Kia Ora Koutou Katoa, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Ni Hao, Anyoung Haseyo, Konichi Wa, Gruetzi, Guten Tag, Bonjour, Ola, Hello.

A meeting to consult with our community around our school's Charter was held in Week 2 at school. We were thrilled with the discussion had by staff, parents and the Board around our future vision for the school. 

Discussion focussed around  key future focussed ideas of 21st Century Learning, globalisation, student identity and resilience, leadership and citizenship, Traditions of Tauriko School and NZ, and the community as learners. The consultation also involved looking at our current three school goals and considering what changes to these might be necessary.

It was exciting for our staff, parents and BOT to see just how passionate we all are about our school and how we all want the very best for our children- both now and into the future. I have had many positive comments from people who attended the meeting. It was also heart warming to hear just how positive our community are about our school. When the staff and I  work so hard to provide the very best for our students it is neat to have great feedback acknowledging the work we do and constructive ideas for further enhancing what we provide for our students in the future.

The Board will now use the information from our parent community, alongside that of our staff and students to review the Charter goals they set to govern the school. I will use a lot of the detail in the information shared to prioritise actions as we move forward into the future, continually improving what we deliver at Tauriko School  - growing fine, actively involved young people who are confident in who they are and capable, successful learners.

Thank you to Hannah Rose, an ex-Head Student for her support in looking after the children of parents who came along to the meeting. She kept all the children happy and ensured they all were well fed!

Many thanks to my staff who helped with organisation both before and during this important event to support this to be so successful. 

Congratulations to Kerry Burgess who won the $200 Mills Reef voucher on the night. Thank you to all those parents who attended  - your input into the future direction of the school is much valued.

Students actively involved in their community

Our students are often involved in opportunities to contribute actively in their community. Recently the Green Team have been meeting to look at ways to further enhance our school environment. I am due to have a meeting with them to hear their ideas and consider ways to support them to move forward with want they want for their school.

Greg Simmonds, our BOT Chairperson, will meet this term with our School Council to hear student ideas that will further enhance our school Charter. These students will bring ideas from their classroom meetings and enable all students to have an impact on the future direction of the school.

Recently our students in Year 5 & 6 took part in the Amazing Race and students from Year 4 - 8 will represent our school at West Cluster and Tall Poppy Cross Country events shortly. Many thanks to Natalie van Dijk and her team for the recent school cross country at Waipuna Park that enables us to have a great community day and to send students onto these events. Thank you to the PTA and parents for their support with this event also. I know you will enjoy the articles in this newsletter that relate to these sporting events.

Parking and driveway improvements

This project is progressing and I know we all can't wait until it is finished. Early indications are that this will hugely improve the safety of traffic into and out of our school site.

NZTA are stressing the importance that only staff park along the road frontage in these carparks. The land here actually belongs to them as part of SH29. Their design of this area means no one is backing out at busy times and hindering through traffic and that students are not walking across a wider space at busy times. This area is not for any parent and visitor parking.

All parking for visitors and parents is in the office carpark area. Soon all contract vehicles will be removed from this area and signage will be altered and enable you all to be more sure of the  rules that will keep our students safe. Please park in car parks and not along the curbing in front of the office. Yellow lines will soon support you in knowing what is expected here.

I have assured the Ministry of Education and NZTA that all our parents/whanau have been waiting for these improvements for a very long time, that you want a safe environment for your children and yourselves and that you will adhere to the safety rules and organisation in place. As soon as all the signage is up and line marking finished, I will put out a notice via a range of channels that ensures you are aware of all expectations and supported to make sound decisions when travelling through this area.

Tall Poppies Camp

Our Intermediate students are on school camp this week at Aongatete. After running the cross country on Tuesday morning the students spent the rest of the day at Waimarino kayaking and taking part in water challenges. Yesterday was a day in camp making pottery tiles to decorate our school environment, orienteering and rock climbing. Last night I enjoyed the evening out at camp having dinner with the kids, parents and staff and helping Mr van Dijk with the quiz. It was a great evening and the staff and I are extremely grateful for the wonderful parents who are on camp with the students throughout the week. Their support means the camp can take place.

Today the students are out on the high ropes course at TECT park and I know with such a beautiful day they will have a great time. We look forward to welcoming these wonderful young people back to school tomorrow afternoon and hearing all their amazing stories. I know they will have made memories that they will have for life.

Suzanne