LBP Newsletter – Term 4, Week 7

Term 4, Week 7 – Friday 2 December 2022

Principal’s Chat

Kia ora Parents/Caregivers

My primary school didn’t go on school camp, luckily however Murrays Bay Intermediate did. We went to Snells Beach and Matamata for a week each year. Both were awesome experiences. Away from home, hanging out with your friends, doing some great activities and creating lasting memories. In fact I just have to look at my left index finger to remember the Snells Beach camp. When I was back home I was recreating the Kawau Island copper mine chimney out of circular pieces of wood and sliced my finger really really really well with a Stanley knife. The scar still reminds me of that trip today.

School camps provide an opportunity to disconnect from the online world, work on your social skills and deepen friendships, learn new things you might not experience at home or school, further develop your independence and get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors.

While visiting Tōtara and Kauri this week it was apparent just how much fun our students were having. The second they had finished eating, sharing adventures and achievements of the day, or hear what was coming next they were off. There was bouncing, sliding down the bank, sitting and talking, playing a variety of sports, hanging out – the sort of experiences you only get when away from home.

Our Kōwhai teachers and students enjoyed their own camp today. Setting their tents up in the hall, cooking on an open fire, enjoying the bush, having shared experiences with their friends. No matter your age it is the sort of experience that builds resilience, lets you explore creativity, work with others and enjoy the environment (very much like our school values).

To be fair school camps tend to be enjoyed by the parents just as much (usually more) than the children. We can’t do it without them. A special note of thanks to all of the parents who have helped us out this week. Thanks also to the teachers who gave up time at home with their own families to spend time with your children. 

Finally, I am excited to announce that we are making some changes to our camp structure starting in 2023. We have been very lucky to secure a week in Term 4 at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island. Going forward our Year 6 students will enjoy a week on the island each year sailing, fishing, kayaking, swimming and living with the local wekas. There is plenty to keep everyone occupied. We will share more details with our current Year 5 families before the end of this year.

Rob Hutton
Tumuaki/Principal

2022 Term Dates and What’s On

2023 Term Dates

To help you plan ahead for next year here are the school dates for 2023:

Term 1 2023: Tuesday 31 January – Thursday 6 April

Term 2 2023: Wednesday 26 April – Friday 30 June

Term 3 2023: Monday 17 July – Friday 22 September

Term 4 2023: Monday 9 October – Friday 15 December

There will be a Teacher Only Day on Monday 24 April and Friday 2 June.

Public Holidays 2023

Auckland Anniversary Day – Monday 30 January

Waitangi Day – Monday 6 February

Good Friday – Friday 7 April

ANZAC Day – Tuesday 25 April

King’s Birthday – Monday 5 June

Matariki – Friday 14 July

Labour Day – Monday 23 October

Welcome New Students

A warm welcome to our new students who have started at Long Bay Primary since our last Newsletter:

Angelo, Shai, Kristoff, Lincoln and Alaina

Seesaw App Update

There have been a number of improvements to the Seesaw app recently. If you have not updated your version recently please double check using the links below:

IOS App Store (Apple iPhone)

Google Play Store (Android Phones)

School Policies and Procedures

Our school Policies and Procedures have gone online.

We would like you all to be involved with our School Policies and Procedures. Each term there are a selected that you can check and review. We would like to hear your voice as part of this process. Information on how to access the site is listed below. 

https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/ 

Search our school – it is called Long Bay School on the website. Then use these login details:

Community username:  longbayprimary

Community password: beach

Once logged in, click on the top tab – current review. Each topic under review is in blue font. In each topic there is a green speech bubble, this is where you can send a message to the school with any feedback you have.

2023 Enrolment Applications

Any enrolment applications that are submitted after Wednesday 14 December 2022 are unable to be guaranteed a Tuesday 31 January 2023 start date. 

The Enrolments Officer will be in touch with you regarding your enrolment application as soon as possible after this date.

Important School Notices – Please Read

Bus Services on Last Day of Term

On the last day of school, Friday 16 December, the Okura school bus will depart at the earlier time of 12.30pm to coincide with the end of the school day. The Torbay bus will run at the usual afternoon time.

Lunch Orders

The last day for ordering lunch to be delivered to school is Wednesday 14 December. There will be no lunch orders delivered to school after this date. Lunch orders will re-open on Wednesday 8 February 2023.

Absence/Late to School

If your child is going to be absent from school, please submit an absence form either via the website or app to let us know. Alternatively, you can email admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz or call 09 473 6077, option 2. Absences need to be recorded correctly in order to avoid your child being marked as truant.

If your child is going to be late to school, they must call at the office window to collect a Late Pass before going to their classroom. This is to let us know that have safely arrived to school after the roll has been taken in the classroom.

Leaving School Early

If you need to collect your child prior to the school day ending, please sign them out at the office before collecting them from their classroom.

Hat Safety in Summer 

The damage done to children’s skin by UV rays contributes to skin cancer later on in life. Even when there are clouds in summer the UV index can remain high – see the diagram below from Tuesday this week. We want to protect all of our students from this as best we can. We have a policy in place for students to wear hats in Terms 1 and 4 to minimise this. You may have received an email this week if your child did not have a hat at school, to help them remember to pack a hat in their bags for school every day. Named too please for easy access.

Camp Photos

Holiday Dress-Up Day – 9 December

Music Concert – 13 December

Tuesday 13 December

School Hall, 12.00pm

Selected students of Mr Morgan and Mrs Thompson will be performing in a ‘What Happens at Christmas’ themed concert. Everyone welcome to attend.

November Numeracy Challenge

Room 11

Room 11 has been exploring contrasting colours and how they can create eye-catching art pieces. We used the medium of dye to create pop art based around the idea of a Kiwiana summer.

PTA News

Kelly Club

Friday 16 December – Term 4 Last day (early finish)
Kelly Club – Aftercare will be provided starting from 12.30pm until 3.00pm. Normal aftercare bookings must be made if a child will be staying after 3.00pm.

Bricks4Kidz

Bricks4Kidz will return next year! These sessions will be held in Room 7 afterschool on Mondays commencing from Monday 13 February 2023. For further information and to register your child, please visit www.bricks4kidz.co.nz

Community Events and Notices