Kia ora whānau

What a huge term it has been for us. A slightly longer term anyway, made harder for everybody including some of you by the happenings on March 15.

My thanks to all of our whānau who are really supporting kura. Getting children to school everyday, communicating with us when things are going well or not going well, supporting ākonga by showing interest in their learning etc. These things make a huge difference to us and the success of your children.

We want to acknowledge our staff who have worked so hard this term. Their commitment to your children and their learning is amazing and I know they deserve a good break before we start again in two weeks. Special acknowledgement to Gen Williamson who has been with us since we opened and is leaving to South Hornby Primary School. Gen has been a mainstay in Kaunuku and more recently Teina for over two years - amazing energy for our tamariki. Also thanks to Deb Merry who leaves after a year in Ihutai. Heidi Jensen-Warren and Fiona Logie also leave after short stays with us and we wish them all the very best with their plans.

While not new to the Board, it is great to have Sam Uta’i as our Board Chairperson. She has the history of the establishment phase of the school in her head and mixes this with the day to day reality of having her grandchildren here at school. An article about her in more in depth appears later in this publication.

Look forward to reconnecting after the break,

Ngā mihi

Andy