Judy Munro, our librarian, is retiring at the end of this year. She has encouraged a generation of Papakōwhai School children to read and imparted a love of books and storytelling.

Judy started at Papakōwhai School in May 1991. I found an early photo of her time here at our school. Judy is on the right hand side of row two.There are three other teachers in the photo who are still here, can you spot them?

Judy worked initially as a Teacher Aide and later became a part-time librarian and office person. As the school grew in size she was able to work full-time in the library, which was her real passion.

Daniel Aitcheson, a student in 1994, wrote an article about her in the school magazine. Here is an excerpt:

During her spare time Mrs Munro looks after three daughters, does housework and goes shopping. Mrs Munro likes to relax by doing craft work, cross stitch and reading. Mrs Munro sounds as if she has found her work with children rewarding and fulfilling. Hopefully she will always find it that way and stay working at this school for further years.

Well, Daniel was right and Mrs Munro has loved working with children and they love working with her and she did stay on for a lot of further years!

Judy has coached our school's Lit Quiz teams for many years and won two Wellington finals. She has curated our library collection, read thousands of stories, enthusiastically spearheaded character dress-up days and introduced countless authors to our students.

Thank you Judy for the wonderful legacy you have left at our school.

We are having a staff farewell for Judy next week and we will also thank her publicly at our final assembly at 11am on Friday 16th December.

Rātā and Mataī Showcase

What an amazing success this was! The children were so wonderful in their dances and looked fantastic. Thank you to Sara Watchorn and all the staff who worked on this beautiful show. Thank you to everyone that came to support the show yesterday.

Home and School BBQ

I hope you can join us next week at the Home and School family BBQ on Wednesday 7th December. All the fun starts at 5pm. There is food and drink for sale and entertainment in the hall from a selection of our students. 

5pm The Goodtime Music Band 
5.15pm Kapa Haka Year 7/8 performance group
5:45pm Tōtara drum and Sasa group 
6pm Pasifika group 
6:15 Rimu singing group
6:30pm Ukulele group 

Leavers Dinner

Our Year 8 Leavers Dinner is on Wednesday 14th December starting at 5pm. Parents/caregivers are welcome to attend the presentations at the beginning of the evening. Please click here to RSVP . If your family needs more than two spaces for parent/caregivers to attend please write that in the comments of the RSVP.