It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the year. There have already been so many highlights in terms of the girls’ learning and there are many more to come.

It was lovely to see so many of you yesterday at the Celebrating Success Assembly. We are very proud of how far our girls have come this year.

Next term sees some temporary changes to our staffing. Jen Eastwick has gone on maternity leave as she prepares for the arrival of their new baby. We wish Jen, Kieran and big sister, Pippa all the best. We can’t wait to hear about Baby Eastwick 2.0. Sandra Chapman will be taking some leave and will be back in January 2023. We will miss both Jen and Sandra who are both incredible educators who have an amazing rapport with our girls.

In the meantime, we welcome Julie Lewis and Betsy Ryan to the Junior School team. Both teachers are experienced and dedicated teachers. 

Julie joins us to teach our New Entrant class in Terms 3 and 4. Julie has taught in a number of schools in Christchurch, Dunedin, Perth and further afield. Her most recent position was as team leader of New Entrants and Year 1 at Kaiapoi Borough. We are thrilled to have Julie’s expertise with learners who are just beginning their school journey. 

Betsy Ryan joins us in our Year 5 classroom. Betsy is a highly skilled teacher with more than 20 years of teaching in schools in the USA and New Zealand. She has also spent time teaching Grade 5 and 6 in International Baccalaureate schools in Saudi Arabia as well as at St Albans School, Paparoa St School and Selwyn House. 

We welcome both Julie and Betsy to St Margaret’s Junior School and I know they will love working with our girls.

As the second term draws to a close, I want to extend a big thank you to the Junior School teachers. Nicki, Michele, Paulette, Megan, Sandra, Paula, Jen, Lillian, Bindy and Audrey are amazingly dedicated educators who are constantly reflecting on how to be the most effective teachers for your girls. They care so much about every girl’s learning and well-being and I really want to thank them publicly for all they do. You are awesome- have a wonderful break, team!

I also want to thank all our specialisation teachers who provide such amazing learning experiences in a range of fields. From PE to art, from Spanish to Performing Arts- there is so much great, rich learning happening in your classes. Thank you for your work.

To all of our Junior School families, thank you for your ongoing support of St Margaret’s Junior School. I hope you are able to take some time to relax and recharge with your daughters…….

Let’s just hope this rain stops!