Term 4, week 3 – 28 November

Term 4, Week 3 – 28 October 2026

Kia ora Waterlea Whaanau

Every 2 years, our tamariki visit Ihumaatao to learn the historical stories of our local environment surrounding our school. Ihumaatao is very special in that there are few places in Aotearoa where history, culture, ecology and community remain so deeply intertwined.

Ihumaatao is one of Aotearoa’s most significant ancestral landscapes, guided by the descendants who continue to uphold the responsibilities of ahi kaa or living continously in one place.

Through guided hiikoi, hands-on workshops, educational programmes and cultural experiences, our tamariki have the opportunity of exploring the stories of Ihumaatao – from its rich volcanic origins and sophisticated Maaori food systems, to the impacts of colonisation, the protection of this whenua and the regenerative future now taking shape.

Ihumaatao is not a museum where history is preserved behind glass, it is a living landscape where history continues to be made. Thank you to all our whaanau who are supporting our visits to Ihumaatao – we hope it offers you opportunities to learn, connect and leave with a deeper understanding of this place and its people.

In the coming weeks, we will be organising 2027 classes for our tamariki and to assist us in this mahi we use some software called Pluto to help us generate class lists. We are able to input information for tamariki such as social groups and good learning buddies so if there is any information you would like us to consider in the class allocation process please email either Andy Jones – andy.jones@waterlea.school.nz or Camilla Jackson – camilla.jackson@waterlea.school.nz.

Have a good week.

Ngaa mihi

Andrea Jamieson & the Waterlea Team

Attendance

Our regular attendance rate as a school for the third week for Term 4 is at 97%.

Term 3’s overall regular attendance rate was 56% compared to the same time last year which was 51%. Let’s see if we can get that attendance rate up again for this term.

As always, please remember to let the office know if your child is going to be away and the reason for the absence. This information will allow us to enter the correct attendance code for your child. You can phone the office on 096364233 or email reception@waterlea.school.nz.

If your child is going away during the school term please email principal@waterlea.school.nz with the details for the absence and the dates your child will be away.

Keep up this great mahi in ensuring your children are coming to school each day!

Waterlea Weekly Notices

29 Oct – Trip to Ihumaatao, Room 3 and Room 8 (9:30 – 11:45am)

            – Trip to Ihumaatao, Room 4 and Room 9 (12.00 – 2:15pm)

30 Oct -Trip to Ihumaatao, Room 6 (9.30 -11:45pm)

5 Nov – Ukelele Jam – Mt Roskill Intermediate School

6 Nov – Gumboot Friday – Donate through website/text shared below

           – PTA Glitter Glow Disco 5 – 7pm

10 Nov – Board Meeting 7pm School Staffroom

16 Nov – New Cohort start school

16 Nov – Middle School Athletics 11am – 1pm

17 Nov – Senior School Athletics Day – 9am – 1pm

18 Nov – Senior School Sprint heats and finals – 11am – 1pm

18 Nov – Junior Sports Day 9am – 10:30

26 Nov – Year 6 Pool Party

27 Nov – PTA Colour Run

4 Dec – Year 6 Dine and Dance

8 Dec – Year 6 Graduation

           –  Board Meeting 7pm School Staffroom

14 Dec – Last Day of Term 4 

Pform After School Sessions

‘Just Drama’ Classes (Ages 7-12)
When: Tuesdays, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Where: Waterlea School – Room 22

This class is structured purely for fun. Our focus is to encourage students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop interpersonal skills by focusing on each child’s unique strengths.

There are no tests, grading or rehearsed performances – just a space to relax, grow, laugh, and learn through doing. It is ideal for kinesthetic learners who enjoy hands-on developmental activities.

Keycodes to Order Photos 

Please keep an eye out for your unique code which will be sent directly to you from Photolife. If not found please check junk and spam folders

Free delivery applies to orders placed before midnight on 
Sunday 1 November

For parent enquiries:
enquiries@photolife.co.nz

LOST PROPERTY

WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER

Any items left will be donated

Community Health Nurse

Lucky Book Club   Lucky Book Club

Last day to order through LOOP is this Friday 30 October

Thanks for all your support!

Week-Bix Kids Tryathlon

South Auckland Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon

The South Auckland Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon will be held on Tuesday 24 November at Mountford Park, Manurewa. Our school has registered for this event, but please note that parents are responsible for entering their child and supporting them with training. It’s a fantastic opportunity for tamariki to give it a go, build confidence, and have fun being active! We will have the school marquee set up so athletes have a central meeting place and can support each other.
You can join the school team by visiting the Weet-Bix TRYathlon website: https://tryathlon.co.nz.

Entry Options

• Splash & Dash – 6 year olds only. Swim and run.
• Individual TRYathlete – 7-15 year olds. Swim, cycle and run.
• Teams of Two – 7-9 year olds (Juniors) and 10-15 year olds (Seniors). One team member does the swim, the other does the cycle, and both do the run.

Gumboot Friday

Miller and Sadie from Waterlea School 

Fundraise or Donate: You can support the initiative via the Gumboot Friday Givealittle Page, text BOOTS to 469 to donate $3, or contribute directly through the Gumboot Friday Official Website. 

Please pick up a sticker sheet from the office