28 November 2025

Kia ora whānau,

It’s been a great couple of weeks here at SWIS, with plenty happening across the kura. One of the real highlights was the pōwhiri to welcome our new Principal, Brendon Henderson. Our ākonga represented us with pride and confidence, offering a warm and respectful welcome that truly reflected the spirit of Te Kura o Te Hautonga. It was a wonderful way to introduce Brendon to our SWIS community. We’ve included some fantastic photos from the day below.

We’re also gearing up for EOTC Week, and excitement is building among both students and staff. We still need a few more parent helpers for some activities, so if you’re able to spare some time, please get in touch as soon as possible. Your support helps make these experiences possible, and we’re grateful for any help you can offer.

Looking ahead to the final week of term, there are a few important details to note. Our Leavers’ Dinner is on Tuesday 16 December, followed by Prizegiving on Wednesday 17 December, and then our final day at 2pm on Thursday 18 December. 

Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 December will be non-uniform days for all students. This helps ensure students have a clean uniform for Prizegiving and also supports our generous Year 8 tradition of donating uniforms back to the school so they can go another round. On 2 February, these donated uniforms will be sold for a koha at our second-hand uniform sale. This not only reduces costs for new families, but also helps us minimise waste and care for the environment—a small act that makes a big difference.

On Thursday 18 December, we will conclude the school year with a final assembly in the school hall finishing at approximately 2pm. Please ensure your child has plans to head home—or to another place of supervision—straight after this, as students cannot remain on the school grounds after the assembly.

Have a great weekend,

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Term 4 Dates

Also keep an eye on the school google calendar as dates are added and changed from time to time.

• 3 Dec – Wellington Boys’ College Orientation Day – details below
• 3 Dec – Wellington High School Orientation Day – details below
• 4 Dec – Catch-up immunisations
• 5 Dec – Staff Only Day
• 8-12 Dec – EOTC Week
• 16 Dec – Leavers’ Dinner
• 17 Dec – Prize Giving Assembly
• 18 Dec – Last day of Term 4

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School Notices

College Orientation Days for ENROLLED Y8 STUDENTS ONLY

You will have received this information from the college if your child is enrolled. Any inquiries ask them directly. Here’s the information we have received so far:

Wellington High School – Wednesday 3 December, 8.45 – 11.30am – Students get themselves to and from the college (don’t come to SWIS first!). They wear SWIS uniform and return to SWIS afterwards. PLEASE USE HERO APP TO LET US KNOW YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO THIS!

Wellington Boys’ College – Wednesday 3 December – Students get themselves to and from the college (don’t come to SWIS first!) PLEASE USE HERO APP TO LET US KNOW YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO THIS!

Lost Property!

With the end of the year fast approaching, this is your reminder to check at the office for any lost property. We have a growing collection of items awaiting collection. Please note that any unclaimed belongings remaining at the end of the school year will be donated.  

Reminder: Catch-up immunisations

Our public health nurses are coming to SWIS on 4 December to provide immunisation for Y7 and Y8 tamariki, who have previously missed their vaccine. See more info about the HPV vaccine here. If you:

• have changed your mind or your situation has changed please contact us at GW-NPHSImmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz
• or call us on 04 587 2949
• have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us on 04 587 2949
• have any questions or concerns please contact us at GW-NPHSImmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949

Y8 Leavers’ Dinner – Tues 16 Dec @ Grand Century

The annual Leavers’ Dinner is an opportunity for us to celebrate our Year 8s and all the wonderful things they have done during their time at SWIS. Teachers provide supervision during the dinner; parents drop off their child/ren before 6pm, when the dinner starts, and collect them at the end. 

• When: Tuesday 16 December, from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. The dinner starts at 6pm.
• Where: Grand Century Restaurant, Tory St (opposite Moore Wilsons and Harvey Norman). This is a Chinese restaurant. If your child has specific dietary needs, please let Christine Sangster know as soon as possible.
• Cost: $45, which covers food. This can be paid through Hero, or by cash/EFT-POS at the office. We would love all the Year 8 students to be able to come, but if this is a problem, please contact Karl Emson or Christine Sangster. If any family would like to make a donation to help students who might not otherwise be able to attend the dinner, that would be wonderful! Please let me know if you can do this. 
• Dress code: Smart/tidy casual, as it is a formal occasion – no ripped jeans, track pants, hoodies, t-shirts, or jandals/crocs. Lava lavas, kilts, or other cultural dress are all welcome! Clean shoes, sandals, or open-toed shoes are all acceptable, but no bare feet, thank you. If you have any difficulties with this, please contact me.
• Very important!! Please rsvp by Friday, 5 December, so we can confirm numbers with the restaurant. Please fill out the survey on Hero as soon as possible. More information will be forthcoming shortly.

SWIS is taking enrolments for Year 7 and Year 8 students in 2026!

If you or someone you know is looking to join our awesome school next year, please encourage them to go online and complete the form at www.swis.school.nz/enrolment. 

Enter the Weetbix Tryathalon and join the SWIS team!

If your child is interested in participating, you can search for SWIS in the registration form and help us when prizes for the school!

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School News

Student Kindness in Action: A week of giving

Over this week we have been busy running two important fundraisers for both our school and Wellington Women’s Refuge. First off we have been running a can drive to help replenish our stock of emergency food in case students are stuck at school following a natural disaster or emergency event. Through your efforts we have over 150 cans of food, so thank you for that. The class that brought in the most cans will get a special treat at lunch time – that class is room 10! Well done to you!

Now on to our next fundraiser which was for Wellington Women’s refuge. For those of you who don’t know, the women’s refuge is an organisation that provides support, shelter and resources for Women and their children who are victims of Domestic violence. Often they have to leave their homes quickly so have nothing with them. The money we have raised will go towards getting these women and their children back on their feet in a safe and caring environment. In total from the bake sale and non-uniform day we have raised over $700.

Finally, we just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported our fundraising effort throughout the year. It has been awesome to see everyone get involved in helping to support our community through all of the amazing charities we have supported. 

– The Class Reps, 2025.

Reaffirming our commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi

At our Board meeting on Monday night, the Board of South Wellington Intermediate School unanimously reaffirmed our ongoing commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This commitment is long-standing and deeply embedded in who we are as a kura.

While Government policies may change over time, our school’s values and strategic direction remain steady. Te Tiriti continues to shape how we think about identity, belonging, and partnership, and it will remain a guiding foundation of our work. Our current Strategic Plan places Te Tiriti, culturally sustaining practices, wellbeing and educational achievement at the heart of our goals for the coming years.

This is evident in the everyday life of our kura. Our gifted name, Te Kura o te Hautonga, reflects our relationship with tangata whenua and speaks to our place, our history, and our aspirations. Mātauranga Māori, local stories, tikanga Māori, and te reo Māori are woven throughout our curriculum. We value and uplift the whakapapa, identity, and mana of all our ākonga, recognising the importance of Māori succeeding as Māori. These practices are not symbolic — they inform how learning happens across the school. 

At our hui this month, the Board reviewed recent achievement data, which shows that all our ākonga are making progress across reading, writing, and mathematics. Educational achievement has always been, and will continue to be, a core focus for our school. We also know that students achieve their best when they feel safe, connected, and seen — when their identity and culture are affirmed. Our commitment to Te Tiriti strengthens this foundation. It is not separate from achievement; it is essential to it. 

In upholding Te Tiriti, the Board is guided by its widely recognised principles:
• Kāwanatanga | Honourable Governance — Making decisions that reflect equity, integrity, and fairness for all learners.
• Rangatiratanga | Agency — Ensuring Māori learners and whānau have a meaningful voice in shaping our curriculum and school direction.
• Ōritetanga | Equity — Supporting equitable outcomes for Māori and ensuring that every child can thrive in their culture, language, and identity.

In addition to this pānui, the Board will also be delivering a letter to the Minister of Education to reiterate our position and ensure our community’s values and aspirations are clearly heard and understood.

Our position is anchored and unchanged. We will continue to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, uphold its principles in our governance and planning, and support the teaching and learning practices that bring these commitments to life every day.

Thank you for your trust and partnership as we continue this important mahi.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Board of Te Kura o te Hautonga, South Wellington Intermediate School

A warm SWIS welcome to our new Tumuaki | Principal, Brendon Henderson!

A huge congratulations to all our ākonga for representing our kura with such confidence, mana, and heart. It was a really special moment for SWIS as we came together to welcome our new Tumuaki | Principal, Brendon Henderson, into our whānau.

Carl (Rm 10) spoke confidently on behalf of the tangata whenua, while the karanga was beautifully led by Aria I, Aria T, and Aqua, and answered by Tellah, Tyler, and Māreikura. Aaron with support from Axel, Donny, Te Ramaroa, and Koru guided our kapa haka group with real passion, and the whole school lifted the space with strong, uplifting waiata. Our students showed what SWIS is all about, creating a warm and memorable welcome for Brendon and his whānau.

Tūmanako artworks celebrate peace

These were created by Art for Art’s Sake group for an exhibition of children’s art celebrating PEACE. These peace pigeons have clouds surrounding them cut out from John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’. On each artwork the lyrics from the song were included. They were exhibited in Wellington. 

A Big Week of Science: Roadshow Highlights and Our Own Fair!

Wednesday’s Science Fair was amazing! From testing which plate colour dogs prefer, to discovering the perfect conditions for a thriving terrarium, to figuring out the ideal amount of baking soda for the crunchiest hokey pokey — every project showcased incredible curiosity and creativity. Our budding scientists impressed us with their thoughtful questions, clever experiments, and confident explanations.

A huge thank you to all the whānau who came along to support, ask questions, and share in the excitement. Your encouragement makes such a difference. It was a fantastic celebration of learning, discovery, and imagination for everyone involved.

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Community Events

PRIDE LANDS FUN HOLIDAY ADVENTURES 

SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AT SOUTHERN PRIDE: SOUTH WELLINGTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (SWIS) HALL, NEWTOWN

22nd DEC – 30th JAN 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 1^st 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.

Capital Gymnastics Club

Capital Gymnastics Club offers exciting opportunities for children to excel in gymnastics! Our programmes cater to all skill levels, from preschoolers to national-level athletes, covering gymnastics and tumbling. Led by experienced coaches, our structured approach fosters skill development and confidence in a fun, supportive environment.

Book online for classes, birthday parties, or school groups at www.capitalgymsport.org.nz or contact us at 027 239 9139 or office@capitalgymnastics.nz.

Jump, Flip, Thrive!

Ready to flip, tumble, and soar? Bigair Gym is the ultimate destination for kids who want to learn cool skills, achieve and build unstoppable confidence! Whether it’s cartwheels, flips, tramp tricks, or parkour, Bigair Gyms action packed classes combine fun, fitness, and focus, in a safe, supportive space.

Classes to Help Your Child Shine:

Crashmat Kids Sessions (walking-4 years) – Great for little ones to become familiar with the gym.

Pocket Rockets Gym Classes (3-4 years) – Start building coordination and confidence early!
Gravity Busters Gym Classes (5+ years) – Learn the fundamentals of gymnastics and tumbling.
Team Extreme Gym Classes (Advanced) – Take your skills to the next level!
Free Running (5+ years) – Parkour + flips = epic agility and body control.
Trampoline (5+ years) – Boost spatial awareness and acrobatic abilities.
Recreational Cheerleading (5+ years) – Strength, flexibility, performance—Cheer style!
Tumbling (5+ years) – Learn walkovers, handsprings & aerials—perfect for Cheerleaders and Dancers wanting to boost flexibility and stage skills.

Hurry – Book Online for at www.bigairgym.co.nz! Don’t miss out on the chance to help your child grow, achieve, learn, and have fun at Bigair Gym! Contact us at: Bigair Gym Wellington: ph. 383 8779, e. wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz at 14 Landfill Road, Owhiro Bay.

Summer Reading Adventure with Wellington City Library

This summer, Wellington City Libraries is inviting kids, teens and adults on a Summer Reading Adventure! From 1 December 2025 – 31 January 2026, you’ll be able to log your reading, write, draw or film book reviews, and complete activities and challenges to earn rewards like collectible badges, free books, art kits, and go in the draw to win one of our fabulous Grand Prizes. Visit the library website today at wcl.govt.nz/summerreading to pre-register for the Summer Reading Adventure, or visit any of our libraries from 1 December to pick up your Adventurer’s Guide and get started.