




Welcome to
SAWYERS BAY SCHOOL
Sawyers Bay School is a semi-rural school on the outskirts of Dunedin. We are a ten minute drive from the centre of town down the beautiful Otago Harbour
Who are we?
Sawyers Bay Primary School was established in 1861. We offer a welcoming and inclusive community atmosphere. Sawyers Bay achieve excellent results for our children and our current enrolment is approximately 140 students. We offer spacious grounds and play areas, ‘Active Schools’ sports and PE for fun, challenge, cooperation and leadership; organised activities include netball, futsal, soccer, school camp (Year 5 and 6), T Ball, sponsored runs and swimming. We have small class sizes and well resourced programs which include sports, ICT, visual and performing arts. Arts activities include annual school play, recorder, marimba and guitar groups as well as many creative arts activities in the classroom. We are able to integrate learning support and extension as required throughout the school.

Latest News & Events
Newsletters
Newsletter Week 4 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited August 17, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 3 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited August 10, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 2 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited August 3, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 1 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited July 27, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 10 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited July 6, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 9 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited June 29, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 8 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited June 22, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 7 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited June 15, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 6 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited June 8, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 5 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited June 1, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 4 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited May 25, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 3 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited May 18, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 2 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited May 11, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 1 Term 2 Public  |  Last edited May 4, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 11 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited May 4, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 8 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited April 1, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 9 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited March 30, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 7 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited March 16, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 6 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited March 9, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 5 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited March 2, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 4 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited February 23, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 2 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited February 16, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 1 Term 1 Public  |  Last edited February 9, 2022
ViewNewsletter Week 8 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited December 8, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 7 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited December 1, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 6 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited November 24, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 5 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited November 17, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 4 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited November 10, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 3 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited November 3, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 2 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited October 27, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 1 Term 4 Public  |  Last edited October 21, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 10 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited September 29, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 9 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited September 22, 2021
ViewNewsletter Week 8 Term 3 Public  |  Last edited September 16, 2021
ViewCalendar
Latest Notifications
Week 4 Term 3 Newsletter
Thu Aug 18 10:09amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Apples, Apples, Apples!
Fri Aug 12 08:47amWe have an absolute truckload of apples to distribute from the great folk at Kiwiharvest.
Please bring a bag to fill. We will have some out before school and after school today. They are excellent quality and we do not want to see them go to waste.
DON’T FORGET BRIGHT CLOTHES FOR STAR JAM TOMORROW
Thu Aug 11 08:48pmKia roa Families,
Just a reminder that all children can wear theri brightest clothes to school tomorrow for StarJam (Please see newsletter for details).
Any gold coin donations for StarJam would also be very greatly appreciated if you can.
Ka mihi
SBS Teachers
Week 3 Term 3 Newsletter
Thu Aug 11 11:05amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Week 2 Term 3 Newsletter
Thu Aug 04 10:26amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing on both the website and the app.
Stevenson Ave upcoming closure
Tue Aug 02 03:40pmKia ora Families,
You may have noticed that the sign at the bottom of Station Rd. indicating that Stevenson Ave will be closed for a significant duration.
I can confirm that this will only be the ‘other’ half of Stevenson Ave and access to the school will not be affected. It will put a little additional stress on other roads so please do be mindful of children walking to school. Blackman Ave will also be used as the alternative bus route (see image below) so may be best to avoid if possible.
Our half of Stevenson Ave will be worked on next year and we will be working with the DCC to limit disruption.
Ka mihi,
Gareth Swete
Week 1 Term 3 Newsletter
Fri Jul 29 10:24amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Sawyers Bay School Jersey
Wed Jul 27 01:59pmGood afternoon
Some families have expressed an interest in ordering a Sawyers Bay School jersey however we require a minimum of 10 before we can place an order.
If you would like to order one, please send a message to the office – office@sawyersbay.school.nz or 4728981.
The jerseys have kindly been subsidised by the PTA and are available at a cost to families of just $40.00 each.
Upcoming Teacher Only Day – Tuesday 23rd August
Mon Jul 25 05:30pmKia ora Families,
This is to let you know that the school will be closed for instruction on Tuesday 23rd of August for a Teacher Only Day. All staff are involved in a full day Mathematics Workshop.
This is our first Teacher Only Day during Term time in three years as we try to limit disruption to families. If you would like further information, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Ka mihi,
Gareth Swete
Term 3 Sausage Sizzle – volunteers please
Mon Jul 25 11:56amGood morning
Volunteers are desperately needed to cook the sausage sizzle for our children on the Wednesdays this term listed below please. If you are available to cook sausages from 11.45am on a Wednesday for 45 minutes, can you please contact the school office (office@sawyersbay.school.nz or 4728981) with the date(s) you are able to help.
Wednesday 27 July
Wednesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 August
Wednesdays 7, 14, 21 and 28 September
(Please note you will be required to wear a mask.)
The sausage sizzle is very popular and we are keen to continue providing this as an option for our children.
Term 3 COVID and mask update
Fri Jul 22 12:34pmKia ora Families,
I hope that you have all had a chance to recharge over the holidays and the kids are ready to go for another action-packed term!
As mentioned at the end of last term, we have been busy reviewing our COVID situation to ensure that we have the most up to date and balanced practices in place for the safety of all.
We have been advised by the Ministry of Education that we need to continue our mask procedures for the first four weeks of school. This means that we will be once again asking all children Year 4 and above to be masked while indoors. This decision from the MoE, and specifically the Otago regional office, is based on the evidence and statistics around not only COVID cases, but our health systems ability to cope with the large spike of respiratory illnesses that occur in the first few weeks of Term 3. Please be assured that we have become very used to modifying our day to provide plenty of fresh air and outdoor breaks.
If you have previously indicated that your child has a mask exemption, you will not need to re-indicate this, we will assume that this remains the case unless told otherwise. Please do remember that any adults entering the school grounds need to be masked as well.
We appreciate that this is a continued sacrifice by our children and staff. We also appreciate that this is a highly emotive topic for many families. This is why we have purposely not taken any steps to put a formal policy in place for our school. We are simply asking for your continued support and understanding as we do our very best.
Thank you once again for your understanding. We will continue to adapt to the most recent advice and requirements as they come to ensure that we are working our way back to ‘normal’ as quickly as we can.
Ka mihi nui,
Gareth Swete
COVID/Illness and masks
Tue Jul 05 07:51pmKia ora Families,
It has been a while since a COVID update, but here we are.
Over the last two weeks we have seen a huge spike in absences due to gastro bugs, COVID, flus and colds. There are schools all over NZ closing due to illness and staffing shortages. It is taking a very evident toll on the learning of many of our akonga.
Our children are tired after a massive term and the worst possible scenario would be for them to fall ill over the holiday period and miss out on the two weeks needed to ‘recharge’.
We are continuing all of our protocols within the school to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep your children well. The one factor that you will be aware has changed is masks requirements. Our staff continue to mask and we again strongly encourage our children to mask indoors once again.
At this stage we are not looking to reintroduce masks requirements more than our strong encouragement unless we see a large risk of infection within the school. We would very much appreciate you discussing this with your child/ren.
Please also remember that while we are very happy to have parents picking up from inside the school grounds, we do require any adults on site to be masked unless a mask exemption is in place.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Ka mihi nui
Gareth Swete
Week 9 Term 2 Newsletter
Thu Jun 30 02:28pmGood afternoon
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Week 8 Term 2 Newsletter
Thu Jun 23 11:01amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
10AM START TODAY
Wed Jun 22 08:48amDue to the treacherous conditions all schools and intermediates will be starting at 10am this morning.
Please take extreme care on the roads
Cheese Rolls available – first in first served!
Mon Jun 20 10:28amGood morning
Thanks to the huge effort put in yesterday we have 30 dozen cheese rolls available for sale today, on a first in first served basis.
$8 per dozen or $20 for 3 dozen
Please contact the school office asap if you would like any – office@sawyersbay.school.nz or 4728981.
Payment can be deposited into the PTA bank account please – 03-0905-0069862-000.
Limited supply so get in quick!
Last few orders to pick up
Sun Jun 19 05:05pmCheese rolls complete!
Please can families that haven’t picked up yet come to the rugby club before 4.30pm
A huge thanks to our amazing team of helpers getting a massive job done!
Heaps of cheese rolls ready for pick up
Sun Jun 19 03:07pmPlease feel very welcome to head down to the rugby club and pick up your cheese rolls anytime. There are heaps ready and waiting!
Wet Sunday, Great day for cheese rolling!
Sun Jun 19 10:03amKia ora Whanau,
Have your plans changed due to the rubbish weather today?
Want an excuse to get out of the house?
Why not head down to the rugby club and give cheese rolling a go?! We desperately need any helpers that we can, even if you can only give an hour, any time would be so greatly appreciated. Good music and company, tea and coffee provided.
We qre not above begging for help at this stage. Funds from this project go directly back to providing the ‘nice to have’s’ for your children.
Thanks in advance for any help that you could offer.
Week 7 Term 2 Newsletter
Thu Jun 16 10:18amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing on both the app and the website.
Cheese roll updates and pick up info from the PTA
Wed Jun 15 01:27pmA few friendly reminders from your PTA:
Cheese rolling
Cheese roll making is happening at Harbour Rugby Club in Port Chalmers, beginning at 9am on Sunday. More helpers will always be greatly appreciated.
RATs
To reassure all participants and customers, a negative RAT is required from volunteers. we can supply you with a RAT before the weekend and you can test in the morning. Please let us know and we will send a RAT home for you.
Paper Bags
We would greatly appreciate any paper bags that you might have lying around. Please feel welcome to send any spares to the office.
Pick up times:
Cheese Rolls can be picked up any time between 10am and 4.30pm at the Rugby Club. Please note that orders will need to be picked up on the day as we have very little storage.
Thank you in advance for your help, we cannot do it without you. Please remember that all proceeds go directly back to our kids.
Thanks ,
SBS PTA
Potential disruption on Stevenson ave this morning
Mon Jun 13 08:43amKia ora koutou,
Delta have set up on Stevenson ave this morning and will be trimming trees. This is going to have an impact on the crossing and parking outside of the school. They are unclear on their plan just yet but we will have to be ready for disruption. The Church carpark may be a better drop off spot for cars this morning.
Fingers crossed that they will be well and truly done by 2.45pm.
Week 6 Term 2 Newsletter
Thu Jun 09 10:51amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Cheese roll fundraiser – helpers urgently required please
Wed Jun 08 10:07amThe PTA Cheeseroll Fundraiser is a popular fundraiser and relies on family and friends of the school volunteering their time to help make them.
This year we are making them on Sunday 19th June, at the Harbour Rugby Club in Port Chalmers, beginning at 9am.
Please contact the school office (4728981 or office@sawyersbay.school.nz) or Kelly Laing if you are willing to spare some time on the day. We will gratefully accept any time, short or long, that you might be able to help with.
Please note, due to the current environment, any volunteers will require a negative rapid antigen test onsite before beginning, we will provide the RATs and really appreciate your understanding here. Thank you in advance for your co-operation and support. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Three reminders for tomorrow
Tue Jun 07 03:25pmKia ora Whanau,
Three small reminders before tomorrow:
1 – Cheese roll orders are due in tomorrow. Please can you get these to us so that the PTA can organise and order the correct amount of supplies.
2 – Ranginui will be on their Orokonui trip tomorrow. We welcoem all adult helpers who have returned a form and do have room on the bus for you unless you want to meet us there. Please also refer to earlier communication about the gear that your child will need. Please note that no Ranginui child will be able to order sausages tomorrow.
3 – Please do not send children to school before 8.30am. Classrooms are only open to children from 8.30am onwards please.
Sausage Sizzle – Wednesday volunteer please
Tue Jun 07 02:27pmGood afternoon – we are looking for a volunteer to cook the sausages for tomorrow’s Sausage Sizzle please. If you are available to help from 11.45am – 12.30pm please contact the school office on 4728981 or office@sawyersbay.school.nz
Thank you
Week 5 Term 2 Newsletter
Thu Jun 02 10:43amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.
Cheese roll fundraiser, helpers required.
Thu May 26 03:14pmThe PTA Cheeseroll Fundraiser is a popular fundraiser and relies on family and friends of the school volunteering their time to help make them.
This year we are making them on Sunday 19th June, at the Harbour Rugby Club in Port Chalmers, beginning at 9am.
Please contact the school office (4728981 or office@sawyersbay.school.nz) or Kelly Laing if you are willing to spare some time on the day. We will gratefully accept any time, short or long, that you might be able to help with.
Please note, due to the current environment, any volunteers will require a negative rapid antigen test onsite before beginning, we will provide the RATs and really appreciate your understanding here. Thank you in advance for your co-operation and support. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Newsletter Week 4 Term 2
Thu May 26 09:53amGood morning
This week’s newsletter is now available for viewing.