Week 5, Term 4 Newsletter

Newsletter Contents:

1. Message From the Principal

2. Fundraising Committee

3. Important Dates and Reminders

4. From the classrooms – Room 4 and 2

5. Writer’s Corner

6. Sports at DSS

7. Community Notices

We’re already at the midway point of the term, and it’s been fantastic to see so many exciting things happening around our kura. As we head toward Christmas, there’s still plenty more to look forward to. The momentum and energy across the school have been wonderful, and our grounds are looking amazing. A huge thank you to Jonny for his ongoing time and effort in keeping them so well cared for. During the Hui ā Tau conference, many visitors commented on our beautiful open spaces, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the commitment to inclusive practice shown in our classrooms. This kind of feedback reflects years of dedication and hard work from our entire community, so a big thank you to everyone for your continued support of our kura.

Last Friday, we hosted our first annual sports exchange with Boulcott School in an event that brought our strategic goal of identity and community connection to life. Five sports were played throughout the day: Touch Rugby, Chess, Basketball, Netball, and Football. The kotahitanga and whanaungatanga shown were truly something special. Sharing kai, enjoying playtime together, and challenging each other on the sports field or chess table were the real highlights. While the scorelines didn’t go our way, it didn’t dampen the spirit or pride of our tamariki, who loved the experience of hosting. A huge thank you to Mr Ranchod for his hustle in making the exchange happen, and to all our tamariki who represented Dyer Street School with mana and heart.

We are now in the process of developing our classes for 2026, which involves three key steps. First, we determine the makeup of the school, how many classes we will have, and which year levels will be grouped. Second, we match kaiako to these spaces.  Third, we create what we feel are the best-balanced classes from what we know about our tamariki and how they will best thrive in their new learning environment.  We are nearly at the end of the appointment process and hope to be able to share our confirmed staff roster for 2026 within the next two weeks. While class placements are being finalised, if there is anything you would like us to know regarding your child’s placement for 2026, please connect directly with me to discuss further.

This year, we have made a change to our end-of-year reporting process. Last Friday, you would have received a reading progress update for your child. The final progress update will be available on HERO in Week 10 and will include a general comment, a student reflection on how they have demonstrated our MANA values throughout the year, and an informed decision on curriculum level in Maths, Writing, and Reading. This approach allows you to clearly see your child’s growth since mid-year. As we work on this progress, graphs will be unavailable to view on Hero until the teachers’ latest curriculum judgments have been checked thoroughly. We will also be seeking feedback from our whānau on the reporting process, as we are always looking to improve and ensure the information you receive is clear, relevant, and meaningful for supporting your child’s learning journey.

We have sports tops, shorts, and hats available for purchase from the school office. If your child is planning to play sports for Dyer Street School, we encourage you to purchase a sports uniform. It’s convenient and a great way for tamariki to show school pride when representing our kura. Feel free to pop into the office to try on sizes, as we have a good level of stock available. We will also be running a final hoodie order before Christmas, so watch this space if you’d like to grab one.

Have a great week ahead

Ngā mihi mahana

Lee Ewington

Tumuaki

Week 4 Principal’s Award Winners

The Fundraising Committee’s formal meetings have finished for the year! See you back in 2026!

This year, Hero is being used to communicate about meetings and opportunities to contribute to fundraising and support for the school. If you would like to receive these posts, please let Ms Waghorn know – megw@dyerstreet.school.nz. We also have a Facebook group where information from Hero is duplicated, and some discussion between meetings happens: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1QS2HYTXXz/

Recent Fundraising Events:

The Book Fair was a great success, with over $2000 being raised to support the Year 5 & 6 camp. Thank you to all the whānau staff who helped with it and those who came along to support. Special thanks to Amy for driving this event and putting in a lot of time to make it happen. 

Upcoming Fundraising Events:

The Wine Fundraiser is back for Christmas!

DATES

Week 6

Wednesday 12th November – Assembly

Wednesday 12th November – Young Athletes Program

Wednesday 12th November – Camp Parent Information Evening 6 p.m.

Week 7

Thursday 20th November – Scholastic Book Club Orders Due

Week 8

Tuesday 25th November – Parent Helpers Thank You Morning Tea – 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 26th November – Christmas Choir Trip

Week 9

Monday 1st Dec – Friday 5th – Year 0-4 Education outside the classroom week (EOTC)

Monday 1st Dec – Wednesday 5th – Year 5/6 Camp @ Kaitoke

Week 10

TBC – Year 6 Graduation

Monday 8th December – Road Patrollers Christmas Swim

Tuesday 9th December – Piano Students End of Year Concert

Friday 12th December 11 a.m. – Prizegiving Assembly

Friday 12th December 12 p.m. – school ends for 2025

Room 4

Room 4’s Learning Adventures: Mapping, Measuring, and Magnificent Writing!

Over the past few weeks, Room 4 has been busy exploring the world of maps and measurement! We’ve been learning how to make detailed maps of our school, making sure that everything is drawn true to size and position. From the hall and playground to the gardens and classrooms, students have worked hard to estimate distances, use measuring tools carefully, and include all the important landmarks. 

The children also had the opportunity to create their own fantasy land maps, which was such an exciting way to let their imaginations run wild and apply everything they’ve learned in a creative way.

One of the highlights of this learning has been collaborating with someone new. Each student teamed up with a classmate they don’t usually work with to design and create their maps. It was wonderful to see how well everyone communicated, shared ideas, and problem-solved together, true teamwork in action!

We’ve also been practising using directional language, words like north, south, east, and west, as well as left, right, beside, and behind, to help describe where things are on our maps. It’s been exciting to see everyone combining mathematical thinking with creativity to make maps that are both accurate and beautifully presented.

Ka pai Room 4 — what fantastic learners you all are!

Room 2

Room 2 shared a fantastic digital presentation of their writing at assembly. Here it is in visual form but if you want to hear them reading please click the link to view the version with audio: Room 2 Tuhituhi

Please submit any writing for publication to Ms Waghorn megw@dyerstreet.school.nz

This is where I am from

I am from loud siblings, K-pop Demon Hunter

Songs and wrestling 

This is where I am from.

“Stop tackling kids”! No, not that much candy”!

“Don’t wake up your sister”!

That’s where I am from.

Cheerful evil laughs from pain, snoring in bed,

That’s where I’m from.

Fish and chips, McDonald’s (according to Alana).

That’s where I’m from.

By Aria Cole – Year 4

 5 senses poem 

I hear the sound of unwrapping in the morning and evening.

I smell the fresh-baked cookies in the morning, and I smell chocolate every minute, every second. 

I taste freshly baked cookies and delicious chocolate in the morning.

I feel the soft bristles on the Beautiful Christmas tree on my back.

I see the colourful lights on the Christmas tree and ceiling.

By Kayleigh – Year 5

Haiku

Purple, purple is 

so clean like a butterfly 

In the sky, yass!

Lily – Year 5

Health Alert – Measles

• Measles is circulating and is very contagious. There is now measles in Northland, Auckland, Manawatu, Nelson and Wellington, and we expect further cases across New Zealand.
• Watch out for symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and a blotchy rash:
  Measles – Health New Zealand
• Anyone with measles symptoms must stay at home and should seek urgent advice by ringing their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
• Anyone who is closely exposed to a measles case must stay at home. Heath New Zealand will provide individuals with advice on a case-by-case basis (including when they can leave quarantine at home).
• Health New Zealand is actively working with the schools that currently have measles cases.
• People are considered immune to measles after having 2 doses of a measles vaccine from 12 months or older, or if you have had measles before. For more information on measles immunity visit the Health NZ website. Measles immunity – Health New Zealand

• Families and whānau should check their own and their child/childrens’ immunisation status through My Health Record:

  My Health Record – Health New Zealand

• Anyone born between 1969-2004 may have only received one vaccine dose and might not be fully protected. It’s safe to get extra doses. A free vaccine can be booked online or via the vaccination helpline on 0800 28 29 26.

  Book my vaccine – Health New Zealand

  What you can do to prevent measles

  Preventing measles is much easier than controlling a measles outbreak. 

  Immunisation is the best way to prevent measles. To be fully protected from measles, a person must have received 2 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines.

  The MMR vaccine is very effective. It:

  • stops you getting infected — 99% of people who receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine will be fully protected against measles
  • reduces the risk of you spreading measles if you get infected
  • prevents you from becoming severely unwell if you get measles. 

  Getting immunised also protects people who cannot receive the MMR vaccine. This includes pregnant women, young infants and immune-compromised people. 

  • The MMR vaccine is free for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand under the age of 18. It does not matter what your immigration status is. 
  • If you are 18 and over, the MMR vaccine is free if you are eligible for funded healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

  As of 1 October 2025, Health NZ has agreed to fund MMR vaccine doses during measles outbreaks for non-immune adults who are not typically eligible for funded healthcare. This is implemented as directed by local Public Health teams and communicated by Health NZ to relevant immunisation providers in affected districts/region.