Tēnā koutou, Tālofa lava, Konnichiwa, Fakaalofa atu, As-salāmu ‘alaykum, Kia orāna, Hola, Mālō e lelei!
22 August 2025
Kia ora whānau,
What a great way to finish a week! Thank you to all the whānau who came along to support our colour runners today, it was a great event!
We’re now officially halfway through the term and over the past few weeks, school has been buzzing with the activity of a number of building projects. These improvements are already making a big difference to our spaces for learning, play, and community events.
- New Hall Floor – Our school hall now has a fresh new floor surface, giving the space a brighter and more modern feel. It’s ready for assemblies, performances, sports, and all the special events that bring us together.
- Outdoor Turf – A brand-new turf area has been installed, creating a fantastic space for students to play, train, and connect.
- Four New Classrooms – We are also thrilled to have four additional classrooms now in place.
We’re proud of the way these projects enhance our school and provide even more opportunities for our students to thrive. A big thank you to everyone who has helped make these developments possible.
Finally, please take a moment to read through the EOTC document below and chat with your child about the options available. Students will be asked to indicate their preferences on Monday, 25 August.
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.
- 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 – 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
- 6 Oct – First day of Term 4
- 5 Dec – Staff Only Day
School Notices
School Board Update
Nominations for our School Board have now closed. As we received fewer nominations than positions available, an election is not required this year. We’re delighted to warmly welcome Michael Bryan and Cheyenne Allen to our Board. We look forward to the skills, ideas, and energy they will bring to our school community. We’ll share an update soon about filling the remaining position.
Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Week – Save the Date!
Today (Friday 22 August) at assembly, we shared with our students the exciting options available for this year’s EOTC Week (8–12 December).
Staff have put together a wide range of opportunities, including outdoor adventures, local experiences, overnight trips, cultural activities, and programmes designed to challenge and inspire. Full details, including costs, can be found here. Students will indicate their preferences via a Google Form emailed directly to their school account.
EOTC Week is always a highlight of the school year. It gives students the chance to step outside the classroom, build teamwork and resilience, and create lasting memories with their peers. We’re looking forward to another fantastic EOTC Week and thank you in advance for supporting these valuable learning experiences.
Fruitae containers please!
The Art Room is gladly accepting all containers from the Fruitae ice cream treats – pop them up to the art room please!
Sausage Sizzle fundraiser for AIMS Games Netball Team
On Sunday 24 August, from 8.30am to 4pm, we’d love everyone to head along to Bunnings in Lyall Bay to support the netball team’s fundraising efforts for AIMS Games in Tauranga. Thanks to Bunnings, Hellers and Island Bay New World for their generous support.
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
Welcome to our new SWIS Office Manager, Hayley Trenwith!
Kia ora everyone!
I’m Hayley, and I’m so excited to be joining SWIS as the new Office Manager! I’ve previously worked at Northland School as office admin and really enjoy being part of a busy, welcoming environment where I can help things run smoothly and support both students and staff.
I live locally and love being part of this community—it’s one of the reasons I’m especially excited to be here. A little about me: I have a Bachelor of Design in Photography, I’m a big fan of second-hand shopping (the thrill of the find!), and I’m rarely without a coffee in hand. Outside of work, I enjoy time with my husband and our two fur babies—a cat and a dog.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone, so please feel free to drop by the office and say hi!
Colour Fun Run a colourful success!
The weather finally came to the party, and we were treated to blue skies for today’s Colour Fun Run! Our tamariki had an amazing time running, laughing, and getting covered in colour. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more photos capturing the fun! Thanks to Greg for the great tunes and Cole for putting the event together, ka rawe!
New Kapahaka site!
Check out our new Kapa Haka site where you can find words to our waiata, photos from our past events and more!
Books Alive!
Twenty-eight of our students took part in Books Alive! – a day when children’s librarians, writers, illustrators, translators, and students filled the National Library for book talks, workshops, and presentations. A real highlight was meeting renowned New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera-Smiler, which was an unforgettable experience for our students!
Music in Term 3!
This term in music, we’ve been diving into the world of melody! Students have been learning about notes, chords, and how melodies are created using the standard musical scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). We’ve been applying our knowledge across different instruments and using online pianos on Chromebooks to practice familiar tunes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. A highlight of our lessons has been a student’s inspiring suggestion to share the Harry Potter theme tune which requires knowledge of the chromatic scale (sharps and flats) This challenge has helped us explore how melodies come to life in more complex pieces. It’s been a magical way to deepen our understanding and creativity in music .
Intermediate Rocks!
Last week SWIS participated in Rāroa Intermediate Rocks! This is an annual celebration of Intermediate Rock bands from the area. Two of our SWIS bands performed – The Girls from Sesame St and Paradise. They both had excellent performances and did themselves proud! Congratulations also to Ada Y who won the award for best guitarist!
Food tech in Term 3
The students in Food Tech this term have been making bagels, sushi and minestrone soup from scratch!
Celebrating creativity! Purchase a picture book
Mons Goodall (a teacher at Berhampore School) has recently written a children’s picture book that has been beautifully illustrated by Brooke in Rm 19 (also a former Berhampore School student). If you would like to order a copy of the book, please email monsg@berhampore.school.nz to arrange payment and delivery. Books are selling for $20 each. Congratulations to Brooke on her beautiful art!
Community Events
PRIDE LANDS FUN HOLIDAY ADVENTURES
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AT SOUTHERN PRIDE: SOUTH WELLINGTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (SWIS) HALL, NEWTOWN
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.
Win a Free Week at The Rock Academy Holiday Programme!
Win a free week at our Holiday Programme! To enter, simply make a video of your child playing their instrument or singing, post it to your facebook page, say something ‘cool’ about The Rock Academy and then email us the link. If you don’t have a facebook page then leave us a ‘sweet’ review on google maps and email us the video. There are no rules so be creative and have fun! Bonus points for authenticity. We can’t wait to see the videos and we will announce the winner about a week before the school holidays start.
Sep/Oct Holiday Programme
Dates: Monday 29 Sep – Friday 3 Oct – EBIS Hall. 
Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwP8fNpxsMo (Warning: may cause spontaneous air drumming) Beginners and advanced pupils are welcome.
Activities include: Daily busking trips, Band school (Thursday) – Perfect for drummers, Table tennis, 4 Square, Badminton
Book here: https://www.therockacademy.co.nz/school-holiday-programme-booking