One of the fabulous things about our school is the relationships we have with our students. Yesterday saw the annual staff versus students netball game. Each year we play against the Year 6 team which is a hotly contested match full of one-sided referee calls and laughter. Many other students pack the sidelines cheering for their side. The students played so well and left the teachers knowing they had had a workout!

On Wednesday, some of our Year 3-6 students attended the Takapuna Association Football Club’s Festival of Football. Our Year 3/4 team played very well and won every game and the tournament! The Year 5/6 team played well although were outplayed in some games. 

Last Saturday the New Zealand Kung Fu competitions were held with more than 200 competitors from 17 clubs from all over the country. Congratulations to Xanthe Young who entered these for the first time and won a silver medal. This is a fabulous achievement Xanthe and we look forward to hearing of your continued success.

Last week I mentioned that a group of our children had entered the Harbour Primary Schools Gymnastics competition.  The detailed results are in this newsletter but a special commendation to the Year 3 and 4 boys team who were placed 1st team overall. A special mention also to Addison Quiding who was 1st on the beam, McKenzie TeAwa who was 1st on the vault and 1st equal on the floor, and Katelyn Robson who was1st on the bars and 1st equal on the floor. Such a talented group of gymnasts.

A big thank you to the Enviro Group led by Miss Michelle Clark and Mrs Ellen von Collas who had a vision to raise awareness in the school about fair trade products and why we should choose them. The hype around Fair Trade Friday has been huge and we are looking forward to the event this afternoon. Please pop along, if you can, and purchase some of the lovely products on offer.

There are various ways that we report to parents about their child’s progress and achievement, some formal and others more informal. On Wednesday, an electronic survey was sent home to each of you asking for feedback and comments about each of the more formal ways we have engaged this year. Please do complete this as it informs the planning for next year’s opportunities. If you did not receive this, please let the office know.

Coming up next week are two of the big choir events for the year. The APPA Choir is on at the Town Hall on Tuesday night, with the Kids for Kids Choir event happening at the Bruce Mason Centre on Thursday night. Having attended both events in previous years, I know those who are able to go are in for a real treat.

Also next week, our Kapa Haka group are performing in the annual Onepoto Festival. This is a great cultural event with many schools showcasing their performance groups. It is a great opportunity for our students and one that is greatly anticipated.

Travelwise is a big part of our culture, and Auckland Transport tell us we have one of the largest walking, cycling and scootering percentages in Auckland. We are always looking to increase these numbers so next Wednesday morning we are holding another Walk your Teacher to School event. We will meet children outside the New World in Milford and walk with them to school. If your child would like to join in, simply have them there by 8.30am. Parents are most welcome to walk with us.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Ngā mihi nui

Sue Cattell