Riverview School - Term 3, Week 7, 28 August 2025

Tumuaki Talk

Kia ora koutou, Greetings to all parents, whānau, students, and staff.

Lockdown: I would like to thank everyone for the support, kind words and baking. Everyone was absolutely amazing during the lockdown and remained calm, staying safe. I am so proud of how the children, staff and parents handled everything. Now that we’re back together, it is essential to focus on the great things ahead. As a team, we will review this to determine if there are any additional steps we can take to maintain a high level of safety for everyone.

Science Fair Success: Well done to all the tamariki who participated in the school's Science Fair, as well as at the Turner Centre. Congratulations to Piper Murdoch, who received a Silver Award, and Olivia McDonald, who received Silver and Gold Awards. It was truly HEARTWISE how the two girls supported each other at the Award Ceremony. 

Well done to Elijah Hailstone, who sent his project to Red Bands as he investigated the safest boots to protect against shocks from an electric fence. Skellerup Red Bands also took the time to respond and send some merchandise to Elijah.

Property Developments: We are currently working on seven projects that will span from now until early 2027. Below is a summary of the projects and aspirational timeframe (all going smoothly).

• New Class Build - Next to Room 10: We aim to start this project during the holidays, and the class will be relocated to the grounds. The field will have areas fenced for Health and Safety purposes, as this will be a working site. Please refer to the information later in the newsletter regarding the implications of the fencing/access points. The estimated completion time is at the end of October.
• Project 001: Room 5/6 Concrete Works, Room 12 Concrete, and Front of Hall Concrete: We are hopeful that this project will be completed this holiday. This work will involve removing three trees due to damage caused by their roots, and replacing the concrete and gardens outside Rooms 5 and 6. The raised concrete near Room 12 was removed and replaced, and some work was done outside the front of the hall. Please note that we will plant further trees to replace these. 
• Further Projects: 2) Fire and Security Alarm Upgrade, 3) Septic and Wasterwater Works, 4) Restoration of Playground Surface 5) Internal Refubishment of some classes and learning spaces,and parts of the admin block, 6) Internal refurbishment of the hall.
• Tamariki Voice: We have also had the tamariki develop a vision map of the school. We have discussed this as a staff and will also seek community input. The top ideas include:

1. Edible Trees / Orchard Area / Food Forest.
2. Area to make music and perform.
3. Gaga Ball Pit.
4. Pou that represents our kura.
5. Calm Quiet Spaces
6. Entrance to the school is inviting and tells our story.
7. More wild spaces to play in that encourage discovery.
8. Junk play area.
9. A place we can ride our bikes (bike track).
10. Interesting Seating Area.

We will be unpacking and making plans to support and develop some of these initiatives.

Kapa Haka: Today, our Junior and Senior Rōpu held a dress rehearsal. I am looking forward to seeing them perform next week at Whitiora Marae. I also look forward to seeing many whānau out there supporting the tamriki. 

2025 Speeches: Students in the senior school are learning how to write and deliver a 3-minute formal speech, as well as a 90-second rap. Students will have the option to choose one of these methods of public speaking to present to their class.  Only the winners of the 3-minute speech will be eligible to advance to the inter-school competition.  Topics will be varied, but they must all convey a message to the audience. Our school competition will feature the best speakers and rappers from Years 5 and 6, and it will take place on Wednesday, 10 September. Class competitions will be held before this date.  Please see below for more information.

Above and below the line --> Treating people right --> Being HEARTWISE: Recently, as a staff, we have been discussing behaviour that is above and below the line. This is behaviour that is above (acceptable) and that which is below (not sufficient). The image above illustrates what we have discussed. Please feel free to discuss this with your amazing tamariki. 

Term Four Athletics: In Term Four, we will be holding Athletics Days for the tamariki. All whānau will be invited to attend and support our kids. More information will come home before the end of the term.

Ngā mihi

Eamonn Kelly 

Principal

Quiz Night Tickets are ON SALE

Quiz Night is Almost Here!!!  We still have tickets available so please get a team together and support your child's school.  All funds raised will go on enviro-projects to enhance our school and our student's learning. We have some great prizes and a quiz filled with trivia and laughs for all.

Reminders:

Spare Clothes: With this wet weather, the children can sometimes get wet or a bit dirty. We ask that all whānau send some named, spare clothes with their children, so they have dry, clean clothes should they get wet or dirty. The teachers have provided clothes to tamariki; however, their supplies have gone, as they haven't been returned. If you have some clothes that aren't your child's, please send them back to the teacher.

Quiz Night: The big night is coming up quickly. Make sure you get your team and book a table? It will be a night of fun, laughter and great company.

Late Arrivals: If your child is late, please ensure they come to the office to sign in. If they are not signed in and marked absent, the school is not notified that they are here, which can cause panic when a text is sent home asking where your child is. The first 15 minutes is an essential time for the children to settle for the day, and 15 minutes daily add up to a lot of missed learning.

Early Pick-up: If you collect your child early, and they won't catch the bus, please sign them out and let the office know, so we are aware that they are not on the bus. A lot of time is spent looking for children who are supposed to catch the bus, and have been collected, without anyone letting us know. When we are searching for children and calling parents, we delay the buses as they don’t leave until we give them the all clear.

Tennis - Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 September

A free demo-tennis session will be available at school from 8.00-8.45am for any student who is interested or curious about tennis, on Wednesday 3 September for years 4-6 students, and Thursday 4 September for years 1-3 students.   Please be at school at 8am and head to the courts, where they can practice tennis skills with Coach Guy.  If your child is keen, they can also attend the Tennis Open day on 7^th September.

Daffodil Day - Friday 29 August

We will be holding a YELLOW day for Daffodil Day on Friday 29 August.  We will be asking students to bring in coins to make coin trail stems for paper daffodils with all money being sent to the NZ Cancer Society.  We hope you will support us with this worthwhile cause and start collecting coins for this event.

Below is the link to our page, if you want to get in early and donate, check it out!  We will also be accepting cash donations at school.

https://daffodilday.org.nz/riverview-school-kerikeri

Kapa Haka Festival - Tuesday 2 September

Years 5 and 6 Speech Competiton

Speech Competition time is upon us.  Students in the senior school will be learning how to write and give a 3 minute formal speech as well as how to write and deliver a 90 second rap.  Students will have the option to choose one of these methods of public speaking to present to their class.  Only the 3 minute speech winners will be able to go on to the inter-school competition.  Topics will be varied but they all must contain a message to the audience.    Our school competition will include the best speakers and rappers from years 5 and 6 and this will be held on Wednesday 10 September.  Class competitions will be held prior to this date.  Teachers will share information via Class Dojo.

We know that speeches can be like cross country, something that seems optional and can be intimidating to some students.  We are encouraging all students to write their speech or rap and then give it a go.  For those who struggle to talk in front of an audience, we will give them some other options while encouraging them to participate.

Out of Zone Enrolments for 2026

Standouts of the Week

Congratulations to the following students, who their teacher has nominated to receive a Stand Out of the Week certificate over the past two weeks. 

James Evans, Zavier Simmonds,  Alma  ST GEORGE, Lily Armitage, Liam Marshall, Roman Burgess, Arie Van Vliet, Kade Donovan, Harley Horne, Elijah Hailstone, Lucy Burling-James,  Coco Wallace, Kirana Mark-Duff, Levi Crichton, Tanner Wycherley, Pippa Shaw, Layla Nikara,  Michael Penney,  Isla Dunne, Ataahua Ritete-Tua, Nina Grocott,

OSCAR Spring Holiday Programme

The OSCAR spring holidays programme is out. Full of crafty fun, tasty baking, and trips around Kerikeri.  OSCAR children will go eel fishing, walk to the hidden waterfall, head to the movies, and go inline skating at Waipapa.  Book your child’s spot now!

WANTED:  cardboard tubes (no toilet rolls) for arts & crafts.

Term Three - Overview

Lunches - available every Thursday

Community Notices