This is the final newsletter for the year, and contains some important messages.

Last Friday, the PTA presented the school with a further cheque to go towards the new senior playground. This cheque of $10,000 has been added to the $15,000 already presented, and goes a long way towards the total cost of $66,000, with the Board agreeing to pay the balance. We look forward to this project beginning in late January.

A huge congratulations to Jake Macken who has been nominated for Best Male Youth Performer at the Northern Area Performance Trust Awards. These awards are for all the community theatres in Auckland for the 30 productions across the year and Jake was nominated for his role in Peter Pan as Michael Darling at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa earlier this year. He is the youngest performer nominated, with the winner being announced in February next year. Good luck Jake!

Today, your child will bring home their end of year report and information on 2020 such as class placement and stationery.As mentioned previously, on Monday all children spend an hour with their new classmates and teacher, which we find is usually a very positive experience. Please trust the choice the teachers have made for your child and be positive about this. Life is a pathway of change and making new friendships, and we, along with you, will support them with this.

Tonight is the annual Festival of Song, and we look forward to seeing our families here for this. We ask that all children be back at school, dressed in their red, white and green, by 5pm. The singing starts at 5.30pm. Families are welcome to bring a picnic dinner and set up their blankets on the field.

School closes for the year next Wednesday 18 December, and as is usual, closes at the earlier time of 12pm (midday). Please ensure your child has all their belongings and is collected at this time. The school will be closed from this time for the holiday break, so any forgotten items will have to stay at school until late January.

As I reflect on this year, I would like to thank many people. I particularly want to acknowledge the staff in our school. They are such a wonderful group of caring, committed professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that each child they are responsible for feels safe and valued. Our senior leaders, teachers, support staff, office staff and caretaker, all play their part in ensuring we are the very best we can be. Thank you all.

I would like to especially acknowledge those staff not returning next year. To Mr John Smallfield, Ms Catherine Kelly, Mrs Viv Hammond and Mrs Donna Smallman, thank you for the time you have given to Milford School. To Ms Clarinda Lau, who heads off on maternity leave, we wish you the best as you prepare to welcome your baby into your lives. We look forward to having you back later next year.

The Board and the PTA are two groups of parents and staff who share their desire to see Milford School thrive, by devoting many volunteer hours working to ensure everything that is needed in a rich, balanced curriculum is here. I sincerely thank them for this.

As I wish each and every one of you a very happy holiday time, I thank you too, for your support. To those who have given their time and expertise to sports teams, to music events, by helping in classrooms, the Library, with Waterwise, Garden to Table, swimming and on trips, I thank you. The children are at the heart of what drives me in my role, and I will always try to ensure they have the best education we can provide. My vision is that all students who pass through our doors have a rich experience that validates who they are as an individual, and stretches them in ways they never believed possible. Young people with integrity who stand up for what they believe in, and for each other.

Have a lovely holiday season everyone, and I look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday 3 February 2020 for the start of Term 1. To those not returning for various reasons, especially the Year 6 students and families who move off to Intermediate schools, I say thank you and wish you well. You will forever be a part of our community.

Arohanui.

Sue Cattell

Principal