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Newsletter Term 3 Week 8
Fernside School - September 6th, 2026
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Kia ora koutou e te Whānau,
What a wonderful, colour-filled day we had for Crazy Hair Day! Our kura was buzzing with bright colours, wild styles, and incredible creativity across every year group. A massive thank you to John McNaughton and our hard-working Student Council for organising such a fun event. We are thrilled to share that we raised over $360 for Blood Cancer NZ. Thank you all so much for your generous support!
There is also a huge amount of excitement building across the school as we gear up for our School Production. With all the rehearsals and hard work taking place, everything is coming together brilliantly to ensure it will be a truly fantastic show! There isn't long to go now, and this is your last week to secure tickets - so please make sure to pop by the office so you don't miss out.
In this edition, we also share some bittersweet news as we prepare to farewell our Caretaker, Simon, who will be leaving us at the end of the term. Simon has done a fantastic job looking after our school grounds, and he will be dearly missed by both staff and tamariki alike. We wish him all the very best for his next chapter and future endeavours!
With Simon moving on, we are now actively looking for his replacement - please see further down in the newsletter for full details on the caretaker vacancy and how to apply. Please feel free to share if you know of someone that would be a good fit!
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School Pool Upgrades Underway!
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We are excited to share that work has officially begun on upgrading our school pool facilities!
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The changing rooms are receiving a fantastic refresh, including brand-new flooring, fresh paint, and upgraded lighting and bathroom facilities. These improvements will make a wonderful difference for our tamariki once the swimming season arrives.
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Pedestrian Gate Closure: While construction work is underway, the small pedestrian gate leading to the staff carpark will be unavailable.
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Alternative Entry: Please use the large double gate instead when walking onto the school grounds.
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Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep our school facilities in top shape for our children!
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School Production Tickets – General Sales Now Open!
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We are so excited to see the enthusiasm building for our upcoming School Production! A huge thank you to everyone who has already secured their family tickets.
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As of tomorrow, Monday 7th September, ticket sales are officially open to everyone for general purchase. If you missed the priority window, or if you would like to purchase extra tickets for extended family and friends, now is your chance!
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Key Information & Purchasing Details:
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- General Sales Period: Monday 7th September – Friday 11th September
- Performance Date: Tuesday 15th September
Matinee: 10:30 am
Evening: 6:30 pm
- Venue: Ohoka Community Hall
- Where to Buy: Available directly from the school office
- Price: $15 per ticket (Cash or EFTPOS only — no Credit Cards or Paywave)
- Capacity Limit: Please note that due to venue capacity restrictions, sales are strictly capped at 300 tickets per session total.
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Production Logistics
Production Week: Key Logistics & Reminders
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Dress Rehearsal Monday:
On Monday the 14th of September, the whole school will travel to Ohoka School with all props/costumes etc to run through two dress rehearsals. We will take bags, lunches and be at Ohoka School until 2pm, when we will return to Fernside School.
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Matinee Show:
On Tuesday, we will travel by bus to Ohoka School in costume. The Matinee Show starts at 10.30am and should finish around 12.30pm. The buses will take the students back to school for the afternoon.
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Night Show:
Please be at the Ohoka Hall at 5.45pm in costume/makeup if required. The children need to sit down in the back of the hall on the bleachers and your child’s homeroom teacher will greet your child here. If you have tickets for the night show you can wait outside until it is time to come in. If you are not attending you can drop off at 5.45pm and then return to pick up your child at approx 8.30pm (exact time to be confirmed). We will keep your children in the hall until you arrive.
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Wednesday Morning:
If your child is tired from Tuesday night, they are able to start school at morning tea. Please let the office and homeroom teacher know they will be in at this time.
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We are Hiring! Join the Fernside Whānau!!
*Property & Grounds Caretaker*
Fernside School | 20–25 Hours Per Week (Negotiable for the right person)
Fernside School is seeking a practical, community-minded Caretaker to take pride in keeping our school grounds safe, beautiful, and vibrant. If you love working outdoors, enjoy hands-on maintenance, and value being part of a supportive rural school community, we would love to hear from you.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Grounds & Gardening: Maintain gardens, lawns, and outdoor spaces so our school always looks presentable and welcoming.
Maintenance & Light Repairs: Handle general site upkeep, basic building repairs, and routine safety checks.
Digital Logging: Update and follow our simple online maintenance log to track tasks and health & safety requirements.
School & Community Projects: Work alongside staff and occasionally lead hands-on outdoor or building projects with our enthusiastic tamariki.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Practical trade skills, DIY experience, or strong groundskeeping knowledge.
Ability to plan heavy tasks around class hours—all loud outdoor work (e.g., mowing, hedge trimming, power tool use) must be completed either before or after school hours to keep learning environments quiet and safe.
A warm, collaborative team player who communicates well with staff, parents, and children.
Comfort using basic digital tools (smartphones/tablets) for logging maintenance tasks.
A police vet check will be required as part of the appointment process.
HOURS AND FLEXIBILITY
20–25 hours per week. Specific working hours and schedule are negotiable for the right applicant.
To apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience to principal@fernside.school.nz by Friday 18th September at 4pm.
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Raffle Winners!
A huge congratulations to 'Sarah' and the 'Turner family', the lucky winners of our Year 8 raffles!
A massive thank you to everyone across our school community who bought tickets and supported this fundraiser. Your generosity helps bring our Year 8 students one step closer to their exciting trip to Wellington. Thanks again to our generous sponsors who donated the prizes. We truly appreciate your ongoing support for our tamariki!
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Barker’s of Geraldine
Whittakers
Griffins
Heartland
Propaganda
North Canterbury Books
Mill Orchard
Susie Lowe (Bayleys)
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Reminder: Paint & Sip Night - Thursday 19th September
Don't forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Paint & Sip Night on Saturday, 19th September! It promises to be a fantastic evening to relax, unleash your creativity, and enjoy great company. Be sure to secure your tickets soon—we can’t wait to see you there!
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Sporting Opportunities
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*Waimak Touch 2026/27 Season
Waimak Touch is back for another fabulous season. As per previous years, we invite all children interested in playing touch in the Southbrook Competition on Wednesday evenings to fill out this link. Children will be placed into teams according to their year groups and get to enjoy playing a fun, social game that everyone loves.
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Cost is $40 per player and this cost includes: shirts for the season, gear to play with, team entry into Southbrook Touch and prize giving at the end of the season for the whole club.
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Please note a few Important changes.
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Venue - Due to the Maria Andrew's grounds undergoing some much-needed repair, Twilight football will be held at Kendall Park in Term 4.
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Formats - Due to New Zealand Football's whole of football 2.0 plan we have had to make some changes to the formats of the games.
Years 0/1/2 will play 3v3
Years 3/4 will play 5v5 (including a goalkeeper)
5/6 and 7/8 remain unchanged.
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Pricing - this term we are moving to a per team model, as opposed to per player to simplify the invoicing process.
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*STOKED After School Surfing Program
Sessions : Term-based, after-school sessions Monday and Thursday plus Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Ages : 7–17
Cost : Only $32 per lesson.
Location : Scarborough Beach, Cave Rock, Sumner.
Experience : No experience needed – beginners welcome!
Gear : included or bring your own.
Register at : www.stokedsurfschool.co.nz or contact us at hello@stokedsurfschool.co.nz. Ph 0278653324.
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PTA Meeting - Thursday evening - ALL WELCOME!
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A message from Busy Bumbles...
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Busy Bumbles Term 3 Holiday Programme Bookings Are Now Open!
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Looking for a fun, affordable option these school holidays? We know keeping the kids happy and cared for while juggling work and family life can be a lot, so we’re here to help.
Busy Bumbles Holiday Programmes give tamariki a safe, welcoming and action-packed place to spend their holidays, with plenty of activities, creative fun, relaxed play and opportunities to make new friends.
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With our reduced fees, standard school-hour bookings start from just $40, helping make quality holiday care more accessible for local whānau.
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Your closest Busy Bumbles Holiday Programme is Te Matauru School, with spaces available across the school holidays.
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Thumbelina - Presented by the HSPA Junior School
First Saturday of the School Holidays
Saturday 26th September, 11am & 2pm
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Family friendly for all ages.
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Tickets $20+booking available from Town Hall Cinema online and over the counter. Family discount available.
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Lost Bangle
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This was found in the Fernside Hall and handed in to the office. Potentially has sentimental value? If it is yours, please tell us what is engraved on it.
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Term 3 Dates to Diary
Tuesday 8 Sept: Shelter in Place Drill
Thursday 10 Sept: PTA Meeting 7pm in Staffroom
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Monday 14 Sept: Production Rehearsal
Tuesday 15 Sept: **SHOWTIME!!** Production at Ohoka School Hall
Friday 18 Sept: Science Road Show - Kōrau Hub
Saturday 19 Sept: Paint and Sip Year 8 Fundraiser
Tuesday 22 Sept: PTA Sausage Sizzle (orders close 17th September)
Friday 25 Sept: LAST DAY OF TERM 3
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Please check the calendar regularly for updates.
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