Week 1, Term 4, 2025
Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,
We hope you all enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. A very warm welcome to the new families who have joined our Botany Downs School community.
This term is set to be both busy and exciting, with plenty of engaging learning opportunities and special events. Please keep an eye on our weekly newsletter, sent every Tuesday, for all the important updates you will need.
We are delighted to welcome two new staff members to our team this term. Diana Ellis and Toni Clarke will be teaching in Room 13 with our Year 0 students. A very special welcome back also goes to Eve Carson, who returns from maternity leave to Room 18 with our Year 4 students.
A reminder that in Term 4 our summer school uniform is to be worn, which includes a school hat, along with sandals or black school shoes with black socks.
Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Parkins, Principal – Tumuaki (vickip@botanydowns.school.nz)
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Coming Up @ BDS
Fri 17 Oct – No Uniform Day
Wed 22 Oct – PTA Jester’s Pie Day / School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
Thurs 23 Oct – Teacher Strike Day (to be confirmed)
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
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 Date to Note:
Friday 24 October is a Ministry of Education Teacher Only Day.
School will be closed for students while staff attend professional learning.
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Proposed Teachers’ Strike – Thursday 23 October
We would like to give our community an early heads-up that there is a proposed teachers’ strike on Thursday 23 October.
Although this is yet to be confirmed, it is likely that the school will be closed on this day.
The School Board will keep you updated and confirm details as soon as more information becomes available.
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2025 School Board Update
A very warm welcome and congratulations to our newly elected School Board members: Fiona Tang, Gurpreet Singh Arora and Loua Ward. Our school board also includes Cameron Pitcaithly (Presiding Member), Brook Tate, Rita Lala and Vicki Parkins. The staff are looking forward to working closely with our new Board over the next three years.
We also take this opportunity to sincerely thank and farewell Kerry Budd, who has resigned after six years of dedicated service as both a Presiding Member and Board Member. Kerry’s leadership, commitment, and contribution to BDS have been outstanding and have left a lasting impact on our school.
Our thanks also go to Bhavna Prentice, for her three years of valued service, and to Tom Pritchard, for his contribution over the past year.
Our School Board continues to have our tamariki, BDS whānau, and staff clearly in their vision, ensuring that at BDS we are showing “Our Best Always.”
School Board Election Results
Kia ora Parents and Whānau,
The results of our recent School Board election are now confirmed. We are delighted to welcome our new Board members:
- Loua Ward
- Gurpreet Singh Arora
- Fiona Tang
- Rita Lala (Staff Representative)
Congratulations to our newly elected members, and thank you to all the parents who put themselves forward as nominees. We truly appreciate your willingness to support our kura.
We look forward to working alongside our new School Board members and the valuable contributions they will bring to Botany Downs School.
Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Parkins
Principal/Tumuaki
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Howick Intermediate Year 7 2026
Student Orientation Day:
Wednesday 5 November
9:30am – 10:30am
New Parent Information Evening:
Wednesday 5 November – 7:00pm in their school hall
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From the Ministry of Education:
Measles cases in Aotearoa
Recent measles cases linked to overseas travel have been reported in Te Tai Tokerau and Queenstown. Cases were active in the community while infectious and there is a risk of measles circulating there, and more widely in Aotearoa.
- Measles is very contagious and can make people of any age very sick.
- Watch for measles symptoms – fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes and a blotchy rash.
- If anyone in your whānau has measles symptoms keep them home and contact a doctor or Healthline urgently on 0800 611 116.
- Vaccination is the best protection from measles. Check all whānau are immunised.
- Anyone closely exposed to measles who has not received two MMR vaccinations cannot attend their school | kura for at least eight days.
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Weetbix TRYathlon
The Weetbix TRYathlon is on again this year. It is being held on Tuesday 25th November at Mountfort Park in Manurewa.
If your child is aged 6 to 11 and is interested in taking part in this event, registrations are now open.
You can join our school team by clicking on the link below. Last year we had a great group of kids take part. You need to be able to take your own child out to Mountfort Park with their bike for them to compete.
We will be having training sessions after school this term. Days for training will be confirmed shortly. If you can not make the training, you can still take part in the TRYathlon on the day.
If you would like to register please fill in the form as an individual, then when it asks for a school add Botany Downs.
Here is the link: BDS TRYathlon team
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me: Rachael Jeffs: rachaelj@botanydowns.school.nz
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BDS Little Library Box
Our amazing new Botany Downs School Little Library Box is located just outside the school gates.
- Children can donate, take or swap a book for free.
- Only children’s books to be used in this box please.
- Please also ensure no school library books are placed in it.
Kindly made by the Lee family, generously funded by Mrs Hughson, and painted by the Year 6 students.
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Wednesday Challenge:
Let’s Rethink The School Run – Together!
This Term we are participating in the Wednesday Challenge!
Every Wednesday, students are moving smarter — walking, biking, scooting, skating or carpooling their way to school.
 Find out more – wednesdaychallenge.co.nz
Why? Because it’s fun, it’s healthy, and it’s making a real difference to our environment.
The Wednesday Challenge is a powerful way for schools to inspire tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau to choose better travel options — not just for one day, but for life.
Earn points every Wednesday for moving smarter — walking, biking, scooting, skating or carpooling to school.
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PTA Notices…
Fruju Friday’s 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!
Dollar for Schools – now including Subway!
Available every Wednesday (St Pierre’s Sushi), Thursday (Subway) and Friday (Domino’s Pizza). Order by 9am on the day at www.dollarforschools.co.nz – $1 from each order goes towards our ongoing fundraising efforts.
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School Assembly
We invite you to attend our school assembly on Friday at 9:10am. This week our item will be from Year 5, Tōtara Team, Room 23.
Our Values
Our focus value for the first half of Term 4 is Relationships – Whanaungatanga.
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Fun & Learning @ BDS
P.E, Music and STEAM: In Term 3 in Music we had a focus on using tuned percussion instruments. For the Juniors, we used the Resonator Bells to learn a few songs, like ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’. For the Seniors, we used the chromatic xylophones to learn the song ‘Bundle of Joy’. The students were amazing, showing their resilience and enthusiasm when learning a new instrument.
In STEAM we had a focus on learning the history of man-made objects. For the Juniors we learned all about cars and for the final lesson made a working toy car. The Seniors learned the history and science of the catapult and designed and built catapults, then tested and measured how far they could get their projectiles to go.
In PE we had a focus on hitting and striking sports. We explored skills and techniques involved in games such as volleyball, hockey, padder tennis and badminton. We had lots of fun doing co-operative and competitive games, and continued to focus on teamwork and what makes someone a good team player.
Kōwhai Year 2, Room 3: Writing – Sleeping Cats: We have been learning to add exciting details to our writing by using adjectives and conjunctions.
We all drew a cat by following a step by step art tutorial. Then, we coloured our cats using water colours.
After that, we wrote about our ‘Sleeping Cats’.
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 The yellow fluffy cat slept by the window while it was daytime.
The cat was tired because it was chasing the noisy seagull and sparrows.
By Amelia
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 The fluffy yellow and brown cat slept on the soft and comfy blanky and fluffy pillow.
The cat was dreaming about chasing a duck.
By Matilda
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 The fluffy orange cat is asleep on a colourful cushion because she is tired.
She is tired because she was catching birds.
By Keren
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 The fluffy, orange cat slept on the soft red pillow in her house.
She was with her family at 10 o’clock, because she was tired of chasing sparrows and fantails.
By Angela
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Come into our room to visit our cats and read our stories. But, remember…shhh, they are sleeping!
Tītoki Year 4, Room 17: Exploring Sound! This week, Room 17 began our exciting new topic: Physical Phenomena! We started by learning all about the science of sound. To spark our curiosity, we created our very own telephones using paper cups and string!
Through this fun experiment, we discovered that sound is made by vibrations. When we spoke into one cup, our voices caused the bottom of the cup to vibrate. These vibrations travelled along the tight string to the other cup, where they turned back into sound! It was amazing to see (and hear!) how sound can move through materials.
Room 17 can’t wait to continue exploring more fascinating science in the weeks ahead!
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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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BookFeast – Children’s Book Festival
This Saturday is ‘Love Your Bookshop Day’, and the Dorothy Butler Bookshop has lots of FREE fun happening, including three author storytimes, a Book Character Hunt, and a ‘Golden Ticket’ competition.
Check their website for more information, and to register: Dorothy Butler Bookshop BookFeast
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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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