Kia ora tātou

Ramadan Mubarak, the month of Ramadan began on Friday 01 April, best wishes to all those in our school community celebrating Ramadan.

In last week’s newsletter I shared some of the points from Kathryn Berkett's keynote address at our recent staff only day, which resonated with me. Our staff also participated in Pause Breathe Smile professional development at a staff only day held on Tuesday 01 February.

Pause, Breathe, Smile is a programme we are implementing across the school, to help build positive mental health. Here’s what some of our Year 7 & 8s have to say about the programme so far:

· Pause, Breathe, Smile calms us down and helps us to concentrate. It is really cool learning about mindful breathing and how it affects our bodies.

· After doing Pause, Breathe, Smile sessions I feel really relaxed and it is a nice way to get rid of stress.

· Pause, Breathe, Smile helps with literally everything. Since we started doing PBS it seems like all of my problems and stress have gone away.

· I have been using some of the Pause, Breathe, Smile breathing techniques at home to help me relax and go to sleep at night. They have really helped me relax and sleep better.

· I have been feeling happier and more relaxed. It feels like a lamp has turned on inside me and I am feeling a lot more positive when things are tricky or stressful.

Whakataukī o te wiki

· Kia urupu tatou; kaua e taukumekume. - Let us be united: not pulling against one another.

A thought to share with your children:

· “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” (Kahlil Gibran)

Ngā Mihi

Conrad Kelly

Principal