South Auckland Middle School

Week 6 (last week) attendance. Well done everyone! Year 8's still leading the charge with the highest attendance of all year levels.

We haven't quite recovered from saying "see ya later" to Mr Malele and we were farewelling our wonderful Kapa Haka teacher - Whaea Ariana. Ariana and her whanau have been an outstanding addition to SAMS over the years, leading our kapa haka, supporting us during Fiafia and other events.
Thank you Whaea for all you have done to help grow our Te Ao Maori knowledge.

Whaea Lyndell, who has been supporting Ariana for a while now, will continue with our Kapa Haka classes. We are thrilled to have Lyndell take on this mantle.

Week 5 attendance still holding at over 90% which is awesome.

Colds are NOT caused from getting wet or cold, they are viral infections. We can help our immune systems by making sure we eat a well balanced diet, drink at least 2L of water and get plenty of good quality sleep.
Winter is a time when we do experience more illness because we spend time inside and closer to people who may be sick. If your child is unwell, please do keep them home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-KkrmffvIE

What a day it's been! There have been lots and lots of tears, laughter and celebration as we acknowledge Mr Malele on his last day at SAMS.

Totara farewells Mr Malele Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Last week was a busy but a great week for SAMS.

First and foremost - last week was Support Staff Week, where we celebrate the following people who work above and beyond for our students and our kura:
Hayley Parsons
Gemma Nikara
Barbara Carney
Leigh Kenyon
Maria Hughes
Pena Ofa
Willz Togiaheulu
Thank you to these lovely and amazing people for their much appreciated service and aroha that they always show for our children and their mahi.

We acknowledge our Junior Maths Team, espcecially our Year 8 students who placed in the top 3! A great week for our Senior and Junior Teams. We look forward to future outings to the South Auckland Math Challenges.

On Friday we dressed in pink to stand in solidarity with others against bullying. Although it was just a day, we should treat every day like pink shirt day and make bullying history.

Ka pai to those that got on board with the moth collecting competition over the last two months, particularly Caius and his grandfather who collected more than 600, Ashvir who collected more than 400, Mrs Parsons who bought in 800, Gilbert and Donesha. They managed to collect 2974 moth pods. This was a phenomenal effort and much appreciated community service!

A big thank you also to Tawhiri, Elijah, Justin, Ashvir, Caius and Reuben from Totara who gave up lunchtimes to count the moth pods.

The sick bug is definitely making its rounds and is effecting everyone. Last weeks attendance can't be helped, but please keep your child home if they are not well and don't forget to inform the school of your child's absence - your support is always appreciated.

And lastly, a reminder of our parent hui this Wednesday at 6.30PM here at school. We're always looking to improve and enhance our parent and school partnership, so if you're free, please come along.

This week is CAA Exams for a select group of Year 10 students, meaning their timetable will be different from the rest of the school. We wish them all the best!

Check your emails for the latest newsletter. Kia ora!!

Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Happy Rotuman Language Week!

A great start to the week with our Senior Student Teams taking FIRST PLACE in their respective Year Levels at the South Auckland Mathematics Challenge Competition held at De La Salle College! Lelei pau, fḁkạu ne rogo!

Tomorrow our Juniors will have a go (also hosted at De La Salle) so we wish them nothing but fun and the best - because MATHS is FUN and AWESOME!!

Happy NZL Sign Language Week Whanau!

Across the Villas our students led their assemblies acknowleding and celebrating the importance and significance of NZL Sign Language Week. It is a reminder to always appreciate the very senses we easily take for granted and have a deep admiration for those that have a disability and prove to us that life can still be lived to the full.

Also our attendance this week is our lowest so far. As much as we would love for all our students to be here and present at school, we also know the importance of keeping your child home if they are ill. It becomes a vicious cycle if they are not 100% and are struck down again because the bugs are still circulating here at school.

Whanau check your emails for the latest information via our weekly newsletter.

Next week is Rotuma Language Week - Noa'ia 'e mạuri! Gasav ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta!!

Sincere thanks to Taliuta Lei whose pastoral role at Elim Weymouth gave our students the opportunity to help prepare meals for the Shining Community Trust. This Trust distributes these meals to those in the community in need and to be the face of Christ to others.
Not only did our Manuka 9 students have fun, but they also realised that in making meals for those who in desperate need, it indeed felt super rewarding. Sincere thanks to our own Mrs Sauni and Elim volunteer Whaea Powhiri for their amazing patience and assistance.
We look forward to our amazing partnership with Elim and to continue nurturing a heart of service in our young people!

The cold snap has forced a few illnesses that is beyond your control - so please remind your children to dress up warm and wear covered shoes.
A drop in this weeks attendance, but we are stoked to see our students show up daily for another day of learning. So thank you whanau for your continued support!

A few dates to take note of:
>Year 10 Parent Transition Meeting - Wednesday 6th May - 6.30PM
>MON 4th May - FRI 8th May - NZL Sign Language Week.

For more news and information, whanau check your emails for our latest newsletter.