Kia ora e te whānau,

It has been wonderful seeing everyone back at school.  Attendance has been great over the past couple of weeks and children are remembering their hats and their bottles of ice water!   I have been very impressed with the behaviour of our students so far.  The beginning of the year can be a tricky time as children navigate new friendships, new classroom routines and new teachers.  I'm out and about in the playground every day and I love walking around and seeing the students playing on our new astroturf.  The lunchtime volleyball game is very competitive - and there's usually 20 students on each team!  Fun!

At the beginning of the year we enrolled 25 new students.  We are so lucky to have such a diverse and culturally rich school.  You would be so proud of the way your children have made our new students feel welcome.  True Manaakitanga in action.  We warmly welcome ...Noah, Cairo, Tusai, Te Ariki, Natalia, Ula, Emma, Tausala, Taubee-Rose, Laiken, Katiya, Jasinta, Coree, Haze, Kaleighyah, Kascity, Jerry, Novas-Milan, Hafsa, Quincy, Pippen, Aria, Cyril, Isaiah and Kartel.  We welcome Arahi on Monday - bringing our total to 26! 

We have two important events coming up.  Times for you to come to school and meet your child/ren's teachers.  

Week 4:   Meet the Teacher Fun Night.
Thursday 22nd February from 3.30 - 5.30. 
We have POPS GAMES coming along - supersized fun games for you to play with your children and even verse their teacher!  To qualify for the free sausage sizzle all your child has to do is find their teacher and introduce you.  Easy Peasy!

Week 9:  Goal Setting Day
Wednesday 27th March from 8am - 5pm.  The school is closed for students that day.  We are asking you to make a 20min booking to sit down with your child and their teacher to set goals for 2024.  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 Regan to our school as the new teacher in the Intermediates alongside Whaea Simone.  Matua Regan has quickly settled into Birdwood School and is already a part of our family.  

Please pop in anytime for a chat, otherwise, I'll see you at the gate!

Mauri Ora,


Vikki Rihari

On Wednesday Te Puawaitanga o te Reo was lucky to be  invited to attend the opening of the Pa Harakeke at Te Rangi Hiroa - our local park.  This area is a space for people to sit and relax, a place to feel safe in our beautiful community.
Thank you for the invitation 💙 @ Te Rangi Hiroa.  

Thank you to Sage who stepped up to the challenge of doing a mihi on behalf of Birdwood School.  We are very proud of you!

On Friday 2nd February our Samoan Bi Lingual Unit, Penina o le Moana (Pearls of the Sea) was officially opened by the Reverend Jeriko Afamasaga along with representatives from the Ministry of Education with Whānau and guests in attendance. It was a very proud day for Birdwood School.
Whaea Fola is the teacher in this classroom along with 21 wonderful students. Currently the levels are Year 1 - Year 4 but we hope to grow this over time right up to Year 6.  If you have a child of Samoan descent turning five soon, please email folat@birdwood.school.nz to discuss a placement in Penina o le Moana.

Thursday 22nd February is Meet the Teacher Games Night and Sausage Sizzle.
last year was fab fun!! Come along, help your child find their Teacher to get their sausage sizzle ticket.
Have some kai, then play some games, Volleyball, Basketball and other games. 

On Friday 2nd February we had our first Mihi Whakatau to welcome all the new families and staff to the Birdwood School community. It's a time we come together to introduce ourselves, share some kai and celebrate our wonderful school.
We welcomed Matua Regan who is our new teacher in the Intermediate learning space and Whaea Lily and Whaea Naniah who are our new Kiwi can Leaders.  It was wonderful to have so many families come along and join the experience - this is a part of our Birdwood Tikanga.  

Week 4:
Thursday 22nd February - Meet the Teacher (3.30 - 5.30)

Week 5:
Wider Living Week - Intermediates

Week 9:
Wednesday 27th March - Goal Setting Day (School closed to students)

Week 11:
Friday 12th April - last day of Term 1

Easter falls during the term;
Friday 29th March - Tuesday 2nd April is Easter Weekend. 

Week 2 and Week 3 Assembly - click below!

At Birdwood School we care about the safety of our Tamariki.
We have noticed an increasing amount of kids coming to school on their bikes and scooters who aren't wearing a helmet! This is not ok! 
You cannot ride your Bike or Scooter to school without a helmet. 
You need to keep yourself safe.