Tēnā koutou katoa

As we come to the end of another fantastic year of sports and outdoor events. I feel very blessed to have such an amazing team of whānau beside me. You have supported our wonderful tamariki in getting out and being active.

It would be impossible to offer so many active opportunities to our tamariki if we didn’t have the continued support of parents and whānau. We appreciate you giving your time to step up to coach, manage, and umpire the many sports that we have on offer. Your commitment and enthusiasm to build the skills of every player is enormous.

Many events have required transport and we are so grateful to have parents being able to support us in this way.

I sincerely thank every one of you who has made it possible for not only your child but others to keep growing their skills and fitness in a medium that they enjoy.

In Term One we were able to compete in the Inter School Top Schools Competition. The students had a wonderful time working collaboratively in each event. This event is a true test of their fitness, coordination, cooperation, leadership, and discipline.

It offered the students many opportunities;

- to show their strengths in taking leadership of an event.

-building self-control in dealing with a loss of the race

-cooperating with team members to draw the best results

-and most of all collaborating to make sure they all had as much fun as they could.

We had students participate in the WBEET Aspiring Athletes programme. This was a very successful programme run by national and local athletes supporting our athletes in their journey to a higher level of achievement.

Tabloid Sports Day was again an opportunity for all our tamariki to get active and involved. This day offers opportunities for all students to challenge themselves even if sports is not their strength.

Fun is at the top of the list and we certainly get to celebrate this as teachers alongside the students.

Other events that our amazingly talented students not only participated in but many placed in were, MTB Mountain Biking, Gymsport Festival, Amazing Race, Tough Guy & Gal Challenge, Rock Climbing, Orienteering, Tennis & Weetbix Tryathlon. These were running parallel to our term codes of Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Kiwi Tag, Rippa Rugby, Flippaball, and Volleyball.

Each term our senior students get to show their strengths in Swimming, Cross Country, & Athletics. This year we celebrated 118 students at East Cluster, 28 at WBOP and 4 at BOP events. Amazing skills, strength, and commitment were shown by these students as they are continually developing and forging their path to higher personal achievements.

We were delighted to celebrate one of our Wiremu students who had a phenomenal experience competing in Glasgow, at the World BMX Championships in August.

Bethlehem School celebrated two full Te Paeroa teams in Kiwi Tag and Rippa Rugby for the first time.

Many students thoroughly enjoyed the Have-A-Go days that BOP Rugby offered to our Tamariki. This was an opportunity for the students to keep embracing the camaraderie that their teams offered.

The students got to end the year on a high of enjoyment with the whole school colour run. What a great way to finish the year and bid farewell to our Year 6 students who are now saying goodbye to their school as they take the next step in their journey of growth and development.

To the families and Year 6 students who are leaving Bethlehem School, your support and friendship have been much appreciated. It has truly been a pleasure to work alongside you all.

Best wishes for a joyous Christmas filled with happiness and laughter for you and your families.

Nga mihi ki a koe

Kathy Crow