Kia ora koutou katoa Welcome back to a new term! It is so great being back at school, with the lovely buzz that these excited students bring. A special welcome to the new students and families who have started in our school. We hope you are enjoying being part of the Milford School community.

We are also really excited to welcome our newest staff member, Miss Morgan McKeen. As I mentioned in the newsletter at the end of last term, our fabulous STEM teacher, Miss Nicole Brown, is leaving to take up an education role with a technology company. Today is her last day with us, and while we are sad to see her leave, we know this is an amazing opportunity for her. We are really pleased to have been able to appoint Morgan who comes with a wealth of experience in both teaching and technology. Morgan started on Monday and has already fitted in so well. We would also like to congratulate Katy Yates (Year 5 teacher) who got married in the holidays and is now Mrs Katy Cachopa.

Speaking of STEM, a huge congratulations to Emily Huai who entered the Genesis School-gen Get Scratching competition. She won the individual prize of a Sphero Bolt and an Apple iPad Mini. This is fantastic news and we know Emily will continue to hone her coding skills!

Another student achieving in the holidays is Alayna Wright Rawle. Alayna was involved in a gymnastics competition in Christchurch, and competed really well. She made the finals for Bars, Vault and Floor, and won a bronze medal for her Floor routine (see photo below). Well done Alayna, you certainly are a talented athlete!

I need to remind you all that we do not have food treats at school at any time. We have many children with allergies, and along with the extra precautions we need to take in this covid-aware world, we cannot have food shared. We ask that if you particularly want to celebrate your child’s birthday with the class in some way, that you do this with non-food items such as pencils, erasers etc.

A reminder, also, of the days school is closed this term for teacher-only days: Friday 4 June and Friday 2 July. These are days set aside as part of the NZEI accord for professional learning. Please ensure you have made arrangements for your children for these days (Skids will be open these days if you need them).

Our first whole-school assembly for the term is on next Friday at 2.15pm in the hall. This is led by the Year 3 team, and all parents and whanau are warmly invited.

Ngā manaakitanga

Sue Cattell

Principal