Welcome to Whanau Totara at the Hill Site, the home of our Year 7 and 8 students. We are looking forward to a productive and happy year ahead filled with adventures and learning in the classroom and beyond. We are looking forward to sharing the upper level on the new site with Raupo next term.

Rachel Cummins: This is my second year teaching Year 7 and 8 on the Hill Site. Prior to that I taught the Year 2 - 4 on the Hill Site. I also have the role of Community Engagement Facilitator for LPS and am looking forward to that challenge. Previously I taught at Lyttelton Main, Vanuatu, the Catlins, Wanaka, Tonga and Auckland. My family and I live in Lyttelton and I have two boys aged 13 and 15 who attend Cashmere High School.

As you can probably tell I love to travel, also read, watch movies, yoga and go for adventures in the outdoors with my family. I am excited about and am loving the opportunity to work collaboratively in a modern learning environment.

(rachel.cummins@lyttelton.school.nz)

Danielle Lane: I have received a warm welcome to the Totara Whanau on the hill. Last year I worked in a collaborative teaching role at Wairakei School in their senior school, Year 4 - 6. Prior to that I worked part time having a day in the Year 7 - 8 room at Freeville, a day with Year 5 at Wairakei and relieving from NE to Year 8. My family and I live on the East at Waimari Beach and my seven year old attends the newly merged Rawhiti school in Ata Hapara (bilingual class). I am looking forward to a fabulous year. (danielle.lane@lyttelton.school.nz)

Some of the interesting initiatives we run in Whanau Totara include Project Based Learning where the students identify an interest, strength or passion and look for a need in our community where they can produce a product or service.

Our Harbour Heroes reward system runs alongside our Totara passport where students are acknowledged for achievements in academic, sporting, cultural and community activities. Once a certain number are reached we hold a ceremony where students are awarded a bronze, silver or gold badge in the form of a sail.

Every second Tuesday we travel to Christchurch East where students spend a term each involved in classes which teach sewing, cooking, acrylics and electronics.