On behalf of the staff and our school community I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new children and their families.
Celebrating 10 Years of Discover, Develop, Nurture at Willowbank School
We had an absolutely fantastic two days of celebrations here at Willowbank! I hope you had an opportunity to see the children's presentations of their learning journeys and to view the home learning competition entries (winners are listed below). I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate teachers and children on the effort and learning that occured leading up to their presentations. Our performing groups were a huge hit with the crowd. Thank you to the wonderful lion dance group, Miss Kruse's fabulous dance group, our brilliant kapa haka coached by Mr Te Kani Williams, and of course our outstanding WOW winner, Molly Griffiths.
It was great to see so many of the people who have contributed to Willowbank over the past ten years at our Mix and Mingle on Friday night. Mrs Dallas Graham, the establishment Principal of Willowbank School shared her original opening speech from the 29th April 2001 with us, including anecdotes of the early years.
Thank you to all the parents, staff and staff partners (who get dragged along...) who helped us out over our celebrations with food stalls, marketing, donations and most importantly, time.
On behalf of the Willowbank staff - a huge thank you, to you, our community for coming along over the two days and making our 10th Year Celebration such a huge success.
Competition Prize Winners
Congratulations to everyone who entered. Our overall winners are:
Supreme Winner: Angelina Ledingham R8 Over 30 entries
Most Imaginative: Harrison Sleep K1 Paper mache volcano and dinosaur garden
Conner Robinson: R20 Vacuum cleaner pot growing strawberries
Most Established: Taylor Kennard R28 Strawberries
Charlie Kennard R14 Carrots
Most cared for: Sophie Gibson R7 Discover, Develop, Nurture strawberries
Most colourful: Erin Monoyoudis R5 10th year celebration mini garden
Best decorated pot: Joel van Wijk R16 Plants grown in a briefcase
Fundraising efforts
For some classes their inquiry learning included raising funds for a charity or organisation.
Room 15 fundraising for Starship - $270
Room 29 fundraising for Mangere Refugee centre - $24
Zero Waste Charitable Trust - $90
Auckland Museum Holocaust memorial $53
Internet safety filters for junior school at Willowbank $12
Auckland Mission $8
Room 5 fundraising for Fairtrade - $150
Kiwi 2 - fundraising for the WOW van - $191.50
WOW Factor Supreme Winner
Congtatulations to Molly Griffiths, our 2011 WOW Factor Supreme WInner!
Copies of the WOW finals DVD are available from the office for $15.
Student Led Conferences
Thursday 1 December 2011
1.30pm – 8.00pm
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Please note: School will close for children at 12.30pm on Thursday 1 December. Please ensure your child is collected promptly at this time. Thank you. |
End of year reports will be sent home with children on Wednesday 30th November. Please ensure you have read your child(ren)’s report as this will form the basis for discussions at the student led conference on Thursday.
Online Booking System
We are using the same online booking system that we have used for past student led conferences. This will provide you with the opportunity to choose the most preferred times for your child(ren)’s student led conference. The quicker you go online to book the more options you will have.
To make a booking online please go to the following website and follow the instructions:
Website:
www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
School code:
KNEKF
If you do not have internet access or you are having trouble making your booking you are very welcome to contact Chris Day on 271 1077 – extn 5 (or pop in and see Chris in the office) and booking will be done for you. Confirmation of bookings will be sent home with your child.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 1 December 2011.
2012 Classes
Your children will bring home a letter addressed to them from their 2012 class teacher on Wednesday 30th November. Children will have the opportunity to spend some time with their next year's teacher in their new classroom in Week 8.
Prizegiving and Year 6 Graduation
Our prizegiving ceremony is on Friday 9th December. Juniors (Year 0 -3) at 9.15am and seniors at 11am.
Our Year 6 Graduation is on the 12th December. Information regarding this occasion will be sent home with the Year 6 children soon.
Stars for Starship (written by Room 5)
On Monday 7th of November Room 5 and 7 other winning schools went to Starship Hospital
to launch their new book Superhero Pukeko and 7 other winning stories. With Kevin Mealamu there it was very exciting. Sophia Razmajoo said “it was a great opportunity to meet Kevin Mealamu.“ When the awards were presented, two children went up from each school to collect their award. Willowbank was represented by Bailea Gartside and Sophia Razmajoo.
Being on One News, we now call ourselves starship authors.
You can see a copy of our book in the school foyer.
2011 Willowbank School Year Book
Our 2011 Year Book will go on sale in the last week of term. You can preorder your copy at the office. $15 per copy.
Wacky Hair Day - to support the Salvation Army
On Friday 25 November (this Friday) we are having a wacky hair mufti day. The cost for this mufti day is a can (non-expired) of food which we will give to the Salvation Army for their annual collection. An important part of our vision is 'nurture' and one of the ways we do this is through supporting charities and those less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you for your support.
