Tēnā koutou ngā whanau, mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. We are into Term Three and it is a fast nine week term ahead! Hopefully we have seen the worst of the winter illnesses and we have the promise of Spring and longer days within our reaches.

A warm welcome to our 15 homestay students from Korea and also Mr Lee and Wendy who are supporting them during their time here. A big thank you to the Breens families who are hosting them. They are indeed lucky children to be a part of your families whilst they are here.

Our predominant values focus for this term is Beauty. It is about promoting kindness, compassion, tolerance and aroha. It is also about encouraging individual difference and looking for good in others.

The term theme is “Paying it Forward”. The BIG QUESTION for our students is:

How does developing a Beautiful social conscience benefit myself and my community? We are working with the students to design some very authentic learning experiences which will reach out into our community and aim to make a difference to those around us.

If you would like to be a part of the learning this term by being involved or offering your ideas, do email your child’s classroom teacher we really want to maximise community involvement with this theme.

We are planning to host a celebration of Learning at the end of this term — for whanau and friends of the school. So far we are anticipating a food market, cultural and music performances — all organised by and led by students.

A petition has been started by Aaron Keown to try to get action on some controlled lights at the Harewood/Gardeners/ Breens Road intersection. If you are keen to see this happen, please pop by our office and show your support by signing this petition. The new safe crossing has been constructed along Wairakei Road opposite the Edukids Preschool which will hopefully help our children navigate this road more safely.

There are just two more weeks of Tuesday winter sport and then we look to preparations for the Koru Games at the end of the term. There are still plenty of games of Friday Water Polo and Basketball ahead this term also. Many thanks to all those parents who have assisted on Tuesdays whether as a manager, coach or supporter from the side-lines. It means a lot to us!

We hope to see you in at school over the next few weeks as you meet with your child’s classroom teacher for whanau conferences. It is a great time to catch up with teachers midway through the year, seek clarification about the midyear report and set goals together with your child and teacher for the remaining two terms. As always, feedback is very welcome on these meetings.

Nga mihi nui, Nikki, Principal.

Beautiful
Kia maumahara ki tōu mana āhua ake
Cherish your absolute uniqueness