From our Tumuaki / Principal

Kia ora e te whānau, 

We are now into the final few weeks of the school year - how did we get here so quickly? It seems like not so long ago that I was welcoming you all back to the new school year, and introducing new people to our team. This is a good opportunity to remind you of our amazing teams who all work so amazingly well together to keep ngā ākonga (our students) safe, happy and progressing in their learning. 

Our fabulous support staff team: Brian (caretaker, cleaner), Rachel W(front office), Kirsty (cleaner), Gail (finance, payroll, property), John (enrolments, co-curricular, communications); and our wonderful teacher aides and learning support: Navy, Gerri, Charlene, Nic, Caylie, and Akane.

Jenny and Kirat are both part of our learning and support team, as key members of our wider leadership team school wide. Jenny is our associate principal across the school, and Kirat is our English Language Learning teacher.

Our amazing Pōhutukawa team: Brydon, Gar Kee, Rupert, Sarah, Charlotte, Maura, Rachel H, Emma and Lisa (both currently on leave), and Khadeeja (additional release). 

Our fantastic Koru team: Sophia, Lauren, Hannah, Kate, Aleesha, Wee Ai, Brooke, Angela, Amelia, Amaria, Katherine, and Lily. 

All of our wonderful kaimahi (staff) work so well together, using their individual skills and strengths to contribute to the wider school team and ensure all ākonga are well looked after and supported in their learning within a safe and well kept school environment. Huge thanks to you all. 

As we go into the seventh week of the term, we bid farewell to our Year 5 and 6 campers, who head off to Teapot Valley in the South Island, for their week-long camp. Here’s hoping for smooth sailing on the ferry, and lots of sunshine throughout the week. They have a fantastic programme of go karts, archery, swimming and more, plus a day walking in the Abel Tasman National Park. We can’t wait to see their updates through the week. On Thursday our Year 3 and 4 campers head off for an overnight stay a little closer to home, at Camp Elsdon in Porirua. Swimming at Te Rauparaha Arena and a fun time at Awesome Bounce are on the agenda, and we are looking forward to a fabulous time with the group. We hope all of our campers have a fabulous time, and huge thanks to the kaiako (teachers) and whānau who are running or supporting the camps - your time, energy and efforts are much appreciated. 

As we reach the tail end of the year, we are in the process of confirming organisation and whānau groups for 2025. After a number of changes this year, there are few changes for next year, with the overall structure of the teams and the staffing staying largely the same. We will confirm details of the organisation in the next couple of weeks, and whānau groupings will be confirmed for the final week of term. For the first three days of the final week of term, ākonga will be in their hubs and whānau groups for next year, with the Year 6 ākonga being on their transition programme, getting ready for their move to intermediate school. This will allow ākonga to begin to know their new learning spaces (if they move spaces), and get to know their new whānau group and teacher.

Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei, that is all for now. Here’s to some (hopefully) sunnier weather and a chance to enjoy time with whānau and friends. Hei tērā wiki, see you next week. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Urs