He mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa - Warm greetings to all.

On Wednesday our cross country teams did us proud at Halswell Quarry. Check out the results later in the newsletter.

This week is Support Staff week. At Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo we are fortunate to have a great team which includes Greg our caretaker, Alesha in the gardens and in our office staff of Lisa, Julie and Candace. Anne in the library and the team that work alongside our tamariki in the classrooms- Kelly, Kerry, Paula, Rhys, Tina, Laurinda Lee, Tiffany and Alex. Thanks to all these folk, we can't do it without you!

Thank you for your support last Friday. The Kahukura teachers had an inspiring and challenging day with our keynote speakers on the theme of "Whakapuāwai through Creativity". They also shared their practices with others at the same level. This is often the best learning!

One of our key events on this theme has been on the Nga toi athon where our tamariki really inspired us with their many creations and raised well over $11,000 in the process. I can't give the exact figure as we are still counting! THANK YOU for the support you gave your children. Some of these funds are being used to purchase junior readers.

Strategic Plan Whānau Consultation

Next week the eldest child in your whanau will bring home a questionnaire for you to complete as part of our strategic planning preparation. The tamariki have already been through this exercise with their teachers. Sit down with your children and let them interview you and  please bullet point your answers. Return to school by 9 July to be in the draw for some prizes. The forms are to be returned to the office.

The link to the questionnaire is below if for some reason it doesn't make it home!! Do not write on this form you will need to download it.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O_sy6Fcb_3x3udora8qfo_HKY6lVMVpf/edit

Paid Union Meeting 25 June

Teachers are able to attend Paid Union Meetings under their Collective agreement. Our teachers will attend their meeting on the afternoon of the 25 June. Children will be sent home at 1:15pm unless you pick them up prior. Please email your child's teacher if your child cannot come home at that time. Please support our hard working teachers and allow them to get to their meeting.

Finally, best wishes to Year 2 for next Thursday when they share they creatives learning with their whānau.