8 May 2026

Kia ora whānau,

It’s been fantastic to see our students making the most of lunchtimes — getting involved across the school and classrooms in a range of activities. Whether it’s sports practice, a game of four square, time on the playground, reading in the library, or working on projects with teachers, there’s a real sense of engagement and energy. We’re very fortunate to have these opportunities available to our students.

Going Far Together

At our last assembly, I shared an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I encouraged students to think about what this means, and it’s sparked some great conversations—particularly while I’m on duty at the traffic lights after school! It speaks to the value of working together, something we place great importance on at SWIS.

Sporting Spirit

What a week of sports and outdoor activities! From WRISSA Football to the Tough Guy and Girl Challenge and more besides, it’s great to see our students so active. It was also great to see so many families supporting the opening round of the netball season on Saturday. The encouragement from the sidelines was fantastic, and the teams responded well. Best of luck for this weekend’s games.

Parent-Teacher Conference Survey

As part of our ongoing school review process, we would love to hear your feedback about our recent Parent-Teacher Conferences (PTCs). If you have a few minutes, please complete our survey using the link below.

This form does not automatically collect contact details. If you are happy to share your name or contact information, you are welcome to do so so we can follow up if needed. Otherwise, you may leave those questions blank and remain anonymous.

ANZAC Day

Finally, it was a privilege to be part of the ANZAC Day parade and service at Island Bay. Sophie and Koru represented our school with pride, and we thank them for their contribution.

---

Term 2 Dates

• 15 May – Pink Shirt Day
• 20 May – Kapa haka group visit: Māori Performing Arts Programme at Wellington High School
• 20 May – WRISSA Cross Country
• 21 May – Wellington regional Chess competition at Altum Classical Academy
• 22 May – Kids’ Lit Quiz at Wellesley
• 27 May – Spell It Out competition at Maidstone
• 28 May – Otago Problem Solving Set 2
• 30 May – National Ballroom and Latin American dancing competition at Alan Gibbs Centre at Wellington College
• 1 June – King’s Birthday, school closed
• 3 June – WRISSA Girls’ Basketball at Walter Nash
• 4 June – National Young Leaders Day (NYLD) trip
• 5 June – RONGOTAI EXPERIENCE. All Year 8 boys visit Rongotai for the morning 9am – 11.30am
• 8 June – WELLINGTON HIGH Open evening
• 9 June – RONGOTAI Open Evening, 6pm
• 10 June – WRISSA Boys’ Basketball Walter Nash
• 10 June – St Catherine’s College Open Evening, 6pm – 7.30pm
• 11 June – Wellington East Open afternoon and evening, 3pm – 4.30pm and 6pm – 8pm
• 15 June – Wellington Boys’ College Open Morning, 9am
• 18 June – Wellington Girls’ College OPEN EVENING
• 19 June – World Scholars’ Cup at QMC, 1pm
• 19 June – Forensics Enrichment visiting Police Museum
• 20 June – World Scholars’ Cup, 9.30am – 4.30pm at QMC
• 23 June – St Patrick’s College Open Day, 10-11.30am and 12.30 – 2pm
• 24 June – WRISSA Hockey National Hockey Stadium
• 25 June – Otago Problem Solving Set 3
• 25 June – St Patrick’s College Open Day, 10-11.30am and 12.30 – 2pm
• 30 June – Vision Nurse visiting
• 30 June – Regional Cross Country
• 2 July – SWIS Matariki Performance Evening, 6pm
• 3 July – Last day of Term 2

Note: Matariki is in the July School Holidays

---

School Notices

Pink Shirt Day 2026!

Next Friday, 15 May, wear your favourite pink outfit and help us celebrate being a safe and inclusive space!

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

College Open Evenings/Days for Year 8s

As our Year 8 students begin to think about secondary school, a number of local colleges are holding open days and evenings. These are a great opportunity for students and whānau to visit schools, meet staff, and learn more about what each college offers.

Rongotai College (RC) will hold its Open Evening on Tuesday 10 June at 6pm (no booking required). In addition, all Year 8 boys will visit Rongotai College during school time on Friday 5 June from 9–11:30am, with transport provided from SWIS.

Wellington High School (WHS) has its Open Evening on Monday 8 June.

Wellington East Girls’ College (WEGC) is holding Open Evenings on Thursday 11 June, with two sessions available: 3–4:30pm and 6–8pm. Booking is required via their website.

Wellington College (WBC) will host Open Mornings on Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June from 9–11am. No booking is required.

Wellington Girls’ College (WGC) has Open Day sessions on Thursday 18 June at 9am, 9:45am, and 11:45am. Bookings are required through their website.

St Catherine’s College (SCC) will hold its Open Evening on Wednesday 10 June from 6–7:30pm (booking required). They will also be visiting SWIS to speak with students on Wednesday 6 June at 9am in the school hall.

St Patrick’s College (SPC) is offering Open Days on Tuesday 23 June and Thursday 25 June, with sessions available from 10–11:30am or 12:30pm–2:00pm. Bookings are required via their website.

We encourage families to attend these events to help support students in making informed decisions about their next steps.

Health & Wellbeing

As we head into winter, we’ve noticed that bugs are doing the rounds. If your child is ill, please keep them home and notify the office of any absences. We are also aware of chicken pox cases in our community. Please be vigilant around this.

Reminder: Immunisation programme for Year 7

Our public health nurses are coming to school on 15 May for the immunisation programme for Year 7 tamariki.   

• If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949
• 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.

Vision Testing

The Vision Nurse will be visiting school on 30 June for the routine Year 7 & 8 check up. If your child requires further testing, they will be given a letter to bring home.

Thank you for your WOW responses

A huge thank you to all 101 students who submitted expressions of interest for the WOW Preview Show. As you can probably imagine, the first 50 places filled very quickly, and we now have a very long waitlist!

If the WOW Preview event is showing in your Hero account, your child has secured a place. If they are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the spot to another student. For those who missed out this year, we’re hopeful this opportunity will be available again in 2027.

As more information comes in, I’ll keep you updated. Thank you all for your swift responses!

Ngā mihi, Christine Sangster

Optional ICAS exams now open!

SWIS is once again offering the opportunity for ākonga to register for the optional ICAS competition. ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies.

See here on our website for more details. Competition dates are all in August. Contact Josh Hinman (josh.hinman@swis.school.nz) if you have any questions.

Are you interested in becoming a Homestay Family for an International Student?

Hosting an international student can be a rewarding experience for your family. It is a great opportunity to share your culture, learn about another, and see the world from a different perspective. Our students usually stay for 2 – 6 weeks. We are looking for caring and supportive families who will welcome a student into their home and enjoy the experience they bring.

As a homestay family, you will need to provide:

• three meals each day
• a private bedroom (with a heater)
• access to a bathroom and laundry facilities.

Host families receive a contribution of $80 per day ($400 per week).

For more information, please see our Homestay Family Information Booklet. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, see more info and apply here.

---

School News

Welcoming our Term 2 new starters

We had a wonderful pōwhiri on Tuesday as we warmly welcomed our new starters and kaiako tauira from Te Whānau Ako Pai to the SWIS whānau. A special congratulations to our amazing new kaikaranga Emma, Niamh, and Charlize, and to Tarn for delivering such a powerful whaikōrero.

WRISSA football was the winner on the day

WRISSA Girls’ football placed 3rd and gained entry to Toa Whakaihuwaka while our WRISSA Boys’ Football placed 6th. Congrats to all our players, you represented SWIS superbly!

Mud glorious mud at the Tough Guy and Girl Challenge

The weather was perfect for Tough Guy and Gal this week, lots of fun and mud!

Congrats to our SWIS Mountain Bike Champs!

A huge congratulations to Otis, Jack, and Ollie, Reuben and Axel who represented SWIS at the North Island Mountain Bike Championships. By all accounts they had an awesome time — although they were definitely feeling it afterwards!

The students tackled one of New Zealand’s toughest downhill courses at Rivenrock and also competed in a slippery and challenging Enduro course in Wainui.

Axel was thrilled to decisively win the U13 boys XCO race.

Downhill Results

• Otis R — 5th in U13 (out of 9 riders)
• Jack K — 15th in U14 (out of 23 riders)
• Ollie S — 10th in U14 (out of 23 riders)

Enduro Results

• Otis R — 9th in U13 (out of 19 riders)
• Jack K — 17th in U14 (out of 36 riders)
• Ollie S — 11th in U14 (out of 36 riders)

Well done to all three riders on their effort, resilience, and fantastic results!

World Vision Youth Conference

The trip was awesome! We all got to learn about the world, the effects of climate change, and what we can do as a community to help. It was fun to be able to work with other students I wouldn’t usually work with at school, they’re amazing! by Zee, Rm 16

SWIS Students Take on the Otago Problem Challenge

Last week, we had 86 students choose to take part in the Problem Challenge https://www.maths.otago.ac.nz/pc/. Problem Challenge is a mathematics problem solving competition aimed at Years 7 and 8. It was a fantastic chance for our students to push themselves in their mathematics and solve some challenging questions. There are four more individual challenges throughout the year to look out for – one on 28 May and then 25 June!

Art at SWIS: From clay to watercolour!

We have been creating with clay!

Using fundamental elements of art: form, texture and shape – we created a clay animal rattle that involved coils, pinch pots and slabs. Of course we had to glaze them too! Fortunately for us we had wonderful parent helpers. If it wasn’t for them, we couldn’t have done it!  

Glazing – children left to right: Millie, Isabella, Esther, Isla-Rose and Milla.

We also created beautiful tuatara artworks using the elements of line, colour, and space with liquid paint and chalk pastel. Featured left to right are works by Paddy, Andrew, Myles, Hermione, and Niamh, followed by Paddy’s watercolour kererū with a white tempera paint background inspired by the Zealandia fence. 

‘Who Am I?’ Poetry

This is a “Who Am I?” poem, where students describe an object by giving the reader clues and hints—like a riddle—before revealing the answer at the end.

---

Community Events

---

Check out what’s on in our area!

Click on the links below to visit the South Coast information website with all the local events and activities on offer.