Tēnā koutou, Tālofa lava, Konnichiwa, Fakaalofa atu, As-salāmu ‘alaykum, Kia orāna, Hola, Mālō e lelei!
Dear Parents & Whānau,
The term is now in full swing and it was great to have such a wonderful day at Newtown Park on Monday for our school Athletics. A huge thanks to all our kaiako who ran and marshalled events, to the whānau who came along to support, and to our ākonga who participated with great enthusiasm!
Update on 2025 Term 1 EOTC
Our Term 1 EOTC experiences are now just around the corner, kicking off from 18 March;
- an overnight camping experience at Kaitoke,
- a day trip to Adrenaline Forest and Pirates Cove mini golf,
- a beach education day at Taputeranga Marine Reserve.
See full details here, including specific dates, cost, transport details and information about what your child will need to bring for each of the trips. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email your child’s Homeroom teacher. You can also contact Karl with any question or concerns at karl@swis.school.nz.
Here is the breakdown of which class is where and when:
| Camp # | Room Number | Kaitoke Camp | Adrenaline and Pirates Cove Mini golf | Marine Education Centre |
| 1 | Room 5 | 18/19 March | 20 March | 24 March |
| 1 | Room 10 | 18/19 March | 20 March | 24 March |
| 2 | Room 1 | 19/20 March | 21 March | 26 March |
| 2 | Room 15 | 19/20 March | 21 March | 17 March |
| 3 | Room 19 | 20/21 March | 19 March | 27 March |
| 3 | Room 21 | 20/21 March | 19 March | 28 March |
| 4 | Room 12 | 24/25 March | 26 March | 18 March |
| 4 | Room 18 | 24/25 March | 26 March | 18 March |
| 5 | Room 3 | 25/26 March | 27 March | 19 March |
| 5 | Room 13 | 25/26 March | 27 March | 19 March |
| 6 | Room 11 | 26/27h March | 25 March | 20 March |
| 6 | Room 14 | 26/27h March | 25 March | 20 March |
| 7 | Room 2 | 27/28 March | 24 March | 21 March |
| 7 | Room 20 | 27/28 March | 24 March | 21 March |
Thank you to those of you who have returned your child’s EOTC Ākonga Health Profile and Permission form. Please note we need these as soon as possible and just a reminder that the information on the form will be kept confidential.
Have a great weekend,
Ngā mihi,
Toby Stokes
Principal | Tumuaki
Remember to check out the school’s Facebook Page, which has the latest updates about what is going on at school
Term 1 Dates
- 17-28 March – EOTC for all classes
- 19 March – WRISSA (Wellington Regional Intermediate Schools Sports) Athletics – Newtown Park
- 31 March – 16 May – Bee Healthy Dental Van onsite
- 7 April – School Photos
- 11 April – Last day of Term 1
- 28 April – First day of Term 2
School Notices
AIMS Games reminder – contact Toby if your child is interested
The Zespri AIMS Games is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, held annually in Tauranga Moana where Year 7 & 8 ākonga have the opportunity to compete in over 27 sporting codes. Registrations open on 14 March and at the moment we are looking at entering a SWIS boys football team and possibly other teams if there is interest (such as netball or hockey). Have a look at the AIMS Games website, and if your child is interested in representing SWIS either in individual sports or in a team sport, email Toby, principal@swis.school.nz to discuss. We will hold trials for any SWIS team sports to ensure the opportunity is open to all interested ākonga, but noting that teams will need to be largely parent-led in terms of training, and organising accommodation, food and transport etc.
Join the SWIS Whānau Fundraising Force (SWIS WFF) – still looking for people!
We are still looking for people to join our whānau-led fundraising group! The goal would be to run a few events a year, such as quiz nights, movie fundraiser sessions, discos and the like, which will raise funds for things like podcast equipment.
Ideally this group would meet once a month or every six weeks, and be whānau-led, but with school support. If this sounds like something you’d like to be involved in, please email Toby, principal@swis.school.nz and I will aim to set up the initial meeting.
School News
A super Athletics day!
Ka rawe to all our ākonga for an amazing day on Monday at our school athletics! We are so proud of the way you challenged yourselves, supported each other and gave the events your best effort.
All the very best to the athletes that made it through to the WRISSA Athletics (Wellington Regional Intermediate Schools) on 19 March.
You can’t beat minestrone and garlic bread!
Food tech is always a popular semi-spec rotation! Anya D and Jessica M, from Rm 3, and Mette M, Audrey J and Sara D, from Rm 11 made minestrone soup and garlic bread this week, and did a marvellous job.
Tent practice!
In preparation for the overnight Camp Kaitoke EOTC experience coming up, ākonga had a go at putting up tents! So far so good!
Fun at the SWIS netball trials
We’ve had our netball trials, and it’s great to see some fantastic talent joining us from our new Y7 ākonga.
Art room antics
We’ve been busy in the art room demonstrating our understanding of line, form, colour and texture! Here are some portraits created by students in Rm 12. The images around their faces represent something they think about a lot! We colour-mixed using water colours to match the melanin in our skin – to paint over our continuous cursive handwritten name.
Thanks to W F Anderson Educational Grant
Ngā mihi nui to the W F Anderson Educational Foundation for their generosity, this grant will make a real difference in supporting our ākonga learning journey.
Wider Community Notices
Calling All Kids!
Whether you’re a dancer, an active go-getter, or just love to move – Enhance Your Skills at Bigair with Gym and Tumbling Classes! If you haven’t booked your child’s spot for Term 1 Gym Classes at Bigair Gym yet, there’s still time! Classes are almost fully booked, but the great news is we still have spaces left. But that’s not all – these classes build resilience, confidence, determination, and the ability to receive and apply feedback – valuable life skills for school, sports, and all life’s adventures.
Classes to Help Your Child Shine:
- Pocket Rockets Gym Classes (3-4 years) – Start building coordination and confidence early!
- Gravity Busters Gym Classes (5+ years) – Perfect for beginners looking to develop fundamental gym and tumbling skills.
- Team Extreme Gym Classes (Advanced) – For those ready to take their skills to the next level.
- Free Running (5+ years) – Enhance agility and aerial awareness through parkour and flips.
- Trampoline (5+ years) – Boost spatial awareness and acrobatic abilities.
- Recreational Cheerleading (5+ years) – Build strength, flexibility, and performance skills.
- Tumbling (5+ years) – Focused on mastering walkovers, handsprings, aerials, and more – perfect for dancers, mastering fundamental tumble moves like walkovers, aerials, and handsprings which can significantly enhance performance, flexibility, and overall stage presence.
Hurry – Book Now Before Spots Run Out! Don’t miss out on the chance to help your child grow, learn, and have fun at Bigair Gym! Contact us at: Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay: ph.383 8779, e.wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz at 14 Landfill Road, Owhiro Bay.