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Newsletter 19 February 2026
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Welcome
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A Big welcome to Malakai and Jaxon, who have joined us at David Street School.
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Nau mai, haere mai ki te Kura o Rawiri
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Extensive Curriculum Refresh.
Many of you will have heard that the Ministry of Education is co-ordinating a major
curriculum refresh in schools across New Zealand.
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In primary and intermediate schools, this work involves changes to the structure, content,
resourcing, teaching approaches, assessment and reporting children’s progress and
achievement systems.
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It involves all areas beginning with Reading, Writing and Mathematics and will continue into
Science, Social Sciences, Te Ao Māori, Health & Physical Education, The Arts and Technology, and all Assessment and Reporting practices.
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Currently, the Minister’s plan is to have all this work completed and implemented by 2028.
Yes!!!...This is a big ask, however, our DSS team are effectively managing this through
shared leadership, collaborative professional learning workshops, including whole school,
teams and targeted professional learning groups.
We are ‘building a new curriculum together’, celebrating what we have always done well, and further strengthening our practices as we go.
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Our learning culture is strong, and we are building a very effective and sustainable
curriculum for the benefit of our current and future David Street School children.
We plan to share aspects of our emerging curriculum with families in our newsletters over
time, beginning with updates in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
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We are also planning a parent evening for Term 2, when we will engage families in aspects
of our evolving programmes.
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Lockerbie Entrance Gate to School
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We now have a new gate from Lockerbie Estate to the top field at David Street School.
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The gate, like our other gates, has a high top lock and will be closed during school hours. The gates are never locked, and community access is still welcome, but please close the gates behind you during school hours.
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Student Arrivals After 9:00 am:
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🚸 If your child is arriving late without an adult, please have them enter via the David Street entrance, as they may not be able to open the taller gates on their own.
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Thank you for your support.
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Getting to Know our Learners Meetings Whakawhaanaungatanga
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Our Learner Meetings start this afternoon for the majority of our classrooms.
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If you have not booked yet, we still have times available for next week on Tuesday. Alternatively, contact your child’s teacher to arrange a time to meet that better suits you.
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The meetings provide an 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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We look forward to connecting with you and working together to support your child’s learning success.
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Booking Times
Please note:
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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Booking Your Meeting
- 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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Dates for Your Calendar
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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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 who have registered.
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Basketball/Miniball
Where: Morrinsville Event Centre.
When: Wed 25th Feb - Wed 1st Apr
Who: Years 3, 4, 5, 6 students who have registered.
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Principal Awards
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David Street School celebrates children who have been showing our values in their behaviour and actions at school. Recipients of the Principals' Awards were:
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Penelope
Penelope has settled so positively into the Kauri Team and consistently shows our school values. Penny is kind, courageous, and supports others to be successful. Her positive attitude helps make our classroom and team a welcoming place for everyone.
Ayvah
Ayvah is a positive role model to others in our class. She consistently shows the school values throughout the day, both in her interactions with others and in her learning.
Ayvah is a kind friend to everyone and always ensures people feel included and valued.
Jack
Jack has had such a great start to the year. He is a role model student in all aspects of school life and always enters the class with a positive attitude. Jack is polite, helpful, determined, and so eager to learn. Keep up the awesome work.
Vennly
Vennly has had an amazing start with the Kowhai team. He is showing amazing initiative, taking responsibility for his learning and responding to feedback positively.
Vennly displays what it means to be a David Street learner - he is self-aware, curious and responsible. Keep up the awesome mahi!
Cohen
Cohen received his award for the way he celebrates others’ successes and encourages his peers. He shows respect to everyone through the way he treats people and his beautiful manners.
Levi
Levi received his award for establishing himself as a positive member of our classroom. He shows kindness towards his peers and leads by example as a positive role model. Levi consistently strives for excellence, taking pride in his work and always putting in his best effort.
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Swimming Events for Middle and Senior School
In weeks 4 and 5 we have our Senior and Middle school swimming events.
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The David Street School swimming sports are divided into two different events.
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Teachers have been assessing students' swimming abilities during our swimming sessions.
Each child has been entered into either the Competition or Carnival event.
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Your senior/middle school child will have brought home a notice regarding whether they are in the Competition Swimming event or the Carnival events.
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If, for sincere reasons, your child cannot swim on either of the Competition or Carnival event days, then they must bring a note.
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All children at either of these events will need to bring 2 towels, a warm jumper, water to drink and a larger morning tea/lunch than normal.
We are encouraging the children to wear their togs under their clothes to school if possible to save time when we get to the pools. They will wear their David Street hats when they are not swimming. We also encourage them to come to school with sunscreen applied.
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DSS Competition Swimming for those Children Attending
Thursday 26 February
Where: Morrinsville Pools at the Recreation Grounds
We will leave school at 9.10 am by bus and will be back at school
before lunchtime
Notices have gone home with those children involved. Any
questions please email or talk to your child's teacher.
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DSS Carnival Swimming
Monday 2 March- Middle School will be at Recreation Grounds Pool.
Friday 6 March - Senior School at the Morrinsville Rec Pools -
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Detailed notices will be going home regarding these events.
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Please see/email your child's teacher if you have any questions.
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Kahikatea Water Fun Day
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On Wednesday, 4th March, the junior team will have their annual ‘Water Fun Day’ at the Morrinsville Pools.
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The timetable will run as follows:
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All junior classes to bus down to the pools at 10.15 am
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‘Water Fun’ from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
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All junior classes return to school by bus.
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Children will all need to bring a t-shirt that can get wet, but more importantly, will keep the sun off them while they are not in the pool. A rash shirt or a wetsuit is ideal if they have them; however, it is not necessary to buy one if they don’t already have one.
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We would like as many parents/caregivers as possible to join us to help supervise small groups of children. As this trip is around water, a high adult/child ratio is required, and pre-schoolers will not be able to attend. We will require a ratio of 1:2.
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Please note there is no cost for this trip.
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It is expected that all children will attend. If for any reason they cannot participate in this day, please let your child’s teacher know.
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A detailed notice has gone home with all junior children.
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Home & School Meeting & AGM
Tomorrow, Friday 20 February 9.00 am
in the school meeting room.
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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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Room 9 Settling In
Our middle schoolers are off to a fantastic start to the new school year!
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Over the past three weeks, Room 9 children have been settling into new routines, reconnecting with friends, making new friends, and building a strong classroom community. From swimming and hands-on projects to team-building activities that strengthen collaboration, and lots of learning. It has been wonderful to see.
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We’re proud of how quickly all David Street children have embraced new challenges and opportunities, and we’re looking forward to an exciting year of learning ahead.
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General Information
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Communication with Parents
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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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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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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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