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

Kelly Richardson is a much respected TA here at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo. Over her 10 years with us she has supported many tamariki and teachers in her role as member of the Learning Support team. Kelly leaves us tomorrow for new horizons but we want to thank her for her care and skill in working with our tamariki. Kelly leaves us on Friday and we wish her all the best.

This has been a busy week. We have hosted 60 Middle Leaders from 11 schools in Christchurch for two days of professional development, our tamariki are walking and wheeling in great numbers and today we launch our new bikes. We have had a visit by Tim Bateman ex Crusader and the Seven Sharp film crew today (more about this next week) and tomorrow is Waka Tētē's swimming sports at  Wharanui Pool. Monday was an important day for our Year 6's who had their leadership day. It was great for them to be joined on their day by leaders from South Intermediate Karamata and Cashmere High. Never a dull moment at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo!

Our visitors were complimentary of our children in the playground and the interactions they witnessed between our tamariki.(teachers always notice these things when we visit each others schools!!). Go Somerfield Kids!  We have another 60 teachers next week and we hope they are just as impressed!

You will have seen my message about attendance last week. We are very concerned about the number of late arrivals.

Thank you to those people who are keeping sick children at home. Do not be offended if we ring you to collect a sick child. Schools are not doctors' offices and we do not have the facilities to cater for sick children. We have fielded a number of concerns from parents whose children are attending school with children who have coughs and colds. These children need to stay at home to keep other children and our staff well. We have a reliever shortage in Canterbury and if we have a lot of teachers sick and no relievers we may have to close classes for the day and children go on line. Obviously this would be last resort!

Our school has had a message from the Hawkes Bay Primary Principals Association thanking our community and tamariki for their support and the donations. The funds will be shared between the most affected school.