Tēnā koutou, Tālofa lava, Konnichiwa, Fakaalofa atu, As-salāmu ‘alaykum, Kia orāna, Hola, Mālō e lelei!
8 August 2025
Kia ora whānau,
What a fantastic week! Firstly, a huge thank you to all our ākonga, kaiako, and whānau who helped make the Open Evening on Wednesday such a success. I was immensely proud of how we showcased SWIS to our local community. We gave a really strong impression of our school, and it was wonderful to see our values on full display as we welcomed prospective families.
A few housekeeping items I’d like to draw to your attention:
Firstly, a reminder that next Friday (15 Aug) is a Staff Only Day and the school will be closed to students. Our team will be engaging in a professional development session focused on the new maths curriculum, and I look forward to sharing some of what we learn with you afterwards.
NZEI Paid Union Meeting – 19 August 2025
At 2pm on Tuesday 19 August, SWIS staff (Teachers, Teacher Aides, Support Staff and myself) will be attending a union meeting, facilitated by our union NZEI Te Riu Roa. These meetings are an entitlement for all union members and can take place up to twice a year. They are only called by our union when there is an urgent or important update.
School staff will be discussing how to keep and attract skilled people in education and what conditions and staffing levels we need to make sure education works for all our ākonga. Our staff’s working conditions are your children’s learning conditions, and like you, we want the best for them at school.
What does this mean?
The school will remain open, but our teaching programme and classroom arrangements will differ for the afternoon. If you are able to make an alternative arrangement for your child during this time please do so and let us know by filling in the survey here on Hero. Feel free to get in touch if you’ve got questions!
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.
- 12 Aug – ICAS English exam
- 13 Aug – Books Alive at the National Library
- 13 Aug – Māori Whanau hui, 6pm in the Staff Room
- 14 Aug – Intermediate Schools Rock Band Festival
- 15 Aug – Staff Only Day, school closed to students
- 18 Aug – School Board nominations open
- 19 Aug – NZEI Paid Union Meeting from 2pm
- 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
Update from the Ministry of Education on NCEA
On Monday the Minister of Education made a significant announcement about the future direction of our national qualification, NCEA. Consultation on the proposal opened on Monday and over the coming weeks schools and communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the final shape of this proposal. The consultation is open until 15 September 2025. The proposed rollout of the new qualifications is 2028–2030, aligned with the updated curriculum.
The timeline for the proposal means that there will be no changes for students in Year 9 and above. Under this proposal, students who are currently in Year 8 would be the first group to undertake the Foundational Award in Year 11 or new qualifications in Year 12 and 13.
Have your say
- Visit: Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA – Ministry of Education
- Questions? Email: NCEAconsultation@education.govt.nz
- Webinars available from 11 August – sign up on the consultation page here: Consultation on proposal to replace NCEA – Ministry of Education
Parent Quiz! NIWA Science Fair Project on Shaping Science Policy
Attitudes towards atoms
How do you see science in your child’s education — essential, exciting, overwhelming, or overlooked? We’re gathering parent perspectives to better understand how science is valued at home and how we can strengthen the connection between school and real-world learning.
Ari from Room 11 would like parent input via this quiz to help him with his NIWA Science Fair Project on Shaping Science Policy. Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to answer the quiz, it’s much appreciated!
College Enrolment Information
Here are the links for ENROLLING YOUR YEAR 8 child to their college. Enrolment numbers guide their staffing numbers. Some colleges have deadlines (check their website) so it’s best to enrol as soon as you are able.
| COLLEGE | ENROLMENT LINK |
| RONGOTAI | https://www.rongotai.school.nz/parents/enrolment |
| WELLINGTON EAST GIRLS’ COLLEGE | https://wegc.school.kiwi/enrolment |
| WELLINGTON BOYS’ COLLEGE | https://wc.school.kiwi/index.php/enrolment |
| WELLINGTON GIRLS’ COLLEGE | https://wgc.school.nz/enrolment/ |
| WELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | https://whs.school.kiwi/enrolment |
| ST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE | https://www.stcatherinescollege.school.nz/enrolment/information/ |
| ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE ST MARY’S COLLEGE | https://stpats.school.kiwi/enrolment https://enrolment@stmw.school.nz |
School News
Te Haruru o te Kāhui Tonga Kapa Haka Showcase
We had an amazing day at Wellington High School for the Kāhui Kapa Haka Showcase! It was a great opportunity to perform alongside other school in our Kāhui Ako. Thanks to Lily and Maraea (Kāhui Across School Leads), who organised the event, it was an awesome celebration of culture.
WRISSA Girls’ Basketball Tournament
Congratulations to the girls who represented SWIS at the WRISSA Tournament this week. Ka rawe!
PE in Term 3!
With the hall and turf out for repairs this week, we have been utilising the sunny weather outside to practice our volleyball skills. Here are some shots of Room 13 and Room 20.
Chess Power Tournament – check mate!
On Wednesday, SWIS hosted a Chess Power Tournament for our local area.
Community Events
PRIDE LANDS FUN HOLIDAY ADVENTURES
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AT SOUTHERN PRIDE: SOUTH WELLINGTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (SWIS) HALL, NEWTOWN
14th APR – 25th APR 2025 from 7.00am-6pm daily. Age range is 4 – 17 years with overnight sleepover activities provided with Interactive Activities and NO TV or Video Games.
Kai Cubs Cooking, and Life Skills Programme creating healthy Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Teas. One-on-one care and shuttle services available.
Daily $84.04/cub per session or $142.87 for two siblings per session; Weekly: $336.16 per cub/week or $571.47 for two siblings/week
. MSD Approved & WINZ subsidies are available for eligible families.
Qualified 1st Aid Trained Activities Coordinators and Youth Mentors
One-on-One Care: Available for cub(s) if extra support is needed
at $14/hr
ACTION (Home support 1-on-1) Mentors is also available if needed at $37/hr per mentor.
Please contact us: 0800 PRIDE 4 U Or Register online: www.PRIDELANDS.co.nz or Visit our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/PrideLandsChildcare
Here To Support All Tamariki & Rangatahi (Neurotypical and Neurodivergent)
At Pride Lands, we welcome neurotypical and neurodivergent children and youths with on-on-one support available to those that need it in our communities.
