Balmoral School Newsletter - 8 March 2024
Principal
Tēnā koutou i tēnei ahiahi
We have had a nice settled start to our school year, which has enabled us to hit the ground running. In the last four weeks we have had ākonga participate in 7 sporting events across our school including both intermediate and Year 5/6 tamaraki. Our sports coordinator has also established netball, flippaball, and basketball leagues.
Year 7 camp preparation is well underway and I look forward to hearing stories and tales from this week in the Waikato.
All these activities require a lot of organisation and time from school staff as well as the generous time offered by parents. I would like to acknowledge all these people who willingly give their time for our ākonga.
On Tuesday 12th March at 7:30pm our PTA is having its AGM in the school library. Our PTA is an important part of our school and help organise community events such as the Art Festival and the Summer Disco. They also raise funds to donate to the school. We are looking for new parents to join this group, so please come along next week.
Support from parents is vital for schools if they wish to offer a broad curriculum. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child", so please get involved.
Nāku noa
Malcolm
Works on Site: Eldon Road Gate Closed
On Monday, work begins on replacing the storm damage to our netball courts and extending the canopy in the primary school. This work is being funded by the MoE
Unfortunately, we have had to close Eldon Road Gate to separate the construction site from our school grounds. We hope this project will be completed by the end of the third week of term 2.
Before School Safety
I would like to emphasise the importance of adhering to the opening times for our Primary and Intermediate Schools. The Intermediate School opens at 8:15 am, while the Primary School opens at 8:30 am. Please could you to ensure that your child arrives at the school at the appropriate time, without exception.
Please note that our teachers and support staff are unavailable for supervision during this before-school period. They are either engaged in important meetings or preparing resources for the day's learning activities. Therefore, I expect that no children will arrive on the school grounds before the specified times unless they are supervised by our before-school care provider, Village Trust.
In the event that a child is found on the school grounds before the designated opening times, they will be directed to wait outside the school gate on Brixton Road.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Sickness: Health and Safety
As we prioritise our students' and staff's health and well-being, we kindly remind parents and guardians to keep children at home if they feel unwell. This measure not only helps in the child's speedy recovery but also prevents the spread of illness to others within our school community.
If a child is exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we urge families to keep them at home until they are symptom-free or have received a negative test result. By adhering to this guideline, we can collectively contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Teacher Stop Work Meeting
On Thursday, March 21st, our teachers will attend a Paid Union Meeting organized by NZEI Te Riu Roa. This is to advocate for fair recognition and pay equity for their professional expertise. The meeting will provide an opportunity for teachers to discuss how they can proceed towards this objective.
We request your cooperation in ensuring the safety of your child(ren).
We will have limited supervision available at school, but we encourage you to pick up your child(ren) by 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21st.
Further information will be provided through your child's teacher next week. Contact us for any questions or concerns.
Ākonga - Whānau - Kiako Conferences
A Celebration of Learning
Our child, parent, and Teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, 26th March, and Wednesday, 27th March, just before Easter.
These conferences allow every child to talk about their learning this year with parents and the teacher. The teacher supports the child with their explanation of learning and their goals for 2024. It is a celebration of learning
If parents wish to discuss their child's learning without the child present, please arrange a separate meeting with the teacher.
We will close the school on Wednesday, 27th March at 12:30 pm. Parents will be required to pick their children up from school. Thank you for supporting us with this early pickup, as it enables us to see all tamariki and their whānau over two days.
Information about how to book your conference will come out soon.
Ramadan Mubarak
As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, I'd like to extend warm greetings and best wishes to our Muslim students, staff, and families. Ramadan is a significant time of the year for Muslims around the world, marked by fasting, prayer, reflection, and community gatherings.
Ramadan, is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. It's not just about abstaining from food and drink; it's a time for spiritual growth, self-discipline, and empathy for those less fortunate. Beyond fasting, Ramadan encourages acts of charity, increased prayer, and strengthening bonds with family and friends..
As a school that values diversity and inclusivity, it is important to take the opportunity to learn more about Ramadan and extend our support and understanding to our Muslim whānau. Whether it's through joining in community iftars (breaking of the fast), offering words of encouragement, or simply showing kindness, let's embrace the spirit of Ramadan together.
To all observing Ramadan, may this month bring you peace, blessings, and spiritual fulfilment. Ramadan Mubarak!
Walking School Bus Co-ordinator
After 3 years of being the Balmoral WSB coordinator, I need to step down due to a change in circumstances. I have absolutely loved my time as the coordinator; it is a fun and rewarding role.
We are now seeking an enthusiastic new coordinator to take over the reins. The role doesn't take up much time, and the school and AT provide fantastic support.
If you have any interest in taking over the coordinator role, please reach out to me at amykcampbell@gmail.com
Before and After School Care
If you need childcare for Wednesday 27th March half day, please use the link to book in with The Village Square Trust, onsite.
The Village Square Trust will also be offering a programme from 8am – 5pm at Epsom Normal School if you require care for your child/children on Easter Tuesday, 2nd April 2024. Please click on the booking below:
Enrolmy | Epsom Normal Primary - Booking Calendar for ENPS Easter Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Eldon Road Gate Closed from Tonight
Due to ongoing construction work, I wish to inform you about an important update regarding access to our school premises. We have to replace part of our hard courts due to damage in last year's flood and extend our primary canopy.
Starting from 3:15 pm this Friday, March 8th, the Eldon Road pedestrian and vehicle gate will be closed to all traffic.
This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our tamariki. We want to ensure that construction and heavy-duty traffic remain separated from school traffic during this time.
While the Eldon Road gate will be closed, please be aware that the Brixton Road Gates and the St Albans gate will be open as usual. We kindly request that you use these gates for entry and exit purposes during the temporary closure of the Eldon Road gate.
Additionally, please note that no school patrol will be happening on Eldon Road during this period. We ask parents and guardians to exercise caution when navigating the school vicinity.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but the safety of our students remains our top priority. The Eldon Road gate will reopen in mid-May once the construction project is complete.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the school.
Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure a safe environment for our students.
Ngā mihi,
Malcolm Milner
Primary School News
News from Whānau Whetu
Whānau Whetu went to the Auckland Museum in Week 3. We went there because we were hoping to learn about Maori navigation to New Zealand. When we got on the bus, a few of our classmates were singing “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round”.
We finally got to the Museum. We got introduced to Karen and Ma, our educators and then we got sent up to the Imaginarium. We learned about old things that Māori used and saw a thousand years ago. Like a drill, some obsidian, and dinosaur bone. We all got to use the drills to put holes inside the planks that we had. It was super fun.
Writer: Blake
Editor: Victoria
12A2
Mitey in Whānau Whetu
In Whetu we have been learning about respect. We thought that respect meant helping people or filling people's buckets to make them feel good, which will also make us feel good as well. In our hub, we drew pictures of what we thought respect looked like. I drew a picture of me giving a present to someone special to me. It might mean that you help someone, or are asking them to play, or looking after our school and classroom. We can show respect when we are at school by helping each other.
Isobel Sutherland and Lucy Nelson.
Eden Albert Swimming
The Eden/Albert Swim Team had a superb day out at the end of last month! Starting the morning off with individual races, all of our swimmers put a great effort into their events and swam to the best of their abilities. We were lucky enough to have swimmers enter almost every race, with a few fabulous people getting through to the finals too. Towards the end of the event, our swimmers collected as a team to take part in the relay races too!
Overall, with an accumulation of all of the points gained individually and during the relay races, Balmoral School came 3rd in the competition! Although not the only highlight of the day, a super achievement all round and a great representation of the hard work all of our swimmers put in. Great job!
Intermediate School News
Swimming Sports
After two weather delays, Wednesday was a beautiful day for our swimming sports competition. It was impressive to see so many children taking part, particularly from Year 7, many house points were gained from all those who participated. Congratulations to all our winners, we look forward to the Central Zone competition.
| 50m Freestyle | |||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Yr7G | Marina Devcich | Edie Moffett | Nina Kayes |
| Yr7B | Rory Loftwood | Oliver Hibbert | Harry Culpan-Hammon |
| Yr8G | Emma Snow | Jessica Whitby | Samara Rust |
| Yr8B | Ryder Collins | Marshall Logan | Zach Winstanley |
| 50m Backstroke | |||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Yr7G | Kate Rosser | Elise Greenwell | Charlotte Walmsley |
| Yr7B | Rory Loftwood | Haroop Benipal | Oliver Hibbert |
| Yr8G | Elizabeth Fenn | Jacoba Wightman | Amara Rowe |
| Yr8B | Ryder Collins | Dom Woodhouse | Leo Cairncross |
| 50m Butterfly | |||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Yr7G | |||
| Yr7B | Rory Loftwood | Joel Compton | |
| Yr8G | Jessica Whitby | Amara Rowe | Elizabeth Fenn |
| Yr8B | Zach Winstanley | Leo Cairncross | Isaac Fraser |
| 50m Breastroke | |||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Yr7G | Marina Devcich | Amara Bruns | Nina Kayes |
| Yr7B | Haroop Benipal | Tomas Woodruffe-Creegan | Harry Culpan-Hammon |
| Yr8G | Indie Boyce | Emma Snow | Jessica Whitby |
| Yr8B | Ryder Collins | Xavier Mannering | Aaron Liu |
| 100m Freestyle | |||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| Yr7G | Marina Devcich | Nina Kayes | Georgia Kiliuyi |
| Yr7B | Rory Loftwood | Oliver Hibbert | Harry Culpan-Hammon |
| Yr8G | Jessica Whitby | Amara Rowe | Elizabeth Fenn |
| Yr8B | Ryder Collins | Boston Franklin | Zach |
Hub 3 Inquiry
In Hub 3 we are learning all about our community. To start we decided to learn more about each other, so found out where we are all from and charted it on a map. As you can see from the photo, we come from many different places all over the world. From here we discussed who else makes up our community, what their roles and what ours are too. We look forward to exploring more about our community as the term goes on.
By Divija and Maribel
Sports Leagues
Basketball
We have had a great start to the new Central Hoops Basketball League at Auckland Grammar School. We had a fantastic response and managed to enter 6 teams into the competition, two Year 5/6 teams and four Year 7/8 teams.
All our teams enjoyed their first games and it was great to have so many kids on the court participating.
Our Balmoral Blazers, in the competitive league, came away with a win for their first game 37/25 Balmoral Blazers vs Kowhai Gold. A great start to the season.
Community News
