Kia ora koutou katoa. As we start into the Easter long weekend, I do wish you all a very happy holiday. School is closed these next five days (Friday – Tuesday) as are all schools in NZ. It has been a busy nine weeks of term and I know the teachers will use these days to catch a breath before the last two weeks of the term.

This week I have had some lovely emails about successes our students have had at surf lifesaving. Madeleine Anderson has won the MBSLSC Junior Lifeguard 2021 - Iron Woman trophy for her age group after two weekends of competition. This is an awesome result, well done Madeleine!! In the photos below you will see she also got to meet Mike Lee, club member and grinder on Team NZ!

Brennan Wilson also had some great success at surf lifesaving winning two medals at the Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club Champs last weekend. In the under 10 age group he won a bronze medal in the boogie board race and also won under 10 most improved boy. Brennan is a junior and has been doing surf lifesaving for three years. Well done Brennan!

I want to make special mention of the Year 6 team, Scott Polkinghorne, Jessica Han and Danielle Nicholson, who led an amazing five-day Year 6 camp last week. I loved being out there for a day and seeing the faces of the students as they tried things they had never done before. The flying fox was a favourite, along with archery, air rifles, and the confidence course. I must say, the food was a big hit too, and no one went hungry! A huge thank you also to the many parents (and grandparents) who either stayed the nights or came out for the day and helped out. It could not have run without you!

Thank you to those who supported the Jesters Pie Day yesterday. We are aiming to raise money for a new middle-years playground (Years 3-4) - this is the last one to be upgraded. As part of this fundraising (and because there have been lots of requests) we are holding a Wear Your Play Clothes to School Day next Friday 9 April. Children come to school in their play clothes, bringing a gold coin donation. This money goes directly towards our new playground.

As part of the NZEI collective agreement, teachers have been given teacher-only days during the year where the school is closed for the day but teachers meet to further their professional growth, and the growth of the school. The Board of Trustees has approved the following dates for this year:

Term 2 Week 4 Friday 4 June – all our COL schools are coming together for shared PD

Term 2 Week 9 Friday 2 July - Coaching PD led by The Education Group

Term 4 Week 4 Friday 12 November - Moderation of curriculum for reporting

I have put these dates on the school calendar but please pop them in your calendars so you can arrange childcare for your children. As usual, SKIDS will be operating in the school hall on those days and if you wish to know more, please contact them directly.

Our final whole school assembly for the term will be held at 2.15pm on the last day of term, Friday 16 April and will be led by the Year 4 team. All parents and whanau are most welcome to attend.

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone.

Ngā manaakitanga

Sue Cattell

Principal