Heart Day

I hope you all had a wonderful mid year break, and are relaxed and recharged for the term ahead. We have had a fantastic start to Term 3, as well as lots of exciting things planned ahead. The children have come back with positive energy and we are all enthusiastically preparing for the upcoming term.

Week 1 started off with a hiss and roar, with the senior students (Ferns) having had a great week at Technology, and The Tipu team heading off to the ASB arena for a day trip this week. We also look forward to having the Life Education team taking sessions later this term.

Production is a big focus currently, with our show taking place in Week 8, on the 15th and 16th of September. Put those dates in your diary - as we would love for you and your whānau to come and see the results of all the staff and students’ hard work in action! We have booked out the Assembly of God Church in Lower Hutt so we are able to accommodate our community.

On Monday we had a wonderful Mihi (Welcome) Assembly for all the new students, our new teacher Mrs G in room 13, and a student teacher working with Miss Cherry in room 1.  It was fronted by school prefects Mia Burt and Lachlan Brill who did a fantastic job making sure things went smoothly. They were welcomed by the cultural group performing Toia Mai Te Waka. This is traditionally a canoe hauling haka, but is more commonly used now to symbolically pull the 'canoe' of people safely in to their new place. A very warm welcome to our Maungaraki Whānau!  

Our Enviro Team led by Kim Webby have also been really busy. Working with Riba from Hutt City Council, the Enviro group organised the bank behind the old playground to be cleared of blackberry and gorse. They planted 100 native trees, a mixture of flax, manuka and hebes which should thrive in the area. A big thanks to the Hutt Council, Tim our caretaker, the Enviro Team and the Fern team for helping with our project. Alongside the new planting we are working on a safer and more well defined path to link the School and Kindy together, this is developing nicely.

Yesterday we had a fantastic HEART day - with all the students celebrating our values within a Matariki themed day. They were able to work in their house groups, with a range of different teachers, then enjoyed lunch together. Students were fully engaged in the range of activities, from weaving to kite making, from traditional games to traditional art. What amazing students we have - so proud to be part of this wonderful community!

Stay safe and please do contact us if you have any questions,

Caro Wills
Deputy Principal
Maungaraki School