Kia ora whānau,       

Welcome back to the term 2. I hope that you had the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous weather with your family. Thank you for having the children rested and ready to be back at school. We do like to see the children all looking very smart in their school uniforms. Just a reminder that we discourage stripy socks or colourful tights, and we certainly are not a fan of hoodies instead of the school sweatshirt. It can become a bit like an epidemic - once one starts - it appears to be the thing to do. We would appreciate your help with this.

The term has started with excitement as we had a successful Year 4 camp at Woodend and soon the Year 5 and 6 camps at Wainui start. We love camps as Hoon Hay. It is an opportunity to see and appreciate children outside the school environment. Students learn and develop a new skillset. They are encouraged to accept challenges , learn to work through apprehension, take risks, meet and form positive relationships with our wonderful parent helpers, be supported and do the supporting, all in an environment that is new to everyone. As teachers, it is so valuable to see children in new ways and to see the way that children shine. Thanks to our amazing parent helpers who take time away from work to be with their children and be part of it! It is a privilege to be involved and I have never heard a parent yet say that they didn’t enjoy it, usually much more than they anticipated. Thank you so much. And, of course, a massive THANKS to Megan Andrews, Owen Carson and Viv Gribben for preparing, organising and leading this camp. You are awesome!

Good Luck to all the year 5 and 6 classes that will be heading to Wainui over the next few weeks. We so hope that the weather will be kind to you.

Thanks to Michelle Meaclem and the sports team for organising and leading the school cross country. We were so fortunate with the day! Thanks Michelle - you do a brilliant job of organising all the sport at Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka.

BOT Elections - You will be aware that every three years Board of Trustee elections take place. This year this event is happening in June. There are three positions on the BOT that are coming up for election. If you have an interest in becoming a trustee at Hoon Hay School, Te Kura Kōaka, have a look at this link - or contact  Shaun Cameron (BOT Chair) for more information. If you have skills in property, detail and a love of meetings then this could be you! Please see the separate article for more details.

We are reviewing our curriculum and with that, we need to review our Vision and Values. The current Vision and Values that we have are over 15 years old and in that time we need no reminders that the world has changed and perhaps we need to think about different, or more relevant, values that we want our children to have in this modern world. We have prepared a very short survey that we would like you to complete - your views are important and this information that give us will shape Hoon Hay, Te Kura Kōaka in the future. Please click here and do the Vision and Values Survey now! 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Lee McArthur
Principal - Tumuaki