Chapel Downs - April Newsletter 2025
Kia ora, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Bula, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Aloha, Kamusta, Xin chào, Nǐ hǎo, Konnichiwa, Annyeong haseyo, Selamat siang, Sawasdee ka/krap, and Namaste to everyone!
Principal’s Message – April Newsletter
Kia ora Chapel Downs whānau,
It has been fantastic to see the everyday learning happening in our classrooms. Our students are engaged, curious, and making great progress.
A highlight of this term was presenting our 2025 House Captains with their badges and introducing them to the school community at our whole school assembly in March. We are proud of their leadership and look forward to seeing them inspire and support their peers.
Our relocated classrooms have now settled into their new block, and connections are well underway. Exciting developments are happening around the school, including work on the new senior playground and the construction of new hardcourts. As part of these changes, we will also be renumbering all our classrooms—students will remain in the same physical room, but their classroom number will be updated.
We appreciate your patience as construction continues, and we look forward to the improvements these projects will bring for our students.
A reminder that the last day of Term 1 is Friday, 11 April, with school finishing at 3:00 pm. Term 2 begins on Monday, 28 April.
Wishing you all a safe and happy school holiday.
Ngā mihi,
Mr Van
Principal, Chapel Downs Primary School
MAnaaKitanga Festival
A group of enthusiastic Year 5 & 6 students had an unforgettable time at the Manaakitanga Festival! They engaged in a variety of exciting activities, including skateboarding, Hungerball, tennis, basketball, boxing, rugby league, Xtreme Hip Hop, kirikiti, and biking. Thanks to a fantastic range of providers, our students had fun and stayed active, stimulated throughout the day.
We are incredibly proud that our students displayed our school dispositions and were chosen by the providers to receive the Manaakitanga Trophy. What an amazing achievement!
that was then, this is now
Back in 2020, Mrs Reilly (Room A4's Teacher Aide), took a class photo before she left Chapel Downs. She gave this photo to Miss Jacks (A4's Teacher) as a gift.
Now, 5 years later, the students of Room A4 are in Year 6. They had a great time with Miss Jacks recreating this photo as closely as possible.
Year 3 - Year 6 Swimming Term 2
The John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation has again selected our school to have free swimming lessons at the Papatoetoe Pool and Leisure Centre through the Community Swim Programme. Community Swim is proudly sponsored by the Lion Foundation, Auckland Council, Potter Masonic Trust and Water Safety New Zealand.
All Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children will be involved in this swimming programme with Community Swim during Term Two. They will have eight 25 minute learn to swim lessons that are delivered by qualified swimming instructors. The lessons are free and the bus to take the children to the pools each week is also free. Teachers will accompany the children each week.
For children in Years 3 to 6, please return your permission slips to your classroom teacher by Friday 11 April 2025.
Music
Our Year 4 classes are enjoying weekly music lessons with Mr Joshua Mwashomah. In these photos Room 43 were learning about rhythm and 3/4 time. They had to use teamwork and perseverance to win a rhythm battle using percussion instruments. Mr M gave them some hard rhythms to repeat, and then some learners could challenge the other team, too. Everyone tried their best to follow the rhythms and stay together with their team mates.
Year 3 Bat First Cricket
Our Year 3 Classes participated in the Bat First Programme run by the Auckland Cricket Association and sponsored by Local Doctors.
The aim of the programme is to give every Year 3 child at Chapel Downs a Bat First pack which has a bat and a ball in it. This is theirs to keep.
They also participated in an introduction to cricket by practising some skills and playing some fun games which use these skills.
Girls Smash Cricket Day - Year 4
Some of our Year 4 girls had an exciting day taking part in a fun cricket event. They played brilliantly, supported one another and showcased great teamwork. Throughout the day, they learned new skills, competed against other schools and demonstrated all our Chapel Downs Dispositions.
Building Work Update
What is happening behind the fence?
Demolition is underway behind the fence! The senior turf and playground have been removed, and the concrete is being broken up and cleared. The covered walkways have been taken down, and the garden beds have been removed. A temporary metal road has been installed inside the fence to allow large trucks to access the site and haul away debris. All of this is in preparation for the construction of the Junior College.
Work will start very soon in creating new hard courts and a new senior playground. You can see where they will go on the school map at the beginning of this newsletter.
Term 2 Important Dates
- 28 April - First day of Term 2
- 6/7/9 May - Swimming lessons start for Year 3 to Year 6 classes
- 23 May - Whole school assembly
- 2 June - Kings Birthday holiday
- 12 June - Parent Teacher Interviews
- 20 June - Matariki Holiday
- 24/25/27 June - Last swimming lessons for Year 3 to Year 6 classes
- 27 June - Whole school assembly
- 27 June - Last day of Term 2
2025 TErm Dates
- Term 1: 28 January - 11 April 2025
- Term 2: 28 April - 27 June 2025
- Term 3: 14 July - 19 September 2025
- Term 4: 6 October - 10 December 2025
Public holidays during term time: 6 February Waitangi Day, 2 June King's Birthday, 20 June Matariki, 27 October Labour Day.
2026 Term Dates
- Term 1: 27 January - 2 April 2026
- Term 2: 20 April - 3 July 2026
- Term 3: 20 July - 25 September 2026
- Term 4: 12 October - 8 December 2026
Public holidays during term time: 6 February Waitangi Day, 3 April Good Friday, 25 April ANZAC Day, 27 April ANZAC Day observed, 1 June King's Birthday, 26 October Labour Day.