Since returning to school, we have been focusing on the school value of resilience and what it 'looks like' in all aspects of school life. In child speak it is the ability to bounce back like a rubber ball... again and again, and not give up.

Challenges build resilience and a student's ability to cope with many situations in life – moving classes, getting sick, encountering unkind people, making new friends, and occasionally get hurt by those friends. Resilient students are problem solvers who when faced with unfamiliar or tough situations and strive to find good solutions. When they are in a situation they have a sense that they are able to figure out what they need to do and who can help. This doesn’t mean they have to do everything on their own, rather they know how to ask for help and are able to work out their next steps. 

Resiliency helps students navigate the inevitable trials, triumphs, and tribulations of childhood and adolescence. They become resilient adults, able to survive and thrive in the face of life’s unavoidable challenges.

A great example of resilience was our students navigating the changes to drop off and pick up. Surprisingly, in Level 2 we found (as have many other schools in New Zealand) that there were numerous unforeseen benefits through the drop-off and pick up procedures, these include: 

• Increase/development of student independence, for example, taking responsibility for carrying bag and putting away bookbag
• a significant decrease in student anxiety 
• students arrived in class calm and ready to learn maximizing learning time
• Less/no noise outside the classrooms during learning time 
  
• Teachers can focus on setting children up for a positive start to the day
  
• Teachers are valuing the 1-1 connection time with their learners from 8.30am
  
• Less traffic congestion around the gates
  

As always, we warmly welcome you into the school and look forward to seeing you in classes and reconnecting with teachers, but as we move to Level 1, I encourage you to consider a 'kiss, wave and go' approach at the school gate. This really has proved to be a great way to grow independence and resilience. 

Building Program Update 

We are delighted to let you know that Phase One (Room 7 and 8) of the building project is now complete. The new spaces look incredibly light, bright, and fresh and we are itching to get into them! The class spaces will be back in use by Wednesday this week. 

On Tuesday 9 June we will begin Phase Two (Room 4, 5, and 6) which is scheduled for completion on 24 July 2020. To enable this to happen, we will be relocating three classes for the duration of the build:

· Room 4 will be in the library

· Room 5 will be in Room 12

· Room 6 will be in Room 8

Please be assured that we are working closely with the contractors to keep disruptions to a minimum. 

Level 1 School Activities

As we move to Level 1 many school activities will be starting again, including sport, kapa haka, and assemblies. Details have been included in the Level 1 letter sent out this week. 

We really are looking forward to moving another step closer to 'normal'  and reigniting the spark in our school.  

School Assembly

At last, we can invite you to assembly! On Friday 19th June we will be having our usual school assembly, we would love to see you there and help us celebrate some of the terms successes. 

On the last Friday of term, 3rd July 2.15pm you are invited to a special assembly to farewell John Waller. I am sure that there will be lots of fun and laughter as we wish John all the best on his next leadership adventure. 

Finally, we have really enjoyed having the children back at school, and as we move to Level 1 we can't wait to welcome you all back on site and reconnecting with you!

Ngā mihi nui, 

Lucy Naylor 
Principal/Tumuaki