Dear Parents / Caregivers, tēnā koutou, kia ora koutou katoa.

Lights, cameras, action! After nine weeks of hard mahi/work and with a real sense of excitement, we are now just two school days away from the opening performance of our first whole school production in five years. What a season we have been through since 2019 with the global pandemic creating huge challenges around the world and locally meaning we have not been able to gather together and welcome parents into our kura/school. It is so good to be back to normal, and next week's show "Ye-ha!" is not only a celebration of the Arts, our tamariki, and the hard work of their kaiako/teachers, but it is also a chance to celebrate being able to be together as a school community, parents, whānau, and grandparents. 

Ngā mihi nui - a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to next week's performances... from the tech team (including special acknowledgement to John Horton for his many volunteer hours) to parents assembling costumes, our hardworking and talented leadership team of Jo Williams and Luke Robb, all staff who have taken on the role of tickets sellers, choreographers, promotions, front of house, set design and props to the stars of the show itself - our tamariki. We are all looking forward to you lighting up the stage on Wednesday and Thursday. Tino pai to mahi! Awesome work!

Thank you for your support this week as the Board has sought feedback regarding the Ministry of Education's proposed new enrolment zones for Mountainview High School and Opihi College. A number of parents attended the hui/meeting on the Monday night that the Board provided as an opportunity to discuss the matter. We have also appreciated your support with completing the short survey sent out on email. If you haven't had a chance to respond, please do so. It's a quick five questions that will help us provide information to the Ministry next week in our written response around the draft Zones. Whether you are considering Mountainview or Opihi as a secondary school option for your child or not, this Zone process is significant in terms of the impact that it may have further down the track regarding access to Timaru Boys & Girls as well as the other Timaru high schools.

With the end of the term coming fast, a reminder that next Friday is a Teacher Only Day. Term 4 planning is underway with work beginning on end of year reporting, 2023 class planning and school organisation, as well as a Year 8 camp, Quiz night (for the big people) and "Summer" themed School Council disco. Pets Day is also only a few weeks away - watch out for further information on this in a special Pānui/Newsletter next week.

Remember Daylight Savings this weekend and enjoy the long weekend as we recognise the incredible life and service of Queen Elizabeth II. Tino pai to ra! Have a great day!

Mark Creba

Tumuaki/Principal