Welcome back to Term 4, and a special welcome to the new children and the new families who have joined our school community today. We hope that you will quickly feel "part of the family".

Term 4 is always the most exciting and enjoyable term - but it is also the busiest. Please take the time to read the 'Dates to remember' information. This contains information about all events happening between now and the end of the year. Many of them will apply to you and your child.

Staffing news

We welcome Maria Zivkovich back to our staff. Maria will be the release teacher for Lesley Brewer this term, with Hannah Thomas moving to R10 and 11 as we have a large number of new entrants joining us. Hannah will now be working full time. 

Lesley Brewer and I will be heading to Wellington next week for the New Zealand Principals' Federation conference.  The conference is entitled Creative Leaders, Flourishing Futures, and the conference whakatauki is – Ko te ahurei, o te tamaiti, arahia o tatou mahi (Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work). Lesley and I are looking forward to hearing some inspiring ideas and will also be using our time to work together on plans for 2019.  Lesley Gardner will be in charge in our absence, and all of us can be contacted during the week via email. Maria Zivkovich will teach R9 during Lesley Brewer's absence. 

The focus of our learning, this term, is "Mahi Tahi" (working together), under the umbrella of this year's focus on Kaitiakitanga/ Guardianship.  We now want to use our learning to take action together, within the community, to make a difference. Our children will work together on a number of projects, in addition to their maths and literacy tasks.  

For example, the sculptures for our Sculpture on shore exhibition will be completed in the next couple of weeks, and these will raise awareness of the need to care for our oceans. The senior classes will take part in visits to Long Bay and Kelly Tarltons to further their understanding of how to help  sustain our coastal environment.                         

 Throughout the school, a maths focus on financial literacy will enable the children to explore ways of supporting projects, and providing assistance for others. Our junior classes will be helping to put together gift boxes for children in other parts of Auckland. Year 5 students will begin to prepare for a plastic and waste free Market Day 2018 (look out for further details), Year 4 are planning to create crafts in support of a charity, and Y6 will be taking part in student volunteer army activities. The Life Education Bus will also be at school later in the term for Years 0-5. 

Throughout the term our motto will be 

He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai
If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive

Have a wonderful week,

Nga mihi

Beverley