Week 8, Term 3 2026
Kia ora koutou Parents and BDS Whānau,
Thank you to all our whānau who took the time to complete our recent survey. We are delighted with the results and truly appreciate the wonderful, positive feedback shared about our school. Your input not only highlights what we are doing well, but also provides valuable guidance as we shape our plans for the future.
Thank you.
What Respondents Value:
- Staff & Leadership Quality: Parents consistently praised the great teachers, principal, and friendly, caring staff who support the children.
- Inclusive School Community: High marks were given to the strong sense of community and Botany Downs’ inclusive environment, featuring a vast range of subjects and sports activities so every child can shine.
- Child Safety: Parents highlighted that students feel completely safe at school.
- Physical & Mental Growth: The school is valued for guiding children toward healthy physical and mental development.
- Ongoing reflection on maintaining a healthy balance with device access for junior years to support foundational skills and direct interaction.
Where to next:
- Healthy Foods: Further clarity to our parents around the teaching of Healthy Foods
- Events & Collaboration: Appreciation for community gathering, with interest in exploring creative ways to hold celebrations
Last week was packed with activity. We are excited to highlight our key events, successes, and thanks below.
A special thank you to our amazing staff, who consistently go above and beyond for our school community and tamariki.
Vicki Parkins
Principal/Tumuaki (vickip@botanydowns.school.nz)
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Coming Up @ BDS
Wed 9 Sept – HPPA Netball Day / School Board Meeting
Thurs 10 Sept – Gymnastics Champions
Fri 11 Sept – PTA School Disco
Week 9 – Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Tues 15 Sept – HPPA Mathex
Wed 16 Sept – PTA Jester’s Pie Day
Thurs 17 Sept – HPPA Chinese Speech Competition
Thurs 24 Sept – Cultural Dress Day
Fri – 25 Sept – Last Day of Term 3
Mon 12 Oct – First Day of Term 4
Fri 23 Oct – Teacher Only Day
Mon 26 Oct – Labour Day (public holiday)
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BDS Yearbook 2026!
Planning for the 2026 yearbook is well underway with an exciting opportunity for an amazing artist to design and feature on the front cover!
Order your copy today from Kindo or pay by EFTPOS at the office. ONLY $20!
A year full of wonderful memories.
Sales from now until early Term 4. Don’t miss out.
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Cantonese and Mandarin Speech Competition
Congratulations to the students who participated in last week’s Cantonese and Mandarin Speech Competition. Our students put a tremendous amount of effort into preparing and rehearsing their speeches in their own time, and their hard work truly shone through.
Thank you to our MCs, judges, and the families who attended to support our speakers. Our audience was also treated to wonderful musical performances throughout the event. It was a fantastic celebration of the incredible talent within our school community.
Cantonese Speech Competition
1st Place: Kacey Wang
Mandarin Speech Competition
1st Place: Ava Tang
2nd Place: Agnes Xian
3rd Place: Shangyuan Cao
We look forward to seeing Kacey and Ava represent our school in the HPPA Cantonese and Mandarin Speech Competition next week.
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Fun & Learning @ BDS
Pōhutukawa Year 3, Room 28
As part of our Inquiry topic, we have been learning all about Ancient Egyptian society, art and culture. Did you know that the Ancient Egyptians used a writing system called Hieroglyphs? We learnt how to write (or draw) our names using these fascinating characters.
Pretty cool, right!
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Junior Cross Country (Year 0-3)
The Year 0-3 classes experienced a wet and windy Cross Country last Friday! Despite the challenging conditions, our students showed fantastic determination and resilience as they gave their races their best effort.
A big thank you to all of the whānau who came along to support and cheer our students on. Your encouragement helped make the day a special one!
Our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners are listed below.
These students will receive their certificates at our full school assembly on Friday 11th September at 9:10am in the hall.
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PTA Notices…
Disco this Friday!
The excitement is building for the disco this Friday in the school hall.
Years 0–3: 5.30–6.30pm
Years 4–6: 7.00–8.30pm
Kindo sales for tickets and vouchers have now closed, however there will be sales at the office from 8.30am to 9.15am and 2.45pm – 3.15pm each day this week. Cash and eftpos available.
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School Assembly
This week’s assembly will be held on Friday at 9.10am as our wonderful PTA are getting the hall
‘Disco- ready’ in the afternoon!
Our BDS Capabilities
Congratulations to our following tamariki who have shown their Botany Best by displaying our capabilities: Sarah Tbakhi, Jack Berkett, Luca Takaiti-Kerr, Mannat Gahunia, Si Fan Zhu, Sansan Ham, Nella Ranchhod, Wickus Botha, Zayne Van Niekerk, Maemi Yumul, Emma Kamakorewa, Chloe Morgan, Ohana Kodithuwakku, Lorcan Van Wyk, Maxwell Harlum, Thea Smith, Ayla Cameron, Japsirat Kaur, Shuang Liang, Amara Pavadia, Leo Shin, Sinha Moni, Dylan Lambai, Olivia Walsh & Lynda Li. 
Our BDS Values
Congratulations to the following tamariki who have displayed our Value of Relationships – Whanaungatanga: Roman Wayne, Blake Coxen, Demi Tseng, Hunter Collins-Preiss, Tristin Van Rooyen, Xavier Marck, Willow Cox, Jennifer Wu, Mary Manu, Charlie Pirie, Dehan Meyer, Harper Timms, Grace Manu, Kaisley Zhang, Laura D’Ambrosio, Joseph Maifea, Elsa Dong, Jaiden Chen, Lily Smart, Roman He, Alana Sahni, Kaeson Moodley, Starzia Erskine, Rubleen Kaur & Ethan Pope.
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Enrol Now If Your Child Turns 5 in 2026!
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We are currently planning classes and staffing for the remainder of 2026. To ensure we have accurate numbers of our new entrants— even those starting in 2027— we ask you to please contact the school office for enrolment information. 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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Join us for a fun-filled day of tennis and community! Love Tennis is FREE, everyone is welcome. Bring the whole family, invite your friends, and come along to experience everything our club has to offer.
- Fun activities on and off the court
- Music, food and refreshments
- Meet our friendly club members and coaches
- Spot prizes and giveaways throughout the day
- Bring your Colour-In Competition to go in the draw to win a prize!
Whether you’ve never picked up a racquet before or you’re looking to get back into the
game, we’d love to see you there, all ages and abilities.
Where: Cockle Bay Tennis Club & Howick Tennis Club
When: Sunday 13 September
Time: 10am to 2pm
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HJ Elite Academy –
Holiday Soccer Development Programme
 Registration is now open!
Looking for a fun and active way to keep the kids engaged during the school holidays? Our Holiday Soccer Development Programme combines professional coaching, skill development, games and plenty of fun for young players of all abilities.
View programme details & register:
https://www.hjeliteacademy.co.nz/school-holiday-soccer-program-auckland/
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