Dear Parents, Whānau and Friends,
With only 6 weeks of school left, we are really committed to making it a fantastic end of term for everyone. We have lots on so please read our newsletter, check our online calendar and Hero App for notices to remain informed.

I would like to acknowledge the many extra opportunities that are available to our students at Harrisville School and the hard-working teachers who give up their time to organise and develop our children. I am proud of our teachers and how they go above and beyond expectations to ensure our children have the very best. A big thank you also to our parents and learning assistants who support our teachers and students.

Harrisville School is a health promoting school and our aim is to instill healthy eating practices in our students. Please help us by providing a piece or fruit or raw vegetables and something nutritious for lunch. We encourage children to drink water as a brain drink. Sweets and fizzy/energy drinks are not to be brought to school or purchased when out at events or sports days. 

It is starting to look like the warm weather is upon us.  Please ensure your child/children have their school hats with them every day to protect them from the harsh New Zealand sun. It’s also a good time to start wearing black school shorts and bringing a water bottle.

At Harrisville School, we are dedicated to providing the very best for our students, ensuring they enjoy a quality education in a nurturing and supportive environment. We believe that creating an optimal learning space is essential to support this vision. Behind the scenes, our Board of Trustees (BoT) has been working hard on several exciting property upgrades that will enhance our school facilities.

Among the recent improvements, a new AV system has been installed in our school hall, ensuring high-quality sound and visuals for events and assemblies. Our hall stage has also received a fresh coat of paint, and our honours boards are currently being upgraded to celebrate student achievements. Additionally, all our electrical boards have been updated with RCD protection to maintain the highest safety standards.

Looking ahead, classrooms 10, 9, 8, 7, and 6 will undergo modernisation at the end of this year and our Junior toilets will be renovated. We’re thrilled about these developments and look forward to seeing our students thrive in these enhanced learning spaces!

We are committed to providing the very best for our students, and effective communication with you is an essential part of that. To improve how we connect with you, we’ve upgraded our school website, where you can now access the school calendar and important information with ease.

This term we are transitioning from our current school app to the Hero app. Along with our Facebook page and website, the Hero app will become our main way of communicating with you. Through Hero, you’ll be able to follow your child’s progress in real time, reacting to and commenting on posts, media, goals, and updates. You’ll also stay informed by viewing school notices in the Community Feed and receive only the information that’s relevant to your family.

We are excited about these improvements, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with you to support our students’ success! 

If you haven't done so already. It is important that you download the Hero app on your phone to stay connected. Please follow this link to download the Hero app.  If you need further support, please ask your child’s teacher or visit the school office. From next year, all communication will be through Hero and its app. 

Our school pool is opening soon during school time.  Please ensure your child comes to school with a named swim bag, towel and togs. We will open our pool after school hours for our families from the 14th December. School pool keys will be on sale at the office from the 2nd December.  More information will be sent home regarding pool keys soon.

Our school has been working with SchoolDocs to create a website for our policies and procedures.

SchoolDocs updates modifies or creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools, and regular reviewing from the SchoolDocs team. Our Board of Trustees has the opportunity to view changes/additions and comment on them before they are implemented. 

This term we have the below policies up for review. We would appreciate your input on the policies, please follow the link below to have your say.

School Donations and Student Activity Payments / Attendance Dues and Other Income 
Expenditure 
Property Planning and Maintenance 
Prevention of Bribery, Corruption, Fraud, and Theft

If you don't have internet access, our school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

We look forward to reading your responses.

 A huge thank you to Brendan Strong and Strong Earthmovers for their generous donation and delivery of sand for our long jump pit! Your support  made a big difference for Athletics Day 🏃‍♂️🏅 

Te Whare Kai has been proudly serving nutritious, delicious meals to students in our community for over three years and are excited to bring this opportunity to Harrisville School on Fridays, offering students the chance to enjoy a freshly prepared meal from their kitchen once a week – delivered to the school at an affordable price.

Complete the Harrisville School Lunch Order Form (below). Please ensure all required fields are filled out and submit the form to finalise your order. https://form.jotform.com/242027912255856

Order Deadline: Orders and payments must be submitted by Tuesday at 3 pm for Friday delivery.

One Form Per Student: Please submit a separate form for each child.

Payment Reference: Include your child’s name and class as a reference when making payment.

Absence Policy: In case of absence or inability to collect the lunch, refunds cannot be provided; however, the meal will be given to a student in need.

For more information please contact Mel Simmons Manager Te Whare Kai 0274 193 639 mel@tewharekai.com

We invite students to have a photo taken of themselves reading a book in an unusual but safe place. The winner of this competition will receive a special book prize. Email your photo to office@harrisville.school.nz or drop a copy into school. Entries close Wednesday 13th November.

Parents and grandparents are invited to come in and read to their child’s class during Book Week. We will be sending a form to complete with your child soon please complete this if you are able to read to a class. We will confirm what time you are booked in to read.

The Book Fair starts on Friday 22nd November and ends on Wednesday 27th November. It will be open from 8.30 to 9.00 in the mornings and 3.00 to 3.30 in the afternoons, except for Friday afternoon.

Friday, 22nd November is our Book Character Dress-Up and Grandparents’ Day! Students dress up as a book character and bring the book with them to school (please ensure the book is named). They will parade their costumes at a special assembly. Grandparents are invited to visit the classrooms at 9am, followed up with a special assembly. The Book Fair will be open from 8.30 to 9.00 and 11 - 11.30, during morning tea. Grandparents are welcome to take their grandchildren home with them after the event.

Planning has started for the End of Year Prize Giving. We need all trophies to be returned so we can get them prepared for our end of the year awards.  Please return to the school office as soon as possible.

The Year 6 Graduation Dinner will be taking place on Thursday 12th December in the school hall from 6.00pm until 8:30pm.  This is a time of celebration and acknowledgement of our Year 6 students as they prepare for the next stage of their learning journey. The evening will include dinner, speeches, certificates, cake cutting and a dance to conclude the evening.  Please note this is a formal evening so the children are required to wear their best outfit. Due to the amount of school leavers and the increase in costs to put on this event, students and teachers will be attending the dinner from 6pm. Parents and Whanau are invited to attend the presentation of certificates, speeches, cake cutting and dance which starts at 7.15pm.  Seating will be provided at the back of the hall so that you can see your child receive their certificate. (further information about this event to follow)

It is that time of year to start thinking about school hats. We are a Sun Safe school so all students are required to wear their green wide-brimmed sun hats during terms 1 & 4. If your child does not have a hat or has a non uniform hat, they will have to play in the shade during breaks. Please ensure your child's hat is clearly named so it can be easily returned. Our school hats can be purchased at The Uniform Shoppe and SAS Sport 7A, Glasgow Road, Pukekohe. 

 

Phone: 09 239 1310

The shop hours are:

Monday to Friday: 8:30 to 5pm

Saturday: 9am to 1pm