This means, Happy New Year!, or Welcome Matariki! Signified by the Matariki cluster of stars reappearing in our night sky, Matariki is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead. It is not a specific day but rather a period of time to enjoy with your whānau.

The term 2 disco was a well-needed community event. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and whole families under the canopy on such a chilly night. Our children danced the night away, forming a conga line and doing the limbo, joined by our fabulous DJ's.

This week has been absolutely FANTASTIC! Silverdale has certainly celebrated Matariki in style. We have had kite making, shared breakfasts, stories by the fire, soup making and slurping, ki-o-rahi, star art, scavenger hunts, story writing, reflecting, goal setting, mara kai (vegetable garden) preparing, matariki maths...and it's not even the end of the week! It has been wonderful to see all kaiako and tamariki celebrating this special time of year.

Morning tea never sounded as good as it did on Tuesday this week! Known as World Music Day, Fête de la Musique has become one of the traditions at our school.

As part of Room 10's Matariki celebrations, we decided that we needed to take care of the gardens outside our classroom. We wanted to be the kaitiaki of our gardens. A kaitiaki is a person, group or being that acts as a carer, guardian, protector and conserver. Our main goal was to get rid of the weeds and rubbish. Next on our project list, is to re-plant and mulch the gardens.

On Thursday 16th June, 16 Year 3 and 4 students were given the opportunity to participate in a rotation of 12 tabloid sports organised by the senior students of Matangi School.

The children in Room 1 have been learning a lot about our natural world. We have been focusing on what is a mammal, what is a bird and what is a reptile; what anatomy makes each one different and how to classify each type of living creature. Then we got to make box creations of our favourite creature.

This week in the senior school, keeping with our Matariki celebrations we made kites and flew them around the school. There were some amazing designs and a variety of styles. Kites in matariki have an important role as they were used to send messages to others, both near and far.

Our Māori Art Group have been working on their weaving skills, practising with heavy paper and card before they try harekeke.

We will be holding a teacher only day this coming Monday following our first public holiday to celebrate Matariki.

A BIG ngā mihi (thanks) to Hillcrest New World for sponsoring our middle and senior school syndicates by providing freshly baked buns. These were (and will be on Thursday by the seniors) thoroughly enjoyed by our tamariki with their vegetable soups. Nothing like soup and buns on a chilly day in Kirikiriroa! (Hamilton).

Photolife has emailed you your child's unique Key Code to go online to view and purchase 2022 school photos. Free delivery expires at midnight on Sunday, 3rd July.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped with the Disco. It was such a fun evening and it was wonderful to have the community together again.

Have you ever thought about standing to be on the Board of Trustees? You should receive nomination forms by Friday,15th July. Nominations will close at noon on Friday, 5th August.

Silverdale Lakers: Eli, Trishalee, Kihi Silverdale Bulls: Shivek, Orlando

Please remember to collect the stickers from Yummy Apples and cut-outs from 1.5kg bags of Yummy Apples for our school's share of sports gear worth $200,00. The promotion runs through until the end of Term 3.

Please see that attached holiday programme. Prices starting from $40.00. Book online at ymcaauckland.org.nz

To be held this Friday, 24th and Monday, 27th June from 10.00am to 3.00pm. This is a free clinic for all Covid immunisations and boosters as well as all children's vaccines. Also, there are free flu vaccinations for anyone over 65 years or with a medical condition or over 55 years of age if you are Maori or Pasifika. No appointments are necessary as it is a walk-in clinic so feel free to pop in.

Join us this holiday as our favourite characters and superheroes introduce us to their real-life counterparts. In week one, we will explore Nobel Laureates and the amazing work they do in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. In week two we will be inspired by Olympic and Guinness Record breakers, to discover our own talents and to keep pushing our own limits to reach our true potential.

11-13 July and 20-22 July. Register at www.musichouse.co.nz

Drifters Rock 'n' Roll club is offering 7-17 year olds two free beginner lessons during the school holidays. 12th and 19th July from 6.00 to 6.30pm at Vardon School Hall, Cunningham Road, Te Kapa.

Excite Music and Arts Academy is a dance, drama, art and theatre school in Te Rapa. We are excited to be bringing after school art classes to Hillcrest in Term 3. We have a strong vision to develop the next generation of artists in our community, empower, inspiring passion and encouraging creativity in young people.

The camps start on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 and run until Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Rototuna Junior High. There will be a three day camp for children aged 9 to 14 and a one day workshop for children aged 7 to 10.

This holiday programme is suitable for children aged 5-13. It is being held at Queens Avenue, Hamilton Lake. Please see attached flyer. Book at www.youthtown.org.nz