I am writing to introduce myself as the new Junior team-leader.

As the Junior school community, we are fortunate enough to have a highly competent team of teachers who I hold in very high regard. They are passionate, knowledgeable, caring, intelligent and wonderful role-models for your children.

My role is to bring us together as a team, to help us develop and maintain the best educational opportunities and pastoral care for your children. Our teachers are highly collaborative, their practise is grounded in research, and we regularly participate in up-to-date professional development opportunities.

Part of my role is to communicate our team’s pedagogy and practice to you and we will be holding information evenings around Junior School literacy later this term.

I am also working closely with teachers regarding the pastoral care of your children and so that any escalated behaviour issues will come through me. If you have any concerns, your child’s classroom teacher should always be your first point of contact, but I am available to help support as necessary.

Information came out earlier this term regarding home learning. Your classroom teacher will email you to clarify how home learning will work with their class. Remember that the most important part of home learning is that you are reading regularly with your child. Reading together can be using books from home or the library, as well as the phonics reading text sent home from school. These structured literacy texts should be read a number of times over a week to increase fluency. Any other activities suggested are optional.

I look forward to meeting you all over the rest of the year.

Ngā mihi nui,

Gail Moynagh

gmoynagh@stanleybay.school.nz