Term 3 week 5 2025
Welcome to Welbourn
Josiah Fontanilla, Cooper Morris
Caught Making Good Choices
Congratulations Oakley Rm 2, Frank Rm 5, Paige Rm 12 and Elise Ross Rm 12. Caught in a Book was Isla Rm 1 and Sophia Rm 14.
Cross Country Event
Kia Ora whānau. Our school Cross Country is happening on Wednesday 20th of August (save day Thursday 21st). See the approximate times below. We will do our best to stick to this timetable, but occasionally there are unforeseen delays. Our tamariki have been preparing and should be very proud of their effort.
1:00pm Fun Run: Room 1 and 2 Girl and Boys run together.
1:10pm Fun Run: Room 3, 4 and 5 Girls followed by Boys.
1:20pm Fun Run: All Year 2 Girls followed by Boys.
1:30pm Fun Run: All Year 3 Girls followed by Boys.
1:40pm 8 year old Girls (Huatoki team) with 9 year old girls
1:50pm 8 year old Boys (Huatoki team) with 9 year old Boys.
2:10pm 10 year old Girls followed by the 10 year old Boys.
Note: All 11 year olds to run together 5 minutes after 10 year old Boys (depending on numbers) or else they will run with the 10 year olds.
Please note: Approximate times only, 5 minute gap between Girls and Boys
Timetable Changes
Trial Change to Bell and Eating Times
We are trialling a small change to our daily timetable to see if it benefits our tamariki’s wellbeing and learning.
From next week, children will play first, then come inside at 1:15 pm to eat their lunch until 1:30 pm while enjoying a story read aloud by their teacher.
We hope that by separating eating from play, children will have the chance to:
- Eat in a calmer, more relaxed setting
- Enjoy their food without feeling rushed to get outside to play
- Refuel their bodies and minds, ready for the afternoon’s learning
This approach is already used successfully in a number of schools and we are looking forward to seeing how it works for our learners. We’ll review the trial and let you know our next steps.
Thank you for your support as we explore new ways to support our tamariki.
Home and School
TREASURER ROLE - Keen to join our fabulous team. We are on the hunt for a person to take over the treasurer role for the Home & School. It isn't too taxing, and not too time consuming either. Full support and overview of what it entails will be given too. Email the Home & School email if you would like more info or are interested - homeandschool@welbourn.
Cookie Time orders
Cookietime Cookies
The Cookietime Cookies have arrived! And you know what that means! If you placed an order then we need to get your cookies to you. To kick that off we will have a collection desk outside the hall THIS FRIDAY 15 AUGUST from 2.45pm. Please don't panic if you can't make that time - we will coordinate other pick ups for next week as well and will communicate this to you all. Thanks so much for supporting this Home & School Association fundraiser - you are all amazing!
Wellbeing at Welbourn
Winter Illnesses Impacting Our Tamariki and Kaiako (teachers)
Kia ora whānau,
Last week’s attendance data showed that only around 30% of our tamariki had full attendance during Week 4, highlighting how these illnesses are affecting many students and staff.
We thank all families for their ongoing support in keeping unwell children at home to recover and help reduce the spread of sickness. Your care is vital in keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Please continue to watch for symptoms, seek medical advice when needed, and help us protect our school community during this busy winter season.
Ngā mihi nui.
WHERE TO NEXT ?
As we start to strategically plan and set new goals and initiatives, we value your input and feedback.
Please take a couple of minutes to add your ideas. Click Here
If you would like time to discuss anything with the leadership team please email the office to request a time.
Talking about the School Day
It’s a common experience - parents ask, “How was school?” and get a one-word answer: “Good.” Or worse: “Boring,” “I can’t remember,” or “Nothing.”
But with a few small changes, you can open the door to more meaningful conversations with your child about their day.
Try these conversation starters:
- “What was something interesting you learned today?”
- “Who did you sit with at lunch or play with outside?”
- “Was there a moment today that made you laugh?”
- “Did you help someone today - or did someone help you?”
- “What was the best part of your day?”
- “What’s something you’re proud of from today?”
Keep it specific and relaxed
Open-ended, specific questions often work better than general ones. You might also get more from your child when chatting in the car, at dinner, or while doing something together like walking the dog or preparing food.
Be patient
Sometimes it takes a while for children to open up. Let them know you’re genuinely interested and keep the conversation positive.
These small moments of connection build trust, boost your child’s confidence, and show them that what happens at school really matters.
Board of Trustees Election
Parents and caregivers, you should have received an email from electionpilot.co.nz on Wednesday 13 August regarding the Board of Trustees election. Voting is open now and runs entirely online, closing at 4pm on Wednesday 10 September.
Click here to read the Candidate Profiles
The school will be in touch soon about an informal Meet The Candidates event, offering an opportunity to meet and talk with the candidates.
Maths Week
Mathsweek Problems - Last chance for a MATHS STAR
Solve your level maths problem and show your teacher the answer and how you worked it out to get a Maths Star! Good luck.
Y1-2 Problem: Mrs Wheatley’s family own 7 bikes. If 2 bikes are at the bike shop being repaired how many do they have at home?
How many different combinations could they have of bikes at home and at the bike shop? E.g. 1 at home and 6 at the shop etc.
Y3-4 Problem: Katrina had a $5 note. She exchanged it with Mrs Opai for some coins. Katrina ended up with 6 coins. What are all the different combination of coins she could have? What would be the most coins Mrs Opai could give her for the $5?
Y5-6 Problem: Mike and Tracy have decided to buy a birthday card for Julie. The card is going to cost $5.95. Mike puts in 35c more than Tracy. How much does each teacher contribute to the card?
We also look forward to having a DRESS UP assembly in week 7 ( August 22nd) - Anything to do with Mathematics. Cannot wait to see what you come up with this year!
School Donations
School Donation Contributions
We’d like to gently remind families who haven’t yet paid their school donation that contributions are still welcome and greatly appreciated. These donations are vital in helping our school go beyond what the government operational grant provides.
Your support directly helps us fund important learning resources, classroom materials, and initiatives that enrich our students' educational experience. Your contribution to paying school donations makes a difference in creating a well-resourced, supportive, and engaging learning environment.
Payments for Sports Teams are required. Please pay any outstanding memberships.
Please see Stephanie or Julie in the office or payments can be made online.
Ngā mihi thank you for supporting our school community.
Paid Union Meetings next week
Teachers NZEI Paid Union Meetings – NZEI Te Riu Roa
Approximately 60% of our teachers will be attending NZEI Te Riu Roa Paid Union Meetings from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on Tuesday 19 August or 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm or Tuesday 26 August. These meetings are part of the collective bargaining process and are a legal entitlement under the Employment Relations Act.
Classes will continue as normal during this time, with the remaining staff ensuring supervision and learning activities for all students.
Thank you for your understanding and support for our teaching team.
Sports News
Summer sports:
Registrations are now open for Term 4 Summer Sports, if you wish to register please do so before next Friday 22nd August. Further information for the following sports can be found on the registration links below.
Summer Soccer: Cost: $25. Played Tuesday Evenings at Merrilands Domain. Two games per night starting from 5:30 pm. Season Starts: TBA (usually starts the 2nd Tuesday of Term 4) Summer Soccer 2025
Touch Rugby: Cost: $35. Played Monday afternoons at Devon Intermediate, St Joseph's and Westend schools. Games are approx 3:45 (U8’s), 4:00 (U10’s), 5:25 (U12’s). This depends on the number of teams entered, so this is an approximate guide only. Season Starts: 6th October - 1st December ( Finals) Touch Rugby 2025
Summer Hockey (yr 3-6): Cost: $60(yr 5-6), $50 (yr 3-4). The season runs from 18th October to 6th December. Summer hockey is played on Saturday mornings from 9 am at the Hobson Street Hockey turf. Summer Hockey 2025
Netball (yr NE-Yr 2) Cost: $10. Season starts: 10th October at the Waiwhakaiho Netball Courts and runs for 9 sessions. Yr 1-2 Netball 2025
Superstar Cricket ( NE-yr 4): Cost: $35 Season runs from 17th October - 5th December. Kiwi cricket (yr NE - 2 new to cricket), Intro to Incrediball (yr 2-4 players who have little or no cricket experience) and Incrediball (Yr 3-4 with some cricket experience) are played on Friday afternoons at Lynmouth and Western Parks from 5:30. Term 4 Cricket 2025
Winter Sports
Winter Football - The season is coming to an end with the final regular games this coming Saturday, 16th August and a Festival Fun Day next weekend Saturday, 23rd August.
Cancellations can be found on the Central Football facebook page or http://www.centralfootball.co.nz/HOME-1
Any queries to:
Sam Cresswell, Sport Administrator,
Welbourn School Phone: 757 5810
email: sport@welbourn.school.nz