Celebrating Success

Kia ora 

This week’s newsletter is about celebrating success. Success comes in many forms, in a school community we recognise both our students and staff.

Service to St John

Isleworth School would like to recognise Mr David Luxon, our morning caretaker, for his outstanding dedication to St John. David has been awarded a service bar to complement his medal recognising 18 years of adult service. What an achievement that models each of our new values: being resilient, being outstanding, being connected and being kind. Mr Luxon, you ROCK!

Tūhono Festival

Congratulations to the Isleworth Kapa Haka who performed at the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon. The group did exceptionally well, waiting patiently until the end to perform as the 2019 overall winners.

We placed second in the haka and waiata-ā-ringa. Our male leader, Harley Watts was awarded Best Male Whakamihi. Isleworth’s name remains on the trophy for first place in Waiata Tira and Overall Performance Winners.

Sincere thanks to Matua Sonny, Norm and Whaea Tui for their tutoring efforts and to the staff who support the group.

Zone Sports on Monday 9 November

We have 26 students representing Isleworth throughout the day on the track and in the field events. Mrs Inglis and Ms Spicer will be accompanying the team while I play taxi transit throughout the day. Thanks to those parents who have indicated they are able to support the team too. Good luck.

Isleworth PTA Halloween Disco

What an amazing turnout of students in their Halloween finery, 212 students across the night in attendance. This is one of the key events of the PTA Calendar each year. With a number of our Year 6 parents moving on to intermediate next year now is a great opportunity for our Junior parents to join the PTA, as you would have seen at the disco many hands make light work, we were out of there by 9.30pm.

The next PTA meeting is Monday 9 November at 7pm in the staffroom. Come along and see what is involved, we would love to have you help out in any small way.

Staffing 2021

We are fortunate to have such a fabulous group of teachers who love their work at Isleworth and haven’t decided to seek opportunities elsewhere for 2021. A goal for 2021 has been to ensure that we continue to provide appropriate class sizes in order to meet the needs of our students.

We are pleased to be able to announce the full time appointments of Mr Mark Pullan and Mr Aaron McNabb to the Isleworth staff. In the coming weeks Senior Leadership will be working on teacher placement in our teaching teams and finalising our part time release teacher commitments.

Updates

The swimming pool resurfacing is almost complete. The team has been putting a new anti-slip layer on the edge and are currently waiting to install the handrails using new brackets.

Alas, the building refurbishment is still on hold. I’m hopeful we may get a start date for the multi-purpose space before the end of term. I know that many of you have read the growing list of schools who have been pushed back in the media recently and expressed concern.

A reminder that we have a Teacher Only Day this term on Monday 16 November 2020. Staff will be working on reporting, Digital Technology and PB4L-SW. CASPA will be operational on the day.

Only four days next week as we celebrate Canterbury Anniversary Day on Friday 13 November.

Here’s to another successful week. Thanks for your continued support and involvement in the learning that occurs at Isleworth.

Nga mihi nui

Suzanne Newton