Kia ora koutou katoa
Term 2 has started well. Thanks to those parents who have already booked a parent conference for next Thursday, 8 May 1:00-7:00pm, please don’t overlook this.
Despite the weather, it is a joy to see our children mixing and mingling confidently and enjoying social and learning opportunities that school provides. Classrooms are busy and staff/children are engaged in daily activities that make our school a wonderful place for growing and learning.
Book Week
Book Week is coming up, with a variety of exciting literacy based activities planned. We ask parents to support the financial costs of author visits, and help children dress up as a book character on Friday, 16 May. There will also be a book fair in the library.
Specialist Teachers
Our Cockle Bay School students are privileged to have specialist teachers offer Music (Mrs Leggett Wed-Fri and Mr Ashby Mon-Tues), Dance (Mrs Barber), Physical Education and Health (Mrs Fischer) and Science (Mrs Bear) classes. This means that they are provided with quality programmes and an enriched curriculum, while class teachers can concentrate on providing excellent programmes in the remainder of the curriculum.
Classroom Release & Teacher Changes
Since the beginning of this year, teachers have received more release time for planning and development. At Cockle Bay, part-time teachers are regularly rostered to classes.
Reliever shortages, especially in winter, may mean classes are occasionally split. We ensure students are with familiar teachers and learning remains consistent.
Your child may have more than one teacher each week. Most adapt well and enjoy the variety, and we work to support any who need help adjusting.
Thanks for your support.
Please find below other items of interest.
Ngā mihi nui
Dorothy Bigwood
Staffing News
- Welcome back to Mrs Narot, from her sabbatical. Mrs Narot will be leading the Year 0 team in 2025.
- Room 31 has opened for new entrants, taught by Mrs Short (and Mrs Burns on Thursdays).
- Welcome back to Mrs Coleman, who returns from maternity leave to be our Literacy Support teacher in the juniors.
- Mrs Burger has been a trusted Learning Support Assistant for almost 6 years, but has decided to relocate to Australia. Thank you Zanel for all the students you have supported and all your contributions here at Cockle Bay School. We wish you and your family all the very best in your new venture.
- Mrs Kerr-Bell is on medical leave. We expect her to be fully recovered and back with us very soon, and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Board Matters
You may recall that our 5 March newsletter (on the Cockle Bay School website) launched our Board explaining its roles in preparation for a transition to a new board which will be elected in September. Have you considered standing for this role? Please find below thoughts from Nicole McHardy who oversees Health and Safety on our school’s board.
At Cockle Bay School, the health and safety of our students, staff, and wider school community is a top priority. As your Board members, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where learning can thrive.
We work closely with the principal and staff to ensure that our school complies with all health and safety regulations, and we regularly review our policies and procedures. From playground safety to emergency preparedness and well-being support, we’re focused on managing risks and promoting a culture of care and responsibility.
- Governance and Oversight
Our responsibility is to ensure that the school complies with health and safety legislation. This includes reviewing school policies, supporting the development of safety plans, and ensuring that these are implemented effectively across all school operations.
- Health and Safety Policy
We approve and monitor the school’s Health and Safety Policy. This outlines procedures for emergency preparedness, accident reporting, managing hazards, and supporting mental and emotional well-being.
- Risk Management
The Board reviews and evaluates any potential risks in the school environment—whether it’s physical (like playgrounds or buildings) or environmental (like weather events or pandemics). We work with the principal and staff to make sure there are plans in place to minimize risks and respond to incidents swiftly.
- Collaboration with the Principal and Staff
We regularly meet with the principal to receive reports on health and safety matters, including staff training, student well-being programs, and any incidents or concerns raised. Our goal is to support the principal in creating a proactive and safe school culture.
- Promoting a Culture of Safety
Health and safety isn’t just about rules—it’s about creating an environment where students and staff feel secure, supported, and respected. We encourage open communication and continuous improvement in our approach to well-being and safety.
Nicole McHardy
Painting of Classrooms
Over the holidays Rooms 1-3 were completed, and Rooms 27-30 were painted inside. I hope everyone enjoys the fresh look. The hall’s lobby also got a lick of paint.
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