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Newsletter 5 February 2026
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Happy New Year to all of our DSS community
We hope that you all had a happy summer break over the school holidays.
David Street School Staff and Board of Trustees warmly welcome our new families who joined us this week. It is wonderful to see our children happy and adapting well to being back at school.
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Welcome
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A Big welcome to our new children who have joined us at David Street School:
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Tin, Kaden, Addieson, Bentley, Atlas, Cali, Eileen, Hudson, Cora, Keenu, Theo, Beau, Caden, Reef, Ihaka, Ashley, Pippa, Harry, Noah, Khalid, Harper-Rose, Preston, Archer, Leo, Kylie, Nyla, Ranginui, Te Rangimarie, Te-Aorangi, Rosalie, Harper, Nevaeh, Te-Koha, James, Tommy, Rylyn and Zenik. Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kura o Rawiri
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Upcoming Events in Term 1
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Dates for Your Calendar
Waitangi Day Holiday - School Closed
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Wednesday 18th Feb - Room 20 only Getting to Know the Learner Meetings
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Thursday, 19 February: Getting to Know the Learner (Parent/Teacher Meetings)
All Classes except Rm 20 & 17
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Home & School AGM & Meeting 9.00 am in the meeting room, located in the School Office Block.
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Tuesday, 24 February: - All classes except Room 20 & 17 - Getting to Know the Learner (Parent/Teacher Meetings) 3:15 – 6:00 pm
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Seniors and Middle Comp Swimming @ Rec Grounds Pool
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Kauri Team Swimming Carnival at the Rec Pools
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Inter-School Swimming Sports
@ Morrinsville School
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Junior Water Fun Day @ Morrinsville Pools
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Friday 6 March: - Senior School Carnival Swimming at Rec Grounds Pools
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Friday 27 March - Pizza Lunch
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Hearing and Vision Testing 9:00 am
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Last school day for the term
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Friday 3 April - Good Friday School Closed
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Deputy Principals
Michelle Fielding & Chris Marks
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Learning Support Leader / SENCO
Sandy Harrop
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Kowhai Team Year 5-6
Ako Tui - Nicola Soffe (Team Leader)
Ako Tui – Dom Lock
Ako Tui –Kyle Storey
Ako Kea - Aimee Royal
Ako Kea - Linda Marsh
Ako Kea - Kate Peddie
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Kauri Team Year 3- 4
Rm 7 - Kacie Silvester
Rm 8 - Kayley Martin
Rm 9 - Becky Pickett
Rm 10 -Janine Fiebig (Team Leader)
Rm 11 - Hayley Arnold
Rm 12 - Calie Strange
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Kahikatea Team Year 0-1-2
Rm 14 – Rebecca Bracey & Lisa Clark
Rm 15 – Susan Garrud
Rm 16 - Debora Priest
Rm 17 – Ashley Johnston - (New Entrants)
Rm 19 - Jo Keogh (Team Leader)
Rm 20 - Maia Ikinofo & Kellie Scott
Rm 21 - Caitlin Hazlehurst / Sam Niven
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Release Teachers
Julie Byers, Kellie Scott, Ange McWilliam, Elysia Gunn, Heather Taylor, Meryl Marks, Aniwa Armstrong, Jacky Hutchings
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Te Ao Māori
Brenda Te Wiata, Susan Garrud,
Deidre Hampton, Simone Vester
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Learning Assistants
Adele Alsemgeest, Ang Martin,
Amy Nation, Anna Dewhurst, Fiona Bauke,
Becs Hazeldon, Coralie Buser, Jayne Paitai,
Deidre Hampton, Linley McMillan,
Monica Ward, Tessa Steenhoven
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Office Staff Carey Burne (Office Manager),
Kirsten Woolridge, Janelle Nicholls,
Marlene Foley
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Caretaker: Simone Vester
Relief Caretaker: Joshua Vester
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Care for Kids
Pia Doughty (Manager)
Lisa Hansen (Session Leader)
Team Members:
Carol Hughes, Jazmine Birchall, Coralie Buser, Kayla O’Connor, Stephanie Skelling,
Brittney Hart, Grace Porter,
Aimee Macbeth, Jessica Macbeth,
Louise Pearson, Nicola Klinac, Reese Barker, Pippa Jackson, Esme Smith, Jessica Carr, Taya Cartwright, Kayley McMillan
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Getting to Know our Learners Meetings Whakawhaanaungatanga
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Our teachers are dedicated to making learning exciting and engaging for every student. A key part of this is understanding our whānau's aspirations for their child and their learning journey.
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These meetings provide a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, allowing us to better support your child’s learning needs. They’re also a chance to share your thoughts on your child’s interests, aspirations for the year ahead, and to ask any questions you may have.
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Room 17 (New Entrants) will not be holding these meetings. If you would like to meet with Ashley Johnston, please contact her directly to arrange a time.
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Room 20 will be hosting Getting to Know the Learner meetings on:
Wednesday 18th Feb from 3:15 - 6:15 pm & Thursday 19 Feb from 3:15 - 4:20 pm
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All Other Classes will be holding meetings on:
Thursday, 19 February from 3:10 pm - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, 24 February from 3:10 pm - 6:00 pm
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We look forward to connecting with you and working together to support your child’s learning success.
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If asked for a code enter: dxzfz
- Choose your child's teacher and a time that suits you.
- Choose your child's teacher and a time that suits you.
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If you cannot make an online booking don't hesitate to contact the office and we can help book your appointment.
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Touch Rugby and Basketball/ Miniball
Detailed information has gone home with those children interested in playing.
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Please note that Miniball Basketball falls on the same night as Touch sessions. We encourage children to only sign up for one of these sports for this term.
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Once teams are entered for either sport, we cannot take any late entries.
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Touch Rugby
Where: Campbell Park
When: Wed 18th Feb – Wed 25th Mar
Time: 3:30 pm – 6.00 pm
Who: Years 3, 4, 5, 6 students
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The competition will run for 6 weeks starting in Week 3 of Term 1.
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Online registration is via the school shop, and payment must be completed as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, 9th February in order to play
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Basketball/Miniball
Where: Morrinsville Event Centre.
When: Wed 25th - Wed 1st Apr
Who: Years 3, 4, 5, 6 students
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Morrinsville Miniball 3x3 Basketball begins Week 4 of Term 1.
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Permission to play forms are to be returned to your child's classroom teacher no later than Wednesday 11th February.
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Who are the Home & School?
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The DSS Home & School Committee is our school’s PTA Group. Being a member of the Home & School is a meaningful way of supporting your children’s learning.
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What Is Our Role?
It is our role to support the school and teachers in matters outside of the curriculum such as organising fundraising for special projects (like the upgrade of the playgrounds/ sunshades/sports dome etc), co-ordinating events like Ice Block Fridays, Pizza Lunches, Discos, and having a better understanding of day to day life at school.
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Who Can Be On The Committee?
Any mum or dad, caregiver can join Home and School at any stage of their child's schooling.
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Being on the committee does not mean you are solely responsible for every fundraising venture that arises. We bring thoughts forward, discuss fundraising ideas and put our collective skills together to come up with some awesome ideas.
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Fundraisers
Home & School Ice Block Fridays
and Pizza Lunch Fundraisers
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Pizza Lunches are held twice a term.
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Ice block Fridays are every Friday in the summer months.
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Ice blocks and pizzas are delivered directly to your child's class at lunchtimes.
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Go to the Home and School Shop (located on our school website) to place your order.
• When prompted, please check your child’s classroom and change if necessary. This is so we can ensure your child’s ice block or pizza lunch gets delivered to the correct classroom.
• Please only order 1 Ice block per child.
• If you are ordering for the term, you will need to place an order for each Friday and each child.
• Add them all to your cart and pay for all orders at the end of the transaction.
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Powhiri
On Tuesday morning we held a Pōwhiri to officially welcome new staff members, new students and families to David Street School. We appreciated the support of our many kaumatua, parents and whānau who were able to attend.
We wish all new members of our David Street School family a happy and rewarding time with us.
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Swimming for Junior and Middle School
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The Junior and Middle School students swim most days in our school pool. Please ensure your child is prepared for swimming each day, and all towels and swim gear is named.
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Don't hesitate to get in touch with your classroom teacher regarding this. The best way to do this is via email.
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Swimming for Senior Students
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Senior students will be taking the bus to the Morrinsville Town Pools for swimming lessons.
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There is an Olympic-sized pool for confident swimmers, and a shallow pool for those less confident, where the focus will be on building water confidence and having fun.
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Senior Swimming Days at the Morrinsville Pools:
Week 2:
Tuesday: Ako Tui 9.15-10.30 am. Ako Kea: 11.20-12.30 pm
Thursday: Ako Kea 9.15 am. Ako Tui 11.20 am - 12.30 pm
Week 3:
Tuesday: Ako Tui 9.15-10.30am. Ako Kea: 11.20-12.30 pm
Thursday: Ako Kea 9.15am. Ako Tui 11.20 am - 12.30 pm
Week 4:
Tuesday: Ako Tui 9.15-10.30 am. Ako Kea: 11.20-12.30 pm
Thursday: Ako Kea 9.15 am, Ako Tui 11.20 am - 12.30 pm
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Please ensure that all items are named. This helps us return items to their rightful owners.
Togs and towels should be packed in a waterproof bag to keep other items dry.
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Sun Smart Policy – School Hat Fees
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David Street School is a SunSmart school. To help protect our students from the sun, all students are required to wear a school hat during Terms 1 and 4. Our “no hat, no play” policy will continue to apply.
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This year, families will purchase and own their child’s school hat, replacing the previous annual maintenance fee. The new Cancer Society – approved black, wide-brimmed bucket hats, featuring an adjustable toggle.
Hats are available to purchase through our David Street School Shop on our website or from the school office for $13.00.
Available sizes:
• Small: 50–54 cm
• Medium: 54–58 cm
Your child’s name will be added to the hat before it is issued. Students are encouraged to keep their hats in their school bags or desks when not in use.
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Room 17 - New Entrants
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Room 17 had an AMAZING first morning of school this week. The teachers were blown away by the courage displayed of our brand-new students — and their parents — as they navigated their first morning of school.
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They were also incredibly impressed by the courage and confidence shown by every student on their very first swimming day! Jumping straight into the pool on day one, the children embraced it with enthusiasm and big smiles.
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They have settled in beautifully, making new friends, exploring the school, and engaging happily in their learning. What a fantastic way to begin the year! We are so proud of our new entrants and look forward to an exciting year ahead.
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Please remember to pack named togs and a towel each day, as swimming is already proving to be a highlight and something the children are thoroughly enjoying.
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Also, to our new families, please register for our Parent Hero Portal.
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Our Hero portal is different from the School App and is used as a way of communicating directly to you about your child's progress and achievements, proud work, news (and photos) from your child's classroom e.g. class newsletters, things happening in the classroom, class trips, along with financial account information.
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Below this post, you can read more about how to keep in touch with what is happening at school, and our ways of communicating with parents.
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Communication with Parents
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David Street School has been using Hero for several years now, and most of our parents are familiar with it.
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Our Parent Hero Portal is used as a way of the classroom communicating your child's:
Progress and achievement information, proud work examples, and important information from your child's classroom e.g. class newsletters, things happening in the classroom, class trips etc...
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How to log in to your School Hero Account
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School App
We use our school App:
• to send out important reminders and urgent messages.
• keep parents/caregivers informed.
The app also allows you to notify us of your child's absences easily.
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We encourage everyone to download our School App to
your phones so you are kept informed of any last-minute urgent notices and reminders.
Search for SchoolAppsNZ in your Play Store.
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Facebook Page
Our David Street School Facebook page is a great way to stay connected. It’s primarily used to communicate with parents and the wider community.
Here, we post announcements, promote and celebrate student achievements and school events.
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School Website
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Please make yourself familiar with our website for all general information regarding our school, Links to our school shops, how to set up your school Hero and School Shop accounts, School Staff, Calendar of events, and much more.
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General Information
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Bell Times
8.15 am Children may enter school
8.55 am Start of the school day
10.00 am Brain Break
11.00 am – 11.30 am Morning interval
12.45 pm - 1.30 pm Lunch interval
2.45 pm Bus Bell
3.00 pm End of the school day
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Reminder to pack a fruit or vegetable snack for your child’s brain break (in-class snack)
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Note: For safety reasons, pupils should not arrive at school before 8.15 am.
Those arriving before this time must wait in the shelter at the main gate.
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We do have Before School Care available in our Care for Kids programme from 7.00 am each school day.
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Contact Pia Doughty on 0273 691 263 or for more information, see our Before and After School and holiday Care Programme at the link below:
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All families must complete an online enrolment and safety form before the child can participate in the programme. Pia, the Manager of Care for Kids, would like to meet all new enrolments before starting.
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Please contact Pia on 0273 691 263
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Late to School /Appointments
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If your child arrives late to school, please have them sign in at the office before heading to class.
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For a smooth start to the day, we encourage students to arrive between 8:30 am and 8:45 am so they can settle in and be ready for the school day to begin at 8:55 am.
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If your child needs to leave school early (for a doctor or dentist appointment, etc.), they must be signed out at the office by a parent or guardian.
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If someone else will be picking up your child, please notify the office in advance by phone.
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Lost Property
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Each Term we always have extremely large amount of lost property. We do our best to manage and ensure lost property is returned to the owner. Please name your child’s clothing, including towels, togs and goggles. This helps us get items back to where they belong.
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Any lost property not claimed each term is donated to charity.
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After-School Messages for Students
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If you need to send an after-school message for your child, please call the school office by 2:20 pm to ensure we have enough time to pass the message on before the afternoon bell rings.
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We kindly ask that you avoid sending private messages regarding after-school arrangements or absences, as these are not always checked promptly during the busy school day. This helps us ensure that important messages are relayed to your child on time.
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Please support the businesses that support our school!
A big Thank You to those businesses that support our school by advertising in our newsletter:
Danielle Callaghan-Harcourts Morrinsville,
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McLarens Rural, Morrinsville Decor, Hunt Building Limited,
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Odlum Hire, She Moves, Container Works, CooperAitken
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