
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Timaru (18 Woollcombe Street)
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If your child is experiencing any dental pain/discomfort, you can call us on 0800 846 983 and/or email: commdental@cdhb.health.nz and one of our clinicians will contact you.
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Swimming Pool Key Return
As our swimming season has come to an end, the school pool will be closed from the start of the school holidays on Friday, 11th April
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If you have a pool key, we kindly ask that it be returned by Friday the 11th.
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Additionally, if you paid your bond online, please email the office with your preferred bank account details so we can process your refund.
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Thank you for your support of our school pool—we truly appreciate it
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We are looking for people who are willing to help run our Friday Coffee's this year, it would only be one or two Friday's a term.
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- able to use the coffee machine and are willing to be on the roster
- would like to learn how to use the coffee machine and be on the roster
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please contact Karen S - karen.steedman@diamondharbour.school.nz
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What's Coming Up at Diamond Harbour School
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- Monday, 7 April, Board Meeting - School Staff Room @ 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 9th April, Wacky Hair Day
- Thursday, 10 April, Celebration of Learning 5:00pm - 6:30pm
- Friday, 11 April, Diamond Challenge Assembly
- Friday, 11 April, Final Day of Term 1
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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 Ursi - ursina.riederer@diamondharbour.school.nz
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What's Up In The Local Community
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Art Tuition with Bex Gibbs
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Join Bex Gibbs for creative art sessions every Friday from 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm at Diamond Harbour School. These classes are a fantastic opportunity for aspiring artists to enhance their skills.
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Each session costs $25.00, and all materials are provided,
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To enroll or for more information, text 021 250 1596. — spaces are limited!
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What's Up Outside Diamond Harbour
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Discover Herstory: Super Sleuth Quest
These school holidays - step into history and uncover the inspiring stories of suffrage
heroes in this interactive Super Sleuth Quest! This activity will introduce historical
figures including the extraordinary suffragist leader, Kate Sheppard; Sir John Hall her
suffrage 'carpet knight', suffrage colleague Ada Wells and Kate's faithful friend, Alfred
Saunders.
Dress up and explore the museum to find hidden clues then piece together the
stories of these trailblazing characters and their fight for equality and civil rights for
all citizens. Each participant will come away as a Suffrage Super Sleuth!
Parents/Adults this activity is a children's event only. So, drop the kids off and enjoy
a relaxing morning tea while you wait for $8.50.
Date: 17th, 18th, 24th, 27th April 2025
Time: 10:30am – 12:00 pm
Ticket: $5 per child (excluding booking fees)
Age: 7 – 12
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/discover-herstory-super-sleuth-quest-tickets-
1288052823669?aff=schools
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