Ko te Tamaiti te Pūtake o te Kaupapa: The Child - the Heart of the Matter

Kia ora koutou

Organisation for next year is well underway, with class structures and staffing being finalised. 

Congratulations to Sarah Vink who has been appointed as a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour, to be based in Dunedin. Although an exciting move for Sarah, her departure is a big loss for East Taieri. Sarah has held many roles throughout the school during her eight years here, with staff and students benefitting from her many strengths, skills and passion for teaching and learning. We will also miss Sarah's kindness, thoughtfulness, willingness to help anyone and share her knowledge and skills. We wish her well in her new career move.

Exciting news also for Rachel Phillips, as she takes maternity leave next year. Rachel will start the year in a different role during the weeks leading up to her due date, taking targeted groups and covering teacher release.

We feel very fortunate to have appointed Eve McSoriley, presently teaching at Balmacewan Intermediate to cover Rachel's leave for the year. Eve is an experienced teacher, having taught all levels. She will bring her strengths in Music, Maori and the Arts to the school.

Because of our high number of New Entrants for next year, we are starting with Room 13 as our extra New Entrant class and have appointed Helen Johnston to this position. Helen is looking forward to joining our team. She is presently teaching New Entrants at Balclutha Primary School and is passionate about play-based learning  and is experienced in running a transition to school programme.

School Structure and Teachers for 2019:

Room 1    Year 5/6    Miss Janine Clague (Dean of Senior School)

Room 2    Year 5/6    Miss Lisa Agnew

Room 3    Year 5/6    Mr Peter Thorn

Room 4    Year 5/6    Miss Jo Bryson

Room 5    Year 2/3    Miss Eve McSoriley

Room 6    Year 3/4    Mrs Belinda Duff

Room 7    Year 3/4    Mr Garth Powell (Dean of Middle School)

Room 8    Year 3/4    Mrs Sarah O'Neill

Room 9    Year  0/1    Miss Natalie King (Dean of Junior School)

Room 10  Year  0/1   Mrs Jo Hackfath

Room 11  Year  1/2   Mrs Jess Hall

Room 12  Year 1/2    Miss Mel Cruickshank

Room 13  Year 0/1   Miss Helen Johnston

As we finalise placements for next year please be aware of the many factors that are taken into consideration before classes are finalised. Obviously year level numbers are a major factor. For 2019 Years 5 and 6 are to be spread through the four senior classes, with those students having had two years in the same teaching space, moving through to Rooms 1 & 2.  This means that Year 6 camp combinations for next year could be Rooms 1 & 3, 2 & 3, 1& 4, or 2 & 4. There will be no Year 4 students in the senior school next year. Friendships, combinations of students, maturity, parental requests, academic strengths or challenges are just some of the other factors looked at by the Leadership Team. Classes and teachers for next year will be on end-of-year reports. 

Teaching collaboratively is one of our strengths. East Taieri's collaborative model is one where teachers plan in teams and teach in pairs, with children having the benefit of the different strengths of two teachers. Obviously with the extra Junior class, the model is slightly different. 

We are looking forward to an exciting 2019.

Ngā mihi

Jennifer