Week 10 NEWSLETTER

I filmed the performances from upstairs at WaiCol, and shared these out on HERO…if you haven’t seen them, check them out!

I hope you all have a great break. A chance for everyone to recharge, and reset before Term 4 rolls around.

Longworth Education

It was great working with Dr Sarah Aiono at school a few weeks ago, she is a total class act. The two junior teams got a lot from her…and have some purposeful next steps. 

Sarah’s company Longworth Education put up this lovely post about the school after her second visit. So nice that she could see the real power and worth of what we do at Douglas Park!

Learning Conversations

Thanks very much for your attendance at our Learning Conversations this week. These form a very important part of our reporting process…a chance for you and your child to talk through what they have been doing, and that chance for you and the teacher to discuss where to next. So many smiles…proud kids, proud whānau and proud staff. 

Also thanks if you filled out our little survey…we have to develop a new strategic plan for the 2027 and 2028 school years, and we are after your input! What do you really value about DPS, and what do you think we could work on? Any one who completes the survey goes in a draw for a supermarket voucher. If you didn’t get a paper copy, the QR code below will take you to a digital version.

Winter Sports

Final games of Miniball were played this week, Netball and Hockey breakup at school tomorrow…thus ends another season of winter sport at Douglas Park. Once again we had a heap of children playing which is great to see. You learn so much from playing sport…obviously the skills of the game, but to me it has always been bigger than that. Collaboration, communication, problem solving, compromise, resilience, determination, empathy and a sense of PRIDE…these things are all developed while playing sport. Hard to beat that feeling of winning a tough game, and equally…you learn so much from a heavy defeat. 

Massive thanks to all the coaches…both parents and staff. Your time has to be given up, but so many benefit from that generosity. Thanks!

Our Out of Zone applications for Terms 1 and 2, 2027 close at 3:00pm tomorrow, Friday 25 September. 

You can either email the office about applying, or complete the enrolment form on our website: https://www.douglaspark.school.nz/enrolment. 

If you know of any whānau who live outside our school zone, please let them know! We often have families who miss the application deadline and, unfortunately, miss the opportunity to attend our wonderful school.  

Also, if you know of any whānau within our school zone who are considering schools for their child, please feel free to mention us. I am more than happy to sit down with prospective parents, answer any questions and take them on a tour of our wonderful little school. 

Email the office to arrange a time: office@douglaspark.school.nz 

Envelopes for ordering this years school photos should have come home with your child recently.

If you have any questions about ordering, please contact Nikolaison's Photography directly on 06 370 3222

A HUGE congratulations to SILENA MARTIN, the lucky winner of our FODPS Firewood Raffle! 🪵🔥🎉

We'd like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a ticket, spread the word and got behind our fundraiser. Your generosity helped make this raffle a fantastic success, and we are so grateful for the wonderful support shown to FODPS and Douglas Park School.

We are incredibly grateful to our wonderful FODPS (Friends of Douglas Park School) for organising the raffle and to everyone who helped make it such a success.

Congratulations, Silena - enjoy the firewood! 🔥🪵

And to everyone who purchased a ticket, thank you for supporting Douglas Park School!

Kahikatea had a fantastic time at our Water Safety lessons last week, with some valuable life skills covered along the way. It was great to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, challenging themselves and daring to dream.

A big mihi to our wonderful parent helpers — we couldn’t offer these experiences without your support! Tino pai rawa atu koutou!

Please click the link below to enrol your child for 2027

https://enrolments.linc-ed.com/apply/NZ/2909

As more students enjoy riding their scooters and bikes to and from school, we'd like to remind everyone to stay safe. Please encourage children to ride carefully, be mindful of pedestrians, and use footpaths and road crossings safely. Wearing a properly fitted helmet is essential, and we ask all riders to slow down and show courtesy to others, especially around the school gates and nearby footpaths after school. 

Thank you for helping keep our students and community safe.

Stationery - Payment Reminder

We are very fortunate that our Board of Trustees subsidises stationery each year, helping to keep costs as low as possible for families. We kindly ask that all learners pay the $15.00 stationery contribution as soon as possible. 

Payment can be made online to ASB 12-3290-0064275-00. Please include your child's name as the reference. Alternatively, payments can be made at the office via EFTPOS, or cash can be sent to the office in a clearly named envelope.

We appreciate your prompt payment, as this helps reduce follow-up. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact the office - we are happy to help.

Sports Fees - Reminder 

If your child is participating in a sports team for Douglas Park School, please ensure the relevant sports fees are paid as soon as possible. 

Payments can be made at the DPS office (cash or EFTPOS) or via online banking:

DPS Account: 12-3290-0064275-00

Reference: Child’s first name, last initial, and the sport they are playing

If you have recently moved house, had a change of phone number, or any other contact details of your child/children have changed, could you please let us know at the school office by calling in to see us, phoning us on (06) 370-0189, or sending an email to office@douglaspark.school.nz 

All school teams and draws will be posted on Hero.

Learn to Play Tennis this Summer
Red Clay Tennis is running a Spring Holiday Programme at Masterton Tennis Centre both weeks of the school holidays.

Enrolments for Term 4 coaching at clubs across Wairarapa are also now open. We have classes for players of all ages and levels.

More details and enrolments are open at redclay.co.nz