Newsletter 30 October 2026

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.

Our Board of Trustees are currently focussed on their Strategic Planning for 2027 and beyond. As a state school, we have a number of requirements to meet from the Ministry of Education (MOE), but we also place huge value on the voices of our SBS Crew and SBS Whānau. By bringing these perspectives together, we can build a much clearer picture of what matters most to our community and where we should focus our efforts moving forward. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts – look out for an email today, or a paper copy coming home next week.

Testing has begun across most year levels this week and will continue over the coming weeks. With changing requirements from the MOE, your child may well have found themselves trying something new. All tests are designed with a range of difficulty levels, so some questions will feel easy, while others will definitely be a challenge (and some may even be too hard!). That’s all part of the process. We always approach testing in a fairly low-key way with the children, and all assessments are age appropriate. That being said, it’s been lovely to have events such as Middle School Swimming, the Book Parade and Inter-School Swimming to break things up, lighten the load and inject a bit of fun into our days.

Lastly, keep an eye on the important dates and school diary so you don’t miss anything in what is shaping up to be a very busy Term 4!

Ngā mihi,

Kathryn Ramel

Principal

Key Term 4 Dates

• Fri 6/11 Mahurangi College Orientation Day (9.00-1.00) Year 6’s
• Fri 13/11 Teacher Only Day (same as Mahurangi College)
• Wed  18/11 Walkathon
• Wed  25/11- Fri 27/11 YEAR 5 CAMP
• Fri 4/12  Junior Christmas Concert (am), Evening Carols in the Courtyard (inc Kapa Haka and Yr 3 – 6 Carols Choir)
• Fri 11/12 Awards Ceremony (morning, whole school) & Prizegiving (afternoon, inc Year 6 Graduation Certificates)
• Tues 15/12 Graduation Evening Year 6s 
• Wed 16/12  Last day 2026! Finish 12:30pm

School Diary

Week 4: Mon 2 Nov- Fri 6 Nov

• Mon 2/11 Carol Choir with Lou Perkins- 2pm in the hall, Kowhai 2 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm
• Tues 3/11 Year 3 Swimming, Jump Jam Practice, Hall 1.00-1.45
• Wed 4/11 Year 5 Nikau 2 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm, Jump Jam Practice, Hall 1.00-1.45
• Thurs 5/11 Year 4 Swimming, Nikau 1 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm, Jump Jam Practice, Hall 1.00-1.45
• Fri 6/11 Mahu College Orientation Day (9.00-1.00) Year 6’s

Week 5: Mon 9 Nov- Fri 13 Nov

• Mon 09/11 Carol Choir with Lou Perkins – 2pm, Year 5 Camp Draw 2:00pm (with carols choir), Nikau 2 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm
• Tues 10/11 Year 3 Swimming
• Wed 11/11  Kowhai 2 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm, Year 6 Watercare Education Programme
• Thurs 12/11 Year 4 Swimming, Nikau 1 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm, Year 6 Watercare Education Programme
• Fri 13/11 Teacher Only Day (same as Mahu)

Week 6: Mon 16 Nov-Fri 20 Nov

• Mon 16/11 Mihi Whakatau in Rimu 1 @ 9.05am (only for the newbies), Carol Choir with Lou Perkins – 2pm in the hall, Nikau 2 to Mahurangi East library 11:30-12:45pm
• Tues 17/11 Year 3 Swimming, Trees for Survival Seedling Planting – Pūriri 1 @ SBS.  9.00-1.00pm
• Wed  18/11 Walkathon
• Thurs 19/11 Year 4 Swimming
• Fri 20/11 Firewise Wendy House Visit , School Assembly 2pm with Rimu 1 and 2 presenting

Welcome to the newest members of our SBS Whānau – we hope you enjoy your time at our school!

Sasha M

Hats Please – a Reminder for Parents

We have far too many students who are still coming to school without hats. We will be restricting students from going outside in the playtimes if they don’t have one. If your child does need a new hat, you don’t need to come in – simply pay online ($17.50), email or phone the office to let us know, and we will ensure they receive it. All hats are named when they leave the office, but remember to check – with wear and tear this can fade. 

Strategic Planning for 2027 and Beyond

The Snells Beach School Board of Trustees is keen to work in partnership with our SBS Whānau to help shape the school’s strategic direction for 2027 and beyond. We are aiming for 100% parent and caregiver participation, as we value every voice and want to ensure our future planning reflects the aspirations and priorities of our whole school community.

This afternoon, all parents and caregivers will receive a link to a Google Form where you can share your ideas, thoughts and feedback for the Board to consider as part of its strategic planning.

If you would prefer to provide your feedback in a non-digital format, a paper copy will be sent home next Friday.

The deadline for all feedback is Friday 13 November.

We really encourage everyone to take a few minutes to have their say. Your input matters, and together we can help shape the future of Snells Beach School.

Simply add your email to go into a draw for a $100 Little and Local Voucher. 

Middle School Swimming

Through the support of our Board of Trustees and the MOE School Donations Scheme, we are able to provide our Year 3 and 4 students with a series of swimming lessons each year at the Mahurangi College pool. These lessons are a fantastic opportunity for our tamariki to build confidence, develop essential water safety skills and learn how to keep themselves safer in and around water.

With the current roadworks on Sandspit Road, please be aware that the buses may be slightly later than usual returning from swimming. This may also mean a small delay to their departure at the end of the school day.

To help keep things running smoothly, please ensure the bus bay area remains clear of parked cars. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

Book Character Parade 2026

We had a blast this morning trying to guess who was who in our Book Character Parade costumes! Well done to everyone who got into the spirit – there were some seriously clever and creative ideas on display.

A huge thank you to our parents and whānau for all the time and effort that goes into making these costumes happen. We know it’s an extra thing to fit into already busy lives, but your support certainly helps make events like this so much fun for our tamariki.

A big shout-out also to the SBS Crew, who really outdid themselves this year!

Head over to our social media pages to check out some more photos of the fun.

Fundraising for Year 5 Camp

Next Wednesday 4th November, the multi-talented Kendall Stewart is bringing her “world famous in Matakana” iceblocks to SBS to fundraise for Year 5 camp. Popsicles are $2, cash only to the teacher please.

$10 a ticket, pop into the office to purchase one.

Pre-schoolers Open Day coming up soon

Request from Mrs Browne

If you have any musical instruments sitting around the house that you are no longer using, please drop into the office.

Important Notice to all Parents and Whānau – student with extreme allergies

This is an important reminder for all families at our school, and in particular for those new to our school. In our Junior School we have a student with a severe egg allergy.  This student is allergic to eggs through ingestion, inhalation, and touch.

Please ensure that:
No whole egg products are included in lunch boxes. This includes items such as hard-boiled eggs, egg sandwiches, bacon and egg pie, or eggs in rolls.
Egg used in baked goods, such as cakes or muffins, is still fine.

Thank you very much for your understanding and support in helping us keep all of our students safe.

Thankyou from our SBS PTA

Community Notices

Junior Surf is back for 2026/27!
Info & Enrolment Days Sunday 25 October & Sunday 1 November 9-11am
Omaha Beach Surf Life Saving Club
Season starts 8.45am Sunday 8 November
www.omahasurf.co.nz/membership-/membership-junior

Staying in touch with school notices