Week 4 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

The variety and frequency of opportunities for children at DPS always inspires me. The children get exposed to a huge range of things, and are lucky to be able to get out on trips, to compete and to give back to our community. Just this week we have had:

Year 6’s from Kahikatea off to Hidden Lakes to plant trees. Over 200 trees went into the ground…awesome effort!
Students from the Tracking and Trapping team around to Solway Reserve to carry on their mahi there. This is an ongoing project, so great to be able to give back like this.
Students compete in the Matharapa competition
A heap of students down to Carterton to compete in the Girls Rippa Rugby Tournament
And this weekend our two Aquabots teams compete in their regional qualifier event…all the best!

Amazing opportunities, all on top of the wonderful learning in class.

However…one annual opportunity isn’t going to happen in 2026 sadly, and that is the Tararua Challenge…our sports exchange with Russell Street School in Palmerston North. We’ve held this event since 2017, and it is something that the Year 5 & 6 children look forward to each year. Over time the logistics of organising the event, and the associated costs, have risen, and both schools have agreed to pause the event this year to try to figure out an alternative way of running it. I know this will be disappointing for our students…but fingers crossed a new, improved version of the challenge can be back for 2027.

Learning Showcase: THIS is Learning

Our Learning Showcase: THIS is Learning is back…just a week away! 1.15pm - 2.45pm next Thursday. It will kick off with performances from the kapahaka in the hall, and then whānau will be able to look around the classrooms at displays of learning. Every child will have something to share, and alongside that…the brass and guitar instrument learners will play at various points to showcase their mahi.

The event was awesome last year, and I look forward to seeing you all next week!

Visiting Principals

Last week I hosted a group of 10 primary school principals from the Kāpiti Coast. I always enjoy having people visit the school…we don’t put on any kind of a show, just the normal learning happening in classrooms when I take the visitors around for a look. As always, we got wonderful feedback about how engaged the learners were, how happy they are, how well they could talk about their learning…and they were blown away by the learning. Loved how our academic learning looks, and totally floored by the creative opportunities the children get!

Enrolments for 2027

Out of Zone applications for Terms 1 and 2, 2027 are about to open. An ad will be in the Time Age this week, and you can either email the office about applying, or fill in the form on our website: https://www.douglaspark.school.nz/enrolment. If you know of whānau who live outside our school zone, please let them know. We always have people who miss the cut off…and therefore miss out on attending our marvellous school.

Also…if you know of whānau inside our school zone who are considering schools for their child, feel free to mention us. I am more than happy to sit down with prospective parents, and to take them on a tour of our wonderful little school. Email the office to set up a time: office@douglaspark.school.nz

non-uniform day - friday 14 august

tree planting at hidden lakes

On Tuesday Kahikatea’s Year 6 students went tree planting at Hidden Lakes. It was physical, muddy work but with lots of mahi tahi (team work) students were able to plant over 200 native trees.

masterton intermediate 2027

Please click the link below to enrol your child for 2027

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

scooter and bike safety reminder

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.

reminders

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

subway lunch available every friday - order online or at the school office

change of details

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