From our Tumuaki / Principal

Kia ora e te whānau,

I hope you all had a wonderful summer break filled with sunshine, laughter, and time to recharge. The photo above is from my 'summer break' in the UK. I had a fabulous time connecting with whānau and friends and brushing up on my Liverpool accent, which family were quick to remind me has slipped a lot. Lots of ice and snow during the latter part of my time there, which was fun as a novelty. It is lovely to see the sun (finally!) back home in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

As we prepare to launch into an exciting and busy school year, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back to school next week. A huge thank you goes out to our incredible kaimahi (staff) for their dedication and hard work in setting up and preparing for the year ahead. Your efforts ensure we start the term strong, and we are so grateful for everything you do for our tamariki.

A special shout-out must go to Gail, who worked tirelessly in the office over the break to keep everything running smoothly and even kept us all well-fed during our planning days. Gail, your mahi and manaakitanga (generosity and hospitality) do not go unnoticed—thank you for everything! A huge shout out also to Brian, who has worked really hard to make sure everything is clean and safe, ready for the new year - we really appreciate your mahi, Brian.

A Safety Reminder – Helmets Matter
As we gear up for the new school term, I want to highlight the importance of helmet safety for our tamariki when riding scooters, bikes, rollerblades, hoverboards etc. It was concerning to see so many children around school grounds over the holidays not wearing helmets while on bikes or wheels. Helmets play a critical role in preventing serious injuries, and they are an expectation during the school day. Having seen a student in intensive care with a head injury for a number of weeks at a previous school after a slip off a scooter without wearing a helmet, I am particularly aware of the importance of helmet safety. Please support this by ensuring your children are wearing a helmet whenever they are on wheels. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe.

We can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces next week and hear about your holiday adventures. Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year—let’s make it a great one!

Ngā mihi nui,

Urs Cunningham