Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to this fortnight's newsletter. A special welcome to Flynn and Rikard who just joined us. We hope that you and your whānau enjoy your time at HVS.

Congratulations

Enviro Student Leaders

Our student enviro leaders did an exceptional job of presenting the school's Enviro Vision map to the BoT at their last meeting. This is the culmination of student, staff, and community voices. They led the BoT through a visioning activity before explaining the vision map which will guide our EnviroSchools teaching and learning. Congratulations to Lena, Aika, Amalia and Holly and thank you to Karen V, Liz and Gretchen for their support of this important mahi.

Valley Vibes Band

The school students were treated to a rock concert on Monday. Everyone enjoyed and was impressed with the band's performance. Thanks to the band, their tutor Chris and Sarah for their tuition and organisation. The Valley Vibes also performed at the changed Aupaki Rocks Festival. See the extra article on this.

Year 7 & 8 Cantamaths

Our Year 7 & 8 Cantamaths teams (extension maths) participated in the Aupaki Cantamaths Competition on Friday. Congratulations to both teams who were both very competitive and earned senior honours for the number of questions they could answer. A special congratulations to the Year 8 team (Sam, Lena, Jack, and Annabelle) who finished 1st =. Thanks to Sarah for her organisation of this event.

Year 7 & 8 Canterbury Duathlon Competition

On Monday; William, Lena, Abi, and Isaac represented HVS at the Canterbury Duathlon Championships. This is one of the only Canterbury events running at Alert Level 2. Because of the strict processes we are awaiting their times and results, but we know they showed lots of manawaroa by giving it their best shot.

Staffing Update

At the end of each year we farewell staff who are moving on to other adventures and welcome new staff to our team.

Staff Resignations

Jane Morrison - Jane has successfully won a permanent position with the RTLB (Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour). Jane has been with the RTLB this year on a one-year contract, and with her new appointment, she will be able to continue supporting teachers and students across Christchurch.

Bronwen Kingston - Bronwen has been on Maternity leave this year and has chosen to resign from her permanent teaching position so she can spend more time with her son Ben. Hopefully, we will be able to have Bronwen teaching with us in a part-time capacity in the future.

Sarah Hickman - After twelve years at Heathcote Valley School, Sarah is looking to expand her teaching experience and has successfully won a position at Christchurch South Intermediate. 

Karen Amyes - Next year Karen will step back from classroom teaching in order to be our Reading Recovery (and release) teacher.

Staff Appointments

Mel Clarke & Karen van Gelder Horgan have been appointed to permanent teaching positions at HVS. Elisabeth McMillan has been appointed to a fixed term (one-year contract). It is great to have these three great teachers continuing with us.

Another appointment has been made and will be shared closer to the end of the year.

Pool Update

Thank you to those who have volunteered as pool helpers, we now have enough! Unfortunately, Brett, our school caretaker, has been away sick for the past weeks. Once he is back on deck we will be able to progress getting the pool ready for the season. Until then our class swimming and pool key sales are in limbo mode.

Good Luck

Good luck to our junior children with their Run, Jump, Throw this afternoon. The weather is playing its part, unfortunately, the Alert Levels have not been so kind. 

Good luck to the musicians who are auditioning for the James Evans Memorial Award today!

Also, good luck to the children, parents, and staff heading away to Spencer Park and Arthur's Pass for the Yr 5&6 and Yr 7&8 camps. It is great that these activities can still go ahead!

Enjoy the long weekend and a reminder that Monday 29 November is also a Teacher Only Day (so possibly another long weekend for you).