Term 1 Week 6 2025
Welcome to Welbourn
Ryleigh Ohlendorf and Harry Gesterkamp-Roguski
School Attendance
The Importance of School Attendance and Being on Time
Regular school attendance is vital for student success. The New Zealand Government has made school attendance a priority, with a national goal to increase the number of students attending school regularly. Every day at school matters—consistent attendance helps students build strong learning foundations, develop social skills, and achieve their full potential. Where possible please book family holidays during the school holidays. The aim is for students to have at least 90% attendance.
Being at school on time is also important. Arriving before the school bell at 8:50 am allows children to connect with their friends and teachers, settle into the day, and be ready for learning. A calm and prepared start helps students feel confident and engaged in their learning.
If your whānau needs any additional support to help ensure your child attends school regularly and on time, please reach out to us—we are here to help.
Ngā manaakitanga.
Social and Emotional Coaching corner
At Welbourn, in our health curriculum, we use a research based approach to building skills for our tamariki to develop their social and emotional competency. From next week we will share some of the ideas, coaching tips and resources which we value and use so that you have a strong understanding of our rationale. Some may also be helpful for you as a parent. All of our coaching is based on persistence, encouragement and a focus on the positive. We need to see this learning through the children`s eyes and provide them with the language to help empower then to grow their skills. In addition, if you have any further questions or needs around this skill building for your child, feel free to come in and have a conversation.
Fantastic EOTC amazing race experience
Last Thursday, we were lucky enough for the sun to be shining and for the Year 5 and 6 Amazing Race to go ahead at Pukekura Park. The students raced around in small groups, finding answers to questions, completing individual and team challenges, and even writing a poem about the Poet’s Bridge.
Here’s one from group 5;
Poet’s bridge is named after a horse
It goes over the water of course
It is easy to spot, as it is red
Sadly the original donor is now dead.
And another from group 8;
There once was a racehorse named The Poet
It inspired a bridge you might know it,
The bridge was read, the designer was dead,
He drowned in the lake just below it.
After lunch at the playground, we returned to school to do some more team building activities. We were only able to complete one, so this will continue over the term. So great to see students working together to complete these challenges.
Finally in the evening, we had a huge number of families/ whānau return for our picnic. People feasted on nachos, sausages or their own kai they brought for dinner. Delicious! We concluded the evening with a fun quiz.
Thank you to all the parents/whānau who came to support us either through the day or in the evening. Without you, this would not have been possible. Also, a huge thank you to the Huatoki teachers who put in so much time and effort to provide this opportunity.
Look out in the coming weeks for more information about the Amazing Race and our Activity Day.
Sports News
Winter sports -
Registrations are now open for Winter sports. Please be mindful that requests can only be processed depending on numbers. If you wish to play any of these sports or want information please click on the links below. Closing date for registration is 14th March 2025.
Hockey (Yr NE-6) Season runs from Saturday 3rd May - 13th September .
Miniball (Yr NE-4) - Season starts 12th May and runs through to 15th September.
Basketball (Yr 5-6) Season starts 12th May and runs through to 15th September.
Winter Football - Season runs Saturday 3rd May to Saturday 23rd of August.
Netball (yr 3-6) Starts First week of Term 2. Yr 3-4 play Thursday afternoons, Yr 5-6 play Tuesday afternoons.
Any queries to:
Sam Cresswell Sport Administrator,
Welbourn School Phone: 757 5810
email: sport@welbourn.school.nz