Newsletter:
Term 4, Week 7

Principal's Pānui

Kia ora koutou,

Our mega weekend is coming up next week with Tūhono, Battle of the Bays (29th Nov) and our Choir at the Chch chorus event (30th Nov). On top of that, one of our Aquabot Teams is off to the national finals in Wellington. We have kids involved in all of these awesome events, culmination of loads of work by dedicated staff and supportive whānau. It will be a relief to get to the end of next week in one piece, with Canterbury Athletics champs, Team Whenua Beach education, a re-organised Year 4 Camp and our Musical Showcase evening all happening as well.

At our Battle of the Bays planning meeting on Tuesday evening, it was obvious just how much time school dad, Mike Lough has put into the vision for this event and how exciting it is to have a family friendly focus for our future ‘big thing’. A huge thanks to Mike and the support from others who have done all the mahi behind the scenes. The event is really shaping up to be an awesome afternoon and we really hope you can make it down to support our Redcliffs Football Team and our school. If anyone has a connection to ‘upstairs’, please do your bit to make the day a sunny and warm one!

A shout out also to another school dad, Darren Fidler who has been chipping away at getting our Paddle to Kura event signed off by the Surf NZ crew, ready for February 2026. We were sad to have to cancel the event due to tighter health and safety requirements this year, but it will be back and as unique to our kura and community as ever.

Looking ahead to 2026, we have made some decisions around how our school will adapt with the curriculum changes coming in next year. Our intention is to move to a single year level class in order to target the curriculum needs of each age group more specifically, as the learning requirements have become very defined at each age level. We also believe this meets our vision for a clear student pathway through our kura. Rest assured we have considered the pros and cons of this move and have considered this change for some time. Traditionally at this time of year we have also offered the opportunity for whānau to share parent voice around classroom placements and what will best meet the need of their child. When we communicate the confirmation of classrooms and teachers very soon, we will provide you the opportunity for any requests or feedback about this change.

Whilst unable to formally announce classroom teachers and year levels this week, we can confirm that we are sadly losing two awesome teachers at the end of year. Georgia Kimpton (Te Awa) is heading north to Tauranga with her partner who has a new posting as a junior doctor. Jemma Alexander (Tamahika) is heading north to Tauranga with her partner who has a new sales position. We are sad to see these outstanding young teachers leave us as they have added a great energy and dynamic to our team and built great relationships with our young people. Both have exciting new teaching positions in schools that overlook Mt Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty and we know they will be great up north. We look forward to welcoming in two experienced new teachers - Grace Hopcroft (in Te Awa) and Donan Ashby (in Tamahika) in the new school year. Both will bring new skills and strengths to our school.

Finally, please make sure your calendar is up to date with all the end year stuff. If it’s anything like the Leith household (4 different schools) it is a knife edge time of year to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people. Take a moment to carefully read the wiki, and if in doubt, please get in touch.

Have a great end to your week.

Noho ora mai,

Nick Leith

Sports Stuff

South East Zones Athletics

In addition to the last newsletters results, we have one more exciting placing to share.

Teana came 1st in the distance run! We are so proud and wish her well at Canterburys.

Congratulations to Nate and Summer- our trampolining super stars!

Nate and Summer competed in the Junior Elite division, which is the highest level for primary and intermediate grades.

Nate came 1st in trampoline and double mini in the junior elite intermediate male competition.

Summer can 1st and 2nd in trampoline and double mini in the junior elite primary school female category.

Well done to this talented duo!

Student Achievements to Celebrate

Congratulations to the following students who have received puawai awards:

Manaakitanga: Harry B., Lula and Cooper

Excellence: Luca S., Oliver C., Abbie, Eva Do., Ella B., Max H., Fraser and Leo P.

Responsibility: Imogen V., Soleil and Harvey T.

Resilience: Travis, Cassie, Luca C., Logan, Uly and Alaska

The following student will receive their Values Badge at our next assembly that will be held on 26 November: Travis and Luca C.

Policies for review this term

We have a number of policies up for review this term.
They are:

Bullying and Harassment
Behaviour Management
Searches, Surrender, and Retention of Property
Minimising Physical Restraint
Stand-down, suspension, and Exclusion
Staff Wellbeing and Safety

Please follow these instructions to review the policies:
· Visit the website
· Enter the username (redcliffs) and password (beach).
· Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.
· Read the policy.
· Click the Policy Review button at the right hand top corner of the page.

· Select "Parent".
· Enter your name (optional).
· Submit your ratings and comments

Kapa Haka

Our Performance Kapa Haka Group will be perfomring at Tūhono - Canterbury's largerst festival of primary and intermediate school kapa haka. Its an awesome event and we'd love to see our school community represented proudly at their first time entering this festival.

Held at the town hall, this is a stunning place to see and hear Kapa haka performed.

Good luck to our team!

Tickets are available by scanning the QR code - our school is performing in the Ngahau concert at 11.30am.

Perfect timing for Battle of the Bays later in the afternoon!

Office notice

Just a reminder that Te Raekura Redcliffs School has signed up to Ikura | Manaakitia te whare tangata, the Ministry of Education's initiative to provide free access to period products in schools.
We have a significant supply of products available and are more than happy to provide enough products for a full cycle, not just for occasional use. We encourage students to take as much as they need. That includes for use at home, including during the school holidays.
Students or their parents are welcome to come and request products from Ymke or Rachael in the office, or email either of us for a discrete package to be dropped off to your child.

Yoga at Te Raekura Redcliffs

Jane Acland is continuing her offer of yoga classes to our community throughout the term, with all proceeds donated to support Creative Arts Therapy at Te Raekura.

The goal is to ensure this therapy receives funding so it can continue to support the mental health of our kids.

Classes will be focused on developing strength, flexibility and restoring a sense of calm. No experience necessary; it will be suitable for beginners.

Feel free to invite your friends from outside the Te Raekura Redcliffs School community too!

Jane is a certified, experienced yoga teacher and mum to Angus (7, Te Urunga), Isla (6, Te Awa) and Sophie (3).

When: Tuesday's at 6:30pm - 7:30pm from October 7th to December 9th

Where: Redcliffs School hall | Matanui

Cost: $90 for the nine week term. Or $15 per casual class.

Bring: A yoga mat, a firm blanket to sit on. If you have yoga blocks and/or strap please bring those along.

Wear: Clothes you feel comfortable moving in, bare feet.

Please deposit funds into J & G Acland 12-3148-0196007-02 (ref code: Yoga Redcliffs) and email Jane at aclandjane@gmail.com to confirm your spot.

PTA

Next PTA meeting will be held on Friday 28 November at 3:30pm just 1 day before our Battle of the Bays Football Match.

Don't forget to buy your Battle of the Bays tickets, it will be an amazing day!

Whats Happening at Kelly Club?

Everything Else...

2025 School Term Dates

Community Notices

Kia ora,

Our latest Life in Christchurch survey is now open for feedback, and we'd love to hear from you!

Being able to get around the city easily and safely plays a significant role in making Christchurch an attractive and safe place to live. We'd love your feedback on your experiences of travelling around Christchurch.

We're also looking for your feedback on what residents value most about living in Christchurch, your priorities for the city’s future, and the biggest challenges you believe the city will face in the coming years.

It will take approximately 15 minutes to provide your feedback.

The survey is open for your feedback until 11:59pm Sunday 7th December 2025.

Your feedback helps inform decisions about our city as we continue to develop into a great place where people want to be – both now and in the future.

www.ccc.govt.nz/chchlife.

Ngā mihi nui, thank you very much,
The Monitoring and Research Team

Luminaires Summer Theatre Camp!

For Ages 10-15

Auditions Nov 29 &30

Rehearsals Dec 7 & 14

Camp Dates 12-17 January

Successful participants will stay at a local camp venue for a week in which they will sing, dance, act, make props, create costumes, design makeup and more.

Culminating in public performances of ZOOM! By Craig Hawes

For more information and to sign up

https://forms.gle/nx1BECRDswoWPSPM7

general@luminairescharitabletrust.org

Message from Yachting NZ & RŪNĀ School

Yachting New Zealand and the RŪNĀ school programme are thrilled to share an amazing opportunity for your students! SailGP is offering a competition for young people aged 8–23, with the chance to win an exclusive tech tour behind the scenes of this world-class sailing event (Transportation and accommodation not included in the prize).

There are two ways to win:

Challenge 1: Build a Model F50 (SailGP boat) from recycled materials
Challenge 2: Build an Ocean Shoebox that showcases local ocean plants and animals

For full details and entry instructions, visit the RŪNĀ website: www.runa-yachtingnz.org.nz

Projects are due Wednesday 10th December

Message from Georgia - Babysitter Service

Hi, I’m Georgie Halliwell, and I’m available for babysitting evenings, weekends, or anytime during the holidays.

You and your kids might remember me from Redcliffs School, where I was Head Girl last year.

I’m 14 years old and have just about finished year 9 at St Margaret’s College. I’m sporty and love playing with kids of all ages.

I’m responsible, reliable, and enjoy working with kids. I’m also working toward my Surf Life Saving award to become a lifeguard this summer, which includes first aid and CPR training.

Feel free to contact me: 021 029 97988

Message from TINY TOWN (www.tinytown.nz)
I hope your week is going well
We run Tiny Town, which is an engaging children’s role play activity that is hosted in different venues around Christchurch. It’s a mini town comprised of ten play areas - a salon, construction site, emergency services, vet clinic, post office, cafe, supermarket, kiwi outdoors, nursery and garage. There are beautiful wooden toys, dress ups and ride ons throughout.
We’re hosting our first Redcliffs sessions on Monday 24th November at the St Andrew’s church just down the road from the school, and these will be Christmas themed too!