‘E ako ana, ā, e tipu tahi ana tātou’ - Learning and growing together.

Kia ora Koutou

As stated in the article that was sent out last week, we are doing our best to keep things as normal as possible at school for our students during these tricky times for everyone. 

However, to ensure that we would be able to effectively contact trace should there be an Omicron case in our school community we have put extra measures in place to keep our students and staff as safe as possible. We were impressed with how well everyone adapted to these new routines last week.

A REMINDER OF NEW ROUTINES

To avoid any crossover of teams, all programmes and activities will take place in teams - Junior, Middle and Senior. There will be staggered morning tea and lunch times.

Interval

Juniors: 10.30am-10.50am

Middles: 10.50am-11.10am

Seniors: 11.10am-11.30am

Lunch

Juniors: Play from12.15pm-12.45pm, then eat in Junior Lane or inside

Middles: Play from 12.45pm-1.15pm, then eat on seats outside Rooms 7 & 8 or inside

Seniors: Eat outside the senior block and then play from 1.15pm-1.45pm

Unfortunately whole school activitites, which are so important to us have to be put on hold in the meantime. Teachers are organising as many activitites as possible in pods or teams - eg fitness, Play is the Way games, team assemblies, etc.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOLENE CASEY

The Board of Trustees has granted Jolene Casey three terms refreshment leave from the start of Term Two. Jolene is taking up a new role with Otago Hockey, managing Community hockey. Hockey is Jolene's passion and she is very excited about this opportunity. As everyone knows, Jolene plays a huge role in promoting and organising sport and PE at East Taieri so is leaving 'big shoes to fill!'

We have been fortunate to have persuaded Rachel Phillips to return early from her maternity leave to take up Jolene's role as Physical Education Specialist and Sports Co-ordinator from the start of Term Two. Rachel is passionate about sport, very familiar with Jolene's role and excited about taking up this new position.

This means that Hayley Miller will continue in Kānuka, Room 5 for the remainder of the year. This gives consistency for both Hayley and her students for the year and we are delighted to be able to keep Hayley on our staff for the year.

Our congratulations and best wishes to Jolene as she prepares to take on this new challenge.

SENIOR SWIMMING

Senior swimming starts today at Moana Pool for the week. Junior and Middle swimming sessions at Fairfield School Pool were highly successful with all teachers commenting on the great progress that children made across the nine lessons.

Hoping that this week is a settled one for everyone.

Noho ora mai.

Jennifer Horgan