Week 2 Term 1 2026
Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,
We have had a wonderful start to the year. Our tamariki have settled well into their classrooms and are enjoying catching up with friends from last year, as well as making new ones. It has been great to see their enthusiasm for learning. We are also excited to be making the most of our school pool, with swimming lessons now underway alongside our new swimming instructors. The children are loving their time in the water and are building confidence with each session.
A huge thank you to our amazing whānau who paid their school donations last year, your support truly makes a difference to our school.
We have sent out our 2026 School Donation email so you can see exactly how your contributions help our tamariki and school.
The School Board has decided to keep the school donation the same as in 2025: $235 per child, capped at $470 per family.
Payment Options:
- KINDO https://www.botanydowns.school.nz/kindo/
- Direct debit to our school bank account. 12-3089-0059300-00
- Payment can also be made at the office by Eftpos or Credit Card
Please contact our executive officer Trish Toussaint (trisht@botanydowns.school.nz) for any further questions about payment. Thank you.
Thank you again for supporting our school. Your contributions help create wonderful learning experiences for all our tamariki
We look forward to seeing you for our Whānau Conversations – Building Connections on Wednesday and Thursday. If you have not already done so please book your time; see instructions below.
Ngā mihi nui,
Vicki Parkins, Principal – Tumuaki (vickip@botanydowns.school.nz)
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Coming Up @ BDS
Wed 11 Feb – Whānau Conversations, 3.15pm onwards
Thurs 12 Feb – Whānau Conversations, 3.15pm onwards
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
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
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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:
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 will phone the classroom and your child will come to the office if they are not already there waiting
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Uniform Reminders:
- Hats: Please remember that hats must be worn during Term 1.
- Naming Uniform Items: Ensure all uniform items are clearly named.
- Drink Bottles: Bring a named drink bottle. Please note, we are a water-only school.
- Lost Property: Found items are located outside Room 1.
- Purchasing Uniforms: New uniform items are available at John Russell Schoolwear, 9 Moore Street, Howick.
- Uniform Information: For more details about our school uniform, please visit our website at www.botanydowns.school.nz/uniform.
- Each cyclist must wear a Standards-approved cycle safety helmet and have a roadworthy bicycle.
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Whānau Conversations – Building Connections
*Remember to bring your Building Connections question
form with you to your meeting!
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Whānau Picnic – Thursday 19 February
Mark your calendars for our annual Whānau Picnic on 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!
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Assemblies- Juniors and Seniors
This term our School Assemblies are going to be run differently. Our school hall is being repaired and we cannot use it for whole school assemblies. Instead, we are going to hold Junior (Year 1-3) and Senior (Year 4-6) assemblies on alternate weeks under the Tītoki canopy, starting with a Senior assembly this Friday at 2:15pm.
Weeks 2, 4, 6 : Senior Assembly
Weeks 3, 5, 7: Junior Assembly
Week 8: Book Week Assembly and Parade
Week 9: Principal’s Awards – Whole School assembly
Each week in our assembly, we will award certificates to the students who are displaying their ‘Botany Best’ and we will present our School Value bookmarks. These recipients will be published in the school newsletter each Tuesday before the assembly. There are no awards this week.
In the newsletter we will inform you of the classroom that is presenting a class item. At the start and end of the term we will have a whole school assembly. Parents will be welcome to join us at our school assemblies.
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Term 1 Clubs
For Term 1 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.
- Student Leadership applications for Years 5/6-Councillors, Peer Mediators, Ambassadors
- Choir
- Orchestra
- ESOL Games
- Kapa Haka
- Pasifika Au Siva
- Enviro
- Dance – Senior and Junior
- Junior Drawing
Term 1 Sports
This term the class focus for P.E. is swimming. This year we have instructors from Fulton Swim school teaching our tamariki how to swim. It is important that every child learns to swim in New Zealand as we are surrounded by water. Please make sure your child has their togs and goggles on their swimming day.
Interschool sports this term for our senior students include
- Softball
- Cricket
- Swimming
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PTA Notice
Fruju Fridays are back this week!
Every Friday until the end of term. Come and see us outside the staffroom from 3pm 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 9am for same day delivery; $1 from every order goes to our school.
Mondays – St Pierre’s Sushi
Thursdays – Subway
Fridays – Domino’s Pizza
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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)
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Summer Reading
We hope you enjoyed your Summer Reading over the holidays. If you borrowed books from the school library, please remember to return them as soon as possible.
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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:
- Recognising and nurturing each child’s individual abilities
- Supporting age-appropriate skill development
- Most importantly, making sure every child enjoys the journey
To Register Click Here *payment plan available “
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