|
|
|
|
Newsletter T2W9
19 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
IB Middle Years Programme
|
One of the great successes at Glendowie School over the past three years has been the implementation of the Middle Years Programme. The MYP has taken teaching and learning to a new level in years 7 and 8, with specialist teaching adding a certain rigour and depth to the overall learning experience of our students.
|
This week we had two evaluators come from Australia to assess the quality of our MYP programme and to decide whether we can be fully authorised. I am delighted to report that the feedback we received from both evaluators was incredibly positive. We expect a written review in the next month where we hope to have it confirmed that Glendowie School is a fully authorised IB MYP school, as we are already for the PYP.
|
A huge credit must go to Mr Liu and his team who have worked tirelessly over the past three years to reshape our intermediate programme.
|
Term One saw our best ever attendance levels since the Government began tracking these a few years ago. We had 85% regular attendance. But…
|
…tis the season for our community to make trips during term time. At this time of year our students get flown to all ends of the Earth on holiday, escaping the winter and avoiding the cost of school holiday airfares. I have no moral or ethical statements to make on this matter. However, I am obligated to draw your attention to the fact that the Government presently has a strong focus on attendance, and the school is required to mark any such absences as “unjustified”. These absences will remain permanently noted on the records of students for the duration of their time in the New Zealand education system. We are also required to write to you when absences reach a certain level, so please understand that we are just following instructions when sending parents these pieces of communication.
|
Moving forward, if you wish to take your child out for a holiday at any time of the year, please notify the office. Requesting leave from me in these circumstances is a redundant exercise, given that whatever I say (which in these circumstances is always friendly) is unlikely to change the outcome. Not having to write to the Principal also saves some people from having to exaggerate reasons for travel (I’ve had some good ones).
|
I am pleased to announce that we have our very own Glendowie School honey on sale in the office now for $14. Our honey is made by our very own bees on the far side of the field. Honey produced in the area where you live is apparently very good for your health, so get yours while stocks last.
|
|
Ngati Poua Service Agreement
|
I am very pleased to announce that our school has signed a service agreement with Ngati Paoa (our local iwi). They will provide 20 hours of support to help integrate Ngati Paoa history and Te Ao Maori into our units of inquiry in years 1-6 and in the social studies curriculum in years 7 and 8. We are one of just three schools in this area who have agreed to make this commitment and we look forward to growing our relationship with our local tangata whenua.
|
EZ lunches are off to a good start with only a few small hitches. Don’t forget you can order lunches via Kindo from Monday to Friday, with Friday having the extra option of pies from the Pie Guy. For those old enough to remember the cultural phenomenon that was Georgie Pie, there is a striking resemblance.
|
A reminder that our annual Matariki celebration will take place on the last day of this term. While Matariki officially falls during the holidays this year, we didn’t want to miss out on this wonderful school tradition for 2026.
|
|
When: Last day of Term (Friday) at 6:45 am
|
|
Where: The astroturf (we will move to the Hall if the weather is poor)
|
Early Dismissal: School will finish early at 1:00 pm ahead of the holidays.
|
All parents and families are warmly invited to join us from 6:45 am to celebrate together.
|
Lastly, we will be farewelling our long-serving DP, Ms Robyn Sinclair, at the end of this term. Ms Sinclair has made a massive contribution to our school over three decades. We are looking forward to honouring her and her contribution in Week 11 with an assembly.
|
|
Paul Crowhurst | Principal
|
|
|
|
|
The next Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, 23rd June from 6.30pm in the boardroom. Anyone is welcome to attend and a copy of the agenda is available from the school office from 3pm on the Friday before the meeting.
|
|
|
|
Year 3
In Year 3 we have had a great term exploring ‘How the world works’ where we have inquired into how structures are designed using scientific principles and can be modified. The year 3 learners enjoyed finding out about structures around New Zealand and then inquired into different structures from around the world.
|
'My favourite part of the unit of inquiry was when we made our structures and tested them to see if they could be free standing or not.' - Amparo H, Y3
|
|
'When we were building our structures, we focused on the foundation, so we did popsicle sticks and then tape on both sides of the fence and then we laid it down so it would hold up the sky tower if you put it on a specific angle. It worked if you leant it on the right angle.'
|
'We loved learning about the Burj Khalifa and the Eiffel Tower! It was interesting to find out how tall they were.' - Zoe S, Y3
|
Using their understanding of the scientific principles used to create structures, the year 3 learners applied their knowledge to design, create and modify their own structures.
|
|
To showcase their learning, the Year 3’s put together an impressive assembly performance. The students worked hard to practice their lines, learn songs, actions, and chants. They proudly displayed the artwork they created and showcased the structures they designed and built throughout the term. Well done Year 3!
|
|
|
|
|
Year 7 Science
I wonder how to power a brighter future? This is the question that the Year 7 students have been pondering this term. We have been part of The Wonder Project, which is run by Engineering New Zealand and is designed to get school students involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
|
Our inquiry statement is: “Changing an object's form can increase its capacity to generate energy and result in better use of natural resources.” We have researched different ways of generating electricity and are now designing wind turbines. We are using the engineering design cycle to change one variable at a time to try to make our blade designs the most efficient possible. Our end goal is to light up as many lights in our mini town as possible.
|
|
Our knowledge has included the conceptual understanding that energy is never created or destroyed but changes form from one type of energy to another. We have been working on our creative thinking skills to make guesses, ask “what if” questions and generate testable hypotheses, then to create novel solutions to authentic problems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tackle and Rippa Rugby Tournament 2026
|
On Tuesday , 9thJune there was a tackle and rippa rugby tournament at Colin Maiden Park. There were four tough tackle teams - Orakei, St. Ignatius, St. Heliers and Glendowie! Glendowie’s first game was against Orakei. It was a tough game because they were running around us a lot and were super fast. We lost our first game, then we had a 20 minute break. Before the game we had a quick snack and then we got back to training. After all of our pool games, our final was against St. Heliers. All of the other Glendowie teams were cheering us on which helped to give us a boost! In the end we had an awesome day, even though we lost some games, we still had lots of fun! - Harry K & Jude I, Y5
|
|
|
|
|
Parents' Association
Next Uniform Shop Opening:
8:30-9am, Friday 26th June.
|
Next PA meeting:
7pm, Thursday 23rd July, staffroom, all welcome.
|
- Disco - Friday 14th August
- Runathon - Tuesday 25th August
- Parent's Social Evening - Saturday 19th September
- Expert Speaker - date TBC
- Colour Run - 4th December
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
- Monday 22nd June - Eastern Zone Hockey
- Tuesday 23rd June - Bay Suburbs Netball
- Tuesday 23rd June - Board Meeting, 6.30pm - Boardroom
- Friday 26th June - Second Hand Uniform Shop, 8.30am
- Friday 26th June - Y4 Assembly, 1.30pm
- Friday 3rd July - Matarki school gathering & breakfast, 6.45am
- Friday 3rd July - Last Day Term 2 - School starts 6.45am, closes 1pm
- Monday 20th July - First Day of Term 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Notices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
