Kia ora e te whānau of Birdwood School,

Week 5 is done and Week 6 marks our mid-way point for Term 1.  We now have 210 students and our classes are humming! The best part of my day is when I get to walk around outside watching our students playing in the sun, training for sports, reading in the library or having a game of tiggy around the fale.  Birdwood School is a happy place full of laughter.   Sometimes ... in the nature of all school learning environments students make mistakes - big and small.   We endeavour to contact families when things go wrong.  We believe that strong home and school connections can have us all working together to support our students.   

Thank you for attending our MEET THE TEACHER FUN NIGHT!  What an awesome atmosphere that was!  The sun was shining, the music was blaring and everyone had their 'game face' on!  This is the first step into building that strong home school partnership.  Remember, we have an open door policy and you are welcome here anytime.  If you want to have a sit down chat with your child's teacher remember they are busy preparing for lessons in the morning so it's better to pop in after school.  The next meeting time this term is ...
Week 9:  Goal Setting Day
Wednesday 27th March from 8pm - 5pm. 
School is closed for students on this day.  We are asking you to book a 20 min goal setting meeting with your child/ren's teacher.  This is a valuable, uninterrupted time set aside just for you!  Please make a booking.
https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/tgk2t

We welcome Matua Walter as our newest Pouāwhina to Birdwood School.  Matua Walter can be found in Penina o le Moana or down on the field running sports games during break times.

I look forward to the coming weeks seeing you in the community.  Please feel free to pop in and see me at anytime.  If I'm not available I have a great support team there for you in Whaea Sarah, Matua Kevin and Whaea Fola. 

Mauri Ora,


Vikki Rihari 

As part of our Science Inquiry,  the Seniors carried out a biodiversity survey of our stream, Waiwhauwhaupaku. The students were challenged to list the different species of this ecosystem, identify the names, and research whether these are native or non-native species. 

The students are becoming excellent biologists! Our next steps are to find out what species were in the ecosystem in the past, explain the adaptations and roles of these species in the ecosystem, and identify a local species at risk and design a website with strategies to protect its habitat or raise awareness.

Watch this space!

.

Madeleine Coop and Chantz Nathan, Akilah Nathan-Hokai & Alatina Moematagi

Mā te ngākau aroha koe e ārahi …. Let a loving heart guide your decisions 

We are very proud of all of our students at Birdwood who have taken up the opportunity to be leaders.

We are very proud of all of our students at Birdwood who have taken up the opportunity to be leaders.
Student Councillors
Nori Kirby
Ruben Austin
Palakua Herein
Marino Patangata
Isaac Kumar
Elizabeth Masiu
Si'u Lafaele
Edward Manyerenyere
Sharaya Kumar

Sports Leaders
Rodney Aho
Walter Ngan-Woo

Enviro Leaders
Lesieli Masiu
Anthony Reid

IT/Assembly Leaders
Rodney Aho
Anthony Tiatoa
Prestyn Fatu
Vladimir Anania

Flags
Edward Stowers
Anthony Reid
Josh Winterstein
Wirihana Taurere

Librarians
Adele Seloti
Sharaya Kumar
Taube-Rose Popata
Brielle Niyongabo-Ingabire
Falogo Tema
Dofilia Muyunda
Tavana Reid

Road Patrollers
Adele, Jeremiah, Alexcez, Tyler, Sharaya, Mataga, Josiah, Te Kafa, Nori, Mili, Mariah, Elizabeth, Dominique, Qwesha-Lee, Nevaeh

This year, Birdwood School did away with the traditional CAMP model from the past and tried something new.  Wider Living Week has the goal of challenging students while building a class community with a shared vision - without the hassle of sleeping over. 
Our Birdwood students have had the most fantastic week being exposed to challenging and engaging activities.  The photos say it all!
Thank you to Matua Kevin for organising the week and the Birdwood School Board for funding this so that EVERY student at Birdwood School had the opportunity to attend. 

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