18 December 2025
Kia ora whānau,
As we come to the end of 2025, we reflect on a year that has been both challenging and deeply rewarding for our South Wellington Intermediate School | Te Kura o te Hautonga community.
This year began with the unexpected and heartbreaking loss of our Deputy Principal and SENCO, Aloma Barry. Aloma’s care, compassion, and dedication to our ākonga continue to guide the way we look after one another. We are grateful to Nicola Clissold, who stepped into the SENCO role during this time with professionalism, warmth, and unwavering commitment to our students.
2025 also brought significant staffing changes. We welcomed new teachers Alex Radovanovic, Cole Hanfling, Eseta Uini, Hannah Quince and, Morgan Jamieson, whose energy and ideas quickly became part of our kura. We farewelled long-serving Office Manager Dianna Meates after more than 30 years of outstanding service and welcomed Hayley Trenwith as our new Office Manager. With the departure of Principal Toby Stokes, I stepped into the Acting Principal role, supported closely by Dan Miller (Acting Deputy Principal) and Nicola Clissold. I am incredibly thankful for their leadership and support during a year of transition.
Despite change, our focus remained firmly on our students. Highlights of the year included the creation of a new and memorable camp experience at Kaitoke Regional Park, our rich termly enrichment programmes, and outstanding participation in sport through WRISSA, AIMS Games, and new opportunities such as the Toa Whakaihuwaka tournament.
We were proud to see the return of a full school production, the establishment of the SWIS Māori Club, and the continued strength of kapa haka, Poly Club, and Bollywood groups. Our Dawn Matariki Hautapu at Houghton Bay was a meaningful moment of reflection and connection, and we were honoured to open our new learning spaces and receive our kura name, Te Kura o te Hautonga, through the guidance of Matua Peter Jackson.
Our PEAK programmes, extension opportunities, and EOTC Week further enriched learning experiences across the school, ensuring students were challenged, supported, and inspired.
To our students — you are the heart of this school. We are proud of the growth, resilience, and character you have shown this year. To our Year 8s, we wish you every success as you take your next steps beyond SWIS. To our staff and whānau, thank you for your trust, partnership, and unwavering support.
2025 has been a year that reminded us what truly matters: people, connection, and community. I am immensely proud of South Wellington Intermediate School and honoured to serve Te Kura o te Hautonga — the School of the Southern Wind.
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.
2026 School Terms | Holidays
- Term 1 – 9 weeks | 4 Feb – 2 April
- Staff Only Day – 27 Feb
- Term 2 – 11 weeks | 20 April – 3 July
- Term 3 – 10 weeks | 20 July – 25 Sept
- Term 4 – 10 weeks | 12 Oct – 17 Dec
School Notices
All you need to know for students returning to SWIS in 2026!
Here is a friendly heads-up about the key information you’ll need for the start of school in 2026.
Please follow this link for info on:
- School Camp info for 2026
- 2026 First week dates, times, and Term 1 Pōwhiri information
- Class placements and room numbering
- Reminders about using Hero for school communication, payments and permission
- Uniform & stationery
- BYOD
School News
Congratulations to our Prize Winners!
Our Prizegiving and final assembly were a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the academic, sporting, and cultural successes of our ākonga throughout the year. Congratulations to all students who received awards — ka rawe koutou mahi! 
A huge thank you to our Kapa Haka, Bollywood, and Polyclub groups, as well as The Cavemen and The Girls from Sesame St, for their fantastic performances. We are so lucky to have such an incredible array of talent at our kura 
Art for Arts Sake – Re:ASSEMBLE RE:IMAGINE RE:PURPOSE
In art for art’s sake we have been reassembling our toys. We have reimagined completely different forms. They are new, repurposed sculptures on their own plinths – we had a lot of fun spray-painting them silver! This can be seen as a metaphor for intermediate age – one foot in childhood, the other foot in teenage-hood.
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 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.
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.
