Kia ora e te whānau

We made it!  The 2021 school year is done and dusted!  It has been such a mammoth year for everyone and it will be wonderful to relax for a while.  In saying that we have much to be grateful for.  Before mentioning anyone else on my long list I want to thank the Senior Leadership Team - Erin, Tracy and Alana, and Nick Summerfield, our Board chair who I actually couldn't do this job without.  We have been together through thick and thin these last few months and they have always been there to toss ideas and information around with, particularly in navigating our way through the COVID bulletins! I am forever grateful!❤⭐ 

Thank you to all our amazing staff - teachers, admin staff, Library staff, caretaking staff and teacher aide staff.  You have been an outstanding team of 74 this year and we are so proud of the job you have all continued to do despite many challenges.

Thank you to the Board of Trustees and Te Whānau Āwhina for your unwavering support and generosity.  The service that both groups donate to the school is often quite tedious and laborious but you all offer your time so graciously for the benefit of all in this community and it doesn't go unnoticed!

Our phenomenal Kaurilands whānau!  What amazing teachers you have had to become! 😂😂  Whether you wanted to or not!  Working from home and having your children learning online has not been for the faint-hearted and I commend you all on the balancing act you have had to manage.  We live in hope that this will be the end of it!  I hope you all are able to have some very well deserved time off over the Christmas holidays.

Our incredible children who have had to be resilient in a time of such uncertainty!  We are so proud of them all!  They have soldiered on and taken these COVID circumstances in their stride and remained positive and motivated. We salute them all!

Farewells

As happens each year, staff move on.  Jo Woods has worked at KS both full time and part time over the last 9 years.  Jo and family are moving to Whangarei and Jo will be teaching at Kokopu School.  We are grateful for Jo's time and commitment over the years.

Sarah Milner has also worked both full and part time over a period of 9 years.  Sarah is leaving to focus on being a SPELD tutor which is an extremely effective support to children requiring assistance with learning.  Thanks for all your contributions Sarah!

Peta Dickens has worked at KS for 25 years mostly as a teacher aide with quite a bit of gardening thrown in!  Peta has retired and we wish her all the best for the future and thank her so much for helping us out with equipment that didn't work and for being the photocopier whizz!  What will we do without her!

Carron Grayson has worked at KS for 20 years in our administration area and sickbay.  Carron has greeted and looked after so many children and whānau over the years, drying tears, changing wet children, administering medicine, bandages, and providing a listening and patient ear when people are in need.  We are so grateful for your graciousness and kindness to all Carron, you will be greatly missed.

Madeline Henty joined our teaching staff in May 2020 so has only worked at KS in COVID times!  Madeline is going to work at Cockle Bay School next year which will be a 5 minute drive for her as opposed to what can sometimes be a very lengthy expedition here from East Auckland.  We have loved working with Madeline so much!  Madeline has worked in the Year 2 team and I know she will be a great loss!  Madeline has also been a Maths leader and has been instrumental in guiding the direction of our big Maths professional development project for 2021 and 2022.

Josh Farrell began his career as a teacher at KS as a third year student teacher.  I quickly snaffled him up as we could see what a talented teacher he would become - and he has! Josh has mostly taught in Year 6 but this year moved to Year 4.  Josh is a very special staff member and teacher, beloved by all.  Josh has been a team leader, curriculum leader and Board representative.  Our loss is Dio's gain!  Thank you Joshie for everything.

To all our Year 6 children leaving us today, we will miss you very much.  You have been a brave, bold and beautiful bunch and we love you all.  Remember what you have learnt here, particularly the Values, live good lives and be proud of who you are.

To all our whānau who are leaving us today, whether this is your only child or if your child leaving this week is the end of a line of children - thank you for sharing your children with us, thank you for joining us in the KS community, we have loved working with you and will miss you all.

We look forward to seeing you all at the open mornings - Wednesday 2nd and Friday 4th February 9am -12pm both days in 2022.

Until then, stay safe, have a great holiday and Christmas!

Arohanui

Jo ❤❤❤

Check out our 2021 review video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gutZ6fk9SUE