18 December 2025
Kia ora whānau,
As we wrap up the year, we find ourselves at a special moment—one that invites both reflection and anticipation. The summer break is a time to pause the routines of school life, and we hope you and your whānau get a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments together.
It’s bittersweet for our Year 8 ākonga, who now reach the end of their journey at South Wellington Intermediate School. As they prepare to step into the wider world of Year 9, we are incredibly proud of the growth, resilience, and achievements they have shown during their time with us.
The final weeks of the year have been filled with celebration and meaningful farewells. We were delighted to share a memorable Leavers’ Evening, where our Year 8s celebrated their time at SWIS and the friendships and experiences that will stay with them. Our Prizegiving last night and our final assembly today were an opportunity to acknowledge and recognise the academic, sporting, and cultural successes of our ākonga throughout the year.
Congratulations to all students who received awards—ka rawe koutou mahi! Please see the list of prize winners below.
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!
What a wonderful evening of celebration! Thanks to our Kapa Haka, Bollywood, Polyclub, The Cavemen and The Girls from Sesame St who performed!
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.
