Hero photograph
 

Principal’s Message

Sue Cattell —

I am continually impressed by the abilities of our students when given rich opportunities. This morning, I was in the music room when the orchestra was practising. This is their fourth week of being together, and they are already amazing. I was even able to conduct them for a piece of music! I have tasked them with coming up with a new tune that we can record and play as our new bell sound. Watch this space! A huge thank you to Eugenie Middleton for the expertise and passion she brings to music at our school.

We know that connection and identity are really important and linking globally is a part of this. This week, in the post we received Flat Stanley, originally from the USA, but via the UK. Flat Stanley is a flat “person” who travels the world having a range of experiences in each country. He was sent to us from a friend of mine in the UK, and we will probably send him on to where my daughter is teaching in Singapore before he heads home. The class who originally sent him (USA) will receive him back complete with writing and photos of his experiences, and information about the various countries. It is a great way to motivate authentic writing and I know the Year 3 classes who have had him are really excited.

We held our first Whanau/Parents Te Reo lesson after school yesterday. We had eight families attend, and it was a really lovely session having the adults and children together. If you still want to join in it’s not too late, just register and pay at the office. Te Reo Tuatahi invoice us for these sessions, additional to the lessons Matua Maru provides for our students in school time. They set the costs. Lessons run from 3.15-4.00pm in the school staffroom.

The Ministry of Education, when settling the terms of the teachers’ collective agreement last year, agreed that each school is able to have three teacher-only days this year. These days do not get added to the length of the school year. We have consulted with the schools around us and in our Kahui Ako/Community of Learning, and have agreed on dates in line with TNIS, as we are aware many of you have children at both schools. I can confirm that Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 April (the first two days of Term 2) will be teacher-only days as will Friday 29 May. The April dates will see the TNIS and Milford School teachers coming together for professional learning, and the May date sees the teachers from every school in the Community of Learning coming together for professional learning. Please note these three dates as school will be closed to students on those days.

A reminder that the parent information evening led by The Resilience Project’s founder, Hugh van Cuylenburg, is coming up next Thursday 4 March at 6.30pm in the TNIS Auditorium. Please click on this link to book a seat. There is no charge for this event but we do need to know numbers so please register. Register here

We are holding our whole school assembly this afternoon at 2.15pm. Today it is led by the Year 5 team and you are all warmly invited.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Ngā mihi nui

Sue Cattell

Principal