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Monday 4th May 2026 | Vol 36 Issue 12 | Term 2 Week 3
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Honouring the Journey from Preschool to Primary
Lucy Bayliss - Centre Manager/DP - Preschool
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As this is my first Newsletter entry, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Wā Ora school community - staff, tamariki and whānau - for welcoming me so warmly and showing me the ropes over the past several months since I started working here. It really is a privilege to be part of such a special school.
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As you know, curriculum has been a hot topic of late with many changes afoot in the education sector following recent government changes. Fortunately, Preschool has been left largely untouched (so far) in terms of curriculum overhaul - but there is still important work to be done in this space to ensure we are offering our tamariki the very best learning environment. The Preschool team have been focusing our curriculum lens on 'Transition to Primary School' - what this looks like here at Wā Ora, and to what extent we are supporting tamariki and whānau in ensuring a smooth process for all. In light of this, I wanted to share some information about our current processes and procedures for this very important aspect of our curriculum.
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At Wā Ora the transition from Preschool to Primary can be viewed as both a journey AND an event. The journey begins as soon as each tamaiti starts at Preschool, and continues for the entire time they are with us. Everything that is experienced by each tamaiti in the preschool classrooms (and beyond) is carefully considered and prepared for by kaiarahi and kaiako, with the intention to help all tamariki help themselves in learning. One example of this is the opportunity for 5 year olds to offer scones to the Primary kaiako and Office team. This assists tamariki in orientating themselves to the new environment they will soon be moving to. The ‘event’ part of transitioning to school happens at Wā Ora in the form of a Mihi Whakatau for each tamaiti who is making the next step on their journey - joining the Primary (6-9) classrooms. This welcoming ceremony is both a celebration of their time at preschool and an important ‘bridging’ process to mark the significance of this transition, with the purpose of creating connections and encouraging a sense of belonging for tamariki to a new environment.
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From a planning perspective, the 'Transition to Primary School' process is carefully managed for tamariki to ensure that classrooms are well-balanced. Preschool and Primary school Head/Lead teachers, along with Deputy Principals, discuss in detail the placement of all tamariki. A transition letter and information pack is sent from the Enrolment Administrator to whānau six weeks prior to their sixth birthday. From there, Preschool kaiako will meet with primary kaiako prior to ākonga commencing transition visits. At this meeting, important information is shared that takes in a holistic view of each tamaiti. Transition to Primary school visits happen close to their transition date. These consist of a half day (including playtime and lunch) and a full day visit.
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Being part of an Area School puts us in a very fortunate position to be able to support transitions for our tamariki in a meaningful, deeply nurturing way. The proximity of Preschool and Primary school premises certainly helps to reinforce a sense of physical connectedness. However, it is the hard work of our dedicated and highly skilled kaiako who really know them that enables the upholding of mana and creates the sense of a ‘peaceful process’ for tamariki when they are journeying from preschool to primary school.
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Centre Manager/DP - Preschool
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WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING ĀKONGA AND THEIR WHĀNAU STARTING THIS WEEK...
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Tommy Thornton - Kōwhai
Emma Hare - Kōwhai
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E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .
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Monday 4th May - Friday 10th May NZ Sign Language Week
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Tuesday 5th May Preschool Kapa Haka, 2:45pm - 3:15pm, Pōhutukawa
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Tuesday 5th May Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Tuesday 5th May PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - 8:30pm (In person at school)
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Wednesday 6th May Tāwari Whānau Conferences, 3:30pm - 7pm
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Wednesday 6th May Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Thursday 7th May Tāwari Whānau Conferences, 3:30pm - 7pm
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Friday 8th May Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Monday 11th May - Friday 15th May School Support Staff Week
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Monday 11th May - Thursday 14th May Primary Swimming, Te Ngaengae Pool
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Tuesday 12th May Preschool Kapa Haka, 2:45pm - 3:15pm, Pōhutukawa
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Tuesday 12th May Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 13th May Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Friday 15th May Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Friday 15th May High School Cross Country, 1pm - 3pm, Naenae Park
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Friday 15th May PTA Pink Shirt Day & Bake Sale
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Saturday 16th May PTA Pool Party, Te Ngaengae Pool, 6pm - 8pm
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Primary Swimming
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A reminder that swimming lessons for Primary ākonga are happening in weeks 3 (next week) and 4 at Te Ngaengae pool.
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Please help your tamariki to remember their swimsuit, cap, goggles and towel each morning. If your child has difficulty dressing themselves, please make sure that you give them easy clothes to put on and take off, including footwear (socks can be very tricky). If they come wearing their swimsuit already (which is helpful) then please check that they have included their underwear in their bag. Please also make sure they have everything they need in a separate bag so wet swimsuits and towels aren’t going home in their school backpacks!
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School Absences
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If you are informing the school of your child/children’s absence due to illness, please remember to also advise what symptoms they are experiencing. This helps the office to track what illnesses are circulating around the school, consequently helping to keep you better informed.
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Also a reminder to please notify the office (in addition to the teacher) of any absences before 8.30am if possible, otherwise by 9:00am.
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New Zealand Sign Language Week
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Imagine an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere – on a plane, in the library, at school, chatting from a distance, or even underwater!
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Put your hands up and start signing this week! Learn one sign a day and visit nzsignlanguage.nz to learn more.
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School Support Staff Week
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Next week is School Support Staff Week (11th -16th May), a time to recognise and celebrate the incredible people who help keep our school running every day.
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Support extends far beyond the school office and includes our librarians, teacher aides, teacher assistants, caretakers, and pastoral support staff. These valued team members work behind the scenes and alongside our tamariki to ensure our school is a safe, welcoming, and well-supported place to learn.
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We invite everyone to wear green next week to show support and solidarity, and to acknowledge all they do for our school community.
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Thank you to all of our amazing support staff for the care, dedication, and hard work you bring each day.
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Wā Ora High School Cross Country
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Coming Up
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Next Meeting: Thursday 7th May, 7:30pm (Pōhutukawa class)
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*Please note this has changed from the previously advertised date of Tuesday 5th May
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PTA Pool Party - Saturday 16th May
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This is one the kids are going to love! Our PTA Pool Party is coming up and it is shaping up to be a fantastic night of fun for the whole family.
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Saturday 16th May
6:00pm – 8:00pm
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Expect non-stop slides, inflatables, splashing, and plenty of fun from start to finish.
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- $15 per child – includes pizza, a drink, and unlimited slides and inflatables
- Family Pass $60 – includes 1 adult and up to 4 children
- Spectator Pass $10 – includes pizza and a drink
- Children under 4 must have an adult in the pool
- All children must be actively supervised
- No drop-offs – this is a family event
- All pool rules apply at all times
We are also trialling a new ticket system called Sendd. You will receive a QR code ticket that can be saved directly to your phone using Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, making check-in quick and easy on arrival.
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Tickets can be purchased via this link or the QR code in the poster.
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It is sure to be a busy night full of happy kids, so make sure you grab your tickets early. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Pink Shirt Day is next Friday 15th May, and as usual the PTA have some fun things lined up! They’ll be putting up decorations and running a coin trail, as well as their annual Pink Shirt Day cupcake sale - so please wear your pinkest attire and bring a gold coin to join in the fun. The official Pink Shirt Day t-shirts can be purchased here.
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Pink Shirt Day is a great chance to kōrero with our tamariki about kindness and standing up for others. It ties in beautifully with the Montessori idea of 'Grace and Courtesy' - treating others with respect, showing empathy and creating a calm, caring environment. Supporting Pink Shirt Day helps us remind our tamariki that kindness matters, and that we all have a part to play in making school a place where everyone feels they belong.
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Upper Hutt Library Short Story Competition
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Spread your creative wings, let your imagination soar, and make your words count!
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Our annual Short Story Competition is back again – it's time to make Upper Hutt's writing talent shine. Slice of life, fanfiction, vignette, a classic fable.
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Entries close this Friday 10th May and are open to all.
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Primary Years Toolbox Course for Parents - Facilitated by Parent Help
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Basketball
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Basketball has started up for Term 3 at Walter Nash. We would like to acknowledge Kunaal Sologar, Richard Hoffman, Steve Lowther for volunteering your time to coach our teams and Leah Hoffman for managing them.
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Primary Cross Country Years 4-7
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This Wednesday afternoon (6th of May), we are having a casual “running laps with Samantha” around the perimeter of our primary school during the afternoon work cycle. This will be open to any child from years 4-7 to participate. This will be for both non-competitive and competitive kids. For the more competitive kids, there will be an opportunity to progress to represent our school at the inter-school cross country. Please ensure your child is wearing appropriate footwear and clothing to allow freedom of movement to reach their full running potential.
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Tough Guy and Gal Challenge 8th of May
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Good luck to the following tamariki representing our school at the Tough Guy and Gal Challenge this Friday!
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- Jocelyn Liang
- Lottie Falconer
- Vera Liddington
- Nu Nu Woodson
- Tom Tom Woodson
- Arjun Poddar
- Jesse Horspool
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