Principal Update

Staff Farewell - Megan Johnston
It is with mixed blessings we inform you Megan has accepted a promotion at  East Gore School, from the beginning of next year. While we are happy for Megan to continue to grow in her profession, we are very sad to be losing Megan from our team and our West Gore community.

Megan has wonderful relationships with many of you and your children as you have entrusted her with your new 5 year old starting school. Megan has a lovely ‘fan club’ that visits regularly in the mornings to touch base which is testament to the safety and aroha she creates for children. 
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We will celebrate Megan in our final assembly

Staff Appointment Process
The Board of Trustees is working through the appointment process now and we will inform you when we have our confirmed staffing and class placement of teachers for 2026. 

Class Placements for 2026
The teaching staff are working on class lists for 2026. Our new curriculum is year level based so it makes best sense to have straight classes whenever we can to cover the curriculum. 
This will mean there is less flexibility in children's placements  than composite classes allow.

We will notify you of your child's class in the final week of school along with stationery lists so you can purchase with the back to school deals in January. 

Leadership day - Year 5 students  
Our year 5 students will enjoy a day of challenge & leadership activities on Monday at Camp Columba. This is a great opportunity for teachers and all our year 5 group to come together and get to know each other better before their year 6 year next year. We encourage our Year 6 students to take on leadership roles within the school and this day sets the scene for this. 
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Thank you to parents that are accompanying this group on Monday.

Launchpad 
Next week is the last day of launchpad for the year. We are very grateful to our local team of teachers,  Merle Barnett, Andrew Dodds, Janice Elder and Valmai Redhead for their dedication and commitment to our children.

​This team has been coming to west gore for years and have built up significant relationships with our children and families. We are grateful for the care and support this offers many children.

Reporting to Parents - December 2nd 
You will receive your child’s report home on December 2nd. The format will be the same as mid year. 

We will send an update with the reports explaining further changes to the curriculum announced very recently by the government. We appreciate this is challenging for you to keep up with but be reassured, in spite of the changes your children are receiving excellent teaching and they are making great progress. 

If, after receiving your child’s report you would like clarity, please make an appointment to speak with their teacher. They will be happy to discuss and explain anything further.   

You will have received your child’s folder home with two new learning stories this term. These learning stories will reflect the other areas of the curriculum. 

Please read, respond to your child in the way of a comment and return to school. We have several learning journals not returned.

Dolamore Park - Whole School Day - Friday 5th December 
We are looking forward to this day together with our community. It is a fun day out and we encourage you to come out and join in the fun as your work commitments allow. 

The children will participate in a rotation of fun activities, enjoy a Mr. Whippy ice cream, compliments of the Home and School and have a surprise event. 

All children will be travelling on the bus, leaving school at 9.30am and returning before 3.00pm. 

If you wish to take your child home from the park please inform your child’s class teacher. 
(More details to follow)

Year 6 Graduation / School Breakup 
Monday 8th December (note change of date),  Calvin Church at 6.00pm 
(Children to arrive at 5.45pm when the doors open) 

This is a special event for our school where we celebrate and honour our Year 6 students graduating from West Gore. 

We encourage all families to attend and feel it is important we honour our leaving students as a school community.

All our children are part of the ceremony to honour the year 6 leavers. There are also class awards and it is disappointing when children are not there to receive them.

School Rumble 
Thursday 11th December (from 2.00pm – 3.00pm) - Students to set up from 1.30pm
This day is always a highlight for all our children. Year 6 students have the opportunity of buying a desk to sell their own goods.

They pay $5 per table top and sell goods they have made or their own treasures to the other children in the school. The prices range from 10 cents with a maximum of $2.00 per item.

This does not include commercially purchased goods but things like headbands, books, toys, sweets, drinks etc.

You are welcome to send your child along with a few coins to make some purchases. As a guide, $2 - $5 would buy a child several bits and pieces.

It is a good idea to send them with a purse / wallet for their money and a bag to put their purchases in.
Teachers will hold on to this money for safekeeping in the morning. 

The Year 6 students decide on the charity they are going to support each year with their $5.00 desk fee and children then keep their own profits.

This is a great opportunity to see the entrepreneurial skills of our senior students. Do come along and enjoy the buzz of this fun afternoon.

​Last day of school
Just a reminder we finish on Friday December 12th at 12 noon. 
Buses will not run at this time so we ask bus families to collect their children at this time please.

Beginning of School - 2026
School will commence on Wednesday the 4th of February 2026.

Enjoy your weekend.   
Nga mihi 

Linda Fraser 
Principal