Newsletter – Week 6, Term 2 2026

                                   Week 6, Term 2 2026   

Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi –
With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.

This Friday we have a Teacher Only Day. For this day, our kaiako will be highly engaged in developing their knowledge and skills in Supporting Neurodiverse Learners, the new Teaching Code and Standards, Accelerating Student Learning, and Reporting to Parents. Lots of great learning for our kaiako to ultimately provide positive outcomes for all of our ākonga.

Earlier this term our School Councillors sold Poppy Stickers for ANZAC Day, which was kindly organised by Mrs Bishop. We have received the following message: 

“On behalf of the Howick RSA Poppy Trust, we would like to thank the staff, children and parents for taking part in the Poppy Appeal this year. Your school raised $234.40 which will be used to support our veterans and their whānau in the Howick district”.

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

Coming Up @ BDS

Wed 27 May – HPPA Girls Soccer Day 2 / PTA Jester’s Pie Day
Fri 29 May – TEACHER ONLY DAY
Mon Jun 1 – King’s Birthday (public holiday)
Tues 2 Jun – Kauri Yr 6 Stardome Trip (2 classes)
Wed 3 Jun – Kauri Yr 6 Stardome Trip (2 classes)
Fri 5 Jun – No Uniform Day
Mon 8 Jun – PTA meeting
Wed 10 Jun – School Board meeting, 6.00pm
Mon 15 Jun – PTA Bake Sale
Tues 16 Jun – HPPA Soccer
Wed 17 Jun – PTA Jester’s Pie Day
Fri 19 Jun – Sun 21 Jun – World Vision 40 Hour Challenge
Mon 22 Jun – Pōhutukawa Yr 3 Stardome Trip
Wed 24 Jun – HPPA Soccer Day 1
Thurs 25 Jun – HPPA Soccer Day 2
Wed 1 Jul – PhotoLife Class and Individual Photos
Thurs 2 Jul – PhotoLife Sibling Photos
Fri 3 Jul – Matariki Morning / LAST DAY OF TERM 2

SCHOOL NEWS

World Vision 40 Hour Challenge

Last week our School Councillors visited the Year 4, 5 and 6 classes to discuss the 40 Hour Challenge and handed out permission letters. If you give permission for your child to take part, please return the permission form to your child’s class teacher. After returning the permission form, your child will then be issued an information booklet which explains how to start fundraising. 

This is it whānau! It’s that time of year when youth across Aotearoa come together for The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge – happening from June 19th-21st 2026. We’re challenging you to go offline for 40 hours and raise funds so children in Solomon Islands can get the nutritious food they need. Whether it’s no phone, gaming, social media, or even power. You get to choose what you’ll do and how you’ll do it.

Step away from screens. Step up for real change.

Chess Championship 

Last Wednesday, a group of our Year 5 & 6 students attended the East Auckland Primary Interschool Chess Championship at Point View School to represent their school. They competed in six rounds against other competitors, displaying strategic thinking and resilient sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Well done to these students for being such great champs! 

Fun & Learning @ BDS

Rimu Year 1, Room 6 – This term, Room 6 has been learning ball skills during our weekly Physical Education lessons. We have been learning a range of passing, catching, kicking and shooting skills and having loads of fun! 

PTA Notices…

Sushi and Pizza lunch orders avaliable every week –

Order a tasty lunch for your child at www.dollarforschools.co.nz: 

St Pierres Sushi is available every Wednesday and Domino’s Pizza every Friday. 

Remember: $1 from every order goes directly to our school!

Enrol Now If Your Child Turns 5 in 2026!

We are currently planning classes and staffing for the remainder of 2026, and having accurate numbers of new entrants — even those starting later in the 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

A friendly reminder to help your children practice our school values of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY by looking after the books they borrow. 

What do we do if a book has been lost or damaged?
We know that accidents happen; it is all part of learning and growing. Honesty is always the best policy… please encourage your child to come to the library to talk to Mrs H – they won’t be in trouble, and most times, a book can be repaired. If lost, or damaged beyond repair, the school will ask for a contribution to replace the book.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Pay the kindo way: https://botanydowns.school.nz/kindo/