Te iwi tahi tatou - We are one family.
Tēnā koutou, Konnichiwa, As-salāmu 'alaykum, Hola,
PRINCIPAL'S PĀNUI
16 December 2022
Dear Parents & Whānau,
And so we've finished for the year, farewelled some wonderful staff and our awesome group of Year 8 students, and wrapped things up for 2022.
See below for a round-up of the wonderful events we've had over the few weeks.
Thanks to all my staff for their time and effort in putting on these events, to the parents who helped out and attended, and to the students for giving it their all.
I would also like to thank the new Board of Trustees for their hard work and input over the last term and a half. We have some big tasks ahead of us in 2023, and we are looking forward to what comes next.
Wishing you a safe and relaxing break over the holidays,
Meri Kirihimete!
Toby Stokes
Principal
Don't forget to check out the school's Facebook Page which has the latest updates about what is going on at school.
|
|
|
Term dates for 2023
- Tuesday, 31 Jan - Year 7 & New Year 8 Interviews - details of how to book in for these will be emailed today. We have also sent out emails to those who are effected by this
- 1 Feb - Returning Year 8 Students ONLY
- Term 1: 2 Feb - 6 April
- Term 2: 24 April - 30 June
- Term 3: 17 July - 22 Sep
- Term 4: 9 Oct - 15 Dec
|
|
|
School Noticeboard
Could your family host an international student?
We have a number of international students looking for a welcoming host family. This is a great opportunity to share your home, culture and family life with another child.
See more details here https://www.swis.school.nz/international-students/
Here are some key points:
- The student would be in your home for two weeks - 6 to 25 March 2023 (dates tbc)
- A fee paid to families to cover costs (this will cover the costs incurred for food etc)
- All adults in the home undertake a police vetting process, and there is a house inspection undertaken by the school.
- International students must have either their own room or be sharing with a child of the same gender.
If you are interested, then please email Toby Stokes (principal@swis.school.nz). He is happy to answer any questions. See the testimonial below!
"Our family hosted students who visited SWIS from Japan in 2018 and 2019. We really enjoyed hosting a visitor and getting them to experience life as a teenager in Wellington. We got to be tourists in our own city as we showed them our favourite parks and cafes. It also connected us further with other families at SWIS as we communicated in a private group the activities we were doing with our students. For my oldest child it spurred an interest in studying Japanese and they are learning Japanese at High School. The programme that they visit through is really well organised and there is a lot of support available. I'm looking forward to hosting a student again in 2023."
SWIS is moving to KINDO!
From next year you will be able to pay for all school activities online using Kindo. Once registered, you will be able to pay for donations, trips, stationery etc. Kindo also acts as an online permission form, so you may be asked to sign your child up on Kindo for an activity that doesn’t have a cost attached. Register for Kindo here
Missing scooter
If anyone has seen or accidentally taken home a scooter like this picture, please get in touch with the office, no questions asked. The scooter went missing from near Rm13 on Monday 5 Dec. It has a name tag and the pattern on the foot pad isn't the same as in the photo, but was replaced with a Galaxy illustration in red pink and purple. Many thanks for your help and honesty.
Do you know of anyone still interested in enrolling at SWIS?
Ask them if they have sent in an enrolment form and if not, then pass on this newsletter to them. Here is the link to the online enrolment form.
Island Bay Festival 2023 - get involved!
Kia ora! The Island Bay Enhancement trust is looking at reinvigorating the festival for 2023 (including going plastic free!), and we'd love the community to be at the heart of that change. We are looking at combining the festival events to just one day on Sunday, 12 February. We would love to see as many locals involved as possible! Fill in this survey to register your interest!
|
|
|
School News
SWIS Prizegiving, Leavers' Dinner, EOTC & William Pike Challenge
It's been a big couple of weeks with all our students enjoying EOTC, as well as the usual rite of passage and end of year activities such as the Leavers' Dinner at Grand Century and the final William Pike Challenge tramp.
Congratulations to all our students who earned awards at our SWIS Prizegiving on Wednesday night. We're so proud of you all! We would also like to wish all our leavers well on your journey from SWIS! See some great photos of these events below.
Congratulations to our Regional Athletics Representatives!
Well done to Keir Stewart (Rm17) who came first place for Y7B High jump with a height of 1.44m, and to Faith Sola (Rm10) came in:
- First place for Y8G Discus with a distance of 34.91m.
- Fourth place for the Y8G vortex with a distance of 38.36m.
- Fourth place for Y8G Shotput with a distance of 9.20m.
Results can be found here. We're very proud of you!
Successful waterpolo finals!
We had 2 teams contesting finals with both teams winning their grades! SWIS Ika C grade 1/2 pool won 8-6 against Wellesley and SWIS Mako A grade full pool won 6-3 against Saint Francis de Sales. Congratulations to all our participants!
Rm 12 & 13 Story Writing Competition
Students were asked to write a 200 word story using every sentence type in Writers' Toolbox. The two classes then voted for a winner. Congratulations to Zola.
The Butterfly
The heroic butterfly, azure blue with sunflower yellow specks on its wings, perched on top of a gorgeous purple flower. Sucking the beautiful sweet nectar, it gazed around the sunny meadow.
'Mm', it thought,' This nectar is sublime'. While it fed, birds happily chirped and the sun glistened down on the meadow. It was a beautiful day.
Quickly, the butterfly flitted from flower to flower. Entranced by the lure of the lovely sweet nectar, it was in heaven. This was absolute bliss. From down on the ground it felt the full baking force of the sun. The sun shone down- blisteringly hot- but still the immensely brave butterfly persevered. It could not give up when it had already gotten this far. No it was not in this butterfly's nature to back down. Beautifully sweet, succulently juicy, like golden honey the nectar was worth the horrendous pain. Taking its time became its painful downfall. It should have been quick, just gotten it over with, but no. It took its time. This was a very very stupid decision. The baking hot sun struck one last fateful blow— the once courageous and perhaps foolhardy butterfly was now dead. A perfect day turned sour.
|
|
Waterpolo teams SWIS Ika and SWIS Mako - congrats!
|
|
|
|
Finally a huge thanks to all the students and parents who helped out at our SWIS Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. We really appreciate your time and are hugely grateful for the money you raised towards our new mural!
|
|
Wellington Judo Academy - December Holiday Programme
Monday 19 - Friday 23 December, 9am - 3pm.
Eligible: Kids 6-13 years. Experienced judoka, raw beginners and everything in between.
Students need to bring: Judogi and Belt, Food for the day, water bottle, rash top or extra tee shirt, medication as needed. We can loan dogi and belt for those who are new to judo.
Cost: 5 Days – $120, 4 Days – $100, 3 Days – $80, 2 Days – $60, 1 Day – $40
All subsequent family members get a $20 discount.
Contact info@wellingtonjudo.org.nz for further information
|
|
|
GREAT NEWS! Bigair Gym is holding its Annual Cheerleading Trials for next years 2023 teams! NZ Cheerleading is a mix of dance, gymnastics & tumbling. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find out more by signing up today via emailing wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz! Cheerleading is a rewarding individual & team sport that young people love and adore, and continue right through and into their teens, having a positive impact on their health and development. Your cheerleader will also create friendships that last a lifetime!
BIGAIR GYMS Drop & Shop December School Holiday Programme is running Mon 19th – Wed 21st December 2022! Full day and half day sessions are available. This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to keep active and to learn something new during the holidays! BIGAIR GYMS January Holiday Programme will run Mon 9th – 27th Jan 2023. Bookings will be open on Monday 28th Nov! Book through our online website: www.bigairgym.co.nz
|
|
|
|
|
