Hi team. Welcome back to Term 2. A special welcome to all new students, staff (Miss Gillespie & Miss Mckillop) and whānau. I really enjoyed meeting many of you at last Friday's Mihi Whakatau. With the winter weather on the way and darker conditions PLEASE continue to be extra vigiliant when picking up and dropping off your children.

Term 2 Events

Like I mention every term, please ensure you stay updated with the many additional events that our students are participating in. This can be done via our HERO Portal, School Website or Facebook Page. Our wonderful staff will also provide additional information as it comes to hand.

Temporary relocation of Waitaha Transition Programme Hub

Please refer to the linked article within this newsletter regarding the announcement of the Temporary relocation of Waitaha Transition Programme Hub.

Government Education Announcements 

Last week, the Minister of Education, Hon Erica Stanford announced six education priorities, focused on lifting achievement. The Minister also made a pre-budget announcement of $67 million to support structured literacy to change the way children learn to read. These announcements echoed changes already underway such as teaching one hour a day of reading, writing and maths in primary and intermediate schools, and phones away for the day (in effect from the start of this term).

You can read the two press releases here:

Education priorities focused on lifting achievement – Beehive.govt.nz
Transforming how our children learn to read – Beehive.govt.nz

Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School is already in a good place to support these priorities, especially with our schoolwide Structured Literacy Programme which has been an area of focus since 2022.

Support Staff Day

Next Thursday is Support Staff Day. We have a truly amazing team here Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School and I would like to acknowledge our amazing Administration Team, Teacher Aides, Property Supervisors and Sports & Library Co-ordinators for everything they do for our students and our teaching staff. All are true role models of our E Tū Tāngata mindset.

FINALLY........HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

To all our wonderful Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School Mums. I hope you have a relaxing Mother’s Day and are spoiled rotten!!! You all deserve it!!!!!! 

Cheers

Simon