Tēnā Koutou,

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The Board is pleased to reflect on a year of growth and learning at Lyttelton Primary School. As a school at the heart of a vibrant, diverse town, it has been truly inspiring to witness the dedication of our students, whānau, teachers, and Principal throughout a year that has been both rewarding and challenging.

Staffing Changes for 2025

As we approach 2025, the Board would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible dedication of our staff and Principal. As you may already know, there are a number of changes on the horizon for next year. While change can often feel unsettling, we are looking ahead with great confidence and are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for our students and their families.

Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to some exceptional teachers who have made a lasting impact on our school community. We wish Janet and Francie all the best, and we know Emily will be greatly missed as she takes up her new role at Saint Kentigern’s Boy’s College.

We are also deeply grateful to our fixed-term staff, Grace, Nicola, Monica, and Sarah, for stepping in when needed. Their enthusiasm, hard work, and passion have enriched our school, and we truly appreciate all they've contributed.

While we’ll miss these wonderful educators, we are excited to welcome some talented new staff. We are pleased to introduce Sally Hoskin, who joins us from Arrowtown School with extensive experience. We are also in the final stages of recruiting a new teacher for our Year 7 & 8 learning space and look forward to introducing them soon.

The search for a new Deputy Principal is also underway, and we will share this exciting appointment with you in the New Year.

Change isn't always easy, but we're confident that the new staff joining our community will help keep the values and spirit that make our school so special. Thanks so much for your continued support and understanding.

ERO Report Highlights: Learner Success and Wellbeing

We’re happy to share that our recent Education Review Office (ERO) report shows we're well on track to meet, and in some cases exceed, the Government’s targets in reading, writing, and maths.

Celebrating Success
Our students are making great progress, with 83% meeting or exceeding expectations in reading and 81% in maths. Many are also excelling in writing. We're focused on boosting achievement for all students, particularly Māori in reading and maths, boys in writing, and girls in maths.

Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support
At Lyttelton Primary, we prioritise reading by identifying students needing extra support after six months of schooling. These students receive daily 30-minute lessons in small groups, with regular progress checks and co-planning with the classroom teacher.

This year, we were well-supported with Beccy Shirley and Karen Amyes trained in literacy support, helping many children thrive. At the end of the programme, students celebrated their success with certificates. One student's joyful comment, "Jenny, are you proud that I can read? Now I’m going to move on to maths!" perfectly captured the programme's impact.

An Enriched Programme
We recognise that success in reading, writing, and maths is vital, and we are proud of our students' achievements. Beyond academics, our school offers a wide range of sports, arts, music, cultural activities, and community events. We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging environment where every student can thrive.

Our Learning Place: Thriving today, Ready for tomorrow.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Growing Stronger Together

As a Board, we are dedicated to supporting the ongoing growth and success of our school. Our goal is to create a dynamic, forward-thinking environment where our tamariki and staff can thrive. Looking ahead to 2025, we will focus on these key areas of development:

• Property Enhancement: We’ve begun implementing our 10-Year Property Plan, which will guide us in improving our facilities to better meet the needs of our school community for the years to come.

• Financial Sustainability: Strengthening the school’s financial foundation is a priority. We’ll focus on optimising funding, diversifying income sources, and reducing costs while maintaining the quality of our programs.

• Curriculum Implementation: With the new English and Mathematics curriculums set to roll out in 2025, we’re committed to enhancing our academic offerings and teaching practices to ensure they align with the best approaches and support our students’ needs.

• Community Partnerships: Building strong, lasting relationships with families, local organisations, and key stakeholders will continue to be our central focus, helping to create a supportive network for our school.

Together, we can shape a bright future for our tamariki. By working as one—whānau, staff, students, and the wider community—we can make a lasting impact. Your support, ideas, and energy are essential to bringing our vision to life. 

And that’s a wrap!

As we wrap up the year, we wish everyone a happy and relaxing holiday! Whether you're with family, friends, or recharging, we hope you enjoy the break. Thank you for all your hard work and positivity – we look forward to seeing you in the new year for more adventures! Happy holidays!

Lyttelton Primary School Board

Matthias, Mike, Kim, Lisette, Nat and Nina