It's only a nine week term, but boy do we have a lot planned!

We have had a great start to Term 3 at Amberley School. Expect a creative few weeks ahead as we gear up for our production on the 14th September. Yesterday the lead parts were cast, our team of student writers were briefed, and each class is well underway with their contribution. You will love it.

Big thanks to the teaching team who have spent a great deal of time during the holidays planning for the term ahead. We also had a great day together in the first week cleaning out resource area in the school and as a result we have a much tidier school with some great new teaching spaces!

This term we re-welcome Mr Chris Toki to Amberley School. Chris was a student teacher in Room 4 earlier this year, and has also been relieving for us now that he has graduated. Chris has joined Te Ngahere Hub to support Room 5 in the mornings. Also supporting Te Ngahere is Kathy Menzies who is joining Room 4 for the mornings (in addition to Wednesdays which she has already been doing). With our wonderful teacher aide, Fran Poultney, based in Room 3 each morning we have amazing support in each of these classes. As many of you are aware, this is necessary because of their large class sizes due to the fact we were not quite able to have Room 6 operating this year due to insufficient roll size. Our school is committed to ensuring our younger students have the best possible start to their education.

You will notice a name change to our Friday activity known previously as Privilege. It is now called 'PRIDE Time' as this better reflects the true intent of this awesome afternoon of fun activities. Our children work hard during the week and they understand the importance of our values, therefore it is fitting that we celebrate PRIDE together on Friday.

This term we welcome the MASH After School Programme to Amberley School. MASH operates in 15 schools throughout Canterbury and is a fully accredited, WINZ approved, programme. MASH have employed Amberley Staff member Rachael Gormack to manage this programme here in the Rewi Alley Room. You might be surprised to learn that your family could be eligible for a subsidised fee for this programme even if you are not receiving a Working for Families allowance. Check out this link to see if you can get your child into after school care at a reduced cost. http://www.mashkids.co.nz/#!winz/c5sg

I would like to acknowledge the support of Rose Tierney who has operated her own after school programme here at Amberley up until now. Rose took over after Sport Canterbury were not able to sustain a programme here at Amberley and our parent community have really appreciated her service. We hope that the wider community will get behind the after school programme here at Amberley as this is a highly valued resource.

Thank you all for your contribution to our great school. As always, feel free to make a time to chat to me if have any questions or concerns.

Simon