Week 9, Term 1 2025

School Dates for 2025

The term dates for 2025 are:

Term 1 - 3 February - 11 April

Term 2 - 28 April - 27 June

Term 3 - 14 July - 19 September

Term 4 - 6 October - 17 December

Cross Country - 30th April

The school Cross Country will be held on Wednesday 30th April. Postponement dates is Friday 2nd May. Parents and families are welcome to come to school to view the event.

Celebration Assembly - 2.15pm, Friday 4 April

All parents and families are invited to our next Celebration assembly on Friday 4 April beginning at 2.15pm. Assemblies are held in the Hall. This assembly will be hosted by Room 2 and 11.

Student Council Mufti Day - Friday 11 April - Gold Coin Donation

The Student Council have organised a Mufti Day for Friday 11 April. The theme is PJ's and Teddy Bears/Soft Toy. The council are asking everyone to bring a gold coin donation. The money raised will be used to purchase toys for the Christchurch Hospital Children's Ward.  Next term the council will go shopping and purchase the toys which will be then taken to Christchurch.

Ruralco Spend for Your School Promotion

Thank you so much to Ian and Stacey Howden who nominated Tinwald School in the Ruralco Spend for Your School promotion. Ian and Stacey were the January winners and by choosing Tinwald we benefitted with a donation of $500. This was presented to the school at the second celebration assembly on Friday 14 March. Lucy Hudson accepted the donation of behalf of the school. Thanks to Tony Aitken from Ruralco and Bruce from Tots to Teens for their sponsorship.

Community Dental Clinic Holiday Hours

Ray White Donation

Wow!! Many thanks must go to the team at Ray White Ashburton and the developers of the Ashbury Grove sub-division for their very generous donation of $14,600:00. The funds will be used to purchase new basketball and netball hoops as part of  a Board of Trustees project to upgrade the courts behind the hall. At a recent celebration assembly Bruce McPherson spoke to the school and handed over a cheque to Frankie and Charlie, two of our Student Councillors.

Attendance Update

Thank you to our parents who are letting the office know why their child is either late or absent for the day. It is very important the the office is notified of the reason for your child's absence. We have gone through a number of weeks with winter illnesses keeping children from attending school, hopefully this is over.

Included below is a simple table that spells out the impact of continued absence from school.

Draft Health Curriculum Statement

Parents

Our Health Education policy adheres to the Education and Training Act 2020. This requires us to consult with the school community on how the health curriculum is implemented.

Please find below our Draft Health Curriculum statement. Please read and if you have any questions or comments, email them to principal@tinwald.school.nz

Statement on Health Curriculum Delivery at Tinwald School

At Tinwald School, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and engaging health curriculum that empowers our students to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong wellbeing. Our approach is aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum and emphasizes a holistic view of health, encompassing mental, physical, social, and emotional dimensions. We believe that a strong foundation in health education is crucial for students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Our health curriculum is delivered through a variety of engaging and age-appropriate methods, integrated across different learning areas where relevant. We prioritise creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring sensitive topics. The following key areas are addressed within our health programme:

Mental Health: We foster positive mental health by teaching students about emotions, resilience, stress management, and healthy relationships. We encourage self-awareness, empathy, and help-seeking behaviours. We also promote mindfulness and strategies for managing anxiety and promoting positive self-image. We work closely with support services to provide additional support when needed.

Sexuality Education: Our sexuality education programme is developmentally appropriate and focuses on building respectful relationships, understanding physical and emotional changes associated with puberty. We emphasise consent, healthy boundaries, and access to reliable information. We aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their sexual health and wellbeing. This is taught in a sensitive manner, working closely with parents to ensure transparency and open communication.

Food and Nutrition: We promote healthy eating habits by teaching students about the importance of a balanced diet, food groups, and making informed food choices. We explore the impact of food on physical and mental wellbeing and encourage students to develop skills in reading food labels and preparing healthy snacks. 

Body Care and Physical Safety: Students learn about personal hygiene, body systems, and how to care for their bodies. We also focus on physical safety, including road safety, water safety, sun safety and strategies for keeping safe in different environments. We teach students about recognising and responding to unsafe situations, including online safety and strategies for seeking help.

Physical Activity: We encourage regular physical activity through a range of opportunities, including daily physical education, sports activities, and outdoor play. We aim to develop students' fundamental movement skills and promote the enjoyment of physical activity. We emphasise the importance of physical activity for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Sports Studies: Through sports studies, students explore the benefits of participating in sports and physical activities. We examine the social, cultural, and personal significance of sport and encourage teamwork, fair play, and sportsmanship. We also explore different types of sports and activities and the skills required for participation.

Outdoor Education: We value the importance of learning in the outdoors and provide opportunities for students to connect with nature through outdoor education experiences. These experiences foster environmental awareness, develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, and promote personal growth and resilience. We utilise our local environment and offer opportunities for tramping, camping, and other outdoor activities where possible.

We regularly review and update our health curriculum to ensure it remains relevant and effective. We value parent and community input and encourage open communication about our health education programme. We believe that by working together, we can empower our students to make healthy choices and lead fulfilling lives.

After School Art Lessons Available