Kia ora whānau

Hard to believe it's the end of Term 2 and halfway through our school year!  What a busy term it has been with many, many highlights.  One of our very special events has been the Matariki celebrations last Friday morning.  What an incredible turn out of whānau for the hikoi at Mt Titirangi.  We were very fortunate to have a clear and starry morning to look at the stars and celebrate this special occasion together.

Special thanks to our Kaumatua Warahi Paki and his wife Linda for leading the proceedings on the maunga and to the many people involved in putting this event together.  Next year we will have a portable mic as we are aware some people couldn't hear at the back!  Many whānau came back to school for breakfast together which is always a fun event.   This was followed by a special assembly at 9.30 with items by our three large kapahaka groups and a number of other performances.  We were also surrounded by beautiful Matariki art which was prepared by our classes.  The preparation by the kapahaka groups was led by Kim Williams and Matua Grant and was really phenomenal.   All children were in costume and getting these ready alone was a huge job.  Thanks to the whānau who helped with making costumes and pois particularly Delaney, Tineke and team.

I was very proud of our staff who all participated and contributed in different ways to the day including preparing and serving kai, moving furniture, coming up the maunga and many other preparations.  None of this would have happened without the dedication and hard work by our Māori curriculum team leader Kim Williams.  Kim has done a wonderful job co-ordinating this whole event and we are very grateful for her mahi which we all get to enjoy.

Congratulations to Linda Heckler Rm 5, who is going on a sabbatical in Term 3.  Linda will be replaced by Rearna Hartmann for the rest of the year.  Next term we welcome Jill Bibby who will be teaching a new entrant class in Room 6.  Our current Room 6 have moved to Ahi Kaa behind Room 3.

Thanks to everyone who has helped us at school this term.  We are very grateful for the support we receive from our whānau on a daily basis.

Have a safe, happy and healthy holiday with your beautiful children.  See you on Monday 22nd July.

Arohanui

Jo