Balmoral School Newsletter - 1 August 2025
Te Tumuaki / Principal
Kia ora e te whānau
A few thoughts after Tamariki -Whānau- Kiako Conferences
Before our recent Tamariki-Whānau-Kaiako Conferences, I had been reflecting on what it truly means for a child to learn and thrive. After over 35 years in education, I am more convinced than ever that every child's learning journey is unique. They do not all learn in the same way or at the same pace, and our role is to honour that individuality.
This core belief feels especially important right now, as it stands in contrast to a simplified view we are hearing promoted at a national level—the idea that every child learns to read in the same way.
To counter this narrow viewpoint, I was heartened by a recent interview with our homegrown talent, Professor Welby Ings, on TVNZ. He challenges the notion that intelligence is limited to just reading, writing, or mathematics. He encourages us to think more broadly about what it means to be intelligent, highlighting vital life skills like diplomacy, curiosity, persuasion, and collaboration. These are just as crucial as literacy and numeracy for navigating today's world.
Professor Ings also reminds us that fear-based education policies, which can suggest schools are failing, create unnecessary anxiety. In contrast, an inclusive and collaborative approach allows all students to flourish.
There are times when our system frequently overlooks incredible abilities in creative problem-solving and seeing the world differently, simply because we measure learning too narrowly. This helps explain why some tamariki who struggle in schooling go on to achieve remarkable things later in life—their unique strengths weren't recognised in the moment.
As a school community, our commitment is to help every learner feel seen, valued, and supported in their unique journey. Together, we must continue to nurture the full range of skills our tamariki need to succeed in a complex, ever-changing world.
I strongly encourage you to watch the Interview with Professor Ings. It is an insightful and affirming perspective on the incredible potential within all our tamariki / children.
You can watch it here: Link to the Interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZPO7Vs8JTs
Ngā mihi
Malcolm
Note: We had 650 learning conversations with parents over the two days. The staff and your children appreciate you making the time to meet to discuss their learning. It does make a difference and shows your child that education is important. If you were unable to meet your child's teacher, please email the office to arrange another meeting.
School Board Elections
(5 Days left to get your nomination in)
In September, we are holding our school board elections. Kyle MacDonald, our Presiding Member, and Sarah Jack (Deputy PM) are available to talk to anyone interested in standing. They are also available to discuss questions regarding the Board, such as time commitment, skills, and attitudes.
Sonya Singh, a previous Board member who served for ten years on our Board and nearly nine as our chair, is also available to talk to. She has extensive knowledge of school governance.
Contact details
Kyle MacDonald: kyle@psychotherapy.nz
Sarah Jack: sarah.c.jack@gmail.com
Sonya Singh: Sonyaboardelection@balmoral.school.nz
Board Elections: Parent & Staff Election Timetable
This year, our election will be held online. Please ensure your email addresses are up to date to enable you to participate.
On Wednesday, August 20th, we are holding a "Meet the Candidates" Meeting at school. Each candidate will have the opportunity to talk for 3 minutes maximum. After this, the audience will have the chance to ask questions. Sonya Singh will chair this meeting. Please put it in your diary now.
Election Stage | Date |
Nominations Close | 12 noon on Wednesday, 6th August (5 days to go) |
Voting Papers Issued | Wednesday 13th August |
Meet the Candidates Evening | Wednesday 20th August 7:00 pm (School Auditorium) |
Election Day | Wednesday 10th September |
Close Poll | 4pm on Wednesday 10th September |
Count Votes & Declare Results | Tuesday 16th September |
Board Takes Office | Wednesday 17th September |
Teachers Paid Union Meeting 20th August @ 12:30 pm.
On August 20th, from 1 pm, most of our teaching staff will be off-site at a Paid Union Meeting (PUM). The purpose of this meeting is for teachers to discuss the government's pay offer and the future of their collective agreement negotiations.
This pay offer comes after the recent government cancellation of the long-awaited pay equity process. Teachers have been offered a pay increase of 1% per year for the next three years. This offer falls significantly below the current high inflation rate, and the offer has created a great deal of concern and disappointment among teachers and principals.
We understand that this PUM will cause disruption and can be inconvenient for families. We sincerely thank you for your cooperation and understanding as our teachers take part in this important industrial process.
You should make alternative arrangements for your child on Wednesday 20th August from 12:30 pm.
Further information will follow.
Safety at the School Gate
We have an urgent request regarding the dangerous driving we are witnessing outside our school. Behaviours like U-turns, double parking, parking on yellow lines, and calling children across the road are putting our tamariki at serious risk.
Our staff work hard to supervise the crossings on Brixton and Eldon Roads, but it's disheartening to see these unsafe choices being made in front of us by adults. Last week, traffic officers were on-site and ticketed several parents for these very offences.
Remember the poor example this behaviour sets for our children, who learn from our actions. They do not perceive traffic dangers as adults do.
For the safety of every child, these behaviours need to change immediately.
Please:
Use the supervised crossing at all times.
Park away from the school and walk to the gate. A little walk makes a huge difference.
Be the responsible adult our tamariki need you to be.
Let's work together to ensure everyone gets home safely each night.
Walking School Bus Meeting
Set a good example… walk to school!
Why not walk to or from school with your child? It’s the perfect
opportunity to teach your child road safety skills and it is good for family fitness.
Walking is Fun, Free, Fast and Enviro-Friendly
For more information on the Walking School Bus programme, swing by for a meeting to find out more about how easy it is to join or kickstart a WSB at Balmoral School.
FROM: 2.50-3.15pm, Tuesday 5 August 2025
WHERE: Rangitoto Room (next to the school office)
If you can’t make it to the meeting, email Delia.Matthias@at.govt.nz for further information.
Attendance at Balmoral School Term 2 2025
The Government's target is 80% regular attendance by 2030 – we are tracking in the right direction
Overall Attendance
75% of our students attended school regularly (i.e. more than 90% of the term). This is an improvement from 70% in Term 2, 2024.
Patterns of Absence
Most absences were due to illness: 66% of all absences were for medical reasons.
Holidays during term time were the second most significant reason: 23% of absences were due to holidays.
If no students had taken holidays during Term 2, our regular attendance rate would have jumped from 75% to 83%, exceeding the 2030 national target.
LIBRARY NEWS: Stacy Gregg Author
Celebrated NZ author Stacy Gregg visited Balmoral School last week to introduce her latest novel 'The Last Journey'. She discussed the Auckland floods, watching her cat join into a new neighbourhood and inspiring her writing, and even how to spell Ngāruawāhia. Supported by Dorothy Butler's Children's Bookshop, Stacy stayed to chat to students and sign copies of her book. If you'd like to purchase the book from Dorothy Butler, please click the link below.
Primary School News
News from Whānau Mahira
100 day party
There was much excitement in Year 2 last Friday when we celebrated 100 days of school! Mahira was busy in the Hub creating 100 day crowns, writing numbers to a 100, writing 100 words, and creating our bunting.
Exploring ice
The children have continued to show an interest in exploring water in all its forms including ice. We have been doing lots of close looking and discussing what we see. Henry took a beautiful photo of the blue ice.
Assembly
We put together a play to recreate our inquiry trip to Western Springs in Term 2. We thought this would be an opportunity to explore dance and movement with the children. We decided to introduce the basic elements of dance first. For example, moving from high to low, facial expressions, communication through movement, and pathways (not bumping into each other). It was great to see so many parents at the performance.
Fractions
We are learning that the word ‘fract’, means to break, and we have been breaking up many things to create fractions. We are learning that two numbers make up a fraction, and as one child said “you can make a fraction out of anything!”
Intermediate School News
Cross Country Finals
After a crazy weather week, we were so happy to see the sunshine today for our cross country final. Congratulations to everyone who trained hard, and challenged themselves to run as far and fast as they can.
Well done to our winners!
Year 7 Girls: | Year 7 Boys |
1st Summer 2nd Grace A 3rd= Lucy N + Emi | 1st Flynn 2nd Henry 3rd Beau F |
Year 8 Girls | Year 8 Boys |
1st Lucy H 2nd Elise 3rd Amara | 1st Ollie H 2nd Oscar L 3rd Tomas |
Sports Leagues
Community News
Mt Roskill Grammar School
Important information for Out of Zone Families
- Will you be applying to Mt Roskill Grammar School for 2026?
- Do you have a child at MRGS now?
- Did a sibling or parent go to MRGS?
- Do you live outside the MRGS School Zone?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, it is very important that you get your application in by the Out of Zone deadline at 4.00pm on Wednesday 27 August so your child can be included in the Ballot. Even if you have a child already at MRGS or someone else in your family went to MRGS, you must still apply by Wednesday 27 August.
Applications received after Wednesday 27 August will be considered late and will not be included in the Ballot.
You can submit an application online at: https://www.mrgs.school.nz/how-to-enrol/ or you can collect a printed form at Reception in the Administration Building, Gate 2, Frost Rd.
We are very happy to answer any questions you may have about enrolling your child, so please feel free to email admin@mrgs.school.nz or call us on 621 0050 extn 0.