The Ryan Hailes Memorial Scholarship recognises emerging young sports people who demonstrate excellence in their chosen sport. The purpose of the scholarship is to offer financial contribution in recognition of the costs involved in competing at a regional and/or national representative level. If you know a deserving recipient, please apply in writing by email to sport@bellblock.school.nz. Applications for Term 1 must be received no later than Friday 14 March.
On Monday 17 March we will hold our school triathlon for Year 4-8 students. Please talk to your child about whether they wish to enter as an individual or as part of a team (or both). Any students who choose to participate in this event must ensure they can competently swim and cycle and have the correct gear to compete safely. It is a good idea to check bikes thoroughly before the day to ensure they are safe. Please note that cyclists must have a helmet, shirt and shoes.
The swim leg takes place at the Bell Block Aquatic Centre, the run takes place inside the school grounds and please see below for a map of the cycle leg.
Triathlon Team Events
10:00am Years 4-6
11:20am Years 7-8
Triathlon Individual Events
1:00pm Year 4 boys and girls
1:10pm Year 5 boys and girls
1:20pm Year 6 boys and girls
1:30pm Year 7 boys and girls
1:40pm Year 8 boys and girls
Distances
Year 4 25m (1 length) swim 2km (1 lap) bike ride 1.5km run
Years 5-6 75m (3 lengths) swim 4km (2 laps) bike ride 3.0km run
Years 7-8 125m (5 lengths) swim 6km (3 laps) bike ride 4.5km run
Cycle leg – First lap Subsequent lap
During Week 7 we have our first major school sports event for the year – Swimming Sports. We hope all students are able to take part either in the participation events or the finals as they earn points for their whānau with every event they participate in. Students and staff will be dressed up in their whānau colours showing their whānau spirit. It is always a great day of students giving things a go and ends with the hotly contested class, whānau and Staff vs Students relay. All our families are invited to come along to support the students in action at the Year 0-3 event on Tuesday and the rest of the school on Thursday. Please know it can get very loud, particularly in the Thursday afternoon session!
Tuesday 11 March – Year 0-3 Swimming Sports (Outdoor Pool)
11:30am-1:00pm Rooms 6, 7, 8 Participation Events
1:00pm-2:30pm Rooms 2, 3, 4, 5 Participation Events
Thursday 13 March – Year 4-8 Swimming Sports (Indoor Pool)
11:15am Year 4 Width Participation Events and Swimming Demonstration
Year 4 25m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke
Years 5-6 25m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, 75m 3 Stroke Medley
12:50pm Years 7-8 25m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, 50m Freestyle, 75m 3 Stroke Medley
1:50pm Relays
Preliminary heats to determine the finalists have been recorded during class time. The heats swum on Swimming Sports Day are participation events only. All length races will be heats followed by the final.
Are you due a declutter? Have you had a summer clear out but haven’t quite managed to pass the items on? Let us take them off your hands!
We would be grateful for any new or pre-loved good condition books, toys, sports gear, furniture, clothing and household items to be sold in our White Elephant stall at the Gala. Drop offs open from 24 February: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:25am – 8:55am at the old Tuck Shop. We would also happily take any clean, reusable or paper bags that you no longer need.
Sponsorship
There is still time to become a GOLD SPONSOR when you donate $300 or more (total value of items or monetary donation). We already have some amazing businesses on board. All funds raised from the school Gala go towards the Junior Playground upgrade. We appreciate all the support from our community – all donations, no matter how big or small, help our Gala to be a spectacular evening.
Next week we have our first Open Afternoon for the year on Tuesday 25 February. This is an opportunity to come into school and have a look at what your child has been doing during the first few weeks of the year. As with past Open Afternoons, your child will have a list of things to show you to help guide your visit. You are welcome to begin your visit at 1:00pm if you would like to have lunch with your child and see them or join in with their break time play. The end of lunch is at 1:40pm and that will be the time your children can show you their learning, classroom and around the school. Your child should return back to their usual classroom at 2:45pm for the end of day pack up routines. All our families are welcome and the students have always been excited to share their work and their school spaces with those closest to them. Please come along if you are able.
We are incredibly grateful to the Hugo Trust for their generous donation to support our new Structured Literacy journey. This contribution will help us build up our resource base, enabling us to successfully implement evidence-based approaches in our classrooms. With this support, we are confident that we can enhance academic progress for all our students.
Thank you, Hugo Trust, for investing in our school’s future!
UPDATE: The Athletics Days have been POSTPONED and will now take place as follows:
Friday 22 November
9.15am-11.30am Middle Team (Rooms 7-10)
1.45pm-2.45pm Junior Team (Rooms 1-6)
Wednesday 27 November
9.15am-11.00am Senior Team (Rooms 11-14)
11.30am-1.15pm Intermediate Team (Rooms 17-20)
From 1.45pm Sprints 100m & 200m Finals (Years 3-8 finalists)
Approx. 2.20pm Class and Whānau Relays (Years 3-8)
Our Athletics Days are upcoming in mid-November and will be spread across two days. Please see the details below of when your child will be participating. We always have a great turnout of parents and families coming along to see the students in action so please mark your calendar and join us to cheer on your child if you are able.
The highly anticipated 100m and 200m sprint finals for Years 3-8 will be held on Thursday 21 November from 1.45pm. Heats are held during class time in the weeks prior so that finalists can be determined. If your student is Year 3-8, please check with them whether they have qualified for the 100m or 200m sprint final.
Wednesday 20 November
9.15am-11.30am Middle Team (Rooms 7-10)
1.45pm-2.45pm Junior Team (Rooms 1-6)
Thursday 21 November
9.15am-11.00am Senior Team (Rooms 11-14)
11.30am-1.15pm Intermediate Team (Rooms 17-20)
From 1.45pm Sprints 100m & 200m Finals (Years 3-8 finalists)
Approx. 2.20pm Class and Whānau Relays (Years 3-8)
