Highlights from this week and Heads Ups for the weeks ahead....one week of swimming, planning a playground, the cultural festival, zone athletics and celebrating

Kia ora 

So yes it has been a pretty big week in the life of Whaea Donna! Thank you to everyone who has offered their congratulations on my being appointed the permanent 'new' Principal. It is a position I see as a true privilege. And I promise I am driven by passion, purpose and with a true belief in the greatness our students can achieve. The whole process of applying and then being interviewed for the position has been an affirming one for me and I can't wait to lead us into the future. A future of fun, kindness, learning and making a difference. And I'm glad I have you, your amazing children, dedicated staff and our supportive community along for the ride. 

This week also saw our first week of swimming at Pioneer Pool. I have loved hearing the happy chat as the classes have been leaving for the pool each morning. It is lovely to see our senior students supporting their junior buddy. A big thank you to Millie and Michael who are based at the pool all morning making sure everything runs smoothly in and out of the water. I hope to pop down and have a look at learning in action next week.

Last night my heart swelled with pride as I watched Te Tipuranga perform in the last Christchurch Cultural Festival. To have our junior and senior students sing a repertoire all of our own, dressed in their uniforms with brand new poi, feathers and sashes for the boys gave me goosebumps. I was particularly impressed with the haka - Luke Terry led us with such mana and passion. How awesome is it that we have our own school haka! Thanks Ash and Tango. And I must mention Ngahina and Neveah - their karanga was a perfect way to invite the audience to listen to us. I look forward to your next performance in November. Good luck for recording your tracks for the school CD too.

Next week 17 of our students will be out letting their greatness blossom as they compete in the Zone athletics competition. I wish you all the very best in your events. 

And finally a bit of a playground update. We are all go for the minor pre-first stage of the project to take place in January.This involves the rebuilding of the Hapua entrance ways and the creation of a fenced area off the Conductive Education Building so they can make the most of indoor outdoor learning in a safe and secure environment. Importantly to this area will have more shade and finally a frame that we can hang our swings on. Next week I will be meeting with a company that has put together a tender for the major playground project we will be starting in 2021 too. All very exciting stuff.

Can you believe it is the end of October. For those of you who do participate in Halloween type activities have fun but please do be safe. And I will see everyone back here on Monday as we kick off November - my birthday month. Yes I'm a scorpio girl!

Ngā mihi

Donna