Over the last two weeks we have been unpacking and explicitly teaching the first of our new school values, Whanaungatanga. Whanaungatanga is about growing connections and relationships that create a sense of belonging.

Halswell students demonstrate Whanaungatanga when they:

• include others;

• respect and celebrate differences and

• wear our uniform correctly.

At all levels across the school, teachers have been discussing these responsibilities with students and reminding them to demonstrate them both in class and in the playground, where our new Whānau rewards system is in use to acknowledge our values in action.

You can reinforce this value at home by:

• ensuring your child has the correct uniform;

• encouraging them to include others when playing with friends and siblings;

• discussing and celebrating the different strengths within your whānau, focusing on the concept that we are all different, and all contribute to our whānau in different ways;

• discussing what whanaungatanga looks like in your whānau and

• watching “The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig with your children.