What a wonderful school community Harewood is! Over the last month I have had the pleasure of showing some applicants for the principal position around our school and having the chance to share so many of the wonderful things about our community - the committed caring staff, the engaged, focused students, the wonderful support from within our community, and our beautiful well-resourced school. Many of the applicants as well as other visitors to our school comment on the lovely feel within the school, the well maintained environment and learning spaces.  Doing this has reminded me of the importance of noticing the good and being grateful for this special place and all the experiences that we have here.  

Thank you for the warm and supportive messages I have had over the last week. It is the people - staff, tamariki, and supportive parents who I will miss when stepping down from this role. Harewood School will always have a special place in my heart and I will be maintaining contact with the school and staff in fact I'm hoping to get back for school photos later this month!  I am however looking forward to exciting new challenges and know that Harewood School will continue to move forward as "a great place to start" under new leadership.  

Over the next term the leadership team will begin preparing for 2024 including class levels and placements. If there is anything specific related to your child you wish the team to be aware of, or to consider please email Joanna. Please do not request a particular teacher - all our staff are dedicated professionals who work together in teams to meet the needs of the learners - or for them to be with their best friend. Please note that these requests need to be provided by the end of this term. If there are any students other than year 6's who may be moving schools we would appreciate you giving us the heads up about this early to help our planning. Alternatively if you know of families who may wish to move to Harewood School please ask them to get in contact. The more we know about these changes the better we can prepare for them.

This term will be busy and fun with the school disco, Give it a Go, offsite swimming, kapa haka and choir performances to name just a few. I am sure that you will all continue supporting Joanna in her Acting Principal role and the staff as the school year continues.

Ngā mihi nui

Julie