Have a happy and safe holiday!

Kia ora whānau

Here we are at the end of 2017 and what a year it has been!  Thank you all so much for your support over the year, we couldn't do this job without you all helping us out in such a multitude of ways.

A huge thank you to Te Whānau Āwhina for all their fundraising efforts and preparation of fun events.  This is a small team of super hard working people who have raised over $52k this year.  Special thanks to Janine Smillie and Jeanene Barclay for so ably running Te Whānau Āwhina - you are amazing!

I've got to thank the pool fundraising team again for their amazing efforts in raising $66k and they are still going!  This time last year we were in a precarious position where we were unsure as to the future of the pool.  It is so wonderful to see the pool looking gorgeous, fully functioning and with bleachers!  What an amazing group!

Huge thanks to the Board of Trustees, Chair - Carolyn Webster, Nick Summerfield, Sarah Barrett-Hamilton and Hayley Jesperson.  The Board have encouraged and supported us all throughout the year.  They provide wise counsel and are a very informed and inspiring team to work with.  Our school is in great hands.

2017 has seen us have the biggest roll we have ever had with every space virtually bulging at the seams.  In early January work begins on our current Rooms 11, 12, 13 and 14, a re-roof of the southern side of the main block and work on the corner of the building close to the Library.  This whole block is virtually out of action with the exception of the resource room for all of Term 1.  This has caused quite an upheaval with many classes having to be re-housed.  Fingers crossed we will be back in business by Term 2 with our re-fitted classrooms.  As the area around this block will be a building site, there will be significant Health & Safety measures in place to keep everyone safe.  We will keep you up to date when school recommences.

Today we farewell a number of staff.  From the office we farewell Luanna Brunt who is moving to Thailand with her family and Heather Main who is moving to Algies Bay with her family.  From our teaching staff - Zac Riddell will be travelling in Europe, Kim Noovao is moving with her family to Rarotonga, Ally Lee  is spending time with  her family, Kylie Parkinson is going to be a Speech and Drama Teacher for "Head Held High" and Emma Best is travelling with her family in New Zealand and beyond!  Whew!!

Thank you all for your incredible contributions to our school.  We will never forget you, you will always be part of our Kaurilands whānau.

Good luck to all our Year 6 children moving on to Intermediate.  We are so proud of you and love you all.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and keep safe and sound till we see you again on Wednesday 7th February 2018.

Arohanui

Jo and Staff