Well done Kento, Ashton and Zoe!

Last Wednesday these three students represented Redwood Primary at the Canterbury Central Cross Country Zones at Halswell Quarry. Qualifying for this event is a huge achievement in itself - our team ran alongside some of the most competitive athletes in our region. These children put in huge efforts and should be really proud of their achievements! It is great to see our Redwood kids thriving at these types events. A big thanks to Sarah Hurring for providing transport, supervision and support for this trio!

NZEI Paid Union Meeting

Thank you for collecting your child early last Tuesday so our staff could attend the NZEI paid union meeting. At this meeting, the direction and priorities for our NZEI members' 2022 collective agreement renewal campaign was discussed. There was a focus on the  NZEI commissioned Pūaotanga report and the recommendations within this document. The Review has been conducted by an independent panel of education experts: Steve Maharey, Whetū Cormick, Dr Cathy Wylie, and Peter Verstappen.

You may have heard about this review in which bold statements and recommendations have been made address the staffing and funding problems in New Zealand State Primary Schools. Here is a quick read if you would like to know more.

Our Redevelopment

The redevelopment is progressing well. We are expecting to have our two new teaching blocks handed over to us in early September. We are currently planning which hubs will move into these new spaces. 

Once we have moved out of Rooms 15, 16, 17 and 18, the construction team will move in to renovate these spaces. Room 18 will become the new staffroom - the old staffroom will be demolished near the end of the project.

Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 will then be renovated and Rooms 7 and 8 will be demolished.

I had the opportunity to walk through Block A earlier in the week. It is looking like an actual classroom now - with just the internal doors, joinery, ceiling tiles and carpet to be installed.

I am confident that these are going to be amazing spaces for learning. Bright, modern and flexible.

Over the holidays, more major trenching work will take place. Services will be run to Block B - the new learning space on the western side of the school. This will cause issues around access and there will again be heavy machinery working on site. For these reasons, we have decided to close the grounds to the public over the school holidays. Thank you for your support with this.

Swimming

New Zealand has higher rates of fatal drowning than comparable Western countries (eg Australia, Canada and the UK). Water safety and confidence is a major component of our swimming programme and as our two week programme has drawn to a close, it is great to know that every one of our tamariki have had the opportunity to improve their skills and confidence in the water.

A special thanks to our wonderful PTA for their donation of $5,000 towards cost of the swimming programme. This reduces the contribution we ask from parents by around $16 per child.

Thanks also to the parents who have made the requested contribution promptly. Without this support, we would be unable to provide this valuable learning opportunity. Thanks too for your support organising togs and a dry towel on a daily basis!

A big thanks to the parents who helped with supervision over this two week period - your support is appreciated. Finally, a big thanks to our teachers and kaiawhina (teacher aids). Getting 300 children to and from the pool each day is no mean feat (and can be quite exhausting for the staff) - thanks for your mahi in this space!

Please follow this link to learn more about water safety in New Zealand.

Charter and Strategic Goals

This important document has now been submitted to the Ministry or Education. 

At the heart of this charter are four broad areas for further development: 

1. Learning
2. Building Capacity
3. Property and Environment
4. Culture 

A strategic goal has been developed for each of these areas:

Learning: Our school based curriculum is engaging, relevant and culturally responsive and meets the needs of ALL akonga (learners) and enables them to realise their full potential. 

Building Capacity: Actively seek structures and opportunities to further the professional growth of our school leaders, kaiako/teachers and kaiawhina/teacher aides to ensure quality outcomes for all akonga/learners

Property and Environment: The physical environment (learning spaces and landscaping) is safe, meets the needs of our school community, enables quality teaching & learning to take place and supports priority learners.

Culture: Acknowledge and respond to our Tiriti o Waitangi obligations through regular and meaningful collaborative relationships with iwi, the parent community and community organisations which benefit the Redwood Primary School community.

Two to four annual goals have been derived from these strategic goals and an action plan is included to help us realise these goals.

Please follow this link the charter in PDF format.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Ngā mihi nui

Nick