Exploring, Learning, and Growing: A Year Full of Fun at Auckland Preschool!

At the Auckland Preschool, we have tamariki for a short but precious and vital time. We use this time to ensure Preschool is where the tamariki learn to Grow, Belong, Choose and Excel. This year, we have welcomed ten tamariki and their whānau.

Haere mai to Anouk, Florence, Katisha, Benjamin, Laila, Pepe, Jai, Tiari, Hakaraia and Thea!

Our Preschool has also said 'See you later!' to Kyra-Jade, Fiona, Marialee, Jaxon, Ruby, Isabella, Umar and Amelia as they moved on to school. It is always a proud moment to see them wearing our Preschool korowai cloak. We will also be farewelling some children transitioning to school next year – Montana, Viha, Latifa, and Hikurangi. 

After the challenges of 2022, we were looking forward to a less disruptive year only to have our year delayed by the Auckland floods and closing again due to Cyclone Gabrielle. We had a year of high rainfall, and our outside space got very muddy, although some of our children loved the rain and the mud! Through all the challenges, we supported and cared for each other – thank you to our wonderful whānau and staff for their untiring support and aroha. 

We also thank our lovely Krista for her calmness through it all, and we are excited to have her step up into the Head of Early Years position for three terms that started in Term 3, 2023. We know we will continue to be well supported by her and Susan, our current Preschool Lead. 

Highlights of the year:

• Our whānau wall, creating new connections and learning.
• Pumphouse Theatre trips.
• Visiting baby ducks in the courtyard. Mud play in our sodden playground! Learning and celebrating Matariki.
• A very generous donation of playground equipment (and morning tea!) from Wolfbrook Property Group.
• Our Tuesday visits to Rūaumoko Marae with Te Aroha, interacting with AUT students.
  
  

To our fantastic team, a big thank you – Alalate, Sophie, Susan, Vashna, and our new staff members Chelcie - (Teacher Aide of the Deaf), Toni - (Student Teacher), Stephanie and Grace – (Speech and Language Therapist). You are all stars!