Kia ora koutou katoa. What a busy week we have had this week. The first two days were our IBPYP Authorisation Visit where two evaluators who work for the IB did a remote visit and looked at all aspects of our programme. It was certainly more challenging as a remote visit rather than face to face, as we tried to communicate the very special culture in our school and show them all the wonderful things our students do and the experiences they are a part of.

They met with teachers, students, the Board and some parents, as they travelled through our school via zoom. It is a rigorous process where they triangulate what they see, hear and observe. The summary meeting at the end was hugely positive and while they can’t let us know the outcome, we are very hopeful that we will be given full authorisation as an IB World School. An exciting chapter in our journey. Everyone plays a part in implementing the PYP in our school, but a huge thank you to Sara Baker, our PYP co-ordinator, who ensured we were well-placed for success. The visiting team were most impressed with our students who they found to be articulate, knowledgeable and confident. Nice to hear!

As we know expectations of upcoming events have had to change and adapt this year, and cancelling the biannual Productions had to happen but was hugely disappointing, especially for our Year 6 students. With the usual passion and commitment to ensuring our students have the best possible experiences, our head of music, Eugenie Middleton, along with the Year 6 team, Bev Boyd, Sophie Magaraggia, Scott Polkinghorne and Jessica Han, put their heads together and came up with the idea of a Year 6 concert. This was held this morning, and what a concert it was. From the Lockdown Boogie that many staff joined in (complete with dressing gowns) to the final item memories, it was a fantastic concert full of optimism and hope for our future! You are amazing Year 6!

As I am sure you can imagine, the complex job of placing children in classes for the following year has been underway. This is now complete and you will receive this in your child’s report that comes home on Thursday 10 December. Please do not send through any further friend requests or comments. Your child’s teacher knows them well and has placed them where they will be successful. Also, please don’t ask the teachers to share this information now, it will come with the report.

As is usual at the end of the school year, we have some staff changes. Two of our lovely teachers are going on Parental leave – Sophie Magaraggia (Year 6) starts her leave next Friday, 27 November as she awaits the birth of her baby daughter early in December. Danelle Patching (Year 3) leaves at the end of the school year, ready to welcome their new baby (due early February) into their family.

Two other staff members are retiring. Linda Vane, our wonderful and supremely organised DP, is retiring after 17 years at Milford School and nearly 50 years in Education. Jenny Gutry, our office manager and font of so much knowledge, is retiring after 30 years at Milford School. Both these staff members have given so much to our school, we will miss them but do wish them well in their retirement.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Ngā manaakitanga

Sue Cattell

Principal