Kupe Tumuaki: Connect, Learn and Engage

We're excited to invite you to three events this term:

Whānau Literacy Evening – Thursday, 6 March, 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Join us to learn about the latest curriculum updates and how we're implementing structured literacy. Experience firsthand what your children are learning in the classroom!

Principal's Morning Tea – Friday, 7 March, 8:30 – 9:00 AM

This is an informal opportunity to chat with the principal in the staffroom, ask any questions you have, and share your feedback. We look forward to seeing you there.

Annual Plan and School Finance – Thursday, 13 March, 7:00 PM

You're invited to a Board presentation where we'll share the 2025 Annual Plan and provide an overview of school finances. This evening aims to give you a better understanding of how Milford School operates. You'll learn:

• The 2025 Annual Implementation Plan, including our goals, targets, and action steps.

• How schools are funded, and the key financial factors that influence our decision-making.

In short, discover our intentional plans to drive Milford School to the next level of excellence!

Optimising Our Learning Environment

In the first newsletter of the term, I shared a property update (Week 1 Newsletter) to inform you that we are embarking on a significant property project. This year, the Ministry of Education will initiate a three-stage weathertightness project. This work will address the junior block, administration block, and the school hall, ensuring these spaces remain safe, dry, and conducive to learning for years to come. 

Four modular classrooms will arrive in the coming weeks, marking the first stage of this project. They will be placed on the school field opposite the Year 3 block. Please note that they will remain out of use until we receive council consent, which is necessary before they can be occupied. Understanding that these classrooms are not due to roll growth is important. Instead, they are a crucial part of our planned project to remediate the existing buildings, providing a safe and suitable learning space for our students while the construction is underway.

We also acknowledge that the placement of the modular classrooms will reduce the size of our school fields. Please be aware that the decision regarding the location of these classrooms was made after careful consideration of many constraints. Limited options were available to comply with regulations and ensure access to essential services.

We understand that a project of this scale will inevitably impact our school environment. We assure you that our student's and staff's health and safety are our absolute priority. We are committed to minimizing disruption and will keep you fully informed as the project progresses through each stage.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work towards realising our long-term vision: to create an even better learning environment for all our children, where our school facilities reflect the exceptional quality of education within these walls, optimising teaching and learning opportunities for every student. We are confident that the long-term benefits of this project will be significant, for tamariki, staff and the community.

Drop-off Chaos

Parent drop-offs and pick-ups continue to cause significant safety concerns for our children.

Please be aware that police regularly patrol Shakespeare and Otakau Roads during drop-off and pick-up times. Officers will continue to issue tickets to parents who violate parking and traffic rules. In the past three weeks, over 30 tickets have been issued to Milford whānau for leaving vehicles unattended in the drop-off zone, illegal parking, and/or driving in a way that creates a safety hazard. Please prioritise the safety of your child and our school community.

Finally, we'd like to remind parents that if you have concerns about student behaviour or interactions, please speak with your child's teacher in the first instance. We understand that you care about your children and their well-being. However, addressing concerns directly with other people's children can sometimes be misinterpreted or create unintended issues. Our teachers are best equipped to handle these situations in a supportive and constructive manner.

I look forward to seeing you at one or all of the parent events in the coming weeks.

E noho rā

Lucy Naylor
Tumuaki