E te whānau, tēnā koutou katoa,

This is the last newsletter for the year. Thank you all for your patience, support and understanding as we have worked through the many challenges 2022 has presented. Our tamariki and staff, can look back on a very successful year, they are all extremely tired and have definitely earned a few weeks of rest, relaxation and recharging.

It would be easy to dwell on the not so good, COVID related, things that happened this year, however, this would not be a fair reflection of what has been a great year. I was reminded of this when I listened to the Year 8 speakers at our Year 8 Leavers’ Hui, earlier today.

Our Year 8s, spoke about the many learning opportunities they had in their time at KNS, the friends they’d made, how grateful they were to their teachers and how they were looking forward to next year. They also had some words of advice for the Year 7s about leading well and taking opportunities. I wish our tamariki leaving for college all the best, they have made a huge contribution to our school and I am very grateful to them, they are certainly ready for their next step.

We will be holding a poroporoaki for our Year 8s, starting at 11.45am on Friday, weather permitting.After the poroporoaki, the children will return to their classrooms and be dismissed at 12.30pm. You are all welcome to attend the poroporoaki.

We are also farewelling a number of our staff at the end of the year:

• Kerry Raymond, one of our longest-serving Teacher Aides, is planning to travel next year.
• Part-Time Teachers, Louise Parsons and Laura Ernst are moving to new schools in 2023.
• Cherryl Baillie, another of our long serving part-time staff, is looking to spend more time with whanau.
• Sacha Benbow and Jo Monaghan, who have opened new-entrant roll growth classes during this year, and Kerry-Anne Baughen, will also not be at KNS at the start of 2023.
• We wish Greta Walrond, another of our Teacher Aides, all the best as she moves to Auckland.

Two of our classroom teachers are taking leave next year, Harriet Donald to travel overseas and Rose Ellis to further her studies. We are looking forward to them returning in 2024.

We wish them all the best for the future.

2023 He Hui Mihimihi

We are planning on beginning 2023 with He Hui Mihimihi. This is an important time where whānau are invited into the classrooms to build connections and familiarise learners with their learning space and teacher.

• Children in Year 1, 2 and 3 have their He Hui Mihimihi on the first day of school, Wednesday 1st February. Whanau are welcome to attend during the times listed below. Children will stay for the remainder of the day.
• Children in Years 4 - 8 have their He Hui Mihimihi planned for January 31st. Whanau are welcome to visit classrooms during the times listed below and stay for as long or as little as they want, there is no booking system.

As always if you would like to meet your child’s teacher one on one, please contact the teacher to make a time. 

Teams - He Hui Mihimihi Times

Rōpū Kākano – New Entrants (Room 6 & 9)

01 Feb 23 - 8.45am to 9.45am

Rōpū Kōwhai – Year 1 (Room 10, 11 & 13)

01 Feb 23 - 8.45am to 9.45am

Rōpū Manuka – Year 2 (Room 1, 2 & 4)

01 Feb 23 - 8.45am to 9.45am

Rōpū Pōhutukawa – Year 3 (Room 15, 16 & 17)

01 Feb 23 - 8.45am to 9.45am

Rōpū Akakura – Year 4 (Room 19, 20 & 21)

31 Jan 23 - 9.00-11.00am and 1.00pm-3.00pm

Rōpū Kahikatea – Year 5 & 6 (Room 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 29)

31 Jan 23 - 9.00-11.00am and 1.00pm-3.00pm

Rōpū Tōtara – Year 7 & 8 (Room 22, 23A, 23, 33, 34 & 35)

31 Jan 23 - 9.00-11.00am and 1.00pm-3.00pm

Te Reo Glossary

Please find below a glossary of Te Reo we often use in the school newsletter, I hope you find this useful. We will grow the glossary in 2023 and include it in all newsletters.

•  āwhina - assist, help, support
•  kaitiaki - guardian, steward, caregiver
•  manaakitanga- caring for others, hospitality, kindness, generosity, support
•  rōpū - group
•  tamariki - children (tamaiti - child)
•  tuakana-teina - older sibling-younger sibling (used in education for buddy / mentor learning systems)
•  whakataukī - proverb, significant saying
•  whānau - extended family, family group, a familiar term of address to a number of people
•  whanaungatanga - relationship, kinship, sense of family connection

A huge thank you to the following groups for their contribution to our school’s successes this year:

• Phil McIntosh and James Appleton, our Deputy Principals, Lisa Hadfield, Julia Laidlaw, Pam Carr, Cherie Le Quesne, Anne-Marie Richardson, Fiona Campbell, Dave Wong, Laura Brennan and Trish Blacktop, our Team Leaders, who have led many initiatives both at team and whole school level. We are very fortunate to have such a committed, knowledgeable and capable leadership team at our school.
• Our teaching staff team who have worked tremendously hard to ensure that our children enjoy high quality learning experiences. Our teachers are ‘lifelong learners’ themselves and this has developed a great inclusive, learning focussed culture in classrooms. Our Year 8 leavers certainly recognise this.
• Our Teacher Aide, Office, Sports Administration and Caretaking; support staff team who are always prepared to 'go the extra mile' so that teachers can focus on the job of teaching.
• Our Board of Trustees who provide real vision and strategic direction in their governance role. The board has clearly demonstrated strong and effective leadership in dealing with the challenges the school has faced this year.
• Our PTA who continue to do great work in the areas of community building and fundraising for much needed resources.
• Our parent/caregiver community for the support you give us. Without a positive parent/school partnership, education cannot be effective for our children. Many of the opportunities we are able to provide for the children would not be possible without your direct and indirect support and assistance.
• Finally our children for making each day at Karori Normal School rewarding and meaningful. They are our ‘clients’ and we need to ensure that they remain at the centre of our decision-making.

As always if you need any support or have any questions, please contact one of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT):

• Conrad Kelly ckelly@kns.school.nz
• James Appleton jappleton@kns.school.nz
• Phil McIntosh pmcintosh@kns.school.nz

Whakataukī o te wiki:

• Titiro whakamuri kōkiri whakamua - Look back and reflect so you can move forward

A thought to share with your children:

• “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” (Abraham Maslow)

Ngā Mihi

Conrad Kelly

Principal