Newsletter – Week 3, Term 1 2026 – Botany Downs Primary School

Week 3 Term 1 2026

Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,

Last week it was wonderful to see our whānau conversations strengthening connections across our community. So many meaningful relationships are being formed, creating valuable opportunities to grow, support one another, and build lasting partnerships together.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our Whānau picnic on Thursday.

Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Parkins, Principal – Tumuaki (vickip@botanydowns.school.nz)

Coming Up @ BDS

Wed 18 Feb – HPPA Softball
Thurs 19 Feb – Whānau Picnic, 5.00-7.00pm
Thurs 19 Feb – Kauri Team Yr 6 Camp Parents Meeting, 6.30-7.30pm
Mon 23 Feb – Yr 5&6 Bake Sale
Thurs 26 Feb – HPPA Cricket (Pool A)
Mon 2 Mar – Kauri Team Yr 6 Camp (returning Wed 4 Mar)
Thurs 5 Mar – Tōtara Team Yr 5 Camp Parents Meeting, starting 6.30.pm
Mon 9 Mar – Tōtara Team Yr 5 Camp (returning Tues 10 Mar)
Tues 10 Mar – Girls Smash Cricket Day
Wed 11 Mar – HPPA Cricket (Pool A)
Fri 13 Mar – Senior School Swimming Sports Day
Fri 20 Mar – No Uniform Day
Mon 23 – Fri 27 Mar – BOOK WEEK
Wed 25 Mar – HPPA Swimming
Thurs 26 Mar – HPPA Cricket Finals Day

Keeping Our Tamariki Safe –
Parking Reminders

The safety of our tamariki is our top priority. Please remember:

No parking or stopping on yellow lines – these areas must stay clear for visibility and safety.
Do not park or stop across driveways – this blocks access and creates hazards.

Let’s all do our part to keep drop-off and pick-up times safe for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation.

Complaint to Auckland Transport on Line

Policies and Procedures – SchoolDocs 2026
Term 1 Review

SchoolDocs provides a comprehensive core set of policies and procedures that are tailored to the needs of Botany Downs School. SchoolDocs updates, modifies and creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools and regular reviews.

Our SchoolDocs policies and procedures can be found via our school website on the link below:

Policies and Procedures – School Documents

If you would like to participate in reviewing the policies, please follow the instructions below.

Visit the website https://botanydowns.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
Enter the username (botanydowns) and password (best).
Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
Read the policy.
Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.
Select the reviewer type.
Enter your name (optional).
Follow the prompts to show that you’ve read the topic and enter your feedback if you’d like to comment.
Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.

For Term 1 the following policies relate to Learning Support and are up for review:

Alcohol, Drugs and Other Harmful Substances Policy
Sun Protection
Digital Technology and Online Safety
Cellphones and Other Personal Digital Devices

Mark Insley, Deputy Principal (marki@botanydowns.school.nz)

Calling… Parent Helpers!

Are you able to help out in our Junior classrooms (anytime between 8:30am and 10:30am) with tasks such as sharpening pencils, cutting out activities, general organising of resources and activities ready for the day’s learning?

If you have some time available during the school week to come in and help out in a junior class then please email rachelr@botanydowns.school.nz with your contact details and when you are free! Thank you!

Rachel Ryan, DP/SENCo Year 0-3 (rachelr@botanydowns.school.nz)

SCHOOL NEWS

Whānau Picnic – Thursday 19 February

A reminder that the Whānau Picnic is happening this Thursday, February 19 (Week 3). Bring your picnic blanket and dinner and join us for a fun evening with parents and children from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

The water slide will be in action, so bring your togs! We will also have a tug-o-war, the sand pit, basketball and other games happening on the school field and courts.

LJs will be there selling delicious fish n chips, as well as Scrunchy Millers, selling yummy real fruit ice cream!

It’s a wonderful chance to connect, celebrate, and enjoy time together as a school community. Parents are responsible for their own children at all times, but the class teachers are there to also join in the fun!

The Year 6 camp meeting will also be held on this evening at 6:30pm. More information to come!

Bake sale – Monday 23rd February

Our senior students are heading off to camp soon and excitement is building! To help cover the costs of the extra activities planned, we will be holding a Year 5 Tōtara and Year 6 Kauri Bake Sale on Monday 23rd February.

We ask that all Year 5 Tōtara and Year 6 Kauri students please bring in a plate of baking to sell to the rest of the school at morning tea. All funds raised will go directly towards supporting these additional camp experiences for our students.

Year 5 Tōtara and Year 6 Kauri students, please drop off your homemade or store bought baking, under the year 4 Tītoki canopy near the carpark between 8:30am – 8:50am on the morning of the sale.

Every item is just $1, with a maximum of 3 items per student. Payment can be made in advance via KINDO or given in cash to your child’s teacher on the day.

If your child has allergies, we welcome contributions to our allergy-friendly table. Please ensure these are clearly labelled with all ingredients.

Thank you for supporting this fun and tasty fundraiser, we are looking forward to seeing the creativity (and tasting the results)!

PTA Notice

Fruju Fridays are back this week!

Every Friday until the end of term. Come and see us outside the staffroom from 3.00pm to get your Fruju ($2) or icepop ($1).

Payment can be made in advance via kindo or cash on the day.

Dollar for Schools lunch orders!

Order by 9.00am for same day delivery; $1 from every order goes to our school.

Mondays – St Pierre’s Sushi

Thursdays – Subway

Fridays – Domino’s Pizza

School Assembly – Juniors

This Friday is our Junior (Year 1-3) assembly at 2.15pm. We will be handing out Botany Best awards, and Values Bookmarks to the following Year 1-3 students. All whānau are welcome to attend.

Our BDS Capabilities

Congratulations to our following tamariki who have shown their Botany Best by displaying our Capabilities: Bhevin Verma, Victoria Gakhovich, Laura D’Ambrosio, Max Harlum, Halle Moir, Oliver Jones, Mackenzie Joll, Benie Kazaroho, Leonidas Hamilton, Julius Eramiha, Akshar Samdaw Krishinchand, Ivy Chen, Grace Marshall, Grace Ren, Majesty Tumanako-Tauhinu, Hosanna John, Zane Bshennaty, Hareni Pirapakaran, Elijah Jooste, Suzanna Kamakorewa, Lincoln Thompson & Ethan Zhang.

Our BDS Values

Congratulations to the following tamariki who have displayed our Value of Relationships – Whanaungatanga: Ananya Dhinesh Babu, AJ Van Niekerk, Elaina Su’a, Boston Haretuku, Ella Chan, Aariz Zahidani, Menima Feagaiga, Emma Zeng, Scarlett Blanco-Zijp, Ephraim Kazaroho, Hridaan Dave, Aiden Piladuwa Madduma Bogahawattage, Kaius Oti, Jeson Wang, Haya Rana, AJ Aisea, Yunxiao Yan, Sangsang Chow, Abby Bi, Grayson Visser, Jane Bong & Daniel Turner.

Enrol Now If Your Child Turns 5 in 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)

LIBRARY NEWS

Books in Home Languages

Looking for books in your home lanugage? We have a small (and growing) collection of children’s books in the following languages: Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Cook Islands, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Samoan, Spanish, Tongan.

The Auckland Public Libraries also offer books in many languages. You can find them at various libraries around the city by searching here: Auckland Libraries Language Collections. Books may be requested from any Auckland library and picked up at your nearest library.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

This fun and engaging programme is designed for both boys and girls who are new to soccer or looking to further develop their existing skills. Our focus is on: