Newsletter – Week 1, Term 2 2026 – Botany Downs Primary School

Week 1 Term 2 2026

Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,

Welcome back to Term 2 and I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break.

This term there are lots of things happening at school including ANZAC assembly, Life Education, sports, clubs and our end of term Matariki celebration. For specific information about what’s happening this term please check Team Newsletters that will be sent out this week.

Currently all teachers are developing their knowledge of, and writing student reports based on the new Reporting to Parents guidelines. We look forward to sharing this with you at Whānau Conferences in week 10.

Ngā mihi nui,

Mark Insley
Acting Principal/Tumuaki (marki@botanydowns.school.nz)

Coming Up @ BDS

Fri 24 Apr – ANZAC Assembly, 10.00am
Mon 27 Apr – ANZAC Day (public holiday)
Mon 4 May – PTA meeting, 7.00pm in staffroom
Wed 6 May – PTA Jester’s Pie Day
Fri 8 May – PTA Mothers’ Day Breakfast, 8.00-9.00am
Fri 15 May – Pink Shirt Day / HPPA Dodgeball
Wed 20 May – HPPA Girls Soccer Day 1 / School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
Fri 22 May – HPPA Rugby
Wed 27 May – HPPA Girls Soccer Day 2
Fri 29 May – TEACHER ONLY DAY
Mon Jun 1 – King’s Birthday (public holiday)

Important Reminders for the safety of our Tamariki

If your child is sick and not coming to school it is important that you let us know:

Ring the office 534 9848 or
Email absences@botanydowns.school.nz or
Notify us through the school website or school app (@School).

Picking up your child during the school day:

Email the class teacher and the office office@botanydowns.school.nz with the time and day your child will be picked up
Come to the office to sign out your child on our ipad
Wait in the office, please do not go to the classroom
Mrs Bishop or Mrs Muellers will phone the classroom and your child will come to the office if they are not already there waiting

Health and PE Curriculum Survey

At Botany Downs School, we value our parent and caregiver thoughts about what we do. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey (click on the link below) regarding our Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be used to support our future decision making in designing and delivering this important curriculum learning area.

Health and PE Curriculum Survey

SCHOOL NEWS

ANZAC Assembly Friday 24 April at 10 am

Poppy stickers will be available for sale under the Tītoki Year 4 canopy on Friday prior to our ANZAC assembly for a gold coin donation.

Money raised from Poppy sales help to support our local RSA – thank you for supporting this worthy cause. Lest We Forget.

Winter Uniform

A reminder that our winter uniform must be worn in Terms 2&3. New uniform items are purchased from John Russell Schoolwear, 9 Moore St, Howick. Ph: 534-9373 www.johnrussellschoolwear.co.nz

Term 2 Clubs

During Term 2 we are very fortunate to have the following clubs available for students to be part of during lunch times.

A big thank you to all of the teachers responsible for your time and effort.

Choir
Orchestra
Band
ESOL Games
Kapa Haka
Pasifika Au Siva
Enviro
Dance – Senior and Junior
Chess

DP Mark Insley (marki@botanydowns.school.nz)

Term 2 Sports

The class focus for PE in Term 2 is Large Ball Skills. This includes developing kicking, passing, and catching skills to support sports such as Netball, Basketball, Soccer and Rugby.

Interschool sports this term include:

Gymnastics
Netball
Rugby
Hockey
Basketball
Soccer

PTA Notice

Mother’s Day Morning – Friday 8th May

Celebrating All the Special Women in Our School Community

Friday 8th May | 8:00–9:00am | Under the Junior Canopy

Join us for a morning of connection and appreciation as we celebrate not only mums—but all the amazing people who fill a mother-like role in the lives of our tamariki.

Enjoy a warm drink, a bite to eat, and a chance to relax and connect with others before the day begins. Everyone who attends will also go in the draw to win a beautiful basket of goodies, kindly donated by the PTA!

Please note: food and drink will be provided for mums and caregivers only.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Fun & Learning @ BDS

Rimu Year 1, Room 1 – Last term we read the story ‘The Rainbow Fish’. We discussed the ideas of sharing, kindness, and being a good friend. We wrote about Rainbow Fish and painted our very own Rainbow Fish. Pop into Room 8 to check out our art!

‘I like Rainbow Fish because he is beautiful. I like Rainbow Fish because he is kind.’ – Rumi Knight

‘I like Rainbow Fish because he has heart powers’. – Louie Takaiti-Kerr

‘I like Rainbow Fish because he is sparkly and colourful.’ – Elaina Su’a

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