Tēnā koutou, Tālofa lava, Konnichiwa, Fakaalofa atu, As-salāmu ‘alaykum, Kia orāna, Hola, Mālō e lelei!
Dear Parents & Whānau,
Welcome to Term 2. I hope you and your whanau had a relaxing break over the holidays and are ready for another busy term! Please check the dates below and add them to your diaries as there are lots of events happening this term that you won’t want to miss!
I also have a special farewell I’d like to make to one of our much loved staff members – read on for more.
Student-led conferences and an opportunity to have your say on our Strategic Direction!
Just a reminder that our Student-led conferences are on next Thursday – see full details below. We will also be looking for strategic planning input from you, our parent community. I will be in the staffroom during the conference evening holding a drop in session and would love to hear your ideas, suggestions, hopes and dreams for SWIS, so pop in to see me!
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 2 Dates
- Until 16 May – Bee Healthy Dental Van onsite
- 7 May – WRISSA Girls’ Football
- 8 May – Student-led Conferences
- 14 May – WRISSA Boys’ Football
- 20 May – School Board meeting, 6pm in the Staffroom
- 21 May – Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
- 21 May – Interschool ChessPower tournament – see details below
- 22 May – Parent info session hosted at SWIS – Understanding our kids’ online world by Rob Cope
- 28 May – WRISSA Cross Country
- 2 June – Kings Birthday, school closed
- 3 June – Staff Only Day, school closed to students
- 11 June – WRISSA Girls’ Basketball
- 17 June – School Board meeting, 6pm in the Staffroom
- 18 June – WRISSA Boys’ Basketball
- 17/18 June – “Moments That Made Us” SWIS production at the Indian Centre. More details to come
- 19 June – SWIS Matariki celebrations – dawn ceremony, shared kai, games and more. Details to come
- 20 June – Matariki, school closed
- 27 June – last day of Term 2
- 14 July – Term 3 starts
School Notices
Reminder: Book your child’s Student-led conference
Bookings are now open for Student-led conferences on Thursday 8 May (in Term 2). These conferences are an opportunity for your tamaiti to share their learning with you, and a time for you to connect with kaiako as you work together to support your child’s learning and growth. See full details here about Student-led conferences and how they work. Book a time here or through the School Bookings button on Hero.
Time slots for these conferences are flexible as we know everyone is busy, and we want to make sure there is every opportunity for you to come along. Each session runs for 30 minutes. You do not have to stay that long, you can come at the start and stay part of the time, come later and finish at the end time, or be here for the full time – whatever suits you.
Tamariki run the learning conversations and kaiako are there to support them and kōrero with you. If you have something specific that you wish to speak to kaiako about, please email them and they will connect with you.
Note that there is usually more than one whānau group in the classroom at a time, but the kaiako will make sure to speak with everyone.
Interschool Chess Competition – 21 May
On 21 May, SWIS is hosting an interschool chess competition run by ChessPower. This event was well attended last year and we’d love to see our ākonga sign up to give it a go this year.
- Cost is $6. Payment is via Hero with reference: May 2025 Chess.
- If your child has not yet registered and would like to, they can email Miss Wendy at: wendy.collis@swis.school.nz
- Parents are welcome to attend as spectators. Prizegiving is usually held at 2pm and then students return to their normal scheduled classes.
On the day, ākonga attend Homeroom at the start of the day as normal, then head to the school hall for a 9.15am start. There are usually 7 rotations of chess matches. There is no scheduled lunch break, in order to keep the rotations going, however there will be plenty of time between rotations to eat their snacks/lunch.
First, Second and Third placements are awarded in each category, along with other prizes e.g. Knights Tour, Fastest Draw etc.
Save the date and parent help needed for SWIS production “Moments That Made Us”
We’re excited to announce our upcoming school production, Moments That Made Us, taking place at the Indian Centre on June 17–18! This original performance will involve all our ākonga in some way, and we’re eager to include our wider SWIS whānau! We’ll doing a call out for specific areas that we need help with, including grant applications to cover various costs, so watch this space!
Y7 immunisations start 26 May
Our public health nurses are coming to school in the week starting 26 May to provide immunisation for Year 7 tamariki.
- If you have changed your mind or your child’s medical situation has changed please contact us at
- gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949.
- If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
- If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
- If your Year 8 child missed out last year and you would like them to catch up on their vaccinations please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
- If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949
School News
Congratulations and farewell to Dianna on her retirement
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Office Manager, Dianna Meates, as she retires from SWIS after more than 30 years of service. Over this time, she has been a familiar and welcoming presence for many ākonga and their whānau, often greeting multiple generations of families as they walked through our doors. Dianna’s commitment to our kura has been invaluable, and her presence will be missed. We wish her a wonderful retirement filled with travel and quality time with her grandchild. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe mō tō manawanui.
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 2 Gym Classes at Bigair Gym yet, there’s still time!
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.
