We are well into the term and I have enjoyed visiting the Learning Communities and being involved in the high quality teaching and learning that is happening in our school. A particular joy for me has been watching our tamariki heading out into the community to build on the learning happening at school. A big thanks to the PTA who work hard to subsidise these trips.

It is with sadness the Board of Trustees have accepted Richard Breach's letter of retirement effective from term two 2019. Richard has decided that the time is right to hang up his whistle and enjoy a  new journey with his wife. Richard and Lesley (Richard's wife) is looking forward to travelling New Zealand in their house bus and having the freedom to visit their grandchildren.

I would like to draw your attention to the whakatauki used in the image of this article 

Poipoia te kakano kia puawai -Nurture the seed and it will blossom

This relates to the importance of nurturing our students so that they will blossom.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Breach for living this whakatauki during his amazing career in education and nurturing and growing all the students lucky enough to have experienced him as a teacher.

Richard will be missed dearly by the staff, students, parents and wider community when he leaves.  I would like to acknowledge and thank Richard for his contribution to South Hornby School - Te Manu Tukutuku and particularly the South Hornby Choir.

We wish you all the best for your retirement Richard.  As your career comes to an end, please know that your influence carries on. Countless lives have been impacted through the knowledge you have imparted. Hoping your retirement is everything you ever dreamed it could be.

We are currently advertising for a high quality teacher to work in team Raupo - alongside Lyndsey and Lucy.  Once we have completed the recruitment process we will let you know.

We also say goodbye and good luck to our wonderful Teacher Aide Karen Hunter.  She is leaving us to follow career opportunities as a Legal Secretary.  We would like to thank her for the commitment to her job as Teacher Aide over the past 6 years.  She has worked alongside many students and staff and has a real passion for helping our students.  The students and staff are going to miss her bubbly personality and we wish her all the best in her new career.  

Next week are our Paid Union Meetings for teachers, the teaching staff have opted to attend 2 different meetings so that the school can remain open so parents will not need to collect their children early due to school closing.  This was a decision the teachers made as they felt it would help parents and be less disruptive for students.   The programmes might look slightly different when you come and pick up your children on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st March.

A shout out to the teachers who always think about the needs of our student and their whanau.

Next term we will be holding our Board elections. We have some current Board members who won't be re-standing.  We know that there will be further interest in our community from other parents to stand for the Board.  A major part of the Board’s role is around governance, achievement across the school as well as reviewing policies and procedures and making decisions about property.  The Board meets approximately eight times per year.  Being a Board member provides a different perspective of the school. If you would like to know more about the role of the Board, please feel free to come in and have a chat.

And finally, some of your children might have mentioned that they meet the new Principal this week.  It was a great pleasure to have Wendy Huriwai at our school on Monday for the day.  She spent time with the students and staff and enjoyed meeting some of our parents  while on road patrol.  We are all looking forward to Term Two when she takes over the role as Principal.

Have a super weekend everyone

Nga Mihi

Kirsten Harris-Tatana

Acting Principal