Kia ora koutou
Sadly we farewelled Courtney Allison last week. She has shifted to Melbourne with her partner and they are starting their OE. We wish her all the best.
Next time you come to the kura please check out the amazing street art that has been completed to reflect the history of Ao Tawhiti, Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti and Discovery One. Thank you to the Hapori group of staff and students who worked with the artists, Ikarus and Dcypher, to create this visual history.
Homebase Selections 2023
It is that time of the year .. Homebase Learning Advisor Selections for 2023.
The profiles are organised into the Floors that each year level is working on and then the 2023 communities on that floor.
Floor One is Years 1 – 6
Floor Two is Years 9 – 13
Floor Three is Years 9 – 13
Floor Four is Years 7 – 9
The link to read about what each Homebase Learning advisor has to offer is below. Please make your selection by the end of day on Sunday 13th November. https://aotawhiti.school.nz/2023-homebase-learning-advisor-selection/
Paid Union Meetings and PPTA Accord Days 2022
NZEI have informed us of a Paid Union Meeting on November 17th. This means that our Years 1-6 Learning Advisors will be at a union meeting and we will have to close the school for our Years 1 – 6 students from 12:20 on Thursday November 17th.
We will be able to offer limited supervision (as we have very few non-union staff). The link for the supervision form is Years 1 – 6 supervision form Paid Union Meeting
PPTA has organised two Accord days in late November to enable staff to prepare for the changes in NCEA assessment. The first date is Friday November 25th and the second date is Tuesday 29th of November. We will be rostering students in Years 7 – 10 home on those dates, as we won’t have the staff available to teach.
We will be able to offer limited supervision for students if needed. Students will be supported to do the work that staff will provide via google classroom. The link for the supervision form is Supervision for Accord days
Seeking your feedback – Fridays for Y7-13
The Year 7-13 Friday hapori programme is in its second year now and we are seeking feedback from students, whānau and staff as we consider how Fridays might look in 2023. You can see some of the things that go on in Hapori here on our google site: Hapori Website
The programme was created to:
- Provide a vehicle for passions-based, self-directed learning, in keeping with our school’s special character.
- Be a place in the timetable where 21st century skills and competencies are prioritised
- Support students to develop their capacity to self-direct their learning
- Allow for deeper learning through project-based learning.
Friday was chosen as the day for this because a number of students learn off site on Friday through Ara, the National Trades Academy and work experience placements. This allows students to engage in these programmes without missing out on colour block classes.
Thanks to those who have already filled out the survey. We’d love for a few more of you to let us know your thoughts about our Friday programmes: Fridays Y7-13 – whānau feedback 2022
We’ll take your views into account as we review, make changes and plan for 2023.
NCEA Exam Dates
Here is a link to the examination timetable for NCEA exams this year. They will be held on Floor Four at Ao Tawhiti. Please encourage your child to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the exam. Examination Timetable 2022
Updated school calendar for 2022 and 2023 is below.
Updated School Calendar for the remainder of 2022 and 2023
Below are the dates for Public Holidays, Term Dates, IEMs and Staff Only Days for the remainder of 2022 and the term dates for 2023.
| Date 2022 | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 4 November | Last day for students in Years 11, 12 and 13 (NZQA exams start on Monday 7 November) Graduation at The Piano at 156 Armagh Street for our graduating students and whānau. Doors open at 6:30 and the event starts at 7pm. |
| Friday 11 November | Show Day – Public Holiday |
| Thursday 17 November | Paid Union Meeting Years 1-6 Learning Advisors. School will close at 12:20 for students in Years 1 – 6. |
| Friday 25 November | PPTA Accord Day. Years 7 – 10 students will be working from home. |
| Tuesday 29 November | PPTA Accord Day. Years 7 – 10 students will be working from home. |
| Thursday 15 December | Last day of school for 2022. We will have a community picnic in the morning and school will finish at lunchtime. |
| Date 2023 | Event |
| Tuesday 31 January and Wednesday 1 February | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if neededForm for supervision |
| Thursday 2 February and Friday 3 February | Staff Only Days – school is closed for instruction |
| Monday 6 February | Waitangi Day – school is closed for instruction |
| Tuesday 7 February | Timetabled classes for term one start |
| Wednesday 5 April | Last day of timetabled classes for term one |
| Thursday 6 April | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if needed |
| Friday 7 April – Sunday 23 April | Holiday Break |
| Monday 24 April | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if needed |
| Tuesday 25 April | Anzac Day – school closed for instruction |
| Wednesday 26 April | Timetabled classes for term two begin |
| Monday 5 June | Queen’s/King’s Birthday Public Holiday – school is closed for instruction |
| Thursday 29 June | Last day of timetabled classes for term two |
| Friday 30 June | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1- 6 if needed |
| Saturday 1 July – Sunday 16 July | Holiday Break |
| Monday 17 July | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if needed |
| Tuesday 18 July | Timetabled classes for term three start |
| Thursday 21 September | Last day of timetabled classes for term three |
| Friday 22 September | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if needed |
| Saturday 23 September – Sunday 8 October | Holiday Break |
| Monday 9 October | IEMs – supervision is available for students in Years 1 – 6 if needed |
| Tuesday 10 October | Timetabled classes for term four start |
| Monday 23 October | Labour Day – school closed for instruction |
| Friday 27 October | Senior students leave for study leave Graduation |
| Friday 17 November | Show Day – school closed for instruction |
| Thursday 14 December | Last day of school for 2023 |
Ngā mihi nui
Anita