News
Kia Ora Whanau,
Greetings everyone, welcome back to school and our final term of the
year. The pace of the year has certainly picked up speed recently and
we now have under 10 weeks of learning left! There is always of a lot
of excitement at this time of year. The completion of our Education
Outside the Classroom Programme will occur, with around 15 class
camps heading out for a few days of fun. Planning for the end of the
year electives programme is well underway and looking to be very
exciting for the students. This annual two day programme is always
a fun way to finish a busy year of learning, so keep an eye out for
more information as it is shared with the students. Thanks to our
whanau who are able to attend and support these events. It is much
appreciated and greatly valued.
This week we welcomed a school group from Ritsumeikan Keisho
Junior High School in Japan. This school visit is now an annual one for
us and a great way for the students of both schools to be introduced
to another culture. Our guests are staying for ten days, and were
enthusiastically welcomed by our students at a powhiri yesterday
morning. Each visiting student is being hosted by a local family and
will spend time in our classrooms learning alongside our
students. The school group was very excited to return to Whakatane
Intermediate, and we look forward to learning more about their
culture and sharing more of ours with them. A special thanks to all
of our whanau who were able to host one of the students.
Keep your calendars clear as there are still a few sports events to run,
for example Athletics Day which is on Monday of Week 5
(11th November). The school would love to see as many whanau as
possible at the event, which this year is being held all at school. Rest
assured that quality teaching and learning is still very much the focus
each week. There is still a lot to achieve and share with the students
as we build into our prizegivings and celebrations at the end of the
year.
The school would like to end this week with the recognition of a
former member of our WIS whanau. To the whanau of
Timo Karkkainen, who tragically passed away over the holidays, we
offer our sincerest condolences. Timo attended the Intermediate as
a student from 2021 to 2022, is remembered as a very capable
student and was a valued and respected class member. Our deepest
thoughts and aroha to the Karkkainen whanau at this incredibly sad
time.
Nga Mihi
Mike Webster