PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

The holiday season is here and 2023 is nearly behind us - PHEW! It is a privilege to be involved in such a wonderful community, thank you for continuing to support the students and school through the year.

In 2023 the progress which we have seen at Maungaraki School has also been absolutely brilliant. The opportunities being afforded to our learners are of the highest quality and we have had so much fun. Our results this year are incredible, with a massive amount of our learners working above expectations. Add to this maths, and literacy data which has at least 89% of our learners achieving at or above where they need to be and it is clear to see we have had a phenomenal year.

We can't thank you enough for all of your support as we go through this building phase at Maungaraki School. 2023 was a year in which it felt like everywhere you looked there was a new development. The new driveway and carpark should be complete in February and will really improve safety at the front of our school. Our new classroom block is due to be finished in August, and we can not wait to move in. We do appreciate your patience and understanding through this process.

A huge thank you to our staff here at Maungaraki School. The drive, passion and determination; underpinned by skill, knowledge and empathy, is a credit to who they are as people. Our children are lucky to have this team working so hard for and with them. Thank you to each and every member of staff for the difference you make to our young people. Our staff go above and beyond what anyone expected and I am very privileged to work alongside them.

A special thanks to our whānau, we really appreciate your support. No school can run without the assistance of amazing parents and families who give their time to help. From supporting, trip assistants, classroom help, donating items or coaching teams - each thing you have done has been appreciated. Our Home and School committee has continued to organise a wide range of fundraising events throughout the year. I would like to personally thank them for their amazing efforts in 2023. They are an amazing group of people who plan, organise and run a wide variety of fundraisers for our school. This year alone they have made some awesome things possible for children at our school. These extra things our families do allow our children to experience a very special education.

Another huge thank you must go to our Board of Trustees here at school. Our board is a committed group who have a clear vision for the school and strive to push it forward. Their support and drive enables our school to provide excellent outcomes for our tamariki. Thanks Paul, Lisa, Lizzie, Aaron, Kim and Megan for their passion and energy around the governance of Maungaraki School. As you would have seen in my last newsletter, this will be the end of Paul's time on the Board. He has made a huge contribution to our place and I would like to thank him for his efforts.

I’d also like to acknowledge our amazing students, from our new entrants to our year 8 leaders. Our kids are the reason we are here and they make each and every day rewarding. Thanks to them for showing us how incredible kids can be, pushing our expectations of what young learners can do and being fun loving respectful individuals. Thanks for making our place AMAZING kids.

Thank you for all of your support this year. I hope you have a super summer with your family and friends. We look forward to seeing you all safe and sound in 2024. No Reira Kia Kaha ra.

Staff Movement

We have a number of staff movements to share with you. a huge thanks to all our staff and all they do for our tamariki, we really are lucky to have such a wonderful team.

Julia Dal Vesco

Julia is leaving Maungaraki School to take up a teaching role after her three years of study. Julia has been a valued staff member at Maungaraki School for 8 Years. She has held a range of important roles including Teacher Aide and Librarian. Julia has been instrumental in both of these spaces. Her work in our library space kept it operating over a very challenging time. She was able to provide a place which was inviting and fun despite a lack of resources. Julia has also been a key member of our special needs programme. Her caring and skilful work alongside our learners has been immense. She will be really missed by the whānau and tamariki here at Maungaraki. We wish Julia all the best on her future teaching journey.

Alle Pollard-Smith

Alle has been a crucial member of the Maungaraki Team for the last 7 years. During this time Alle took on a range of key roles around the school including leading Sports at our kura. Alle is a very talented classroom teacher who is well loved by her students and families alike. Alle has resigned from her full time role at school as she focuses on her family however we are lucky in that we will continue to see Alle around Maungaraki in a release teacher role in 2024.

Micheala Schauer

Micheala was a member of the Kakano team before leaving on maternity leave last year. Any families who were lucky enough to have Michaela as a teacher will know just what a gifted teacher she was. Micheala's classroom environment was always picture perfect and she has an incredible way with students. Micheala has resigned from her full time role at school as she focuses on her new family.

Sarah Cappleman

Sarah has been a part of the Maungaraki Team for the last 4 years. She has lent her hand a wide range of roles, from classroom teaching in the Ponga team, to release teaching in the Kakano team. Sarah has a talent for art and this has been clear to see in her programmes. Sarah is heading away to have another baby, and we look forward to meeting the new addition to the family.

Jenna Reddy

Jenna is heading on an overseas experience in 2024. She will leave us at the end of her second year of teaching as a fully registered teacher. Jenna has been an amazing teacher and great asset to Maungaraki School. She grows excellent relationships and her passion for sport and energy will be missed around school. We wish her the best on her exciting next adventure overseas.

Ellen Walker

Ellen has been teaching in Room 16 this year in the Tipu Team. Ellen is a caring and skillful teacher who has grown excellent relationships throughout her first year of teaching. Ellen is moving just down the road to Belmont School. We wish her all the best in her second year of teaching.

Tania Singh

Tania opened up our Roll Growth classroom for our newest learners this term. Her nurturing and kind manner helped grow our tamariki as they entered our school while supporting families as they made this transition. Tania is a core member of our community and will continue to be involved closely with Maungaraki School.

Dana Skinner

Dana has been working as a release teacher across the school for the 2024 year. Her ability to teach across levels and flexibility have been a huge asset in dealing with sickness this year. We wish her all the best on the next step of her teaching journey. I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best for the next chapter in their lives.

We have the following staff joining us for 2024.

Grace Esquilant

Grace has been teaching for five years. She is currently working at Churton Park School in the junior school area. Grace is passionate about the arts, literacy and wellbeing. Grace’s position is a full time Scale A role, meaning she is a permanent employee.

Anna Coyne

Anna is a beginning teacher who has had her training experience at Year 5 & 6. Anna joins the Koru team and we believe her storing grounding at this level and management skills will stand her in good stead. She was born and bred in Lower Hutt with a passion for fitness. Anna has won a maternity contract for the 2024 year.

I am sure you will join me in welcoming them to our team.

Shane Robinson
Principal