LBP Newsletter – Term 2, Week 4

Term 2, Week 4 – Friday 19 May 2023

Principal’s Chat

Kia ora Parents/Caregivers

My parents had 3 trees that dominated our back garden. Each had a use at the right time. The pine provided Christmas trees in December and was great to climb until the very small (but essential) branch finally broke. That was a sad day.

The willow was enormous. It provided wood to make bows and arrows out of, and make them my brother and I did. There was only one small problem – roots and the local sewer line. It didn’t go well, especially in the days before cameras could go down pipes. I seem to remember many unfortunate blockages.

Finally the wattle. It was the climber. We climbed, made things in it and really enjoyed playing in and around that tree, there is no doubt it was my favourite. 

Unfortunately Cyclone Gabrielle has caused us a problem. It broke our library. Not from above as the wind and rain lashed – but from below. The Library Tree has an extensive root system under the building and as the wind moved the tree and the rain came down it lifted the concrete slab in the building. Unfortunately in 1996 when the library was extended for the first time the foundations of this extension were not constructed to the standard that we have today. Rest assured the building has been checked by two different engineers and a number of Ministry of Education staff, it is safe to occupy, however it needs some repair work to return it to pre Gabrielle condition. 

To prevent further damage in the future the Library Tree will have to be removed, we have tried however there is no other option. 

There is a silver lining. We intend to use as much of the wood from this tree as possible around the school. We will use it to make a new place to play and have ideas on some exciting new ways to use the branches (assuming the wood is up to it).

We also have 5 new 2m tall trees coming in July from a local apartment building to add to our school grounds. Ironically they were planted too close to the existing building and will potentially cause the same type of issues we have with the library. We have found a place away from buildings, but close enough for future students to enjoy to plant these trees.

I have accepted that I will forever be known as the Principal who cut down the Library Tree. I have tried to avoid it, however all our options have been exhausted. Please be kind, I will need it.

Rob Hutton
Tumuaki/Principal

2023 Term Dates and What’s On

Welcome New Students

A warm welcome to our new students who have started at Long Bay Primary since our last Newsletter:

Catherine, Astor, Yixi and Tai

Donation Receipts via Kindo

Accessing your donation receipts on Kindo

You can view all your purchases, top-ups, refunds, cancelled orders and donation receipts using the ‘my orders’ option.

From the record type, you can select donation receipts, and choose to download individual receipts or download a summary of all your donation receipts.

More detailed instructions can also be found on the Kindo online support pages.

Click here for more detailed instructions.

Class, Portrait and Sibling Photos – 25 May

Mihi Whakatau Term 2

We welcomed the staff and students who have joined our school community at our Term 2 Mihi Whakatau this week. It was great to be able to use the hall again for the purpose it was built – to meet together as a community.

Pink Shirt Day

We are pleased to announce that thanks to the generosity of the Long Bay Primary community we raised $598.90 to donate to the Mental Health Foundation. Thank you for supporting such a worthwhile cause.

Important School Reminders – Please Read

Absences

We are seeing an increasing amount of unexplained absences lately. If your child/children are going to be absent from school, then you must let the Office and class teacher know. This is to avoid your child/children being marked as truant.

Absences can be reported by calling the school on 09 473 6077, select option 1. Emailing the class teacher and admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz or through the school website ‘Report an Absence’.

All absences from school must have a reason so your child/children can be coded accordingly on their student record. Thank you for your co-operation.

Late Passes

We give out late passes at the school date each day to students who arrive at school after the bell has rung. This is because by the time these students get to class it is likely the teacher will have already marked the roll for the day. The late pass indicates to the teacher that we know your child is at school and it means we do not call you because they have been marked as absent on the roll.

Permission Slips

We are making a move towards asking your permission for events and activities online rather than on a piece of paper. This means no more looking in the bottom of school bags for permission slips. You will receive an email with a link to click and follow to give us the information we are after. 

Arrival at School

Our doors at school open at 8.30am. The time until then is invaluable for our staff to prepare for the day. While we appreciate the closure of Glenvar Road has increased travel times and traffic in general at the moment is rather appalling, the closer to 8.30am that students can arrive at school makes it easier for us to deliver the best we can for your children. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.  

Contact Details

If your personal contact or emergency contact details need updating, please email admin@longbayprimary.ac.nz It is very important that we have correct details on our student records.

Enrolments

If you have a child turning 5 in the near future, please can you complete an online enrolment application form as soon as possible. This is to assist us with classroom planning. For all enrolments enquiries, please email enrolments@longbayprimary.ac.nz

Oneroa Kāhui Ako Cultural Festival

In Term 3, we look forward to celebrating the different cultures represented in our schools.

The Oneroa Kāhui Ako Cultural Celebration is on Thursday 31 August at Sherwood School. 

Each school is allocated 15 minutes for their performance(s) which can include two or three items. We are reaching out to our Long Bay Primary community to see if we have any parents/contacts who would be interested in taking a group of students to learn an item for the performance. For example: Chinese fan dance, Bollywood dance etc. We already have a Pasifika group going. 

If you are keen to work with us, please get in touch with Tiffany Krstev at tiffanyk@longbayprimary.ac.nz 

Long Bay Regional Park Planting Day

Auckland Council is holding a community planting day at Long Bay Regional Park on Sunday 28 May starting at 10.00am. For further information please follow this link.

Room 23

This term Room 23 have been writing persuasively. We have selected our own topic that we feel passionate about and have organised our ideas to share with the reader. Check out our awesome writing. Can we persuade you?!

Student Congratulations

Year 6 Camp Fundraiser

Violin Lessons and String Group

One of the instruments that we offer as part of our tuition programme is the violin. If you would like your child to learn at school please contact Ulrike Schwerdtfeger our violin teacher on 021 148 1512 or by email ulrikeschwerdtfeger7@gmail.com. Ulrike is also offering a string group for existing players. If your child would like to be involved please contact Ulrike for further details.

Sports Buzz – Term 2, Week 4

North Harbour Hockey Programmes

PTA News

The Light Up Playground event has been postponed due to rain predicted, it has been moved to Friday 26 May, we hope to see you all then!

Community Notices and Events