Balmoral School Newsletter - 13 December 2024

Upcoming Events

Message from our Library

Library books should be returned (NOW) to the Library.  We also have a tub in the Office Foyer.

In Week 10 tamariki may borrow for the summer when they have returned all their other books.  We ask Year 0 to 2 come with whanau after school to do this.  We are here until 3.30 .  Of course, we welcome the older children then as well, but they can borrow by themselves during the day.  All Summer books are due back on the first day of school next year.  If lots come home, we recommend laying them out on the floor, and taking a photo.

Also highly recommended is using our Auckland Public Libraries. Here's a link to their Summer Reading Programme 

https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Pages/school-holidays.aspx

Te Tumuaki / Principal

Kia ora e te whānau

This is our last newsletter for the year, and it is an excellent time to reflect on our year.  

The tamariki had a very exciting year, from learning a lot about our school orchard and the necessity of seeing it as a taonga to setting up a business and trying to make a profit during a cost-of-living crisis. They thoughtfully considered their values and had many wonderings in P4C. Tamariki have had the opportunity to attend school camps, school tramps, prizegivings, Te Ra Tuku Tohu, trade Woolworth cards, go on outdoor education activities, picnics, performances, dances/discos, and cultural and sports festivals. They have expressed their creativity in musical performances, at the art festival and as a legacy project. We celebrated our students' writing in the student newspaper Kawepūrongo. They have told stories, laughed and cried. With all this richness in their school life, our student achievement against national norms continues to be above the NZ average.

In our teaching professional learning life, we continued working alongside the local schools in the Mt. Albert Kahui Ako. We worked with Massey University on our mathematics curriculum for the fourth year. Literacy development with Dr Murray Gadd continued; all the teachers from Years 0 to 4 attended professional development in Structured Literacy, and our staff mapped this area against the Scarborough Reading Rope. In behaviour management, we implemented a Restorative approach to solving playground problems, and all staff members were trained to have these types of conversations. Staff had further professional development in Philosophy for Children. Staff have continued tertiary study and participated in numerous online night courses, from learning Te Reo to understanding leadership. Our staff used their professional expertise to run mathematics, beginning school, and P4C information sessions.

Our community support was invaluable this year. From parents volunteering at our fundraisers to donating essential supplies, your generosity significantly impacts our community, especially the tamariki. The parents who have come on trips, attended parent information evenings, read newsletters, been on camps, and taken sports teams have meant numerous children have been able to access and experience various activities here, and you have helped improve learning.

Our wonderful PTA has organised events that raise money for the school and build a sense of community. Our Board of Trustees continued to build on its strengths in governance, and as a teaching team, we felt supported by it. 

Our pupils continue to impress us with their open-mindedness and willingness to try new things. Whenever visitors visit our school, they always comment on our pupils' knowledge, sense of ownership and the expression of good school values.  

Now is the time for all of us to rest and spend time with our whānau and friends. For me, this will also involve reading a good book, riding my bike, and maybe a few swims in the sea.

I wish all our community's ākonga, whānau and staff all the best for the summer break.  

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou. 

Ngā mihi

Malcolm

Reminder: Support the Arts in our Schools

To advocate for reinstating the 'Creative in Schools Projects,' please sign the online petition: [Link to Petition]. This campaign features a Balmoral School collaborative artwork.

NZ Modern School of Music Distinction

We have received the results for the NZMSM Theory exams on the 2nd of November, 2024.
Five students from Balmoral Intermediate School sat their Grade 2 Theory Exam.

Congratulations to all of them on securing a Distinction mark.

Leo Cairncross 100%
Kate Rosser 99%
Emma Steel & Zoey Pearson 98%
Susie Pham 97.5%

After-School Care Booking Link

Below is an early finish link for parents to enrol for the 20^th of December if you cannot pick your child up at 1 pm.

School Property

My apologies for the delay in opening the Eldon Road Gate. First, we were derailed in completion due to supply issues with the corrugated iron supplier. This week's delays have been caused by Auckland City's internal organisation and the Council's inability to respond. Trying to talk to someone to resolve this issue has been highly problematic. 

We are still negotiating with MoE Insurance regarding the July flooding repairs to Hub 14. At this late stage, I don't believe we will have this Hub repaired in time for the start of the 2025 academic year.

The MoE informed me last Friday that the lift repair project will not happen this summer due to the late arrival of the replacement lifts in the country. 

On a brighter note, the pool project is on time. The site office is established, the temporary fence on the field is in place, and the pool cover has been installed. 

2025 Planning Update and School Closed for Curriculum Workshop 14 March

We will hold our first mathematics in the New Zealand Curriculum Day on Friday 14th March. Balmoral School will be closed on this day. 

Primary School News

News from Whānau Mahira

2024 is fast coming to a close in Hub 10. Excitement is building as children (and teachers) think about holidays and time to do other things. It is good to reflect on the learning and fun we have had in Hub 10 this year. Play continues to be the driving force of the children’s world. This term it has been wonderful to stand back and watch as the children know exactly what they want to do in their play. They are so familiar with resources available to them in the Hub. The relationships they have built over the year means we have evolving groups of children in any one place in the Hub. Children arrive in the morning, check in at our Question Board and go straight to where they want to be playing until 9:00am. We have had a core group of children who have loved soccer and cricket all year and lately it has been great to observe their increased ability to work as a team, negotiating rules and being inclusive of each other. 

Our Inquiries have gone 3 different ways this term - bones, mushrooms and whales. We have all enjoyed meandering along different pathways, while being able to share aspects of the Inquiries across the Hub. In each Inquiry the children continue to surprise teachers with their thirst for knowledge and ability to make links across many aspects of their lives. We have had visits from a vet, Project Jonah and a Gut Health educator.. 

During the year we enjoyed 3 trips. Maungawhaua and Highwic House complemented our Inquiry learning. On each trip the children showed interest and curiosity about their surroundings. It was wonderful to have so many parent helpers who could engage with the children on these trips. Our final trip was last week to Cornwall Park for our annual picnic. The children ran, climbed, flew gliders, chased bubbles, read books in the shade of trees, did some of the activities on offer and played with friends. Some children spent hours building bases and huts from twigs and sticks they found lying on the ground. What a great day! What a great year which has ended with our fun athletics morning this week!

Cornwall Park

Last Friday, we held our annual picnic at the park. It always surprises me when the year rolls around again, but it such a wonderful way to mark the end of the year. As always, the children had so much fun and were able to keep themselves busy all day whether building huts, climbing trees, playing a huge game of manhunt,  cricket or taking part in a huge battle of tug of war! A huge thank you to the teachers for all of the organisation that goes on behind the scenes to make such a large event happen. And huge thanks also to the whānau that helped out on the day - we couldn't run the event without you.

Ngā mihi nui 

Intermediate School News

Our Celebration of Learning 2024

Sportsman of the Year

It is with great pride that we announce the Sportsman of the Year for 2024. He has been extraordinary in every sense, embodying exceptional behaviour, unwavering respect, and diligence both on and off the field. He is a versatile athlete, excelling in Basketball, Futsal, Football, Cricket, Squash, Tennis, Chess and the list goes on... – a testament to his passion and commitment to sport. We admire his holistic approach, blending talent, humility, and determination, making him a true inspiration to his peers. Congratulations to our sportsman of the year, Isaac Fraser.

Sportswoman of the Year

We are thrilled to present the Sportswoman of the Year for 2024 – She is a remarkable individual, known for her extraordinary behaviour, helpful nature, and exceptional sense of responsibility and agency. A passionate athlete, she excels in a wide array of sports, from athletics and cross-country to team games like netball, basketball, rugby, and  Ki o Rahi. Her enthusiasm for sport knows no bounds – she is always ready to step onto the court or field, whether in girls' teams or mixed teams, showcasing her adaptability and team spirit. Her holistic approach to sport, combining talent, dedication, and joy, makes her a shining example for all. Congratulations to our sportswomen of the year, Sienna Bing.

Maths Prize

The winner of the maths prize for this year is a deep thinker who relishes having his ideas challenged, and thrives on discovering new knowledge about how maths, and the world, works. He can question, explain, justify and make conjectures about mathematical concepts. He is fascinated with finding how he made a mistake, and figuring out what he would do differently. He challenged himself with Otago Maths, and pushed his team to the bitter end at Mathex. Congratulations to the winner of the maths prize, George Kirk-Smith.

English Prize

The winner of the English prize for this year is able to conjure pictures in her reader’s head by skilled use of detail, an elaborate vocabulary and a strong, clear personal voice as a writer. She uses her dogged, tenacious research skills to produce carefully crafted analytical pieces whose thoughtfulness belies her age. She is able to think critically about texts she reads, and ask questions of them. Congratulations to the winner of the English prize, Amara Shah.

Balmoral Cup

It has been a really tough decision this year with so many amazing young people to choose from. There were 5 other finalists that need a special mention: Joe Rodgers, Eva Cotter-Hammond, Leo Cairncross, Blake Spalding and Hazel McCormish. They are all unique individuals but share similar traits that put them in contention for the Cup. A strong and ever-present work ethic, kindness, humour, willingness to give things a go, and a deep curiosity about the world.

A true embodiment of Balmoral's values, this year's Balmoral Cup winner has been a role model since their first day in Intermediate. From her unwavering dedication to catching rats in our school grounds to her supportive presence in the classroom, she has consistently shown Manaaki (respect) to herself, others and the environment. Her fairness, honesty, and reliability in everything she does exemplify Mana Tu (integrity), while her inclusive spirit, as seen through her roles as an Open Day tour guide, science roadshow helper, house captain, a member of the legacy project team and Year 8 social organiser, embodies Tō tātau (inclusiveness). Her perseverance in the classroom and dedication to running club, piano lessons and the bands are a testament to her Manawaroa (resilience). 

She understands the importance of commitment and has proven this through her involvement in Kawepūrongo, Tiwaiwaka, Kaiawa, the choir, as a librarian, and when fulfilling her road warden duties. This year, she has also represented Balmoral at Swimming and Cross Country. By seizing every opportunity Intermediate has offered, she has set a remarkable example for her peers. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and excited to see what the future holds.

Congratulations to the Balmoral Cup winner for 2024, Fern Orr.

Badminton

Eleven students attended the Central Zone Badminton tournament in Term 4. The Year 8 girls team consisted of Elsa, Naysa and Jana. Year 8 boys were represented by Ethan. The Year 7 girls team were  Kenuli, Adnan and Divija. Our Year 7 boys team were Daniel, Tomas, Cyrus and Kiran.

The day was exciting but hectic with approximately thirty rounds across twelve courts. Our Balmoral team equipped themselves superbly, with brilliant achievements in the Year 7 boys group - Daniel coming 2nd in the singles comp and Kenuli tying for 3rd in the girls singles comp. All players represented their school with pride. They showed a tonne of resilience and stamina.

It’s been wonderful to see badminton grow in the school this year, with Elsa and her crew running a regular Friday lunchtime club with the support of Teacher Heidi.

Hub 2's Tuckshop

This week Hub 2 have been cooking up a storm for their very successful tuckshop. You can read more about this in next week's Kawepūrongo, the final issue for this year.

Community News

Basketball Skill Sessions - Term 1, 2025

We are pleased to continue our relationship with Central Auckland Silverbacks in Term 1 2025. 

These sessions are run separately to our school league and directly by Central Auckland Silverbacks. We are pleased to offer our school gym to facilitate these sessions.

Please sign up using the link  below or by scanning the QR code in the flyer.

For any queries, please contact brooke@acb.nz

Registration link: https://membership.mygameday.app/regoform.cgi?formID=116992

Central Auckland Silverbacks Basketball Club 

🏀 Sunday Skills Sessions 🏀

👉 These sessions run for 8 weeks all four school terms.

👉 They cater to anyone looking to learn the basic fundamentals of basketball. 

👉 Age groups for these sessions are 10U/12U at 10am - 11:15am. Followed by 14U/16U at 11:15am - 12:30pm.

👉 This is where you build your skill base and knowledge of basketball to be able to play the game at an enjoyable level. 

🏀 School Holidays Camps 🏀

👉 Central Auckland Silverbacks Holiday Camp. U10/U12/U14. 

Catered for our juniors and open to players at any skill level. 

👉 Auckland City Basketball True Elite Camp. U14/U16/U18.

Catered for players who are older and have a more advanced skill set. 

Our social media accounts are active and where you will be able to access any information and offerings. 

Central Auckland Silverbacks Facebook

Central Auckland Silverbacks Instagram

Auckland City Basketball Facebook Page

Auckland City Basketball Instagram 

Please let me know if you have any questions about the above. Enjoy the holiday break. 

Mauri ora,