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Newsletter ~ 29 May, 2025
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From The Principal
Tena koutou ngā whānau, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,
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It is hard to believe we are nearly half way through Term 2! We have had a busy couple of weeks with our Diversitea Party and the Food Fairy Fun Run. It is fabulous to see the generous donations of groceries coming into the school.
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Tomorrow, the staff have their Rā Kaimahi Day with a number of other schools that feed into Cashmere High School. These are fabulous days, where there are a range of presenters, presenting on educational topics they are passionate about. The Ministry of Education has allocated two Teacher Only Days during the year for curriculum development, and this is one of these days. With Diamond Harbour School being a relatively small school, having this opportunity to interact with a wide range of teachers is really beneficial.
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All staff have either engaged in, or are completing additional structured literacy training this year. I have managed to go to a number of sessions and I am pleased to find that, in our teaching and assessment programme, we are already meeting the recommendations. In the classroom we continue to have a focus on reading fluency as this is an important factor in students understanding what they read. You can support your tamariki at home by encouraging them to read, and by modelling fluent and expressive reading when you read to them.
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Today we farewell two lovely student teachers, Petra and Garry. They have been a wonderful part of our school community for the past seven teaching weeks. Hosting student teachers is an important part of our role as a school, and I am proud that while they are here, they are able to see exceptional practice in place from our kaiako. Both Petra and Garry have also contributed substantially to our school while they have been here. We wish them all the best for the remainder of their training and their future careers as wonderful teachers.
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I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and has some time for rest and relaxation.
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Pink Shirt Day
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Pink shirt day started when a boy wearing a pink shirt went to school and was laughed at by other students. Two older students then decided to buy pink shirts and hand them out to students around the school.
By the end of the week, most people were wearing pink shirts to show their support. Pink shirt day is all about promoting kindness and standing up for others.
On Friday, we joined in we all wore pink shirts or dressed up colourfully. We had to bring a plate of food to share with others. This was called the DiversiTea party.
We liked that Pink Shirt Day was all about being kind. We also loved the food as it was a fun way to celebrate and share with each other
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On Pink Shirt Day, when we got to school we dropped off our baking in Te Kete then played until the bell rang. After morning tea, we rushed down to the wheels court only to be told to wait for the little ones to get some of the food first. After the shared kai, we were all feeling very full and the council leaders announced who had won best dressed. During lunchtime, there was a colouring competition on and the winner was Rowen in the end.
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On Friday the 16th the student council organised pink shirt day. Pink shirt day is all about being different so everyone dressed up in pink or colourful costumes. At morning tea all the classes meet on the wheels court for our diversi-tea party. Everyone brought in some food and Finn, Grace and I set up tables and went one class at a time. We had so much food we had to put the tables back out at lunch. Also at lunch we had a colouring competition. Everyone did a really good job and it turned out to be a really fun day.
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On the 21st of May, Diamond Harbour School did the Food Fairy Fun Run. We had spent the previous weekends collecting sponsors and getting fit. We were finally ready. When the day came we all got into our respective house groups. We were released in the following order: Adderly, Godley, Stoddart, Bradley.
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The Food Fairy Fun run is an hour long and completely exhausting, and when every house's time was up, everyone was sitting down, not a scrap of energy left. Once we were able to stand we were released home.
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We collected not perishable food for the Salvation Army which is a very good cause because the food will be given to homeless people who need food.
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When we got to school, we put are bags away then the bell rang all of as rushed inside, after our morning lessons, which felt like ages. The afternoon finally came. I was so excited it was so tiring. After a tiring thirteen laps I was ready to go home.I felt so
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At the Food Fairy Fun Run, we had to run around the field and complete as many laps as we could in one hour. Everyone was very excited at the start and determined to do their best and runs lots of laps!
We wore our house colours: Adderly, Godley, Stoddart and Bradley, and cheered each other on.
The fun run was a fundraiser to collect food for people. We asked neighbours, friends, and family to sponsor us by donating food. This food will get donated to the Salvation Army.
By the end of the Food Fairy Fun Run, we were very tired. Our legs were so sore, but we had a lot of fun!
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-Donations of non perishable food can now be dropped off at the school office-
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Talent Show
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The Talent Show heats were a hit this week, We were blown away by the variety of performances and the confidence shown by all of our amazing students. From disco beats and dazzling hula hoop skills to singing, a comedy act, and even a magic show – there truly was something for everyone.
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Now, we're counting down the days to the Talent Show Finals on Thursday, 19th of June at 2:00pm in Te Kete.
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Parents and whānau are warmly invited to attend and cheer on our talented tamariki.
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Diamond Harbour School Education Charitable Trust
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Thank You to the Diamond Harbour School Education Charitable Trust
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We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Diamond Harbour School Education Charitable Trust for their generous purchase of a brand-new gazebo for our school.
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This fantastic addition will be used at a wide range of school events — from sports days and outdoor learning sessions to community gatherings and fundraisers. Not only is it practical and versatile, but it also plays an important role in supporting our commitment to being a SunSmart School.
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We are incredibly grateful for the Trust’s continued support of our school and students. This gazebo is a wonderful example of how community generosity makes a real difference in the everyday life of our school.
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Ngā mihi nui from all of us at Diamond Harbour School
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Garden to Table news
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Chicken Coop Gets a Makeover
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Exciting news from the school garden – our beloved chicken coop is getting a much-needed upgrade. To make sure everything is safe, secure, and comfy for our hardworking hens, we’ll be giving their home a bit of a renovation.
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While the coop is under construction, our chickens will be taking a little “holiday” offsite, enjoying a temporary stay in a cozy alternative location. They'll be back clucking happily before you know it.
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In the meantime, we’re putting out a call to our wonderful school community, if anyone has any spare chicken wire or tall fencing wire they’d be willing to donate, it would be a huge help in getting the new coop ready. Materials can be dropped off at the school garden.
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Thank you for supporting our feathered friends – and stay tuned for updates on the big coop reveal.
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Library News
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🍕 Hell Pizza Reading Challenge is Back for 2025! 📚
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Ready to read your way to FREE pizza? The Hells Pizza Reading Challenge is back again this year! All you have to do is read 7 books and you’ll earn a FREE 333 Kids Pizza from Hells Pizza!
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For each book you read, get one slice of your pizza wheel signed off by a teacher, Jill, Gabe, or me (Lorna).
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To get a slice signed, you’ll need to answer a few simple questions to show you've read the book — for example:
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What was your favourite page and why?
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Who was your favourite character and why?
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Once all 7 slices are signed, take your completed wheel to get it stamped with the Diamond Harbour stamp (look for the rectangle on the same side as the signature circles).
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You can then exchange your completed wheel for a FREE 333 pizza at any Hells Pizza store!
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There’s no limit to how many wheels you can complete — the challenge runs through the rest of the year.
🍕 Only one wheel can be redeemed per visit, per reader.
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Bonus: Hells Pizza Book Reviews & House Points!
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You can also pick up a Hells Pizza Review Card and write a short review of any book you read. Each completed card earns you:
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🏆 Entry into a termly draw to choose a book for our library, ordered from the Scholastic Book Club magazine!
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All reviews will be kept in the library for others to read and get inspired by.
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If you have any questions, feel free to come and see me.
Happy reading — and enjoy the pizza!
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Position Available
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We currently have some hours available for a learning support worker. No experience needed as training will be provided.
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Please contact office@diamondharbour.school.nz for more details or to register interest in the position.
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What's Coming Up at Diamond Harbour School
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- Friday, 30th May Staff Only Day - School closed for instruction
- Monday, 2nd June King's Birthday - Public Holiday
- Wednesday, 4th June Zones Cross Country
- Friday, 6th June Te Kohanga 2-3 Assembly
- Monday, 16th June Board Meeting
- Tuesday, 17th June Enviro Afternoon
- Friday, 20th June Matariki Public Holiday
- Thursday 26th June Matariki Night Makete
- Friday 27th June Last Day of Term Two
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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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What's Up Outside Diamond Harbour
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