Tēnā koutou, Tālofa lava, Konnichiwa, Fakaalofa atu, As-salāmu ‘alaykum, Kia orāna, Hola, Mālō e lelei!
25 July 2025
Kia ora Parents & Whānau,
It was wonderful to see so many whānau at our Three-way Learning Conferences last week. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our ākonga and their successes. If you were unable to make it to the conferences, please get in touch with your child’s homeroom teacher to book a time to catch up with them, it is important that your child comes along to these.
One of the great things about SWIS is the diverse range of activities we offer. We love seeing students throwing themselves into these opportunities as they move through their time with us, watching them take the lead—signing up for activities, trying new things, and building their confidence along the way.
Notices are shared with students each morning during homeroom, and we encourage you to chat with your child about what’s coming up and whether there’s something they’d like to get involved in. It’s all part of supporting their growing independence, and we’re here to back them every step of the way. If you’d ever like more information about anything that’s on offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
There are a few things I’d like to draw your attention to this week.
School Board Nominations are now open, and I encourage you to consider putting yourself forward. Being part of the Board is a great way to help shape the direction of our school and support our ākonga. See details and dates below. We have had feedback that the spam filter has picked up some of the messages from the elections service. Please check that this is not the case for you. Additionally if you have children at multiple schools some email services are stacking these messages as they look the same. Please make sure you expand any messages out in full.
Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, we’ll be welcoming Year 6 students for our open day visits. Then, on Wednesday 6 August, it’s our SWIS Open Evening—a chance for prospective ākonga and their whānau to explore our kura and get a feel for life at SWIS. If you know any families looking at intermediate options, please do share the Open day and Evening details with them (see below).
Lastly, a reminder about our Keeping Ourselves Safe Parent Information Session on Wednesday 30 July, which will cover the KOS programme and share what is covered with students. This is a particularly relevant and important topic at the moment. You can preview the content on the New Zealand Police website and bring along any questions you might have—we’d love to see you there.
Ngā mihi nui,
Karl Emson
Tumuaki whakakapi | Acting Principal
Remember to check out the school’s Facebook Page, which has great news stories about what’s happening at school.
Term 3 Dates
Also keep an eye on the school google calendar as dates are added and changed from time to time.
- 30 July – Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS) parent information session, 5.30-6.30pm
- 29/30 July – SWIS school visit for Y6 students
- 30 July – WRISSA Hockey Tournament – National Hockey Centre
- 1 Aug – School Fun Run Crazy Colour Day
- 5 Aug – ICAS Digitech exam
- 6 Aug – AIMS Games bake sale
- 6 Aug – SWIS Open Evening for prospective students
- 7 Aug – ICAS Writing exam
- 7 Aug – Kapa Haka performance, Te Haruru o te Kāhui Tonga, at Wellington High School
- 12 Aug – ICAS English exam
- 13 Aug – Books Alive at the National Library
- 13 Aug – Māori Whanau hui, 6pm in the Staff Room
- 15 Aug – Staff Only Day, school closed to students
- 18 Aug – School Board nominations open
- 19 Aug – School Board meeting
- 19 Aug – ICAS Spelling exam
- 21 Aug – ICAS Science exam
- 22 Aug – Māoritanga enrichment trip to Wellington Museum
- 25 Aug – ArtSplash concert, 7.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Rehearsal from 12 – 1.45pm
- 28 Aug – NIWA Science and Technology Fair
- 26 Aug – ICAS Maths exam
- 30 Aug – Tournament of Minds Regional competition at Victoria University
- 1-5 Sep – AIMS Games in Tauranga
- 10 Sep – School Board elections
- 10 Sep – SWIS Market Day
- 13 Sep – Tournament of Minds National Final competition at Victoria University
- 15 – 19 Sep – Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
- 17 Sep – WRISSA Volleyball at Ākua Tangi
- 17 Sep – WOW preview, 7pm at TSB Stadium
- 19 Sep – Last day of Term 3
School Notices
Wellington City Council request feedback on proposed pathway
We have received the following from Wellington City Council who are seeking feedback from our community. See details below on how to reach them if you would like to share your views.
Wellington City Council, in partnership with Trails Wellington is proposing to develop a new shared-use trail connecting Martin Luckie Park to Island Bay. The trail aims to provide a safe, traffic-free walking and cycling connection between Berhampore and Island Bay, passing through Wellington Town Belt land on the eastern side of the Berhampore Golf Course. The aim is to improve access to key community destinations including Wellington Zoo, Martin Luckie Park, Wakefield Park, South Wellington Intermediate School, and the Island Bay and Berhampore communities. Go to letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/shared-use-trail to find out more. Feedback is open until 4 August, 2025.
Update from Wellington City Council: Safe Speed Limits Roll Out
Wellington City Council is rolling out a Variable Speed Limits Project across the city, including outside South Wellington Intermediate. As part of this programme, a new variable speed limit of 30km/h will operate during school travel times on roads outside the school gates. This change will apply within 150 metres of the school gates, aiming to create a safer environment for whānau as they arrive and leave each day. Find more information about the project, including which schools are included and when the changes are expected to happen, here on the Wellington City Council’s website.
Keeping kids safe on devices: A quick reminder to whānau
As our tamariki grow more connected through devices and group messaging apps like WhatsApp, it’s more important than ever to support them in navigating these spaces safely. Please take a moment to check in with your child about their online interactions. Ask who they’re chatting with and make sure the group chats they’re part of are appropriate for their age and aligned with your family’s values. Even in groups made up of friends or classmates, messages can sometimes cross the line—whether it’s unkind comments, inappropriate content, or language that doesn’t reflect the respectful culture we strive for.
A few helpful tips:
- Know the platforms your child is using.
- Check privacy settings and understand who can contact them.
- Have open conversations about what’s okay to share and say online.
- Encourage them to speak up if something makes them uncomfortable.
Together, we can help our kids build positive digital habits and keep their online spaces safe and supportive.
Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme in Term 3 – Parent Info session, Wed 30 July
Recommended to all schools by the New Zealand Police, we are running the Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS) programme this term during class time. We invite parents to come to the information session on Wednesday 30 July, 5:30 to 6:30pm to find out more the programme and ask any questions. There is also information available online.
As part of the programme, students will learn:
- to work out when their safety is at risk
- how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people
- who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused
- that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules.
School Fun Run Crazy Colour Day – 1 August!
SWIS is excited to be taking part in the School Fun Run Crazy Colour Day on Thursday 1 August to raise funds for new digital technology tools that support the diverse needs of our students. The Fun Run will take place from 1:10–3:00pm, with a course set up around the school grounds. Whānau are warmly invited to come along and cheer on the runners! Students are encouraged to wear a plain white t-shirt or an old shirt they don’t mind getting colourful (it makes a great keepsake!). The aim of the Colour Run is to have fun while being sprayed with non-toxic coloured chalk-like paint as they go. There will also be a paint-free option for anyone who would prefer not to be sprayed. We’re looking forward to a fun, vibrant afternoon—and raising money for a great cause! If you have any questions or concerns please contact cole.hanfling@swis.school.nz.
How does my child fundraise?
Firstly, go to schoolfunrun.co.nz and create a student profile page. This will give you an online fundraising link that you can share with friends and family via SMS text, email and on social media. Students who raise as little as $10 are able to choose a prize. Prizes MUST be ordered between the 1/9/2025 and 1/10/2025. Visit schoolfunrun.co.nz, log into your Profile Page between these dates. Then click on the ‘CLAIM YOUR PRIZE’ button and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact the School Fun-Run team on 0800 377 170 and they will help.
School Board Elections
All state and state-integrated schools in Aotearoa New Zealand are required to have a school board. Having a school board is important because it ensures that schools are governed in a way that reflects the values, needs, and aspirations of their local communities. Taking part in the voting process, or standing for board representation, gives parents, whānau, and the wider community a voice in how South Wellington Intermediate School is run.
School boards are elected by the school community through an election process. These elections occur within the same period for all schools. On Friday 18 July all eligible voters should have received an email from Election Pilot Mission Control “Call for Nominations”. Check your spam folder if you haven’t seen it. Those without email addresses were posted the same information. The school also has printed nomination forms available if needed.
Nominations close – 6 August at 12 noon. Please get your nomination in early! No late entries can be accepted.
What happens next
- If nominations exceed available spots: a vote will be held.
- If nominations match available spots: no vote is needed.
- If nominations are fewer than available spots: the board will appoint people to fill the remaining positions.
Voting (if required)
Voting packs go out on 13 August.
- Parents with email will vote online.
- Others will get a paper pack by mail, with both online and return-by-post options.
- Voting closes 10 September, and results will be shared on 16 September.
What you can do now
✔ Submit a nomination if you’re interested in joining the board.
✔ Contact the school if your contact details change.
Let’s work together to support strong leadership for our kura!
SWIS Open Days/Evening
At the end of July SWIS will be hosting Y6 students from our contributing schools. They will start their visit in the school hall at 9.20am and then participate in a programme that gives them a taste of what life is like at SWIS. These visits are for students only. Students from Contributing school will come along with their school. If you know of a child at another school who is considering SWIS, they are welcome to attend either day. Just come to the School Office at 9:15am.
- Tuesday 29 July – Newtown School and Berhampore School
- Wednesday 30 July – Island Bay School, Houghton Valley School and Ōwhiro Bay.
Our Whānau Open Evening is on Wednesday 6 August, 6pm – 7:30pm. If you know of friends, neighbours or family with children that might be interested in enrolling at SWIS in 2026, let them know, all are welcome to come and check us out! A number of our SWIS Ākonga will be involved in this event.
School News
Welcome to SWIS! Our Term 3 pōwhiri
We’d like to give a very welcome to our new and returning kaiako (teachers) and ākonga. We’re delighted to have you join the SWIS whānau.
Kapa haka visit Wellington High School
This week, 40 of our Kapa Haka members headed over to Taraika Marae at Wellington High School. Their senior Kapa rōpu taught us a knew haka and shared some whakawhanaunga!
He aha tēnei? | What is this? – Te reo in Term 3
In Te reo this term, we are focusing on Hoko – buying! This aligns with our Market Day (more info about that to come!) and financial literacy topics this term. This week, we practiced our huarākau | fruits while learning the new structure “He aha tēnei?” | What is this?
Representing SWIS Netball – the SWIS Kārearea!
Our A netball team SWIS Kārearea not only finished top three in the grading and will now play against other intermediates across the Wellington region at the Hataitai courts in Term 3, but also represented SWIS at the WRISSA Netball Tournament. Ka rawe!
Art for Art’s Sake!
Edie from room 12 is holding her self portrait (thinking about cookies!) and her Chris Judge influenced cloud picture. These demonstrate the understanding of the elements of art of value, line, proportion and colour mixing using liquid paint and oil pastel. Awesome work Edie!
Ready for Pedal Ready!
A group of our students recently signed up to take part in the Pedal Ready programme, which wrapped up with an awesome biking adventure to Shorland Park! The group was supported along the way by wonderful volunteers from Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and the Pedal Ready team. Using local cycle lanes, the students biked all the way from school to the park—some of them riding independently for the very first time! To celebrate their achievement, everyone enjoyed hot chips and lemon cordial at the end of the ride. Ka pai to all involved—what an amazing way to build confidence and explore our community by bike!
Hip Hopping their way to Prague!
A big congratulations to two of our talented students, Caitlin and Florence who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Champs in Prague this October! Check them out on Facebook to see more. Ka rawe, and best of luck as you prepare!
Community Events
