Kia ora e te whanau

What an amazing performance we were treated to at the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival in the Town Hall last week! It was so lovely to be back in there after 8 years and to hear the children singing with very little amplification. The children made us very proud! A big thank you to Phoebe Sopp and Julie Argyle for preparing our choir for the performance.

Yesterday we had 19 Year 5 & 6 students competing in the Zone athletics day. Well done for the effort and enthusiasm with which you competed. It was exciting to hear of some amazing results too! Harewood School continues to perform well above for the size of our school.

Tomorrow a group of students will be trained by Constable Richard Brunton for their road patrol duties next year. We still have 2 mornings that aren't covered by a parent in Term 1 and 2. If there are any parents/grandparents who would be willing to do this one morning a week please let us know at the office.

It was great to see the students enjoying the PTA organised Colour Fun Run on Sunday 3 November. What an amazing hot day it was and lots of fun! Thank you to Cheri Riley and her organising team for this event.

We are almost half-way through Term 4 and fast heading to the end of the school year. We really appreciate and value the way our community are actively involved in our school community. As an acknowledgement of this involvement we hold an annual Parent Thank You Morning Tea. This year it will be held on Tuesday 17 December. Please see the article in this newsletter and RSVP to Angela if you plan on coming so we know how many to cater for.

We have noticed that a number of students are arriving at school after a weekend very tired. We understand the busyness of family life, especially at this time of the year, and the challenges with getting to sleep on lighter and often warmer evenings, however ask that you be mindful that children need their sleep to be able to give their best to their learning, behaviour and relationships. Please encourage good bedtime routines and ensure that your child is not having several late nights in a row over a weekend. If your child is having ongoing issues with sleep, then support can be sought from your GP or through the Public Health Nurse.

Dates for 2020 – please note the term dates for 2020 and Teacher Only days for next year in the separate article. The MOE has approved additional Teacher Only days through the year which are also noted and school will be closed on these days – please diary them now. The first one is the day between Waitangi Day and the weekend where staff will be involved in maths professional learning.

We have completed the appointment of a Fixed term Teacher for 2020 and can now confirm staff levels for teachers. Class placements for students come home on 11 December.

Harakeke Team (junior team)

Erin Gribble (Team leader)

Amber Perriam

Jess McColl

Matai Team (middle team)

Joanna Woods (Team Leader)

Andrea Smith

Rheanna Scoullar

Clarissa Morrison

Kahikatea Team (senior team)

Alistair Campbell (Team Leader)

Janine Kroening

Ngā mihi,

Julie