Welcome to Term 2 everyone and take a look at this fabulous tapa cloth , created by Lexie, Sanuthi, Elisha, Heidi, Emily and Tom. Well done team!

Thank you for your recent feedback on our Home Learning Policy which was recently reviewed by the Board of Trustees.    Twenty-two parents completed the survey and whilst there were not any 'trends or patterns' of note, there was valuable feedback provided to us.    Of particular note,  the timing of the tasks and the levels of teacher engagement.  We will be discussing this to ensure our programme improves.

We will soon be inviting you to comment on Health curriculum learning opportunities and I do hope that we can raise the number of parents responding.  We rely on your feedback to make informed decisions which ultimately improve programmes.

There is a hive of activity on the field and courts at the moment as children trial for Winter Sports teams and for many, begin practising in teams.  A big thank you to the parents who are helping our students  this season.  

Tomorrow, our 'art' rotations begin and it will be amazing to see the fabulous creations that evolve from the seventeen different workshops.  These all sit inside our focus of 'whanaungatanga'.  The staff have worked hard to offer a wide range of workshops, giving varied and interesting choice for our students.  We would like to invite you along on Wednesday 20 June to celebrate your child's art learning.  Please save the date.

Also on tomorrow, following the first art workshop, we have our termly mihi whakatau, whereby we welcome new children, families and staff to Merrin.  We hope to see you at 10.15am.

In the holiday break I attended the NZEALS bi-annual conference and marvelled at the amount of knowledge and wisdom Aotearoa  has by way of education academics. This meant that educators from Canada, America , Australia and the UK had travelled to hear from some of our top researchers.

New Zealand is a country unique in its cultural identity and that identity continues to change.  For example,  16% of our population is Māori.  This is a far higher indigenous  proportion than any other bi-cultural nation.  Canada and Australia have 2-3% in comparison.

A second significant point of difference for N.Z is the amount of citizens and residents we have who were born overseas.  In 2013, we had 25% of our population born overseas.  U.SA had 13% in comparision.  The latest census figures will no doubt show an increase.

In summary, the way we respond to our strong bi-culturalism and growing multi-culturalism is important, significant and I would imagine is being watched by the world.   Schools have a significant responsibility in this area.

Another great moment for me was hearing from Professor Peter O'Connor, Auckland University.  He spoke of being creative as an educator, to be fully human when you teach and that we don't have to die in the same world we were born.  But best of all for me was his reminder,  "to wander and wonder in the beauty outside the classroom".

Please remember to diary Mother's Day and make it a special day - Sunday 13 May.

Kind regards

Lisa