What a hectic and fun last few weeks of celebration we have had at Konini. From the Picnic Performance to the end of year Certificate and Prize Giving assemblies - it has been wonderful to celebrate another year of learning, creativity, and fun with whānau.

End-of-Year Farewells

Tomorrow is the final day for two members of staff.  Shannon Corringham completes her year-long work with us, supporting learning in classes along with our Sustainable Schools work. Shannon has done a wonderful job supporting staff and children inside and outside the class. 

We also say farewell to Mrs Stacey Marfleet. Stacey has worked at Konini for 10 years, joining as a beginning teacher. In recent years, after returning to work following maternity leave, Stacey has worked on a part-time basis, providing leadership and beginning teacher release. Stacey has supported our Sustainable Schools work over the years and more recently, supported our Pasifika group. We wish Stacey, Josh, Harper, and Quinn all the best for their move north.

Staffing for 2024

Yesterday, your children got to meet their teacher for 2024. I am pleased to share that all our full-time teaching team are returning in 2024. There will be a few changes in year levels, with Mrs McDowall taking a Year 2 class in 2024 along with Ms Quach. Ms Nola will be training as a Reading Recovery teacher in 2024 and will be fully released to work with small groups of children as well as provide support and leadership in the Junior School. Ms O'Shea, our Learning Support Co-ordinator has completed her studies this year and will return to work on a full-time basis in 2024. 

Enrichment in 2024

You may be aware that primary school teachers successfully campaigned for pay and work conditions in alignment with our secondary school colleagues. One of the positive outcomes of the pay and conditions settlement is that all primary school teachers will be provided with additional release time for planning and assessment purposes. To help us provide the release for all full-time teachers, next year we will provide additional opportunities for classes to take part in specialist subjects. Mrs R will still be delivering her awesome music programme. Ms Brown will now be teaching dance 2 days a week. Ms Quach will be teaching Science 1 day a week and Ms Aldworth will be teaching Environmental Science 1 day a week, with the support of Jenni - our resident environmental scientist. This is an exciting opportunity that we are looking forward to delivering next year.

On behalf of the team here at Konini...

Congratulations to all the students who received certificates and trophies at our end-of-year prizegiving assembly.

For whānau who are leaving us at the end of the year - thank you for your support over the years that you have been part of the Konini whānau. We hope your connection with us can continue through attendance at school celebration events and community planting bees - we would love to see you all again.

To our Y6 students and other children across the school, who leave us today - best wishes for the next exciting stage of your learning journey. We hope the opportunities you have experienced at Konini along, with the values you have learnt, provide you with many happy memories of your time here.

For all our returning families, we look forward to seeing you all again on Wednesday, the 7th of February.  

Meri Kirihimete

Andrew