I am writing to introduce myself as the new Lead Principal of the Ngā Peka oTauwharekākaho Kāhui Ako. Special thanks to Blair Dravitski, Te Uru Tarata /Lemonwood Grove School for the leadership he has provided in this position for the past two years.

I am proud to be the foundation principal of West Rolleston Primary School Te Kura oTe Uru Kōwhai. We have been a member of our kāhui ako since its inception in 2017, and prior to this when we operated informally as a cluster of schools since 2015.

For those of you who are new to our schools, a Kāhui Ako or Community of Learning is a group of education providers who work together to support all of our students to achieve their full potential through the development of strong learning pathways.

Our Kāhui Ako were gifted the name Ngā Peka o Tauwharekākaho by Te Taumutu Rūnanga. This name means the connecting branches of the Rolleston area and reinforces our desire to collaborate and make a firm connection between our schools.

We have the following schools and educational centres in it plus we welcome the involvement of all of our 20+ early childhood education providers:

Te Kura o Tiori Burnham School, Te Kura o Mārama Clearview School, Te Puna Wai ō Tuhinapo Kingslea School, Horoeka Haemata Rolleston College, Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School, Te Uru Tarata Lemonwood Grove School, Te Rōhutu Whio, Waitaha School, Te Kura o Karamū Weedons School, Te Kura o Papatahora West Melton School and Te Kura o Te Uru Kōwhai West Rolleston Primary.

We are supported in our Kāhui Ako work by a group of appointed Across School

Lead Teachers - Andrew Gebbie, Claire Robertshaw, Victoria Wadhams [Rolleston College], Tania Soal [Clearview], Stacey Park [Lemonwood Grove], Tess Rodgers[West Rolleston] and Jo Buckenham [West Melton].

I shall update you on our achievement challenges and goals later in the term.

Ngā mihi

Sylvia Fidow