Tēnā Koutou, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Namaste, Ni sa bula, Noaia’e mauri, Fakalofa lahi atu, Kia Orana, Ni Hao, An Nyung Ha Sai Yo, Nay Ho, Hej, Hallo, Sawat Dee, Cześć, Goeie Dag, សួស្តី, Здравствуйте, Hola, Ola, 안녕하세요, Ayubowan, Vanakkam. Greetings to our school families.
Well, weather-wise, those weren’t quite the holidays we all hoped for! Now we’re diving into a busy Term 2, packed with exciting events: the Mini Gala, Year 6 Camp, Inter-School Netball and Soccer, SBS Matariki Celebrations and Public Holiday, Reports, and Parent Interviews. It’s a term full of rich learning, balanced with enrichment and fun.
Meanwhile, the educational landscape continues to shift as the Education Minister rolls out a series of announcements. For our school, many of these proposed changes align with practices we’ve had in place for some time. We’ve long delivered Structured Maths through the Prime programme and Structured Literacy in our Junior School via Little Learners. Just yesterday, a new statement announced that Financial Literacy will become mandatory in all schools—ironically, our Senior Classes are already in the midst of their Financial Literacy sessions!
As we approach the election season, we sincerely hope that the focus of media and policy announcements shifts toward where support is truly needed: helping students with learning, behavioural, and social challenges. The lack of access to specialist services—particularly here in the north of Auckland—is a pressing issue. From Educational Psychologists and Counsellors to specialist teachers, these vital roles are underfunded and overstretched, leaving schools struggling to support every child adequately.
Principals across the country are awaiting the upcoming budget announcements with bated breath. We remain hopeful that meaningful investment will be made to address these critical needs—so that every learner has the chance to succeed.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kathryn Ramel
Principal
Nau Mai, Haere Mai to our new students – we hope you enjoy your time with us!
Alex H, Nick H, Musika L, Quinn M, Theo W, Milly T, Mwaoto T, Lucas Z
School Diary
Week 2: 5th May – 9th May
- Mon 5.5 Nurture Group B, Boys Mentoring
- Fri 9.5 Pizza Day Fundraiser for Year 6 Camp, Kapa Haka Practice afternoon
Week 3: 12th May – 16th May
- Mon 12.5 Maria Gill author visit for Nikau block, Nurture Group A, Boys Mentoring
- Weds 14.5 Junior Literacy Information Evening (Details to follow)
- Fri 16.5 Full School Assembly 2:00pm Class Kauri 2, Pizza Day Fundraiser for Year 6 Camp
Week 4: 19th – 23rd May
- Mon 19.5 Nurture Group B, Boys Mentoring , Chess Have a Go Day (Year 3 and 4) 12.20-1.00pm, Chess Have a Go Day (Year 5 and 6) 1.45-2.40pm
- Fri 23.5 Inter School Netball (Yr 5 & 6 boys & girls), Pizza Day Fundraiser for Year 6 Camp, Kapa Haka afternoon
Heads up: MOE Sanctioned SBS Teacher Only Day, Friday 30 May (Week 5) – for Mahurangi College as well
This is the Friday before Kings Birthday weekend.
Mini Gala 2025
At SBS we really value camps. They build independence and self confidence. They strengthen friendships and build connections. They develop life skills and deep connections with nature…..and so much more. Each year our Year 6 students go to camp in the Tongariro National Park. They climb big heights, cave, white water raft, trek to waterfalls and most importantly, have fun in the snow. Memories for a life time. This comes at a cost, but we also believe that kids should learn how to budget for and earn money by holding their stalls at their Mini Gala, and as a school we get in behind them, because every dollar raised reduces the cost of camp to every student. We especially thank our Year 5 students, who host stalls alongside the Year 6’s, knowing that they too, will be helped next year.
Thank you to everyone who came and supported our Mini Gala today! $5,600 was raised (final small expenses being tidied up). That’s approximately $80 off the cost of Camp Tongariro for every Year 6 attending. We were proud of the event our kids organised, but also humbled at the way our community supports them to get to camp. Ngā mihi nui! (Photos available on our social media)
Structured Literacy Professional Development – Yr 4 – 6 teachers
Most of you will be aware that we have been running Structured Literacy across our Junior School for a number of years now. As part of the MOE’s evolving education policies, teachers at all primary levels are now required to train. All SBS Year 4 – 6 teachers will be out of the school receiving professional development in Structured Literacy next Weds 7 – Fri 9 May. This obviously involves a large number of relievers in our school, but all known to the students. We aren’t expecting too many disruptions, but wanted parents to know in advance what will be happening.
Screen Time – support information for parents
Managing screen time is a challenge for many whānau. It’s a delicate balance – digital devices are increasingly essential in navigating the modern world, but too much use can impact mental health and physical health.
Screen time refers to the total time someone spends using electronic devices with screens. The activities that tamariki can do during screen time include watching videos, playing games, and browsing the internet. A healthy lifestyle can include screen time.
There are many ways for you and your child to manage their screen use healthily.
Research shows that you can help your child manage their screen time in a healthy way by being a good role model, involving them in rule-making around screen time and by monitoring the content your child is watching to check its good quality.
Kids Health has some great resources to help parents make decisions about screen time in your home:
https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/screen-time/screen-time-tips-to-support-your-child-to-have-a-healthy-balance
Community Notices
Tutoring with Baywise
Limited Tutoring Slots Available for Term 2!
- Strengthen foundational skills
- Boost confidence
- Start the year on the right foot
Toukon Ryu Karate
Keeping in touch – communication is key
Keeping in touch is important. We need to be able to contact whānau quickly and efficiently. If you have changed address or contact details, please let us know asap, either via email admin@snellsbeach.school.nz, or by calling the school office 09 425 6058.
- Following our school Facebook page or Instagram
“Snells Beach School”, which operate as a digital newsletters. This is a great way to get quick updates and reminders. We post reminders and notices on Facebook – Instagram is more quick updates and snapshots of school life
- Downloading our School App
Simply download the “Skool Loop” app from either App Store or Play Store & select “Snells Beach School” from the drop down box to receive instant notifications & reminders. This is an effective way to get immediate notices – they will pop up direct to your phone. Mahurangi College use the same app which is useful – just use the drop down box to change schools.
- Subscribing to our school email database
Please email us admin@snellsbeach.school.nz to be added to the list. If you do not receive this newsletter via email on Friday afternoon, you are NOT in our database. All new families should have been added – please check. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- School Newsletters
We do not usually print newsletters – just the first one each term while people update their contact details if needed. They are emailed out or linked to our school Facebook page. School newsletters come out once a fortnight – teachers may send home additional class or team messages at other times.
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