Kia ora Year 8 families and friends,

Learning Highlights

From the outset, teachers have consistently noted how engaged and motivated the students have been in their learning. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or during collaborative activities, the energy has been inspiring.

A special congratulations goes to all students for their dedication in learning and leading our school haka. Their commitment, mana, and pride have been evident throughout the preparation. We’re all looking forward to seeing their hard work come to life during the School Haka Festival in Week 5. It promises to be a powerful and proud moment for our kura.

Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship of Our Environment

Our theme for Term 3 is Kaitiakitanga, the concept of guardianship and protection of our natural environment. This has been a powerful and relevant unit of learning, sparking some thoughtful and passionate discussions among students.

To kick off the unit, we welcomed Rowan Cooke from EnviroNZ, who facilitated three engaging and informative sessions. The interactive sorting workshops were a hit, offering students hands-on experience with waste management and sustainability concepts. We hope these sessions have sparked conversations at home too!

As part of our Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach, each class has selected their own environmental focus. These range from:

• Water quality investigations
  
  

• Reducing litter in our community
  
  

• Exploring the 6 R’s of sustainability (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Rot)
  
  

• Wearable arts made from recycled materials
  
  

We’re excited to see what creative and meaningful projects our students will develop and present in the coming weeks. We encourage whānau to support and engage in their child’s project where possible!

Kindness and Respect – Values We Live By

Kindness and respect remain a core focus in all of our Year 8 classes. These values are foundational to building positive relationships and ensuring everyone feels safe, valued, and included.

This week, students took part in peer recognition, voting for a classmate they felt best embodied these values. It was heartwarming to see the thought and appreciation they showed for each other—an important reminder that even small acts of kindness go a long way.

Skills & Drills Day – Active Learning in Action

Today, we had a fantastic morning participating in our annual Year 8 Skills and Drills Day. Students rotated through a series of fun, fast-paced activities and games led by students from the Otago Polytechnic Sport and Adventure Institute.

The purpose of this day was to:

• Build new sports skills
  
  

• Learn the value of teamwork
  
  

• Practice fair play and cooperation
  
  

• Develop confidence in physical activity
  
  

Our students brought great attitudes and energy to the sessions, and it was great to see them support one another and try new things. A big thank you to the Polytechnic students for their time and efforts, and to our Year 8 students for making the most of the experience.

Thank You, Whānau

We’d like to take a moment to thank all of our parents, caregivers, and whānau for your continued support. Ensuring your child arrives at school prepared, with the right mindset and resources, makes a huge difference. Your encouragement from home plays a key role in your child’s learning journey—and we appreciate it.

Kā mihi nui,