Kia ora Papanui Primary whānau

I hope everyone is doing well.

The School Board are currently at the stage of reflecting on our strategic plan to see how we went in relation to our goals for the year. This mahi will help us with planning our next strategic plan for 2024/25. A very important part of creating a strategic plan is ensuring that it contains the voice of all those connected to the school, including our tamariki, staff and community. We would like to gather your ideas and feedback this year on the following 4 questions.

1. What do you think Papanui Primary does well?

2. What do you think we could improve on?

3. What opportunities for your child/children would you like to see introduced at Papanui Primary School?

4. How well do you feel our vision/whakataukī "Seek the right Path" aligns with the aspirations you have for your tamariki?

All those who complete the survey will go into a draw to receive a $50 Prezzy card.

Please click on this link to complete the survey

Just a reminder that we have our teacher only day next Thursday and so school will be closed. Our staff will be taking part in professional development on the NZ curriculum refresh that is underway and due to be up and running in schools by 2027. Friday is then Canterbury Anniversary day.

We have recently finalised two permanent teacher appointments for 2024. Amanda Smith who as you will know has been teaching in Korimako this year has won one of the positions. Well done Amanda! Rachel Morrall who is currently teaching at the New Zealand graduate school won the other. We look forward to having Rachel join our fantastic team.

I can also confirm that we will continue to have 10 classrooms next year and have been staffed for 10 teachers which is great. We will let you know in the coming weeks the make up of the teaching teams and classes.

A massive thanks to the staff and tamariki at our Kura for making me feel really special last week on Tumeke Tumuaki day. I received a whole bunch of amazing cards with very special messages on them as well as a delicious morning tea! As I have said previously I love being the Tumuaki at Papanui Primary and feel very lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive and fantastic community.

On a more personal note, one thing my whānau have been doing the last couple of weeks at dinner time is to say 3 things we are thankful for or appreciative of. Sounds a bit hokey but actually it has generated some great conversations. I think sometimes when we look at some of the major problems that are going on across the globe at the moment, it's good to stop and remember that we are lucky to live in a safe country. NZ is definitely not without its issues but we are fortunate in that regard. Give it a try and see what your kids come up with!

Finally, I hope you all have a relaxing weekend and that you get to spend some quality time together doing the things you enjoy most as a family.

Kia pai tō rā whakatā (have a nice weekend)

Ben