Welcome back to Term Four and to our first online newsletter.  

We are the first primary school in the world to be using this software to better manage our content and publications. Whilst it might take some time to adapt to the new format, I am confident that when publications are pulled together and you see the benefits of the magazines, digital journal keeping and purposeful writing for our students, you will be sold on this new format. Many thanks to Lee McKenzie from our admin team who has worked very hard to make this switch seamless for us.

Term four has a number of significant highlights.

We make staffing and class placement arrangements for 2015, hair is combed and shoes are shined for our annual school photographs, all of our students participate in athletics and a fortnight of daily swimming lessons, achievement reports are prepared and sent home, our Year 8 students have their leaver's dinner and STAR week, we hold our celebratory Gala Evening and the list goes on.

This term we are also having a 'Science Week' - aimed at immersing our learners in rich wonderings that are associated with the Nature of Science.

We also have our Bingo night, brought to us by the Merrin PTA and rumour has it that a Book Fair is scheduled by Mrs. Black. Please support our Board of Trustee Elections happening in the near future and consider standing for election if you are willing and able.

Very soon I hope to tell you what the make up of our classes will look like for 2015 and the teaching team that will facilitate learning across the school, however at the present time this is still being organised. I would however like to mention Mr. Steve Ayers. Steve is leaving us at the end of this year to take up an appointment at Belfast School, beginning in 2015. Steve has been at Merrin School for a number of years and during this time has contributed to many children's lives. He has also added a lot of value to our school in his keen interest area of Sport. Whilst it is too early for goodbyes Steve, we are thrilled that you have an opportunity to further your career.

Thank you to those families who have settled their student/family accounts. We appreciate your prompt payments. A reminder to those who have not yet done so, that we do request these accounts are paid over the next few weeks.

If you are able to you are very welcome to join us at 10.30am for our termly Mihi Whakatau. This is an opportunity to welcome new staff and students to our school, through a uniquely Aotearoa perspective with warmth and song.

Best wishes for a fast paced, exciting term.

Kind regards

Lisa Dillon-Roberts
PRINCIPAL