Kia ora whānau, and welcome to Term 3 at Mayfield School!

We hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for an exciting term ahead.

🏗️ Building Maintenance Projects Underway:  Our building projects are progressing well, with upgrades to classrooms and facilities enhancing our learning environment.  Over the holiday break the office area, staffroom block and westerfield block were freshly painted.  It inspired us to update the office area, knocking out the old office desk area, taking shelving down to create workable spaces and new carpet (due week 5).  As we head into warmer months the painters will continue their projects on the outside of our classroom buildings.  

🌌 Matariki Hāngī Celebration and Mihi Whakatau:  What an amazing morning we shared on Wednesday, celebrating new whānau to our school.  New families to our community brought along their family and extended family as we officially welcomed them as they started their Mayfield School learning journey.  It was special to see whānau that have been at our school for a while attend, as connections were made between families.

Next Friday we will be celebrating Matariki with a school hāngī, bringing our students together to honour this significant time in the Māori calendar.  This year we are focusing on Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the youngest of the 9 Matariki stars.  She is the wishing star for setting intentions and goals for the new year, it represents planning for success, hope, dreams and aspirations.  On Monday your child will bring home a wooden star they have decorated and ask you to write on the back of it an aspiration you have for your child.  Once returned to school we will then display these in the Westerfield classroom window.

🔬 Science Learning Focus:  This term, our students are engaging in science inquiries, exploring topics such as rivers and environmental studies.  Our year 5-8 students are busy being curious about the world around them as they work on their Science Fair projects.  This will be the first year Mayfield School has been part of the Midlands Science Fair competition in Ashburton.  All children will have the opportunity to share their projects alongside other students in our area.  This is an amazing opportunity, giving direction and purpose to their learning.  I’m enjoying hearing conversations and questions about students projects as I walk around the school. 

🛠️ Year 7 & 8 Technology at MCTC:  This week our Year 7 and 8 students have started their technology classes at the Mid Canterbury Technology Centre (MCTC) in Ashburton.  This is an amazing opportunity for our year 7-8 students as they develop practical skills in various disciplines such as woodwork, digital tech, cooking and sewing.

🎭 Clubs, Dance, and Kapa Haka

We are all super excited about Clubs starting next Tuesday.  Today your child found out what their club will be in for the term. Our dance champions and kapa haka group continue to practice and perform, showcasing their talents.  These extra curricular activities and programmes enrich our Mayfield School local curriculum, promote a positive culture, and support students' diverse needs.

We look forward to a productive and enjoyable Term 3.

Ngā mihi nui,
Emma Hewett, Principal /Tumuaki