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Dear parents, caregivers and community,
It’s been a wonderful and busy start to the term, full of special celebrations and events that have brought our school community together.
We've honoured ANZAC Day with a meaningful remembrance, celebrated the important people in our lives with our "Mothers at Heart" event, and acknowledged the invaluable contribution of our support staff—who help keep our school running smoothly every single day. Plus our Junior team were incredibly well supported with their outing to the Maritime museum! These occasions remind us of the strength and heart of our community.
See photo gallery below!
Finally, we extend a warm welcome to Angela Hampton (Monday to Thursday) and Rochelle Cook (Fridays), who are teaching in Room 30 while Ms Hedstrom is on leave for the term. We’re grateful for their expertise and commitment and know that the students are in excellent hands
The Importance of Attendance and Being on Time
Being at school every day—and on time—sets our tamariki up for success. The morning is a vital time for settling in, connecting with classmates, and getting ready for the day’s learning. When students arrive late, they can miss out on important instructions, routines, and the chance to start the day calmly.
Regular attendance builds strong habits, supports learning progress, and helps children feel part of their class community. Of course, if your child is unwell, it’s important they stay home to rest and recover—but every other day really counts.
Let’s work together to make sure our learners are here, ready, and on time—every day.
Julie Hepburn
Principal
Red Beach School
Congratulations to our colouring superstars who took out the Easter Colouring Competitions during the school holidays.
Will Fuller - Room 26, Sadie Kirkby - Room 14 & Molly Greene - Room 15
ACROSS THE SCHOOL
Horizons - Visual Arts Group
Over the past term, the Horizons visual arts group has been working on a school-wide project to create colourful new door numbers for each classroom. The project was inspired by the amazing art already on display around the school, particularly the large murals by our very own Leanne Hanna. Many of these works are from the distinctive style of Māori artist Warren Pohatu (Warren Pohatu sadly passed away in 2014 but prior had given his blessing for us to reproduce his artworks, later his daughter Kelly also gave the family's blessing to continue).
Students began by sketching their designs onto primed wood, then outlined with black markers and filled them with vibrant colours. They used dry brushing with white paint to add highlights and depth, and finished the pieces with paint pens to add fine details and final touches.
We’re looking forward to seeing these artworks around the school soon. Special thanks to Leanne (who is currently working on a brand-new mural). Both our project and her new mural, link in with the same theme inspired by Warren. Thank you too, to Phill Inwood for his support and help throughout the project.
Samoan Language Week
Celebrate Samoan Language Week with us at a Whole School Assembly on Tuesday, the 3rd of June. Our Pasifika students will perform, as well as guest schools Orewa College and Woodhill Primary. There will be lunchtime activities held throughout the week around Samoan language and culture, as well as engaging activities in class.
Junior School Y 0/1
Maritime Museum Trip
As an introduction into our Science inquiry of ‘Floating and Sinking’, the Year 1’s visited the Auckland Maritime Museum. We had such a fun day learning about how Aotearoa's Polynesian ancestors used the sun, moon, stars, animals, clouds and winds to voyage across the Pacific.
The museum was full of things to see and the children enjoyed searching for special items and taking photos of their findings.
We look forward to continuing our investigations into floating and sinking as well as looking into some of the voyaging stories of some of the early visitors to NZ.
What a fun day we had, despite the weather!
Te ao Maori Performing Arts Rotation
Te ao kori (the world of movement) is a celebration and expression of life through movement that springs from te ao Māori. This term, linking in with Matariki and our Auckland maritime museum trip focus - Ara moana - Ocean Roads, the Year 0/1 team will have opportunities to explore poi, rakau sticks, storytelling, waiata and crafts.
The year 2 and 3’s have been training hard from the end of term 1 and the start of term 2 for our annual cross country out at Te Haruhi Bay, Shakespear Park. This year saw all the children run further than they have before at a huge 1.6km so their training was super important. They persevered each day running 4 times around the field for practice. Excitement and nerves were high on Wednesday morning as we travelled by bus to our destination. We were lucky to have a beautiful day with each and every one of the students showing Rich Hearts, resilience and determination to cross the finish line and cheer on their fellow classmates, friends and siblings. We thank all the parents across the school for their support and encouragement throughout the day. All the students should be proud of their achievements and we all look forward to seeing them participate next year.
Year 4 / 5
Our Year 4 and 5 learners have launched into an exciting inquiry around Turangawaewae—our place to stand—through the guiding question: “How did the early Māori survive and thrive in new environments?”
Following our ‘hook-in’ using Minecraft Education, we’re now diving into the practical side of survival—what tools, resources, and skills did Māori bring with them to Aotearoa? A big ngā mihi to Whaea Mere, who brought in a hīnaki (traditional eel trap) and a hue (gourd shell) once used for storing water. These taonga (treasures) gave the students a hands-on look at the ingenuity of our ancestors.
As the Māori brought kūmara with them, our class has been nurturing their own kūmara slips. When the weather gets warmer, we look forward to planting them in a garden. The children drew diagrams of the first farms planting Kumara. To build on this, we did a sorting activity where students classified the knowledge, skills, and resources Māori would have needed to survive. This helped them understand just how prepared and resourceful our ancestors were.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to see our learners so engaged, asking deep questions and making meaningful connections between the past and the present. Hearing the stories of our tūpuna has sparked a sense of pride and understanding of how their legacy still influences life today.
Ka mau te wehi, Year 4/5
Year 6
This term, our tamariki are diving deep into the rich and fascinating world of Pacific Voyaging and Migration, exploring how the first great navigators journeyed across the vast Pacific Ocean to discover and settle Aotearoa.
Through a mix of reading texts, watching short video clips, and engaging in classroom discussions, students have been learning about the bravery, skill, and knowledge of traditional Pacific navigators. Using graphic organisers, they have been reflecting on their learning, identifying key ideas, and making meaningful connections.
With no modern technology to help, we’ve discovered they used the natural world to navigate. Using the stars, winds, ocean swells, and birds to find their way across thousands of kilometres of open ocean. Students are also building their understanding through storytelling and creative responses, imagining what life might have been like aboard a voyaging waka, and how these incredible journeys led to the discovery and settlement of Aotearoa.
MOTUORA
In terms three and four, Motuora visits NHG Gymnastics on Tuesday afternoons. This is a highlight of the week for most of the unit.
In preparation for a 1pm departure we have an early lunch, ensuring we are ready to go when the van and vehicles are equipped with all of our car seats! It’s a short drive down Whangaparaoa Rd to the gym on Karepiro Drive, Stanmore Bay.
Once inside we participate in a warm up led by a tutor, before the students race off to make use of all of the equipment put out for use. Following closely behind, the adults are there to encourage, assist and ensure safety. There is a lot of fun to be had, jumping, balancing, swinging, climbing, jumping, hopping and bouncing.
We gather at the end of the session for an interactive song and for the presentation of the Gymnast of the Day sticker, or two sometimes! Back into the vehicles, and a return to school sees us arrive just in time for pick up.
We love going to the gym!
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE NEWS
Mothers at Heart
Thank you to everyone involved in mothers at heart. It was a lovely afternoon and a great success. A special thank you to our main sponsor Ripe Deli for providing our delicious afternoon tea. We also thank our raffle prize sponsor for their kind donations; Smart Staging, Ripe Deli, Flower Talk - Red Beach, Four Square - Red Beach, Coast Lab, Megan @ Baileys and The Avenue Hair Salon.
Disco
Our first disco of the year is coming up on Friday 6th June! Keep an eye out on Kindo for pre payment options and on Hero for a flyer and opportunities to sign up and volunteer.
Link below for our uniform, to order visit: www.argyleonline.co.nz - find Red Bach School in the Upper North Island region schools.
COMING UP THIS TERM
Inter-school Football - Thursday 22nd May (save date Thurs 29th May)
Yr 5/6 Rippa Festival - Thursday 12th June (save date Tues 17th June)
Yr 1 Water Confidence Programme - Monday 26th – Thursday 29th May
Yr 2/3 Water Safety Programme - Tuesday 3rd June – Friday 13th June
Yr 4/5 Water Safety/Swim Skills Programme - Monday 16th June – Friday 27th June
RBS CROSS COUNTRY
On Wednesday 14th May, under a blue sky and warm autumn sun, our school gathered at the stunning Te Haruhi Bay for a day of running, cheering, and community spirit. It was the much-anticipated RBS Cross Country, and it did not disappoint!
From our tiniest Year 0 runners to our energetic Year 6s, every student gave it their all. The course offered plenty of challenges, but what truly stood out was the perseverance and resilience on display. Whether it was a sprint to the finish or a determined pace down the beach, every student showed heart and grit.
There were cheers, high-fives, and proud smiles all around as classmates encouraged one another over the final stretch. Teachers were blown away by the effort and positive attitudes of their students. It was a day full of fresh air, fun, and fantastic examples of our school values in action.
Congratulations to all our runners—you made us proud!
And congratulations to the following students who came in the top 3 for their year group:
Yr 0/1 Girls
1st - Sarah Steenkamp
2nd - Saydee Collins
3rd - Phoebe O’Brien
Yr 0/1 Boys
1st - Noah Seedhouse
2nd - Beauden Simpson
3rd - Alex Zaruchevskiy
Yr 2 Girls
1st - Sadie Kirby
2nd - Elise Coles
3rd - Kate McMaster
Yr 2 Boys
1st - Ashton Silich
2nd - Kohan Miller
3rd - Jasper Reed
Yr 3 Girls
1st - Lexi Smith
2nd - Aria Silich
3rd= - Stella Delaney
3rd= - Skyler Goodhue
Yr 3 Boys
1st - Cameron Osborne
2nd - Thomas McAinsh
3rd - Koa Williams
Yr 4 Girls
1st - Kaia Toopi
2nd - Milla Pennington
3rd - Tara Williams
Yr 4 Boys
1st - Manaia Peters
2nd - Charlie Blystak
3rd - Reid Tanner
Yr 5 Girls
1st - Florence Blackwell
2nd - Anna Steenkamp
3rd - Saskia Vuletich
Yr 5 Boys
1st - Lachie Hansen
2nd - James Thompson
3rd - Christian Koch
Yr 6 Girls
1st - Sierra Woodward
2nd - Jessica Snelgrove
3rd - Sarah Trafford
Yr 6 Boys
1st - Harvey White
2nd - Aaron Van De Sandt
3rd - Keden Carroll
A huge congratulations to the following Yr 5 & 6 students who have qualified to represent RBS at the HBC Inter-school Cross Country Champs coming up next term:
Yr 5 Girls - Florence Blackwell, Anna Steenkamp, Saskia Vuletich, Emerson Gornall, Isobella Tyler, Tegan Smith, Isla King
Yr 5 Boys - Lachie Hansen, James Thompson, Christian Koch, Ben Wallace, Antonio Mitchell, Nikau Peters, Cooper Edmonds
Yr 6 Girls - Sierra Woodward, Jessica Snelgrove, Sarah Trafford, Georgia McComb, Amelie Cummings, Elliot Cowley, Chloe Currie
Yr 6 Boys - Harvey White, Aaron Van De Sandt, Keden Carroll, Sam Ware, Jake Smart, Marley Kovacevich, Kruze Martin
INTERSCHOOL FOOTBALL
Good luck to our five teams who will be competing in the HBC Primary Schools Football Tournament at Stanmore Bay Park next Thursday 22nd May.
WATER SAFETY/WATER CONFIDENCE/SWIM SKILLS PROGRAMME
We are excited to be able to offer a Water Safety, Water Confidence & Swim Skills Programme to our Year 1 – 5 Tamariki this term.
Yr 1 Water Confidence Programme Term 2
Week 5 (Monday 26th – Thursday 29th May) - rooms 4, 5, 6
Year 1 students will be able to attend a water confidence programme at Northern Arena.
Yr 2/3 Water Safety Programme Term 2
Weeks 6 & 7 (Tuesday 3rd June – Friday 13th June) - rooms 1, 13, 14, 26, 29, 30
Year 2/3 students will be able to attend a water safety/swimming programme at Northern Arena.
A form for each class is now available on HERO outlining the programmes' details.
The budget for this is $125 (Covers instruction - 9 x 30 minute sessions and bus fares).
Yr 4/5 Water Safety/Swim Skills Programme Term 2
Weeks 8 & 9 (Monday 16th June – Friday 27th June) - rooms 15, 16, 17, 18, 24
Year 3/4 students will be able to attend a water safety/swim skills programme at Northern Arena.
A form for each class is now available on HERO outlining the programmes' details. The budget for this is $125 (Covers instruction - 9 x 30 minute sessions and bus fares).
We would appreciate your contribution from now on. If we are not able to meet the total budgeted figure for swimming, then we will not be able to proceed as planned.
Payment can be made via one of the following options:
- Through your KINDO account, or by transfer to the school bank account:
#12 3107 0083794 00 Please put ‘swim’ & your child’s full name as reference - Eftpos at the school office
- You are welcome to pay this in instalments
Years 1 - 5 Water Safety/Water Confidence Programmes held at Northern Arena: Northern Arena holds a pivotal role of ensuring safety and providing key life skills to children in the community. Northern Arena’s award winning learn to swim school focuses on changing and saving lives in and around water with learn to swim and water safety programmes.
The programme that your child will be able to participate in at Northern Arena will be held in term two. Below is an outline of what will be provided:
The Schools Learn to Swim program teaches children from years 1-9 to be more comfortable and safer in the water.
The program: Provides individual student assessments at the beginning and end of the programme
Caters swimming lessons for all levels and abilities.
Teaches students to swim and survive by learning correct stroke technique and swim fitness.
Alongside the schools learn to swim program is an extremely important and comprehensive, practical boat and water safety module. The Northern Arena School Water Safety and Boat Safety Programme enhances confidence in the water and teaches students key boat and water safety skills with all equipment provided. Key survival skills include:
Floating(Heat Escape Lessening Posture)
Treading Water (in calm and moving water)
Swimming to safety
Submersion and searching
Unaided entry and exits
Life jacket education, skills and practices including ‘HELP’
Boat education, skills and practices
Boat practices in life jackets
SPORTS UNIFORM
The Red Beach School unisex sports uniform is available for purchase through the school. Our RBS sports shirts are $40 and the sports shorts are $22. The sports shirt is compulsory for students involved in a Red Beach School sports team however, the sports shorts are optional. Both items are available through KINDO.
YUMMY STICKERS
Keep on chomping and collecting those stickers then return your completed sheets to the school office. Remember, the more Yummy Fruit you eat, the more free sports gear we receive for the school! - forms below.
