Kia ora koutou

You will have noticed that the central courtyard (ātea) at our Kura is a hive of construction and groundworks. The junior playground arrived this week and is currently being stabilised before a concrete pour and safety matting. The sandpit is nearly ready for filling and shade sails to be erected above it. A mud kitchen and loose parts area are additions to come. Our junior students have missed out on a playground for nearly 2 years so please chat to your child about our plans for their enjoyment. You will be informed when this area is opened.

Last year, Darren Rewi, a well-regarded local kaumatua, worked with a group of us developing our Kura’s cultural narrative. This included NZ history of how our site was used and what it looked like pre 1900. It was abundant with native birds and gardens and was a place where people would come to gather food. We have developed our landscaping plan around this narrative. Eventually, our classroom blocks will be named after native birds and 4 pou will be installed representing our House groups. A celestial compass is to be created in the ground close to the junior playground signalling the best spot to see the Matariki star, puaka during Matariki.At about the same time that Matariki rises in the North Island (Te ika a Māui), Puaka rises in the South Island (Te Waipounamu).

Thanks so much for attending the Goal Setting conferences. We really encourage you to chat to your child about their goals for this year frequently. We believe responsibility for their learning and achievement is a home/school partnership. We are all setting our own goals for the year around our Kura’s strategic plan, our team’s goal and a professional goal. Throughout the year we meet with teachers to coach and mentor them for success. Similarly, we do this with our students.

We have another AWESOME team at QPS this year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their energy and commitment to our students and each other. You rock!

Happy weekend everyone!

Fi

Room 21 sharing the Aroha (Love)