Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
The term has once again flown by and we are busy preparing for Graduation and Prize-giving.  We all can't believe how fast the term has flown by.   We have much to celebrate this term with the unveiling of our new Birdwood School logo.  This was the end of over a years work and we are very happy with the result.  We believe it is an awesome representation of who we are and our aspirational goals for our students.  
We have had many sporting and cultural celebrations this term and we appreciate your on-going support with these.  Your children really light up when their family arrives to celebrate with them.
Next term we have lots of cultural celebrations ... language weeks, graduations, prize-givings AND a whole school pool trip planned for Tuesday 9th December.  We hope you can join us for this trip.
I wish you all a very happy holiday with your whānau.  See you all on Monday 6th October.

Our assembly time is 2.15pm
We will have morning assemblies for our Language Week Celebrations.
Please  always check out the times on our Skool Loop Calendar or keep an eye on Facebook.
Whānau are most welcome.

Term 3 begins - Monday 6th October


Monday 13th October - Bi-lingual classes to Kelly Tarlton's
Tuesday 14th October - Intermediates to Wero Water Park 
Saturday 11th October - Mana Tū Kapa Haka Comp @ Westlake Boys
Tuesday 21st October - Seniors to Wero Water Park
Thursday 23rd October - TEACHER STRIKE - SCHOOL CLOSED
Monday 27th October - LABOUR DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
Thursday 27th November - Year 8 Graduation (afternoon/evening)
Friday 28th November - Prize-giving (morning)
Tuesday 9th December - POOL DAY
Friday 12th December - Last Day of school @ 12.30

Language Weeks
Week 1 - Tuvaluan Language Week
Week 2 - Fijian Language Week
Week 4 - Tokelau Language Week
Week 8 - Soloman Islands Language Week

The tamariki have been enjoying the library space over this cold term.  Increasing numbers  have been utilising the books, cushion corner, Lego area and a new hot favourite the large animals and train sets.  As new books and toys are displayed we are seeing a wider range of children finding enjoyable, quiet ways to interact with others across the age ranges.  
The library is a space where our core values are visible and child centred. 
We look forward to seeing more tamariki at lunchtime in Term 4!
We have been strengthening our connections with the Auckland Libraries through Hooks in Books, Waka to Schools, Rānui Library and the National Library. There are so many ways our children can have access to books.
Check out the flyers below to see what awesome school holiday activities are available at the Rānui Library.

Once again we had an awesome showcase of the Tongan culture. We were spoiled with beautiful food and celebrated the week in Tongan style! 

In Muriwai this term we learned about people in the community who can help us. We learned that sea animals can be rescued by Auckland Zoo, Kelly Tarlton’s and the local community. Our whales made it back out to sea! 

We also learned about a special turtle- Hine Kopenu who was rescued by Te Kawerau a Maki. She spent 5 weeks at Auckland Zoo and is now recovering at Kelly Tarlton’s. Next term the Junior classes will be going to visit her! 

We had the whānau from Rānui, Prospect & Henderson North School who came along to our annual speech competition for our tamariki Māori.  It was a special day to celebrate Te Reo Māori.  Thank you to our judges Matua Mike & Whaea Rongomai.  The mauri has been passed to Prospect School!  See you all again next year.  Congratulations to Kahurangi, Felix & Ava Jade from Rānui who took home the taonga this year.
Congratulations to our representatives; Ihaia, Rebel, Thomas, Ruben, Qwesha-Lee & Sage 🙌🏼