E te whānau, tēnā koutou katoa,

The school year has started incredibly well. Classes are very settled and learning programmes are up and running. It is great to see parents/caregivers back on-site and feeling comfortable visiting classrooms.

Yesterday many of us would have commemorated Waitangi Day. This day holds significant cultural importance for us as a school and a country. The principles of partnership, participation and protection guide our approach to education and community engagement. We will continue to foster a learning environment which embraces the diverse cultural heritage of our students and whānau.

On Monday, our staff attended a structured literacy professional development day, led by Liz Kane, focussing on ‘the code’. Although many classes already used the code, it was helpful to consolidate our learning and ensure our teaching practice is up to date, fit for purpose and consistent across year levels. Further information about the code can be found here.

In 2024, all classes will be using the code as a part of our approach towards structured literacy. Later in the term, we will offer a parent morning tea that will further explain what structured literacy is, how it differs to other teaching approaches and what it looks like at KNS. A date will be confirmed soon and announced in this newsletter.

Please keep an eye out on HERO for any important updates and newsletters. We have many upcoming activities beginning soon, such as dance, swimming, gymnastics and school trips.

Communication

This year we will continue to use the Hero App as our main source of whole school communication. If you need support with Hero please contact Jacqueline Wee, jwee@kns.school.nz or 04 4767209.

Sun Safety - Reminder

Please support us with keeping our tamariki safe in the sun:

Children need to bring their own hats to school as long as it is a sun-safe hat i.e. a bucket hat or wide brimmed hat. All children will be expected to wear a hat when they are outside at school.

Children will be encouraged to apply sunscreen before they play outside.

Whakatauki of the week

"Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei"

Translation: "Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain"

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

• Phil McIntosh pmcintosh@kns.school.nz
• James Appleton jappleton@kns.school.nz
• Laura Brennan lbrennan@kns.school.nz

Ngā mihi nui

Phil McIntosh

Acting Principal