This is a time to look back and celebrate what has been achieved and learned throughout the year. Senior Prizegiving certainly did that in a special way. Friday 15 December was a busy day with three assemblies celebrating the learning we have done together and the growth and development of all our tamariki.

In the Junior assembly Mrs Yates spoke about why we celebrate learning. She referred to this quote which I felt was particularly apt.

Effective praise/positive reinforcement is the driver behind student motivation, self-esteem, and creating a positive learning culture.
Remember each learner is unique and success looks different for different learners. But celebrating success is a great way to boost motivation, confidence and morale.
 - Remediana Dias

Thanks to all the families who joined us for these assemblies to create a more effective celebration of learning.

Our Middle Syndicate assembly provided an opportunity for families to witness many of the pieces performed at Grandparents Day earlier in the term. Ms Pirie shared some appropriate thoughts as she showed us an old pair of her nephew’s favourite sneakers. She compared these with a new pair he is about to receive. Her lesson was about the comfort of the past and how the new and unfamiliar soon becomes comfortable again and how this relates to changes experienced by our tamariki as they progress to a new class and year level.

The Senior Syndicate celebrated their Y6 graduates. Each received a certificate to mark this rite of passage. As you would expect, there were also plenty of demonstrations of learning. I was particularly struck by a video produced by Room 19 comparing the past with the present. School discipline, ordering food, playing games and even parenting were contrasted in funny and entertaining ways.

We bid farewell to 5 teachers. Brittany Jude, Renee Wright, Clare van Kuijk, Leanne Robson, and Kelly Sauerman are all taking up new opportunities for next year. On behalf of our school community I wish them the very best and thank them all for the time and energy they have devoted to our tamariki in their role as classroom teachers.

We are expecting to begin some major renovations next year so have kept our intake of out of zone students to a minimum in order to reduce the number of classes we may have to relocate elsewhere on our campus. This means that although this group of teachers are leaving, we do not have to replace them with new staff.

To the students, families and teachers who have made this year truly special, thank you for embodying the spirit of "Learning Together." I wish you a well-deserved break and a joyful holiday season.

Noho ora mai,

Robin Kirkham

Principal / Tumuaki