Nelson Central School

Learning Assistant Needed 2026

We are looking for an experienced, empathetic person to join our great Learning Support team to support some of our learners with additional high physical and emotional needs. We believe children do well if they can, and know that some require a significant level of individual support to do so.
Are you that person?

Start date : as soon as possible
Hours: 9am -3pm during school terms only.

Please apply in writing giving your experience, and two referees to; [email protected]

If you would like to know more please contact Pip Wells ( principal) [email protected]
Or Jenn Arai ( Learning Suppport Coordinator) [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

This past week, all four Totara classes hit the water at the local sailing club, and we had an absolute blast! This was more than just a fun trip; it was a chance for students to learn new skills and, for many, to face their fears while sailing in challenging, windy conditions.

Rooms 2 and 4 faced some very windy, challenging days. However, everyone showed fantastic perseverance and mastered the conditions—a true testament to their grit! Rooms 1 and 3 enjoyed warmer, less windy conditions, and they, too, had a fantastic, successful time on the water. Everyone ended the week with new skills, great memories, and a huge sense of accomplishment!

When Cultural Learning Meets Fire Safety!

Today’s lesson on Día de los Mu***os took an unexpected turn when our classroom transformed from a cooking and craft session into a surprise fire drill practice! 😅

While preparing some delicious quesadillas, the fire alarm decided it wanted to join in on the excitement. The whole school showed fantastic fire safety skills — evacuating quickly and calmly. The local firefighters were soon on the scene to carry out their safety checks, giving us the all-clear to head back inside and finish our learning (and maybe rescue a few slightly crispy quesadillas!). 🌮

A big thank you to everyone for keeping cool under pressure — and to our firefighters for keeping us safe!

And since we’re all thinking about fire safety- it’s a perfect time for whanau to check their home smoke alarms!

After a chilly morning, the Kahikatea Syndicate camp is off to a fantastic start! Spirits are high, and the fun is well underway!

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✨ Check out this stunning entry for our Toi Koru Art Competition for tamariki! 🌊🎨 There’s still time to enter!

“I painted the sea waves as koru because they look alive and moving. The sunset shows the day is ending, but tomorrow it will come back again.”
Neil, aged 6

🌀 Don’t miss out!
The Toi Koru: Sandy Adsett exhibition closes 2 November, and entries for the Toi Koru Art Competition close Monday 3 November.

Who can enter:
Children aged 5–12 years

How to enter:
Create an artwork inspired by the koru. It can be a drawing, painting, collage, photo, or mixed media piece.

Prizes:
One winner from each age group (5–8 and 9–12) will receive an awesome prize bundle from the Museum Shop.

How to submit:
👉 Include your name, age, and a short statement about your work
📍 Deliver your entry to the Museum Front Desk
📧 Or email a photo to [email protected]

🌼 Spring has sprung! ☀️
Some of our girls have been making the most of the sunny weather—creating what might just be the longest daisy chain the front field has seen… If you look closely, it is over 10 meters long! 🌸💪

It’s been so lovely to see everyone enjoying the outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, and getting creative.

☀️ A friendly reminder: during Terms 1 and 4, wide-brim hats are compulsory for outdoor play. Let’s stay sun safe while having fun!

Help keep your children safe online!

We’ve noticed some children have been accessing things online at home that aren’t age-appropriate—like certain YouTube videos and R-rated games. It’s easy for tamariki to start on one “innocent” video and quickly be led to another with unsuitable content. Many R-rated games also don’t have built-in restrictions, making them simple to download and play.

With the holidays coming up, now is a great time to look at parental controls on devices and the internet. These tools are designed to help keep tamariki safe, support healthy boundaries, and strengthen parent–child relationships. They’re quick to set up, and your internet or mobile service provider can advise you on the best options for your whānau—even helping you get started straight away.

There is more valuable information available directly from Netsafe. You can register for upcoming webinars and access online resources to help you navigate this forever-changing landscape.

A small step now can make a big difference for your child’s online safety and well-being.