Week 3, Term 4, 2025
Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,
The Ministry of Education has informed us that the hall weathertightness project will begin after Labour Weekend, starting Tuesday 28 October 2025. The work is expected to take around 4–6 months to complete.
During this time, we won’t be able to use the hall. We are already planning how we can adapt for assemblies, celebrations, and prizegivings, and we’ll share these details with you soon.
SKIDS will temporarily move to Rooms 11 and 12 while the work takes place. These classrooms are a great fit, with plenty of space, a connecting deck, and easy access to the field.
We really appreciate everyone’s understanding and flexibility as we make these improvements to our school.
Please note that the school will be closed this Thursday and Friday due to the teachers’ strike (Thursday) and Teacher Only Day (Friday).
Thank you to Mr Insley and our Mathex team, Charlie, Rafa, Reuben and Lisa, for your amazing achievement in winning the Mathex Cup. You certainly showed your Botany Best, and we are all very proud of you.
Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Parkins, Principal – Tumuaki (vickip@botanydowns.school.nz)
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Coming Up @ BDS
Wed 22 Oct – PTA Jester’s Pie Day / School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
Thurs 23 Oct – Teacher Strike Day – school closed
Fri 24 Oct – Teacher Only Day
Mon 27 Oct – Labour Day (public holiday)
Thurs 30 Oct – 50th Jubilee Mix n’ Mingle, 5.30pm – 8.30pm*
*RSVP Required *18+ years only
Fri 31 Oct – 50th Jubilee Open Day School Tours, 9.30am – 2.00pm*
*RSVP Required
Wed 5 Nov – Kauri Team: Orientation Visit to
Howick Intermediate (morning)
Thurs 6 Nov – Kauri Team: Orientation Visit to
Somerville Intermediate (afternoon)
Fri 7 Nov – Senior Athletics Day
Wed 19 Nov – School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
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Key Dates to Note:
Thursday 23 October – Teacher Strike Day.
School will be closed, please check your emails for information
from the School Board.
sKids will be open on this day – please see information below to book.
Friday 24 October – Ministry of Education Teacher Only Day.
School will be closed for students while staff attend professional learning.
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** Remember to RSVP to let us know if you are joining us **
** Please note: Mix n’ Mingle is for 18+ years only **
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Information on BYOD for 2026
(Bring Your Own Device)
Who: BDS Whānau of 2026 Year 4, 5 and 6
When: 4th November, 4.30-5.30 pm
Where: In our new build, Room 22
What: Information on BYOD for 2026 (Bring Your Own Device)
 In 2026, our Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 students may bring their own devices to school each day. Students who do not bring their own devices will continue to have access to school owned devices.
Please visit the following link for more information on recommended devices your child could bring: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/education/byod/botany-downs-school
At Botany Downs School, we highly recommend a Microsoft or Chrome OS device.
The minimum screen size should be 11″ as our testing programme will not work with smaller screens.
If you do decide that your 2026 Year 4, 5 or 6 child will bring their own device, BYOD agreement forms will be sent home at the beginning of the 2026 school year. Students are unable to bring their device until a completed form is returned to school.
For any enquiries please email Mr Yoon: sojungy@botanydowns.school.nz
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Year 6 Mathex Team
Last Tuesday our Year 6 Mathex Team took part in the HPPA Mathex competition. They competed against 20 other schools, correctly answering all 25 questions in 22 minutes, with a 30 minute deadline. Once all scores were collected our Botany Downs Team were awarded 1st place! This is an amazing accomplishment for our students and the first time we have ever achieved first.
A huge congratulations to Charlie, Rafa, Reuben and Lisa.
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Yearbook / School Magazine 2025!
This year’s yearbook planning is well underway and we are super excited to announce it will be even bigger and better than previous years. Full colour memories! It’s a FABULOUS memory of the year and your child will love reading it and looking at pictures in years to come.
Purchase TODAY via Kindo or eftpos at the office.
Only $20 for a new and improved 2025 yearbook!
Please pay by Wednesday 26th November.
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Important Information From Howick Intermediate
If your child is Year 6 and will be attending Howick Intermediate, please ensure that you have enrolled them through the Howick Intermediate website: Enrolment – Howick Intermediate
Also, please check the date and time for their Parent Information Evening below:
Orientation Visit: Wed 5 November, 9.30am-10.30am
New Parent Information Evening: Wed 5 November, 7.00pm
Howick Intermediate school hall
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Somerville Intermediate –
Enrolments for In Zone Students
In Zone enrolments for 2026 are OPEN. If you are residing within our school’s home zone and you have not yet submitted an enrolment application for 2026 for your child, please do so as soon as possible.
All enrolment applications must be made online. Please visit the Somerville Intermediate website for more details: Enrolment – Somerville Intermediate
** Important date: Orientation visit for Year 6 Kauri students attending Somerville in 2026: Thursday 6 November, 1.30pm-2.30 pm
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PTA Notice…
Fruju Fridays are Back!
We’re excited to have Fruju Fridays running every week this term! Frujus will be available for $2 each and ice pops for $1. Payments can be made through Kindo by midnight on the Thursday before each Fruju Friday, or you can bring cash on the day. Sales start at 3pm outside the staffroom—perfect for a cool treat to end the week while supporting our school!
Join the fun!
Remember to join us on the BDS PTA Facebook page to keep up to date with all our events: BDS PTA Facebook
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Fun & Learning @ BDS
Kōwhai Team, Year 2, Room 2: 3D Fun! In Room 2 we have been learning about, and exploring with 3D shapes. We practised the shape names, identified the attributes for each shape, persevered with making them, and drew them with chalk and in our books.
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Enrol Now if Your Child Turns 5 Before April 2026
We are currently planning classes and staffing for 2026, and having accurate numbers of new entrants — even those starting mid-year — greatly helps us with this process. Thank you for your support.
Enrolment packs are available from the school office, or you can request one via email: office@botanydowns.school.nz
Rachel Ryan, DP/SENCo – Year 0-3 (rachelr@botanydowns.school.nz)
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Thrive at Botany Downs:
Term 4 Enrolments Open!
Give your child the gift of confidence and communication skills that will last a lifetime!
Thrive classes are fun and interactive speech and drama sessions designed to help children grow in confidence, creativity and communication. Each week, students take part in activities such as drama games, storytelling, improvisation, public speaking and performance work.
Classes are small, with only 4–6 students in each 30-minute session, so every child has the chance to shine. The focus is on building vital life skills like clear communication, teamwork, courtesy, creative thinking and self-expression, all in a supportive and encouraging environment.
When: Tuesdays after school
Starts: Week 1, Term 4
Ages: All welcome
Lesson Length: 30 minutes
Group Size: 4–6 students per class
Cost: $220 per 8-week term
Where: Room 11 Botany Downs School
Spaces are limited – we’d love to see your child in class!
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