Kia ora

Short weeks always feel like you are on the back foot and this week is no exception.  However, it is always a bonus to be thinking it is Thursday and then finding out it is Friday!!

It is a super busy time of the year and very busy for teachers as they meet the  assessment and reporting expectations. Yesterday the Government  published the revised Mathematics and English Curriculum that is to be introduced in 2025. We are meeting together as a cluster at Halswell School on Thursday November 14th which is the day before Show Day. The school will be closed on Thursday 14th (Teacher Only Day) and Friday 15th November (Show Day).

Planning is well underway for 2025. We are finalising new appointments for 2025. We are farewelling Ruth Coapman, Millie Jeffcott and Matt Stoltz. Ruth is retiring, Millie is leaving Christchurch and Matt is heading back to Canada.

We are at the midpoint of the final term at school, transition visits to Hillmorton and South have started and we notice that our Year 6 tamariki have reached the stage where they are either apprehensive about the next step or ready to move right now! It is the same every year and I always think that it shows they are ready for the next step. Just like 4 year olds sometimes find the last stretch at kindergarten a struggle and Year 13’s are well ready for the next adventure - it is a rite of passage :) In the meantime, we stick to routine and expectations, both behaviour and work. A few reminders from home about ending school positively would be helpful.  Things like doing what you are asked to do quickly and without a fuss, playing positively with others in playground games, using manners, being tolerant…..the usual things. None of us want to have a growly end of term. We would much rather have lots of fun and celebrate this cool group :)

Last Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival. I would like to congratulate Lynda Peterson for preparing the choir so well so they could participate with confidence. Our choir looked and sounded beautiful. I was so proud of the way they behaved and especially the way that they participated so enthusiastically. Congratulations to everyone. I would like to acknowledge our Special Choir member Logan Down. I was so proud of you, and thank you for representing our school. I know that you had lots of additional weekend practices and that you even had 3 days rehearsing in the holidays. Well done to you! Thanks to Matt Stoltz and Deb Burn for attending and supporting Lynda and the choir.

Good Luck to our cricketers this afternoon and our athlete representing us at the South West Zones on Wednesday. Kūkupa athletics on Friday, so busy times ahead :)

Best wishes to the Kapa Haka who will be performing at the Hoon Hay Fiesta at Hoon Hay Park on Thursday 14 November. This is a great community evening, and everyone is invited.

Have a super weekend

Lee