Malo e lelei to our Birdwood Community!

It has been fantastic to see Birdwood School embrace Tongan Language Week this week.  Students have been learning about the Kingdom of Tonga and what an archipelago is.   It is a true blessing if children can speak their heritage language.
It is wonderful to see our Tongan students proudly wear their best Tonga attire to school today.  Thank you to our families for their continued support.  Whaea Christina, Whaea Lima and Whaea Susana have been busy planning a feast for weeks!  We are so blessed to have a community that comes together to celebrate.  Thank you to Adrian who came along to our lunch and welcomed our community in and put on the awesome fashion parade!  

This week is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.  Be proud to kōrero Māori and help keep our beautiful language alive!  At school, we are lucky enough to have our very own Kapa Haka tutor that comes in every Thursday.  Kapa Haka is open to all students across the school from Year 3 - 8.  You're welcome to join us to - Nau Mai, Haere Mai!

We have two more weeks left in Term 3.  Please talk to your children about packing some spare clothes in their bags and also their manners and kindness.  As it nears the end of the term when people are tired we need to take the extra time to be kind, be considerate of others and SMILE.  

We hope you join us on Thursday for our 'Reading Night'.  Our staff have gone to a lot of effort to plan out the evening.  All classes will be open and it's a great opportunity to see what is happening at school.  

Have a wonderful week!


Ngā manaakitanga,


Vikki Rihari

Kia ora,
Can't make it to assembly?  No problem.  Read the latest slides here.

Malo e lelei,
During Week 8 we had what can only be called a 'Tongan Extravaganza'.  We were immersed in learning about Tonga!  Whaea Christina, Whaea Lima and Whaea Susana came in on Sunday and upgraded our office area with beautiful art works and tapa.  During the week we were treated with delicious food and on Friday the whole school were served a wonderful feast!  Fresh oysters, pork roasted on a spit, raw fish, octopus, surimi salad, taro in coconut cream. - you name it, we ate it.  Celebrations like this don't just happen ... they are driven by people.  We wanted to take this opportunity to thank Whaea Christina for being the driving force behind Tongan Language Week.  Thank you to all the families that donated tapa, their time, food and money ..,. you really were appreciated!  

Following on from our very successful 'Fun Night' and 'Literacy Night' ... here is the next family night that cannot be missed ..... READING NIGHT.

The idea is you come along and visit as many classes as you like to learn about different ways to support your child.  The library will be open too and Whaea Meli will have some 'dual-language readers'.  Come along and read to your children!

Go in the draw to win $50 Park n Save Voucher.

Talofa!
Whaea Fola has been working very hard with our Reo Moana facilitator.  Notices have gone home inviting students into the class.  The great news is .... THE CLASS for 2024 is now FULL! 
If you are wanting your child to be in the bi-linugal class they will now be on a waiting list.

There are two information evenings in Term 4.  
Week 2 - Thursday 19th October:  6 - 7.30pm

Week 6 - Thursday 16th November:  6 - 7.30pm

We are building paper mache volcanoes and getting ready to erupt these. 

Week 9 - Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Friday 15th September - Assembly @ 9.15

Week 10 - Tuvaluan Language Week
Friday 22nd September - Assembly @ 9.15

Last day of Term 3 - Friday 22nd September @ 3pm.

First day of Term 4 - Monday 9th October 
Last day of Term 4 - Friday 15th December @ 1pm

All schools get to have one Teacher Only Day in Term 4.  We will be taking ours on Monday 20th November.
This will mean that school will be CLOSED FOR STUDENTS on this day.
Staff will be working with our local iwi Te Kawerau a Maki on this day.