Newsletters 22/08/2024

In today’s newsletter we have the following:

● Senior Leadership
● Student Achievement
● Staff
● ANI Community

Senior Leadership Team

Principal News

Dear parents and whānau

Mālō e lelei

Ehara taku toa i te toa takatahi, engari kē he toa takatini

This whakatauki is very prudent given what I have witnessed from our students over the start of the term but also my personal travels. It talks about the success of an activity being not solely based on an individual or member of the team competing.

But more accurately the village that has supported the outcome, be that whānau, friends, past coaches and or experiences (whatever experiences have led to the current situation for the individual or the team).

This can be no better illustrated by the performance of our school production. Of course the 38 students did an amazing job, Blake Wilson (Director) and Maddie Brodie (Choreographer) created an environment that had expectations and aspired to be great. However the collective experiences and the support behind each of the participants helped ensure that the 38 individuals performed at their potential. Of this we can all be proud, people in our community are performing at such a high level and that is due to our collective support.

I also reflect on the last 5 weeks of my personal travels. I attended two of the biggest sports festivals we have in the world. The Tour de France (biggest cycle race in the world) and the 2024 Olympic games (Paris). It was clear as day to me that the people that were competing in these games were being supported by armies of supporters. Be it the people you could see (Coaches, managers, health workers etc) or the ones that were not so easy but you heard the impact once they spoke. The whānau, the past coaches, the crowds, people that sent messages, the athletes that had gone before them. It reminded me that your activity can be the most isolating of sports or activities but you never do something alone and you always need support, experiences that you navigate will always support your response to situations. At ANI we need to ensure that our students can see that the experiences they are exposed to now will make them better for the future and not all of them are easy and not all of them will be successful. Because before great outcomes often come many mistakes. It is part of the learning journey.

Over the next few weeks many of our whānau will be getting prepared and then attending AIMs (The biggest sports festival in the southern hemisphere). Of course we are hoping and planning for success and proud of the efforts that our students are making to ensure that they can be successful. However, sport always has a funny way of teaching us things no matter how much effort, or how much we want it outcomes can never be guaranteed. So please support us in ensuring that our young athletes are able to focus on performance and the things they can control. This will both support better outcomes but also mitigate some of the performance anxiety that we know is prevalent with young athletes.

I also want to ask a favour. Please talk with your child around time. What does it mean to be on time? Why is it important? I personally believe it is one of the most important things to support success. If you are at school before the bell you get to engage with friends and or teachers. You show respect for the staff that are supporting you and you set yourself up to be ready to learn. This strength (of being on time) will not be something that is only good while at school it is a strength for a lifetime.

Kia haumaru te noho

Jason Pocock

Tumuaki (Principal) ANI

Deputy Principal’s News

AIMS Electives Week

Our keen athletes and their equally keen coaches and managers are all gearing up and getting excited about the AIMS games coming up in week 8. But what about the rest of us who are staying behind at ANI? AIMS week naturally causes a bit of disruption in a school where we send 120 students and many of our teaching staff away for a whole week, but we like to look at this as an opportunity! How can we tap into this disruption in order to provide some rich learning experiences for our tauira?

The answer to this question – Electives week!

Our amazing kaiako have drawn on their strengths and interests to plan and advertise an elective that is dear to their heart. Our students then had the opportunity to sign up to the electives that they are interested in. The electives will be held during our middle block and will run from Monday to Friday in week 8. The range is incredible, we have handbuilding with clay, fairy tales, some film studies, K-Pop, wearable arts, a week of visiting and learning all about Maungawhau, dance fitness, mysteries, investigations and many more. It’s shaping up to be an engaging week. If your young person is not going to AIMS, check in with them to see what options they selected.

Japanese Homestay exchange with Washiro Higashi Elementary School

On Tuesday we farewelled our 10 Japanese students who traveled over to New Zealand from our sister school in Fukuoka, Japan. They were here for a week and spent 4 nights with homestay families from ANI. Some highlights from their trip included watching our school production on Friday night, seeing an All Blacks game and spending a day onsite with us here attending classes with their homestay student. They had an amazing time, loved our school and we are so excited to connect again when 20 of our students travel over to Japan in week 10. A massive thank you to our families that provided the homestay for these students. They had an amazing time and definitely went home with lots of memories to treasure and was such a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange.

Mitey

ANI is proud and excited to let you know that we are now a Mitey school! Mitey is owned and run by the Sir John Kirwin Foundation and is an evidence based, school wide approach to teaching mental health education which is built around the NZ curriculum and aligned to the Mental Health Education Guidelines. More and more we are seeing the need for our students to build the necessary skills to help them be better prepared to handle the challenges that life throws at them and we are so happy that Mitey will help us to do this. On our recent staff only day, our kaiako started undergoing professional learning & development (PLD) with our Mitey coach, unpacking what it means to be mentally healthy and building an understanding of the Mitey learning outcomes. This PLD has continued during our staff meetings this term as we gear up for our teachers to start delivering Mitey lessons in term 4. This is a great addition to our health and wellbeing programme here at ANI and we look forward to bringing you along on this journey with us.

Nga mihi

The ANI DPs – Kieran, Scott & Ashley

A message from our Year 8 Dean

Kia ora Year 8 whānau,

Year 8 students are fully into the swing of their final two terms in Intermediate School. There is lots of exciting learning, events and opportunities to finish their time at ANI successfully.

Starting at the end of Term 3 and throughout Term 4, part of our focus includes preparing them for High School in 2025.

In Term 3, we are hosting High Schools staff and students to give insight as to what the High Schools have to offer.
Ms O’Sullivan as Y8 Dean and Whaea Candice as SENCo work closely with all High Schools to ensure important information is passed on. This includes organising High School visits and transition meetings.

Below is some information around what the school is doing to prepare students for High School and some recommendations for whānau at home.

To prepare students for High School ANI is:

Throughout Term 3 and 4, teachers are discussing their new High Schools with students, including what opportunities there are at High Schools, what their timetables, learning and environments may look like.
In Week 1 and 2, Term 4 we are focusing on Exam Preparation for High School Exams which take place in Term 4 2024 or Term 1 2025.
In Week 2, Term 4, Y8 Students will be completing High School Preparation exams. These are paper exams completed in silence in the MPS to prepare students for the experience and environment of High School Entrance exams. These are solely for the experience of sitting this style of exam and do not contribute towards reports or teacher judgements.
In Week 9, Term 4, we are having a High School Experience Day where students will go around different spaces in the school with their equipment in changing class groups.

Recommendations for families to prepare for High School:

Ensure your young person is enrolled into a High School for 2024.
Check the communication from the High School and the High School websites to ensure your young person attends Open Evening/Day, testing or trials.
Look at the website of the High School or information sent home such as prospectuses. You can look together for potential classes, clubs and opportunities at their new school.
Watch videos on the new High School’s youtube or website to see what the new school is like, especially extra curricular activities.
Support your young person to get ready for High School independently! This could include packing their bag in the morning for equipment they will need during the day, helping them start a diary or planner to keep track of their work, and discussions around how to meet new people and make the most of their time at their new school.
If possible, make the journey to their new High School whether that is walking, by car or by public transport. Discuss with them an alternative method or route if something goes wrong.
If possible, go for a walk around their new High School, look at the names of the buildings and get their bearings.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or our Year 8 Dean, Ms O’Sullivan.

Alice O’Sullivan

Year 8 Dean

AGS and EGGS Visit

On Wednesday 21st August, Epsom Girls Grammar School and Auckland Grammar School came to ANI to talk to potential 2025 students. Staff and students shared a little bit about the opportunities and learning at their kura.

2025 Enrolments

Student Achievement

Principal Awards

ANI Science Fair

The ANI Science Fair was held in Week 3 and showcased a range of impressive projects. Judged by Scott Boniface, Selina Striebich, and Nicole Rowland, the fair highlighted both science and technology projects that demonstrated exceptional creativity and commitment from a group of dedicated students.

Participants:

Seth C (Room 5) & Lucas C (Room 7)

Andy C (Room 7) & Russell J (Room 2)

William F (Room 4)

Abhi G (Room 22)

Mathew G (Room 7)

Milen P (Room 6)

Serena S (Room 23/24 A)

Leo Swash (Room 28)

Zoe Zhao (Room 28)

Congratulations to all participants! The effort and enthusiasm from everyone involved was impressive, with plenty of innovative ideas and hard work on display.

Winners:

Science Projects

1st: Leo S

2nd: Lucas C & Seth C

3rd: Zoe Z

Technology Projects

1st: William F

2nd: Mathew G

In Week 6, the top three science and top two technology students will represent ANI at the NIWA Auckland Science & Technology Fair, where their projects will be up against entries from other Auckland schools.

Nicole Rowland

Teacher In Charge of Science

Mathex

Kia ora koutou,

On Thursday night I took 4 amazing teams to the Mathex Competition at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Kohimarama. We had a fantastic night and I’m so proud of their commitment and collaboration.

90 points – 2 questions remaining

Wilson L
Ruzaan D
Leo S
Jin T W

90 points – 2 questions remaining

Zoe Z
Yume F
Narah C
Kotoha K

90 points – 2 questions remaining

Lucas C
Sreshtha C
Thomas Ito R
Valie N

75 points – 5 questions remaining

William F
Blake N
Hilda L
Katherine X

If you see these students around tomorrow please celebrate their awesome efforts!

Dani Hodder

Teacher in Charge 0f Mathex

Chess

What wonderful weather we had last Wednesday, which was also part of the amazing chess tournament we had. It was not easy as 18 teams from 9 different intermediate schools gathered for the Central Auckland Intermediate Interschool chess tournament at Michael Avenue Community Center.

Our teams were really competitive but among laughs and tears, they hugged and supported each other in their wins and losses.

Team A came 2nd place in the competition, just behind St. Kentigerns. Also, Grayson was the best board – 1 getting 5.5/6 games together with a St. Kentigerns student and Ethan won best board 3 winning 6/6 games.

Team 5 came 5th which was a considerable position as well.

Unfortunately, only one team qualifies this time for nationals. Congratulate our students whenever you see them.

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us and congratulations Team A and B, you are superstars!

Cynthia Montesinos

Teacher in Charge of Chess

ANI Sustainability

Vegetable patch

There have been lot’s of exciting things happening with ANIs new vegetable patch. We now have 7 vegetable plots that we have begun to fill with our donated plants from Bunnings.

Some eager students helped us to fill the planters with soil and to plant the vegetables out. We had a large delivery of mulch arrive, which will smarten up the area.

Please come and have a look at what’s happened so far, and watch this space for more exciting news. If you’d like to volunteer or donate some plants or fruit trees please let me know. Email: nredshaw@ani.school.nz

Nicola Redshaw

Teacher in Charge of Sustainability

Daffodil Day

In support of Daffodil Day we will be holding a ‘yellow’ mufti day on Friday 30th August.

Students will meet on the courts with their gold coin donation and then spell ANI!

Arts

Bandquest

On Monday 19th August we had two bands compete in the Rockshop Bandquest – they performed amazingly against some stiff competition (namely 10 different bands from Northcross Intermediate and the ENPS band who did a very cute rock rendition of How Far I’ll Go!)

At the end of the night, our amazing Flynn from Room 14 received the Killer Guitarist Award and *drumroll please* our band “Your Neighbours” received SECOND PLACE

This band consisted of:

Nuthara R M

Flynn W

Samuel H

William F

and Edan M (who moved to MBIS a few weeks ago, but was still able to compete with us!)

We were so proud of both “Your Neighbours” and “The Really Normal” band (Abhi G, Amaia D-S, Andy C, Harrison H, Saisha C and Thomas Ito R) for giving a great performance and representing ANI so well all evening!

GoOoooOooo ROCKBANDS

Love your very tired/too old to be rockstar teachers,

Blake Wilson and Maddie Brodie

Teachers in Charge of Performing Arts

Cook Island Language Week:

Kia Orana

We celebrated Cook Island Language Week with a beautiful performance by our Cook Island dance group at Assembly. The song they danced to was written by the Uncle of one of our students so that made it extra special.

Thank you to Lina Reihana who came in to teach the girls and provided their costumes. Greatly appreciate your support.

Brooke Tuialii

Tongan Language Week

Mālō e lelei, this week we celebrated Tongan Language Week. Our Pasifika group performed a dance and shared some interesting information about Tonga with our students at assembly.

Children’s After School Music and Arts Classes

Welcome to our Children’s After School Music and Arts classes which are administered by Auckland Normal Intermediate School.

These classes offer your children a wealth of enjoyable, educational and challenging activities for after-school participation.

The program is aimed at 6 –13-year-old primary school students from our local community.

It is subsidised by the Ministry of Education and follows the New Zealand curriculum guidelines.

To enrol your child online simply browse our after school classes in our Kindo Shop and add items to your shopping cart linked here.

Sports

Futsal

The futsal girls had a fantastic feat (see what I did there?). They played their hearts out today at the friendlies winning the first game 2-1 with Eden B scoring within a minute of starting and Hana A scoring in the 90th minute (read: 20th). The girls were elated and raring to go for their next games. All the girls played beautifully and looked out for each other, even when Eden took a ball straight to the face and Hana took an elbow to the throat but they both shook it off and prepped themselves for the next game.

In the second game, the girls came out strong scoring 2 points in the first half but the other team were a little stronger (and a little bigger) and the girls ended up losing the game 5-2. Hana A and Eden B scoring the two goals. Hana didn’t start out as a striker but she’s definitely a strong contender!

Megumi ‘though she be little, she be fierce’ L came out swinging in our third game getting in the faces of all the players. Nimble, agile and unabashedly afraid. Megumi made so much progress throughout the games and played her heart out in the last one. She is absolutely not someone to mess with. Hannah M ended up scoring two goals in that game (we lost 4-2 :() but they all played so well. Evie’s first time playing with the team and she stuck to her position like glue. Xanthe may look mild but she was fearless and also put herself out there and marked her player with the ferocity of a lion.

The girls played so well and I’m so proud of them. Every single one of them went from strength to strength and I cannot wait to get them down to Tauranga and smash it.

However, we missed Denisse A LOT. I think I’m ready for a calming influence because I’ve got no chill on those side lines.

Goo0o0o0o0o0o0o SPORTS!

Interim Coach Faiza Chowdhury (who is ready to go back to manager).

AIMS Rippa Pre-Tournament

Last Wednesday we had a fantastic day at our AIMS Rippa pre-tournament, hosting 8 other schools! The players had great success winning 7 from 8. PLENTY to work on. Mose has gone back to the infamous drawing board at home for some tweaks.

I also must commend all students on their behaviour as spectators at lunch. Our school is bustling and full of positivity. Quite cute actually.

Thank you for your support.

Check out the photo of us at the end!

How good!!

Xavier Rice

ANI Sports Coordinator

CZ League

Malo e lēlei

We took 8 tauira down to Fowlds Park for some rough and tumble yesterday. We joined up with Waiheke and Remuera Intermediate to make our very own Team Orange.

They all made some new mates, made some tackles, scored some tries and ultimately had a heap of fun.

Super cool to be able to give an opportunity for kids who often miss out for reasons outside of their control.

P.S. Give Quinn an awhi when you see him. Smallest kid at the park, never shied away from anything. Might have to pass on my nickname on to him (Mr “Speedbump” Rice )

Xavier Rice

ANI Sports Coordinator

Pre-AIMS Football Tournament - BOYS

Big day yesterday for the boys out at Crum Park in Titirangi. It was a great way to prepare for AIMs, with some quality teams and players faced throughout the whole day.

First, we played Balmoral, which ended 1-1. Then we played familiar foes Royal Oak, drawing 0-0, with Dempsey making some big saves in these games.

Then we played Blockhouse Bay, who had won all their games and beat them 2-1 to take us into the final, playing BBI again. Unfortunately ending in a 2-1 defeat.

Some beautiful football played by the boys and we look forward to playing Remuera Intermediate on Tuesday 27th at 3:45pm(ish).

Come give the boys your support!

Thanks and cheers

Sam Carruthers

Football Coach

Pre-AIMS Football Tournament - GIRLS

Today Kieran and I had the privilege of taking our Girls Aims Football Team to a pre-Aims tournament today where our footballers showed off impeccable football skills, a consistently positive attitude and great sportsmanship.

We came up against Marist College with a result of 0-0. The girls found their groove within the first game and showed that in their second game against Royal Oak with a 1-0 win – scored by Persephone.

Our third game was against Block House Bay, where we faced a physical challenge and continued to show up with our skills and attitude, with India making some fantastic saves ending in a 0-0 draw.

In the final, we went in with our best effort and went down 0-1 to Block House Bay.

Kieran and I are so proud of the girls and their efforts and attitude in the lead-up to Aims.

Farrah Dillon & Kieran Gleeson

Football Coaches

Staff

A message from our School Counsellor

How to make a calming glitter jar:

We all have times when we feel stressed, upset, angry or overwhelmed. Sometimes we just need a moment to settle and gather our thoughts – slowing down and taking deep breaths is one way to help feel calmer.

A glitter jar provides a visual sensory experience that encourages mindfulness, to help bring you back to the present moment.

It’s a simple, fun craft you could do with your students and offers a useful tool for staying grounded.

To make a glitter jar, you need:

A jar or bottle with a firm lid.
Warm water.
Clear glue or glitter glue.
Glitter.
Food colouring (optional).
Super glue (optional).
Other things you may find visually interesting like glitter confetti, beads or small toys (optional).

Steps:

Make sure your bottle/jar is clean.
Add about 2 parts water to 1 part glue, leaving room for glitter.
Add glitter and any other materials, such as food colouring.
Close the lid tightly and shake up your jar until the water, glue and glitter are all mixed (You can also super glue the lid shut at this stage to avoid the jar being opened).
Set the calm down jar on a flat surface and watch the glitter settle at the bottom. Take deep, slow breaths until you see all the glitter settle.

It’s also important to practice this technique not only while you’re feeling upset – but also while you’re feeling calm, as it helps the technique become more intuitive and habitual.

Chloe Moore

ANI School Counsellor

A message from our SENCo

Candice Etzine

ANI SENCo

ANI Community

ANI PTA

The ANI PTA are an active and awesome group that support the school in a number of ways from helping out at events to hosting parent information evenings and the odd bit of fundraising. If you would like to join our group please email me: pta@ani.school.nz

We are in the early planning stages for our ANI Quiz night so watch this space for more details.

Ngā mihi nui,

Luke Barnard

ANI PTA Chairperson