He mihi mahana kia koutou katoa - Warm greetings to all

Over the years there have been various complaints about Studholme Street. The parking parallel or angle (which we have had and it was changed as the road is apparently too narrow), the hump, and people parking across neighbours' driveways. Other than the latter issue every 2-3 years we have had the council look at the issues raised and the verdict is the same. It's not the engineering that is the issue but the road users behaviour and lack of patience and consideration for others that is the issue.

Once again the engineers will be out to see if there is something that can be done. Maybe a new set of eyes!!!!! I'll keep you posted but in the meantime it would help if everyone was a bit more patient, a bit more respectful to our neighbours by not parking on their lawns or over their driveways and a bit more self aware to see how your actions impact on others. See the photos below as of an example of this.

Our new playgrounds are proving to be very popular. We are excited that they are getting good use in the weekends and after school. Although we have significantly more security cameras it needs the whole community to take pride in our school and ensure everyone uses the grounds respectfully. If you see undesirable behaviour please act. In most cases it's no good leaving it and telling us the next day or on the Monday. The school grounds are for our tamariki and we all need to work to ensure they are used safely and correctly.

Next Wednesday we will be opening the bike track. As with the new playgrounds we have had to roster the bike track. Next Wednesday will be for Waka Tete, Thursday for Kopapa and Friday for Mokihi. Children can bring their scooters or bikes and they MUST have a helmet.

Over the next few weeks the track will be planted extensively with native grasses to help any falls! We will also plant cherry trees up the walkway and a new path will lead to a new entrance to prevent congestion at the crossing. We are also looking forward to getting the field replanted with grass when the weather gets warmer.

Thank you to the whanau who braved a very cold, misty day on Tuesday to cheer on our cross country teams. Our Somerfield Kids once again did us proud and we have 8 representatives in the Central Cross Country competition. Congratulation to all 4 teams! See the sports page for the results.