What fun we had at the recent 'Merrin Show Day'. It truely was a fun community day, full of warmth and creativity. Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who got in behind our day by making and baking.

Congratulations to the competitors who participated in this week's North West Zone Athletics and to the students who will go on to compete in the Central competition.  Both competitions are difficult to gain entry to, so well done.

Well done to our Senior Choir and Angelique who performed back in the Town Hall this year, at the recent Christchurch Music Festival.  What a sensational venue! I know the many hours that go into practising for such an evening, well done everyone.

Have you noticed that your child is more emotional, temperamental and difficult to deal with lately?  You are not alone! In education circles, this month is sometimes referred to as 'Madvember'.

The combination of lighter nights (which makes it difficult to get to sleep), the unpredictable weather, the low-level anxiety about leaving their teacher and class, and the excitement of Christmas on the horizon means that children can be particularly tired and temperamental at this time of year. 

Sometimes November can be hard for adults too as we gear up for a huge two months ahead. The best remedy for all of this is slowing down and ensuring there is ample down-time for everyone, and meeting all temper tantrums and tears with compassion and understanding.

Many of you will have had teenagers and young adults in the house facing exams this week. I  hope that these have gone well and everyone gets to enjoy a long weekend with some sunshine.

In today's newsletter I said I would outline our 2020 staffing.  

We are thrilled to announce the appointments of Kate Revell, Margaret Joyce, Victoria Jermyn and Alex Wilton.   Kate joins us from eight years at South Intermediate as their specialist music and performing arts teacher.  Margaret joins us from Heathcote Valley school and previously Silverdale School in Auckland, she brings talents in Literacy and Digital Technologies.   Victoria joins us from Allenvale School where she has taught for the past thirteen years. Victoria brings to our school a real strength in understanding how diverse learners learn. Alex joins us from Prebbleton school and has a real passion for music.  Luckily for us, Jeanne Coker joins our team full time again and Katherine Wilson has won a permanent position  with us.

We will farewell Tracey Steel at the end of this year.  Tracey has made such an impression on us over her years with us and will be missed.  Tracy doesn't have any plans to teach next year.  Perhaps we will be able to welcome her back when she realises how much she will miss us?

Peri Marks has had a year's leave accepted by the Board of Trustees.  Peri is returning 'home' to spend some time with whānau for the year.  We wish him well and look forward to welcoming him back in 2021.

Belinda Cullen-Reid moves out of classroom teaching and into a three day per week position with us for 2020.  Belinda wishes to return to UC to study part time.

Sana Ditta, Joe Daly and Ashlee Morse finish their one year contracts with us and we hope to still see them.  It will be hard to see Ashlee as she returns to Auckland for her partner's work.  However, if Sana returns to University to study, we hope she will still work for us by continuing to teach the Bollywood dance group.

I said that in this newsletter I would provide you with information about class placements.

As in previous years, your child will complete a friendship activity with their teachers. This is so that when we make up the 2020 classes we ensure that each child has at least one 'buddy' going through with them. On the rare occasion that this doesn't happen we always contact you to explain the options we have.

Please talk to your child's teacher about any concerns you have for next year's placement. They will listen and they have a very big say in these class groupings for the following year.

Over the past few years, I have given parents time each year to contact me if they have 'extraordinary' circumstances that they would like considered when class placements are decided upon for the following year.

Please ensure they are 'extraordinary' circumstances.  Your child's teacher is the best person to speak to about social, emotional and academic considerations as they will be present when the class placement meetings are held.

In the rare situation that you have something you don't feel comfortable discussing with the teaching team then please email me on or before Monday 25 November  (lisadr@merrin.school.nz).

Happy Show Weekend everyone.

Kind regards

Lisa