Tēnā koutou,

It is amazing how quickly this term is flying, and we are now heading towards the end of the school year. This week will be our last full week of standard learning programmes in our current hubs; the following week will be transition week, where ākonga will be moving to the hubs where they will be based next year. This means some of the tamariki in Kōwhai will be heading down to main group in Koru, our year 2 tamariki in Koru will be heading over to Harakeke Hub, and our year 4 ākonga, and a small group of our year 3 ākonga will be heading to Pōhutukawa. This will allow all students to begin to feel settled in their new spaces and get to know some of their kaiako (teachers) for next year. Our year 6 students will be based in a different learning space, and will spend the week preparing for their transition to year 7.

The following week our current hubs will come back together for our camp / activities week. The final three days of school will then be our pack up and celebration days, ending with our school sausage sizzle on Wednesday 14th December. It is always a fun end to the year, and a nice way to share and celebrate together. To keep track of the different events coming up this term, keep this article handy.

As I ponder the year we’ve had, the various issues we have faced and obstacles we have overcome, it certainly makes me grateful for the things we have and the things I take for granted. We are currently running our Pack the Bus donation drive, where we ask each year for donations of food and toys for needy Wellington families. This year, perhaps more than others, families and people across the region are doing it tough, and this is always felt more at Christmas time. We have already got donations coming in for our donation drive, and we would like to make it our best Pack the Bus yet. Please bring in any donations you can offer of general food and hygiene items, festive food and treats, or toys (new toys only, please). We’d love to fill up our school reception area over the next week (Rachel may gulp!) and truly pack the bus that will come to pick up donations on Monday 28th November (a week on Monday).

If you are looking for another great way to give to needy Wellington whānau this Christmas, Wellington City Mission is running a fabulous ‘The Silent Night’ event. Families and businesses can purchase tickets for the Sky Stadium event, and then support by NOT attending. Your ticket price will be used to fund various items for needy friends and families across Wellington. Find out more information here.

In the spirit of connecting with others, we are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Amesbury gathering this Friday. Come on down to school between 5 - 7pm, bring family snacks or a Friday take away, and hang out with the community. We’ll stand you all an ice cream cone, and challenge you to a game of giant Connect 4 or basketball, or a bounce on the bouncy castle. It is an informal gathering - no speeches or central event, just a chance to sit in the sun (hopefully), say 'kia ora' to other families and let the tamariki run around and have fun. See you there.

Ngā mihi nui, 

Urs Cunningham