Kia ora Papanui Primary whānau and welcome back to term 3. I hope everyone is doing well.

I have been really impressed with how our kids have come back to school this term so settled and ready to do their best. We've had a fantastic week!

Progress and achievement reports came home today and they are a great way to see how your tamariki are going so far this year. You will see how well your kids are living our school values as well as how they are doing with their learning in the key areas of literacy and numeracy. There is also a brief assessment of how they have achieved in other curriculum areas such as science, physical education and health as well as social sciences. It is a great opportunity to sit down with your tamariki and chat through the report, and to ask them how they think they are doing. You will see comments from their teacher on aspects that they have done well, as well as a next step. Parents often ask how they can help at home, so reading the next step with your child and then thinking of opportunities to practice this next step when you are together at home or out and about is a great way to help.

Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday we have our 3-way learning conversations (parent/teacher/learner meeting) and again this is a fantastic opportunity to not only discuss the reports but to build relationships between home and school. If you haven't booked in please visit the Schoolapps booking page to find a time that suits you. Bookings shut off at 5pm on Monday.

Please note that school will close at 2pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday next week so you will need to arrange to pick your tamariki up early.

Today we held our termly Mihi Whakatau, welcoming new tamariki and their whānau to our school. We also welcomed Mrs Lissa Toscano who has now officially started in her role as Learning Support Coordinator.

We have quite a busy term ahead wIth lots of fun events planned. Here are some key events and dates coming up this term.

21st July - Progress and achievment reports go home

25th-26th July - 3-way learning conversations (2pm school closes)

14th -18th August - Book fair week

17th August - School photos

17th August (2pm-3pm) Grandparents day

18th August- Dress up as a book character day

21st August - Staff only day (school closed)

25th August - Daffodil day (Cancer Society fundraiser)

30th August - 1:45pm - 3pm Maths open day whānau session

11th - 15th September - Te wiki o te Reo Māori language

18th - 22nd September - Life Education visit - Harold the giraffe

22nd September - End of term 3

Finally have a fantastic weekend everybody, be kind to yourselves and to others and we look forward to seeing you back next week.

Hei konā mi (goodbye for now)

Ben Galletly