Newsletter – 11 June 2025

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

 REMINDER 

 School Closed – Thursday, 19 June 2025 – Teacher Only Day and Friday, 20 June 2025 – Matariki Public Holiday

 Principal’s Message

Dear Parents and Whānau,

Board Information Evening, Wednesday 23 July,  5.45pm – 6.30pm

Board elections will be held in September, to elect a new board. We seek parents from the community who might be interested in standing for the board, to come along to an information evening on Wednesday, 23 July at 5.45pm (in the Cockle Bay School staffroom). Our current, very experienced board will share with you the work they do. This will give you some insight into their work and help you decide if you wish to stand for election.

A high functioning board is critical to our school’s continued success. Cockle Bay School has been very privileged over many years to have had committed, capable board members who have brought to the board their work expertise and communication skills enabling them to work effectively together and in the best interests of the school, its community and the Ministry of Education, thus ensuring the best possible outcomes for all students and their whānau.

We look forward to seeing you at this meeting. 

Scooters, Bikes, eScooters or eBikes and Use on School Grounds

To help ensure the safety of all students, staff, and whānau, we kindly remind everyone that no scooters, bikes, eScooters, or eBikes are to be ridden on school grounds before, during, or immediately after school. This applies to both adults and students. All wheeled transport must be walked through the front gate and parked near the office. Your support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful school environment is greatly appreciated.

Teacher Only Day and Matariki – School Closed

Please note that school will be closed for a Teacher Only day on Thursday, 19 June, and also on Friday, 20 June (Public Holiday), to observe Matariki, the Māori New Year. Bizzy Bodz will be operating on the Thursday.

Matariki is the name given to the cluster of stars known worldwide as the Pleiades or Seven Sisters. In New Zealand, the rising of Matariki in midwinter marks a time of reflection, renewal, and reconnection with whānau, nature, and the past. 

School Holiday Activities

A variety of school holiday activities are advertised below, with something to suit all interests. These options are a great way to keep children engaged and entertained over the break.

Regards.

Dorothy Bigwood

We’re excited to be taking part in Jumping June, a one-month skipping challenge that encourages students to get active while raising funds for an amazing cause! All proceeds will go to the Heart Foundation, supporting their mission to help all New Zealanders keep their hearts fit for life.

We’ve nearly finished handing out over 700 skipping ropes, with one going home to every child at CBS. 

Students will take part during class time and have their ropes ready for the following days (weather permitting):

• Monday 23 June – Year 0 / Year 1

• Wednesday 25 June – Year 2

• Thursday 26 June – Year 3 / Year 4

• Friday 27 June – Year 5 / Year 6

Please give generously through Kindo, the school office, or cash on the day.

  Fluro Friday Non-Uniform Day – Friday, 27 June 2025

Jammies for June

Our amazing school counsellors are getting behind the ‘Jammies for June’ challenge, and we’d love your support! They’ve organised a collection to help keep tamariki warm this winter. If you’d like to donate, please drop off new pyjamas to the school office, or make a contribution via Kindo.

Jammies for June is back – and your donation provides warm jammies and winter essentials to children in our community who need it most.

This winter, thousands of tamariki in our community are at risk — simply because they’re cold. Kidz First Hospital is already stretched to capacity, with up to four children in ICU every day, battling preventable respiratory illnesses like RSV, asthma, and rheumatic fever – conditions made worse by cold, damp homes.

That’s why Dame Valerie Adams is once again leading the Jammie Army, rallying New Zealanders to keep our tamariki toasty warm this winter. She’s issued the challenge: Let’s get 20,000 pairs of jammies to 20,000 kids.

 Lost and Found

Please remember to check our lost and found for any missing items. Replacing lost belongings can be costly, so we encourage all families to clearly name clothing, lunchboxes, drink bottles, and other personal items. Named items are much easier to return to their owners promptly.

 In Zone Enrolments

 Uniform Shop 

The uniform shop will be open Monday, 23 June, 8:15am-8:45am and 2:45pm-3:15pm.

The SchoolDocs review process allows the school community to provide feedback on policies and procedures, and ensures information stays up to date. To access our School documents, use the community usernames and password below:

Username: cocklebay
Password: sandspit

The following policies are under review Term 2 2025:

• Planning and Preparing for Disasters, Emergencies and Crises
• Communication during an Emergency, Disaster or Crises
• Emergency Closure
• Emergency Management
• Disaster Management
• Crisis Management

Link to the School Calendar

 2025 Dates

Term Two (Monday 28 April – Friday 27 June)

Thursday 19 June – Teacher Only Day (school closed)

Friday 20 June – Matariki (Public Holiday)

Friday 27 June – Fluro Friday – Non Uniform Day

Term Three (Monday 14 July – Friday 19 September)

Term Four (Monday 6 October – Thursday 18 December)

Friday 24 October – Teacher Only Day (school closed)

Monday 27 October – Labour Day (Public Holiday)