He pānui na te Tumuaki

Kia ora e te whānau

What do you think of the new school newsletter format? We are loving the options that Hail allows for communication via our website and newsletter. If you hear of someone who hasn't received this week's newsletter, please forward them the link or ask them to contact the school office to have their email added to our recipient list. You can also read our newsletter on our new Facebook page.

The other exciting change we are introducing is a change of SMS. This is the student management system that organises our daily administration, attendance, classroom assessments, communication of notices, and reporting to parents. Hero provides a range of features that benefit us here at school, and you at home. Some of these features won't be visible to whānau until next year, to allow time for us to upskill our kaimahi | staff, but we are excited to have you log on. You will be able to download the App and easily communicate absences. We are also going to open the 'School Bookings' feature next week, and invite you to book for the 2025 beginning of the year Learning Conversations.

Here is a link to instructions for you to follow to log in to Hero now or have a look at the article about logging on to Hero in this newsletter. If you need help or have any questions, come to our Hero Support drop-in at the school office tomorrow, Thursday 21st November between 11am-4:30pm. We are happy to help you get Hero set up on your device.

Learning Conversations are an opportunity for you to meet your child's new teacher and for everyone to share information that will support their learning and wellbeing over the school year. Please help us to be the best we can be for your tamariki by booking a Learning Conversation when they go live next week. Watch out for information in next week's newsletter.

Manakura Rua spent Monday at Waimairi Beach for Beach Education. My sources tell me that it was a bit cold and windy, but that this made the waves more exciting. We are lucky in Aotearoa, to be surrounded by water and close to many roto | lakes and awa | rivers. These provide delicious kai | food and opportunities for fun. Knowing how to stay safe in aquatic environments is such important learning for our tamariki.

Here are some of the best parts of the day, as told by ākonga:

"Playing a game called Buddy Up - you both stand in a circle and they say buddy up, buddy down, buddy through, or buddy run. You have to piggy back, go through the legs, or the buddy has to run around the circle." - Luca S

"I loved the water activities because you could body surf in the big waves." - Delilah

"I liked it when you got eliminated from the Buddy Up game because you could make sandcastles. Me and my friend Macie made a face in the sand." - Eimi

"I enjoyed the club tour. We got to see where the surf life guards hang out; we saw the first aid room, their inflatable rescue boat (IRB), and where they store equipment like surf boards." - Macie

"The best bit was when we had to do Beach Ed Got Talent. We were in groups and had to make up a role play with one of the surf rules. We could use the life guard uniforms and a tube as props. My group had Always swim between the flags." - Grace

Manakura Tahi are off to Beach Education on Friday and Kōtukutuku are scheduled to attend next week; have an awesome time, ngā tamariki.

Kei konei rā

Alli Williams