Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. Kia ora, Hello, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Bula, Hola, Fakaalofa atu, As Salam Alaykom, こんにちは, Hallo, Hoy, હ લ ો, Hē leu, Mauri, न म त, Ola , Chum reap suor, Kumusta, Nihao, Xin chào.

Kia ora koutou

150th Anniversary Celebrations

I am pleased to announce that plans have been finalised for our 150th Anniversary Celebrations as follows;

Timetable for Friday, October 20th, 2023:

This day is for the current school community and any old students and staff who can make it…

9:30am - Mihi Whakatau welcome ceremony by school students and cultural performances by the school's Kapa Haka, Pasifika, and other groups

10:30am - Guided tours of the classrooms and facilities

11.00am  - Shared Morning Tea

Closing remarks and farewell

Timetable for Saturday, October 21st, 2023:

Specifically for Old Students, Board Members, PTA and Staff

1.00pm - Mihi Whakatau welcome - Time to Mingle/Displays in the hall

1.30pm - Guided tours of the classrooms and facilities

2.30 - 4.00pm - Guest Speaker and “Happy Hour”

Please save these dates which are in Term 4 and coincide with Labour Weekend! We will put up a registration page later next week and share this on our website and via our Facebook Page. Please pass this on to as many people as you can.

Moving into renovated Building 'Te Uru'

We have been very busy and super excited about the move into Te Uru for Team Pātītī next week. Please remember that next Monday 29th May is a learn-from-home day, for those learners who can in Team Pātītī (Rooms 1,2,4,5 and 6), thank you for your support with this. The first day of learning in Te Uru is Tuesday 30th May.

Teacher and Principal Collective Contract Negotiations

These negotiations are ongoing with the Ministry of Education with the Teacher and Principal’s union NZEI wants the following;

• A pay increase to encourage more people into the profession

• More staffing and learning support in schools

• Lower class sizes

• More resourcing to reduce inequities for Māori and Pasifika learners

At the moment all industrial action has been called off while negotiations happen but there is a chance that there could be strike action as early as next week if these negotiations falter. Watch this space.

School Policies Review

Our Education Outside the Classroom Policy is up for review this term. Please follow the link and review this if you would like to;

https://riccartonprimary.schooldocs.co.nz/index.htm?toc.htm?1893.htm

Have a fantastic week and please encourage your children to be respectful, responsible, real learners.

Ngā mihi nui

Paul Irving

Tumuaki - Principal