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WADESTOWN SCHOOL
Community Newsletter
Principal: Sally Barrett
Website: www.wadestown.school.nz
Thursday 6 November, 2014
Dear Parents
A warm welcome to the following new students and their families who have joined us at Wadestown School
recently: Ciaran Gibson (Rm 1), Rosa Holland (Rm 3) and Kaytlin Mitchener (Rm 3).
School Concert: “A Story of Change”
It was wonderful to see so many of you at last week’s school concert “A Story of Change”. This was a true
celebration of the Arts curriculum and the children embraced it with such enthusiasm, creativity and energy.
We hope all our children enjoyed the experience of performing on stage and that they will remember it for a
long time to come.
This year our school concert was generously sponsored by the English Craftsman and I would like to thank
Paul and his team for enabling us to present “A Story of Change”. I would also like to take this opportunity of
thanking you all for your support and lovely comments which the staff and children really appreciated. What
an exciting week it was.
Dedication of concert to Thomas Lomas
Year 7-8 boys haka
Year 7-8 girls waiata
Room 15: The Heroic Weather Conditions of the Universe
Room 1: Ball in the Jack
Room 2: I Just Can’t Wait to be King
Room 3: The Sweet Gingerbread Man
Room 9: The Lollipop Tree
Room 8: The Ugly Duckling
Room 14: The Time Warp
Room 13: Summer versus Winter
Room 6: Thriller
Room 10: I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Has Gone
Room 5: Winding back the clock from Rock to Pop
Room 7: Agents of Change
Room 12: Six Months in a Leaky Boat
Room 11: I’m a Believer
Senior Choir: Here Comes the Sun
The concert was filmed by uShoot and dive.tv and we will be notifying everyone shortly of how to order a
digital copy of this recording.
Celebrating Children’s Writing: School Concert
As I enter the theatre I feel shivers go down my spine. When I come to the common room it is spiraling with
people. There are bright, beautiful, glamorous costumes. After I sit down with my friends I wonder how it is
going to go? After a five minute wait we turn on the TV and watch Chicken Run. It is my classes turn now to
perform Six Months in a Leaky Boat. There we are, dancing away, saluting, marching, side stepping and
bowing. Oh! It is time for the finale singing 'Here Comes the Sun' and waving around. What a night!
By Eleanor Johnson, Room 12
I take a deep breath and hope we won't look silly in front of everyone. 'I've got the hang of this, I know I can do
it' I encourage myself in my head. As I walk on stage nervousness fills my whole body. Carefully I tip toe on
stage. There I stay in my position until suddenly...the music starts. I sing my best and leap into action. My heart
pounds faster and faster. After the concert I am really tired but excited. A teensy weensy bit of sadness shoots
through my body because tonight is the last show. My favourite item was...Room 15!
By Amy Young, Room 12
It’s been a long journey to this point-more than a term or work and rehearsing. But like all of these journeys, it
ends with something amazing. The Victoria University theatre looked set to go - shiny letters reading ‘A Story
of Change’, icicle lights draped on the curtains. Every class was set to go as well – the kids brimming with
excitement, practicing their dance, playing hand games, or messing around on their phones and iPads.
Suddenly, Mr Smith made the call for the Year 7 and 8’s to line up and get ready for their Kapa Haka
performance. Still chattering excitedly, the actors scrambled into their lines, and waited until the magic words
were uttered – ‘Ka Nukunuku’ and the young actors and actresses marched up the stairs to the inviting stage.
The Kapa Haka set the ball rolling with a thunderous haka and a tuneful waiata. After that, it was all go. I
(being in the Kapa Haka group) watched as a little glowing orchestra made their way to the stage, followed by
eager little dancers (who also glowed!) performing ‘Ball in the Jack’.
After that it was just action, fun and music. The theme of change was broader than I originally thought, and
the audience were greeted by kids dancing to songs like ‘The Time Warp’, ‘I’m a Believer’ and the old Kiwi
classic, ‘Six months in a Leaky Boat’. And it wasn’t just the kids on stage that were having fun. People were
playing tag in the courtyard, the 7 and 8’s were chatting in the cafeteria, and I think I saw the younger kids
watching Chicken Run.
At last the finale came. Here Comes the Sun was the tune of choice, and every child in Wadestown School sang
their way up and down the aisles of the theatre. There were so many kids that the song had to be played twice.
When everyone had made their way around the theatre, they clattered down into the cafeteria to change into
normal attire, and met up with their very impressed parents. Afterwards, Mrs Barrett’s inbox was filled with
happy parents congratulating her students for their spectacular performance. The show had well and truly
been a roaring success.
By Maddie Grieveson, Room 5
News from the Side School
For the past three weeks the Side School have been engrossed in concert preparations. The children have
enjoyed a wide variety of experiences ranging from learning to manage themselves through a late night
performance to boosting short-term memory through learning songs and dance routines. We would like to say
a big thank you our students and their parents who have all worked together to make the concert such a
success.
Kapa Haka Festival
Two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Kapa Haka Festival hosted by Karori West Normal School.
Wadestown School was represented by our Year 7-8 Kapa Haka group who gave a truly amazing performance.
Congratulations to Richard Smith and the Year 7-8 students on their performance, the result of much
dedication and hard work.
Library News: Bring and Buy Book Sale
Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Bring and Buy Book Sale organised by our Year 8 Library
Leaders – Dana Calvert, Rose Taylor, Sarah Hyslop and Frances Penetito. $340 was raised and our Library
Leaders will be personally delivering a cheque for this amount to Paraparaumu School for them to buy new
books after their school library was burnt down earlier this year.
Wellington City Mission Pack the Bus
Our Student Council is again support the Wellington City Mission Pack the Bus which will be coming to
Wadestown School on Tuesday 2 December at 11.00am. If you are able to donate any of the items listed
below please put them in the boxes in the Main School office foyer or the Side School corridor.
Christmas Items: Small Christmas cakes, jelly, Christmas mince pies (six packs), Christmas puddings, tinned
fruit, Christmas crackers, confectionary (lollies, candy canes, chocolate), tinned meat.
Toys (new toys only please and unwrapped): Lego, art equipment, educational books, beach/picnic/water toys,
puzzles, outdoor sports gear, board games.
Extras: Toiletries (for mums and dads), hair products, etc.
Let’s help to pack the bus full!
Road Safety Update – Side School
Now that the Side School classes are growing in numbers it is important that we manage the extra traffic in
Weld St as effectively as possible. It would be appreciated if the limited number of car parks in Weld St are
made available for parents of new children who may require a parent to accompany them into their
classroom. Thank you to all those parents who take part in the gate duty roster each day from 8.30-8.55am.
Your assistance is invaluable and very much appreciated.
Road Safety Update – Main School
Our road patrollers at the Main School are doing a fantastic job each morning and afternoon. Please
remember that it is very congested in Mairangi Road before and after school with traffic and pedestrians, so if
you are turning in any direction please take extreme care. With daylight saving and better weather to come
we are encouraging our older children in particular to walk to and from school where possible as this greatly
assists the traffic flow in Mairangi Road.
Arrival Times at School
We are noticing that some children at both sites are arriving at school as early as 8.00am. Teachers are not
always in their classrooms before 8.30am as it is an important time for work preparation prior to the school
day and often for attendance at required meetings. We would like to remind parents that the appropriate
time for children to arrive at school is between 8.30-8.50am.
Activity Fee Reminder
Individual student statements were emailed to all families on Friday 31 October. Thank you to all those
parents who have paid this year’s activity fees to date. A reminder that all activity fees for your child need to
be paid in full no later than Friday 6 December so that the office staff can process all transactions prior to the
end of the school year.
Gas Heaters for Sale
We have been having a spring clean of our storage bunker and have three Rinnai gas space heaters for sale in
good condition. Each heater has an accompanying manual including installation instructions. If you are
interested in viewing these heaters please contact the school office or email
Kind regards,
Sally Barrett
Principal
Term 4 Dates
Week 5
Monday 10 November
Tuesday 11 November
Thursday 13 November
Week 6
Week 7
Wednesday 19 November
Tuesday 25 November
Sunday 30 November
Week 8
Tuesday 2 December
Week 9
Week 10
Friday 5 December
Monday 8 December
Tuesday 9 December
Wednesday 10 December
Friday 12 December
Tuesday 16 December
Friday 19 December
Year 2 visit to Te Papa
Year 5-8 visit to Pipitea Marae
Year 4-8 Western Zone Athletic Sports, Newtown Park, 9.30am2.30pm
Preschool Information Morning at the Side School 9.30am-12.30pm
Year 4-8 Inter-Zone Athletic Sports, Newtown Park, 9.30am-2.30pm
Wadestown School Orchestra performing at the Children’s Concert in
the Botanic Garden Soundshell, 1.45pm
Year 3-4 visit to Pipitea Marae
Year 4-8 Regional Athletic Sports, Newtown Park, 9.30am-2.30pm
Wellington City Mission Pack the Bus, 11.00am
House Day at the Main School
Assembly to award netball and speech cups, 10.00am
Rap-unzel performance by NZ Playhouse, 9.00am
Year 7-8 Cultural and Sports Exchange with Carterton School
Year 8 Leavers Dinner, Main School hall, 6.00pm
End of year written reports sent home today
Board of Trustees meeting, Main School staffroom, 7.00pm
Final day of school for 2014, school closes at 12.30pm
Term Dates for 2015
rd
Term 1: Tuesday 3 February – Thursday 2nd April (School closed: Waitangi Day – Friday 6th February)
Term 2: Monday 20 April – Friday 3rd July (School closed: Teacher Only Day – Friday 29 May, Queen’s Birthday
– Monday 1 June)
Term 3: Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September
Term 4: Monday 12 October – Friday 18 December (School closed: Teacher Only Day – Friday 23 October,
Labour Day – Monday 26 October)
2015 School Camp Dates
Year 7-8 to Green Pastures, Wanganui, 16-20 March
Year 5-6 to Forest Lakes, Otaki, 4-8 May
PTA Update
The Story of Change
Thanks to Sally and the teachers for their patience and creativity in bringing together this year's school
production. The diversity of styles was both entertaining and endearing. We loved watching the children
take to the stage and have their opportunity to shine.
Main School tours
A reminder that we will run a tour from the "gum tree" (big tree at the top entrance to the main school at
Rose Street) at 7.00pm on Wednesday 26 November if that suits working parents (I have one taker so far).
This is just to familiarise yourself with the school layout and have a refreshment before the PTA meeting
(which you are welcome, but not obliged, to attend).
End of year presents
We will be continuing the tradition of seeking contributions from families to be pooled to purchase gifts to all
staff at the end of the year - this is a way of recognising the efforts of all the team members that make the
school operate. Further information will be distributed via the class coordinators shortly.
Next meeting
Wednesday 26 November, 7.30pm main school staffroom.
Kirsty Bennett and Katy Pearce
Co-Chairs
Wadestown PTA
Community Notices
Disclaimer: Please note that the inclusion of these notices does not necessarily imply endorsement by Wadestown School.
ARTrove art exhibition
Wadestown parents are warmly welcome to attend the 2014 ARTrove exhibition organised by Wadestown artists. The
exhibition is on at the Asteron Life foyer, corner of Bunny St and Featherston St. Opening night: Thursday 13 November
from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. Exhibition: Thursday 13 to 19 November, open weekdays 8am to 6pm. www.artrove.co.nz
Nanny/Babysitter:
Hi, my name is Ella Morrison, I’m 18 years old and am graduating from Samuel Marsden at the end of this year, and was
a Wadestown School student for seven years. I am currently looking for nannying/babysitting work, or even if you just
need a helping hand with the Christmas shopping over the summer holidays before heading down to University in
February. I love kids being the eldest of three, and have a lot of experience with looking after children, having babysat
for many Wadestown families over the years. I have a full license and car so I can drop and pick up if need be. I would
love the work so if you are interested my phone number is 027 747 1317 or 472 5055 and email address
[email protected] I can send you my CV or a reference if need be.
Dog Carer / House Sitter Wanted!
Teddy, Michael Brown's Yorkshire Terrier, is in need of a loving home during the Christmas / New Year period. Michael's
family is going somewhere that Teddy cannot go, and they would prefer not to put the teeny weeny Teddy into a
kennel. Many of the children and parents at Wadestown School know Teddy well. Please get in touch with Lily if you
are interested to take Teddy in, or if you can recommend a house sitter. Lily Brown, 021 121 0048.
Wellington Collegians Junior Cricket Club - Nursery Grade
Enrolments for the Wellington Collegians Junior Cricket Club Nursery Grade 2014/2015 season are open! A programme
for boys and girls year 0 or year 1 who are new to cricket, helping them gain the skills necessary to play formal matches
the following season. The one hour sessions are held at Anderson Park in the Botanic Garden’s 9-10am Saturday
mornings. Designed to be fun they consist of a short warm up, followed by a skills session (either batting, bowling,
fielding), finishing up with a quick game. Please register through: http://www.collegians.org/registration/registrationfor-2014-2015-season/
Spotlight on Seaview: Industry Open Day, Sunday 9th November 10am – 3pm
This is a free educational event for the whole family. If you are interested in recycling, manufacturing, fashion
or marine to name a few then check out the businesses that are doing free public tours for Spotlight on
Seaview. There is a prize pack worth over $2,000 to be won on the day and a colouring in competition for the
children that is attached, free rides on a double decker bus plus you can watch the Tape Art performers. For
more details of what is on visit www.seaviewbusiness.co.nz/spotlight
An Evening with Richard Taylor
Join Richard, Patron of The Neonatal Trust, at The Roxy Cinema, Miramar and see a make-up demonstration
while hearing about Weta Workshop’s 20 year journey. This is a unique opportunity to hear from the 2012
New Zealander of the Year and a multiple Academy Award winner (Visual effects, costume design and make
up). Live and silent auctions will take place on the night with proceeds going to The Neonatal Trust. Thursday
6 November, 5.30pm-8.30pm. For full details and to secure your tickets, visit:
http://www.neonataltrust.org.nz/speakerseries