Tēnā koutou Parents and Caregivers
This morning it was delightful to watch your children return to school, very excited and eager to meet their new teacher and peers. Our teachers are just as excited and enthusiastic about meeting your children too, and have worked hard to get their classrooms ready and plan engaging programmes. Last week all teachers and most support staff were at school, ensuring that we are well prepared for a fantastic start to the year. They participated in professional development with expert facilitators on how to plan for water safety pool lessons, and how to plan for safe trips and camps (E.O.T.C.). Staff also worked with a world leader in behaviour development (Margaret Thorsborne) on how to strengthen positive relationships with students and best manage the discipline issues which arise from time to time.
All classes have settled quickly this morning and students are now busy learning new routines and getting to know their classmates. Teachers will be providing opportunities for children to make new friends within their class, and will support those who are feeling a bit nervous.
Conferences
Most parents attended “Getting to know your child” conferences last week, which teachers found very useful, and I hope you did as well. It isn’t too late, so if you missed the conference day, please email your child/children’s teacher/s to arrange a day/time to meet, as soon as possible. Emails are on our school website.
Communication
Cockle Bay School sends messages using a variety of communication tools to keep everyone informed and engaged. Our primary platforms include the eTAP app for administrative tasks like emails, reports, and conference bookings (see details below); Seesaw for sharing student learning and fostering home-school connections; emails for internal and external staff communication; our school website as a central information hub; Facebook for celebrating achievements and connecting with the wider community; and our school newsletter/team newsletters for event updates, important notices, and student celebrations. These tools work together to streamline communication, enhance parent engagement, promote student learning and, ultimately, strengthen our school culture and partnerships.
Parents and caregivers need to download the eTAP app, following instructions sent out via email already. Apologies to anyone who received multiple emails at the end of 2024, due to a glitch in the eTAP system which we are told is now fixed.
Parent Concerns
Staff are always available on request, by arrangement. Please contact us early before a small concern escalates in severity. We are here to help if we can. Usually the first staff member to contact is the class teacher, and the team leader can often help as well. If concerns are not resolved, Deputy Principals (Year 1-3 Mrs Rivett, Year 4-6 Mrs Rossiter) or I can be consulted. Our SENCo, Mrs Stansfield, assists students with additional needs. Office staff are ‘never too busy’ and you can check with them if unsure what to do.
The school’s website has our school policies and complaints procedures. Go to ‘Our School’ then ‘Policies and Procedures’.
Attendance Matters
Regular attendance at school helps build and maintain a child’s learning and positive daily habits and routines, as well as promoting their wellbeing by connecting them to their peers and learning new things. We want our children to thrive and be resilient and become active members within their families and community. Attendance matters and we can all work together to increase school attendance.
All students are legally required to attend school every day unless sick (and arrive on time), and it is a shared responsibility to make sure students attend and engage in learning from when they first start school. If you are finding it hard to get your child to school, please talk with us so we can work together. Our school is committed to supporting your child to attend school.
Traffic Around the School
A reminder about the following:
- For the safety of students and drivers please use the pedestrian crossings
- P2 means a drop off only – please do not park or leave your vehicle
- It is illegal to stop on yellow dotted lines – please do not stop in these zones to drop off your child
Road Patrol Trelawn Crossing
Parents are desperately needed to monitor the Trelawn crossing mornings 8.15 – 8.40 and afternoons 2.55 – 3.15pm. We have insufficient staff to do this small task. Please consider giving us your time for 20 minutes once per week. You can email office@cocklebay.school.nz or amberm@cocklebay.school.nz if you can help us. We will be immensely grateful. Full training is given.
Teacher Only Day Friday 7 February
The Ministry’s Teacher Only Day, focussed on the Mathematics Curriculum, is scheduled for Friday 7 February (Waitangi Day is a public holiday Thursday 6 February), and the school will be closed. Bizzy Bodz will offer supervision on this day.
Cockle Bay Carnival Saturday 29 March
Put this date in your calendar NOW! This is a day in which Cockle Bay School parents and staff come together as a community and work together to have fun and provide essential funds for the betterment of your children’s education.
The Carnival is the major fundraiser for 2025 and there will be many newsletters and requests for support this term. Please support the requests made if you can, by giving time or donations as they are asked for. Parent support is vital for the day to be its usual success. We have a band of enthusiastic parents led by Carla Bickell, to coordinate the Carnival. They need your help if the Carnival 2025 is to succeed. Getting involved is also a good way to make new friends and get to know the school better.
I am excited and energised about what 2025 offers at Cockle Bay School and look forward to working with you and your children.
Ngā mihi
Dorothy Bigwood
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Maori
Portuguese
Russian
Samoan
Spanish
English
Afrikaans
简体中文
Français
Deutsch
日本語
한국어
Bahasa Melayu
Te Reo Māori
Samoan
ไทย
Tiếng Việt