Tena koutou katoa

This week has been filled with another Year 6 Camp to Stewart Island, a junior school celebration of their Project Based Learning in the form of a production at the Memorial Centre, further development on our new classrooms, staffing confirmed for 2024 and teachers assessing students in preparation for their end of year reports. Teachers, students and staff continue to amaze me with their resilience, attention to detail and commitment to QPS! What fabulous energy and enthusiasm in the day to life of our kura. Thank you to those of you who have spent long hours out of school time and away from families to ensure our tamariki receive the best possible educational experiences. Thank you also to parents and Year 8 students who have contributed to these experiences. On reflection, I feel so proud to be leading, alongside others in our space. Mahi pai!

Next week I will be attending the final Year 6 Camp at Stewart Island for my ninth time. This experience provides me with the opportunity to strengthen wonderful relationships with our tamariki, parents and staff. I love being able to ‘be a teacher’. Sarah Ferguson will be my ‘boss’ while on the island. Many of my peers are very envious of the opportunities leading our kura provides. I have to say though, that during every visit I have never seen a kiwi. Fingers crossed for this time. In my absence, Matt Leach will lead QPS very capably assisted by Justine Lock, DP and Jo Bell, acting DP. At QPS my main role is to build leadership in others and I am so impressed with the calibre of leaders who accept this wero.

You will have noticed that Queenstown Playcentre are now on our site and we are thrilled to have them join us. Please be aware of the new parking signs in our PUDO which cater for Playcentre parents at various times. Thank you to those of you who are heeding the ‘no right turn’ into PUDO and using the Camp Street roundabout. This is much appreciated as the traffic on Robins Road in the afternoons is heavy due to the closure of Gorge Road. The health and safety of everyone is our priority while using the pedestrian crossing.

Today at our school assembly, many QPS students received distinction awards in a variety of curriculum areas in the ICAS exams which are an Australasian assessment. This means these students have achieved in the top 10% of all students who participated. Mahi pai!

Once again, I encourage you to follow the QPS complaints procedure if you are worried about your tamariki; teacher first, then Team Leader, DPs and then myself. What we do not know we cannot fix. My job is to ensure QPS is a safe and happy place for everyone.

Ma te wa! Enjoy your weekend!

Fi Cavanagh