Kia ora koutou,

We are moving very rapidly towards the end of the school year, and it still feels far too soon to be making plans for the last few days of school! It was great to meet as a school last Friday and listen to the fantastic range of speeches from our tamariki who were well deserved finalists in our speech competition. We heard speeches on topics such as climate change, poverty, the Arts, the impact of Covid on eight year olds, the wonder of football, and the benefits of laughter. Huge congratulations to all of our finalists, and well done for the time and effort that obviously went into all speeches. Special congratulations go to our four group winners: Vedant (Year 0-1), Reya (Year 2), Shenaya (Year 3-4), and Rachit (Year 5-6).

Staffing Update

This term will be Zoe Jiang’s last term with us at Amesbury School, sadly. Zoe has always had a particular interest and passion for working with diverse learners, and after school finishes Zoe will be moving up to Auckland with her son, Zac. In the new year she will take up a position in a learning support unit within a school in Auckland. We will be very sad to see Zoe leave, but we are very pleased because we know this is something that Zoe very much wants to do.

Rupert Webb has been appointed as a teacher in Harakeke Hub for the start of 2022. Rupert is originally from the UK, and has been in Wellington with his family for over ten years, working as an accountant. He has made a career change into teaching, and we think he will make a fabulous addition to Harakeke Hub.

We have now confirmed our teaching teams for 2022. In term 1 we will not have Andy Little with us, as he will be on parental leave for the term, following the birth of Andy and Caroline’s third son, Ezra, earlier this year. Lisa Bengtsson will continue in her role as Kāhui Ako Across School lead two days per week, working across our different schools to support teachers. She will be working in Pōhutukawa Hub for the other three days in term 1 whilst Andy is on leave. So, for term 1 2022, our organisation will be as follows:

- Koru Hub: Kōwhai team (younger fiver year olds): Angela, Esther. Main group (Year 1 and 2): Amaria (leader), Cam, Zelda, Regina, Gina. Release teacher working generally in Koru Hub - Hannah.

- Harakeke Hub: Sonali and Jemima (co-leaders), Natalie, Eilis, Rupert

- Pōhutukawa Hub: Kalesha (leader), Gar Kee, Onaitta, Brent, Lisa (three days per week)

We have a busy last few weeks of term coming up, with lots of different exciting events happening, such as camps, Beach Ed, our celebration assembly, and our traditional end of year water play day. Much excitement all round - here’s to a fun few weeks.

Carpark closed

Our school car park will be closed on Monday 29th November. Staff and construction crew will park in the car park first thing, so leave room on Amesbury Drive for dropping off and picking up. 

There will be a large number of concrete trucks delivering concrete right through the day - approximately 30 trucks. This will be for the main slab being poured as the base of the new hub, which is very exciting. 

It will mean a busy day out on Amesbury Drive. We ask that our school community is mindful and respectful of our neighbours - please do not park in or across driveways, even momentarily. The best way to avoid delays and queues is to walk to and from school on that day. Kaiako (teachers) will be stationed on Amebsury Drive and across the walkway in the car park at drop off and pick up time, to ensure the safety of all tamariki as they arrive or leave. If anyone else picks up or drops off your tamariki at school, please let them know.

Kia pai tō wiki - enjoy your week.

Ngā mihi, 

Urs Cunningham