Chapel Downs - August 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 – August 2025
Kia ora e te whānau,
A warm welcome to all our new students and whānau who have joined the Chapel Downs community this term. It’s been a great start to Term 3, and we’re already seeing students settled, focused, and engaged in their learning.
We’re pleased to welcome Ms Vikashni Ram to our teaching team. She has taken over as the new teacher in Room 26. Last term, we farewelled Miss Annalise Maggs, who has relocated to Ngatea — we wish her all the best in her new role.
Term 3 is shaping up to be an exciting and full term, with a range of learning opportunities and events planned. Highlights include Maths Week, Culture Day, a whole school assembly, Year 2 trips to Howick Historical Village, the Otara Sports Cluster Football Tournament, and of course, our much-anticipated Year 6 Camp. The House of Science kits are also proving to be a hit across the school, sparking curiosity and encouraging hands-on scientific investigation among our students.
Term 3 is a good, solid term for learning. Regular attendance is key — every day at school counts, not just for academic progress but also for building strong friendships and a sense of belonging. Thank you for your continued support in making Chapel Downs a place where every child can thrive.
Ngā mihi nui,
Vaughan van Rensburg
Principal
Year 2 Trip to Howick Historical Village
As part of the Year 2 inquiry this term, students will be visiting Howick Historical Village to help them investigate and learn about the science and technology behind toys and games from the past. While there, the students will be taking part in activities with their teachers and with the educators provided.
- Tuesday 19th August - Room 9, Room 11 and Room 15
- Wednesday 20th August - Room 10, Room 12 and Room 16
Culture Day - Friday 15 August
Students and staff are encouraged to wear cultural attire to school—this could be traditional dress or a modern interpretation that reflects their heritage. Please ensure clothing is practical for a full day of learning and suitable for the winter weather.
This is a different day from the cultural festivals we’ve held in the past. Children will spend the morning learning in their own classrooms, and then we’ll come together in the afternoon for a whole-school assembly at 1:45pm.
During the assembly, we will proudly “wave the flag” for each of the countries represented within our Chapel Downs community. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our school in a way that brings us all together.
NZEI UNION MEETING - TUESDAY 26 AUGUST
I am writing to inform you that the NZEI (New Zealand Educational Institute) will be holding a union meeting on Tuesday 26 August 2025, which will affect staffing at our school.
As the majority of our teachers will be attending this meeting, Chapel Downs Primary School will close at 12:30pm on that day. We ask that you arrange to collect your child at 12:30pm.
Students who usually attend after-school care will be able to do so from 12:30pm. Please note that they will need to bring their own lunch on this day, as there will be no school lunches provided.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your support.
Yours sincerely,
Vaughan van Rensburg
Principal
Year 6 Camp at tui ridge Park
The Year 6 camp is always a highlight of the school year, and in 2025 it will be held from 10–12 September at Tui Ridge Park, near Rotorua. Our students will stay in dormitory accommodation for two nights and enjoy three full days of outdoor adventure, team building, and personal challenge.
Students will have the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting activities, including the ever-popular flying fox. If the weather doesn't cooperate, there are excellent indoor facilities available too, such as an indoor climbing wall and basketball courts.
A huge thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who are giving up their time to come along and support our tamariki. Your involvement helps make this memorable experience possible, and we truly appreciate it.
Tread Lightly caravan visit
Last week our Year Two classes were given the opportunity to learn about sustainability from the Tread Lightly team. They learnt how we can reduce our environmental footprint and care for our planet.
They discovered that we only need to make small changes to reduce, reuse, and recycle our rubbish and make sure that only water goes down our storm water drains in order to make big changes to the way we care for our environment. We do not want any rubbish to enter our ocean and waterways as this affects marine and animal life. It is also important that we reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill and what we can recycle, we do!
Each class, made a pledge to care for our environment e.g. that we will collect and recycle soft plastics.
They even got to plant their very own pea seeds to take back to class. We can't wait to care for them and watch them grow!
Building Work Update
We’re excited to share that the new Year 4–6 playground is now complete, and our older students are thoroughly enjoying this fantastic new space. A roster system is in place to ensure all Year 4 to 6 classes get a fair turn to use the playground during break times.
Our new hardcourts are also open and already a favourite spot for students to shoot hoops and enjoy team sports. It’s wonderful to see these high-quality facilities being so well used and appreciated.
Construction on the first Junior College building is progressing steadily. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see large steel beams being installed as the three-storey structure begins to take shape. A massive crane will be on-site for the next couple of months to lift these beams into place — it’s an exciting and impressive part of the build, and our students are enjoying watching the progress unfold.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as our school site grows and transforms!
Term 3 Important Dates
- 11-15 August - Maths Week
- 12 August - Perform Education Show (Year 0 - Year 6 classes)
- 14 August - OSC Football Tournament
- 15 August - Students and staff can come dressed in their cultural attire
- 15 August - Whole school assembly at 1.45pm (All welcome to attend)
- 19 August - Rooms 9, 11 & 15 going to the Howick Historical Village
- 20 August - Rooms 10, 12 & 16 going to the Howick Historical Village
- 26 August - school closing at 12.30pm for teachers to attend their NZEI Union Meeting
- 28 August - Year 0/Year 1 Junky Monkeys experience
- 1 September - Duffy Role Model Talk
- 10 to 12 September - Year 6 Camp at Tui Ridge Park
- 19 September - Whole School assembly at 1.45pm (All welcome to attend)
- 19 September - Last day of Term 3
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.
ENROLMENT information
If your child is turning 5 in the next 12 months please ensure you enrol them as soon as possible. With the roll steadily growing at Chapel Downs this will enable us to keep a track of how many New Entrants we can expect in the future. Please click on the form below to enrol online
Keeping contact details up to date
It’s important that we are able to contact parents and caregivers quickly in case of an emergency, illness, or urgent matter involving your child.
If you have recently moved house, changed your phone number, or updated your email address, please let us know as soon as possible. Keeping your contact details current helps us ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.
You can update your details in any of the following ways:
- Call the school office on 09 274 8002
- Email us at office@chapeldowns.school.nz
- Send a written note with your child