LBP Newsletter – Term 4, Week 9

Term 4, Week 9 – Friday 8 December 2023

Principal’s Chat

Kia ora Parents/Caregivers

The graduation for our 2023 Year 6 class last night was a wonderful event. As things tend to be at this time of the year there were smiles and a few sad faces at what was to come for some of our students (and families) next Thursday as they bid farewell to Long Bay Primary for the last time. There were also many, many excited children. No sugar or food colouring was needed to hype them up for the disco afterwards I can assure you.

As each student came across the stage to receive their certificate some were nervous, others excited. There were handshakes, smiles, and a sense of a job well done. Looking out across the hall happy faces (and a fair few phones) looked back at us, memories were captured that will last a long time. I knew at that stage the staff members at Long Bay Primary have done a superb job for our students. What you give out in this game you usually get back, and last night all the time, effort, thought and hard work by the Long Bay Primary staff as a whole over the last six or nearly seven years came back in spades for our graduating group.

I mentioned my first teacher Mrs Crump at Murrays Bay Primary School and who would have thought there was another fellow Mrs Crump student sitting in the hall. Your first teacher is always special and quite a few years on I have no idea what I did in her class, only that she was the first person my parents trusted to care for me at school, and she was very warm, kind and patient to all of us. 

When your children get home tonight please tell them about your first teacher. You might only remember their name, or there could be a couple of things that flash back in your mind. I can still show you where Mrs Crump’s house used to be (almost directly outside the school). What else do you remember?

With six more sleeps in the school year to go we are excited for new opportunities that lie ahead. For most of us it will be here at Long Bay Primary, but for those who are leaving I wish you only the best for your future endeavours. Please do not be strangers, come back and say hello. This will always be your school and hopefully you take a part of it wherever you go in the future.

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei

Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain

Rob Hutton
Tumuaki/Principal 

Emergency Procedures

In light of the events of the last couple of weeks with threats made against schools we take safety very seriously. Should there be a threat made against the school we will follow the procedures we have in place which includes contacting the Police. We hold regular drills to ensure should this type of event occur all staff and students know what to do. We will keep you fully informed through our normal channels should the need arise.

2023 Term Dates and What’s On

Important School Reminders – Please Read

Absences

If your child/children are going to be absent from school, then you must let the Office and class teacher know.

Absences can be reported by calling the school on 09 473 6077, select option 1. Emailing the class teacher and admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz or through the school website ‘Report an Absence’.

All absences from school must have a reason so your child/children can be coded accordingly on their student record. Thank you for your co-operation.

Contact Details

If your personal contact or emergency contact details need updating, please email admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz It is very important that we have correct details on our student records.

Enrolment Information for 2024

We are planning for 2024 and what things will look like at Long Bay Primary. As part of our planning the number of students that will be here is the most important piece of information we have.

If you have a child turning 5 during 2024, or know of anyone else who has a child and wants them to come to Long Bay Primary next year, please email the Enrolments Officer at enrolments@longbayprimary.ac.nz
All in zone children are guaranteed a place. All enrolments will need to be received by Friday 8 December in order to process a Term 1 2024 start.

Anyone who knows their child is leaving Long Bay Primary at the end of the year (and they are not in Year 6) we would value hearing about this as well. It helps with understanding how to balance our classes for next year.

Out of Zone Enrolments for 2024

We are not taking any out of zone enrolments for 2024 due to roll growth within our zone. If you move out of zone during the year and have a sibling due to start school in 2024 they are not automatically guaranteed a place at Long Bay Primary due to zoning regulations.

Access via Ashley Reserve Walkway

For any students who would like easy access to the Ashley Reserve carpark please make your way along the walkway we have created. We hope this will assist to alleviate the traffic issues in Ralph Eagles Place so please encourage your children to use this walkway as an alternative to the drop-off/pick up zone. The gate is also open in the morning for students to arrive to school this way. 

Ashley Reserve Path Working Bee

Calling all enthusiastic people with a wheelbarrow, a hammer and are keen to help us with a small project. Please put a circle around Saturday 24 February 2024. We are going to enhance the path between the school and Ashley Reserve to make it more of an all weather access opportunity while we wait for a more permanent solution to be found.

Kindo – Last Date for Lunch Order Deliveries

The last day for order lunch orders via Kindo to be delivered to school is Wednesday 13 December.
Lunch order service will resume in Term 1 next year on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Year 6 Graduation Evening

Year 5 Camp 2024 Information

Save the Date – Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April 2024

Next year we have moved our Year 5 Camp forward to Term 1. There will be two camps in the same week (due to the large number of students in this year group). The first camp will run from Monday 8 April to Wednesday 10 April and the second from Wednesday 10 April to Friday 12 April. They will both be held at Kiwanis Lodge in Huia. We will be able to provide you with specific details about the camp your child will be attending next week.

Sports Buzz – Term 4, Week 9

Northern Bays Athletics Tournament
Last Tuesday a team of talented LBP athletes travelled to Kristin school to compete against 10 other schools in the Northern Bays Athletics Tournament. All of our students were outstanding and competed fiercely. Their efforts gave Long Bay Primary 2nd place on the day!

Junior School Athletics Day
On Wednesday our 5-7 year old students competed in the junior school athletics day. The sun shone (after an early downpour delayed the start), events were hotly contested and a lot of fun was had by all. Many thanks to all those parents who attended to support our young athletes, and to the Year 5 & 6 students who helped to run the day. 

PTA News

Thank you to all the parents/caregivers who responded to our call for new PTA members and came to our meeting on Tuesday night, with your support we are now able to ensure the PTA can continue in 2024 and we are planning a number of exciting events, each of which will be confirmed closer to the time:

Thanks again to the last of the fabulous sponsors at our recent Quiz Night.

NZ Uniforms

Kelly Club – Term 4

Kelly Club will be open on the last day of school (Thursday 14 December) from 12.30pm onwards. Please click on Kelly Club – Last day of term to make a booking.
The Kelly Club holiday programmes will commence on Friday 15 December.

Community Notices and Events