Tena koutou nga whanau, nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,

It is hard to believe we are only a few weeks into the year with all the things that have been happening. Science has been featured in classrooms, our camp schedule is underway, Year 8 student leaders are working on initiatives and projects, our youngest students have their senior buddies to support them at school, rugby fun sessions have been held, swim squad has been practising hard, music lessons are underway and the children are well into a year of learning. Making all this happen is our dedicated staff of teachers, learning support workers and other support staff along with a supportive parent community and students, ready to embrace all the challenges this new year may introduce them to.

Diamond Harbour School is part of a Kahui Ako (Community of Learners) with a number of other schools that feed into Cashmere High School. We have been meeting with regard to the needs of the learners over the whole community. Last week Shaun Edwards-Brown (known as Mr E-B to many) visited us to talk about a focus the Kahui Ako has around Wellbeing and what we can do to support student wellbeing, and help our young people develop resilience, growth mindset and a positive attitude towards life. Within our school this is being led by Karen Coom (Year 2 home room teacher) and as the year progresses we will be able to share with you further information.

Last week the year 5 and 6 students enjoyed their camp at Woodend Christian Camp. This is always an excellent opportunity for children to build community and strengthen their friendships. This also gives teachers the opportunity to get to know children outside the traditional school context. Thank you to Jim and Sally who went on the Woodend Camp with our wonderful children and dedicated parents who supported the camp by giving freely of their time. Shortly the year 4 students are off to Living Springs for a two day camp. We wish them all the best and look forward to hearing about their adventures.

Fiona Rice and myself have been doing the initial analysis of the ‘Green Forms’ that parents have filled in. At the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday night we will be looking at the themes that have been extracted from these and discussing next steps. The Board of Trustees will report on these over the next couple of weeks.

The following Monday, 4 March, (note change of date from next week) we will be holding a parent education session about Digital Technologies - see the article in this newsletter for more information about this.

Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead,

Ngā mihi, Jill