From Donna's Desk..

It's been a big week here at Addington with every student going on a field trip to Ferrymead. I'd like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to those parents who were able to attend. We can't take our students away on these experiences without you. It was also a nice feeling to know that thanks to the donations scheme we opted in to no one had to pay the $12.50 charge to attend and travel.

Fifty of our students also got to attend the Athletics Festival at Nga Puna Wai. This event was sponsored by the Mainland Foundation for 500 Christchurch primary school kids to participate ‘Run Jump Throw’ activities and a relay competition. All those that attended were given morning tea and an awesome red t-shirt as well as getting to listen to Zoe Hobbs an NZ Sprint Champ.

A number of our students are wearing wheely shoes to school and as much fun as they are they are proving problematic at PE/Sport time and in the playground. We ask that students only wear wheely shoes on Fridays and that we are not swapping shoes to let others have a go. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

We are half way through the term and so very close to Whaea Sam, Whaea Lyn and their students getting to move into the refurbished R9-11. This block of classrooms will be known as Hāpua (grove of trees). The class names will be Rata, Karamu and Akeake - all trees that grow in a grove. These names, like all our other class/building names have been gifted to us by Ngai Tahu. The new furniture for these classes have been ordered and are due to arrive mid March.

Next week sees us embracing our Golden Rule - We are kind - as we spread kindness across our school, community and beyond in a Kindness Week. And we wait to see what Autumn will bring us weather wise. It certainly has been a mixed bag this week.

Ngā mihi nui

Donna